UX Outsourcing: A Strategy for Growth?

Definition

The Importance of UX for SaaS

You're likely already aware of the importance of user experience (UX) for SaaS businesses. In a landscape where competition is fierce, standing out becomes imperative. And what truly makes the difference? Carefully thought out and executed UX.

UX goes far beyond aesthetics. It's a long-term investment strategy. By building solid foundations for your product, you give yourself the opportunity to optimize future costs. Every euro invested in quality user experience ensures your SaaS business a privileged position in its market.

Choices for UX

You have several options to consider when it comes to addressing your UX needs:

• Hiring an in-house UX Designer may seem like the ideal solution to have direct access to specialized skills permanently. However, it can be costly and time-consuming to find the right talent.
• Engaging a freelancer on a temporary basis offers interesting flexibility. You can hire experts for specific projects without the long-term costs and commitments associated with internal recruitment.
• Establishing an external relationship with a UX Design specialized company could be the key to benefiting from in-depth expertise and varied experience. Specialized agencies have the advantage of working with a multitude of clients and projects, giving them a unique perspective and a wealth of experience to share. Before working with an agency, make sure you've asked them these 9 questions.

The choice to outsource UX will really depend on the needs of your business. To choose, several points must be considered.

Why Outsource UX for a SaaS Product?

The Cost of Outsourcing UX

You might be tempted to choose the in-house path, thinking it's the most cost-effective solution in the long run. But when you take a closer look at the hidden costs, outsourcing may tip the balance in its favor.

Indeed, it may seem less costly to pay a monthly salary and have this person available full-time. Rates vary with an average of €484 excluding VAT per day for a freelancer in France (Malt, 2024) versus €167 for a full-time employee in France (Indeed, 2024). For the full-time employee, you also add social security contributions and additional expenses (recruitment, training, office space, equipment, insurance, payroll management, etc.) which will more than double this amount. In the merveilleUX Agency, we start at €414 before tax (2024).

Although the daily rates of freelancers or agencies may seem higher at first glance, they often include all costs associated with user experience, such as training, recruitment, social benefits, equipment. Opting for an in-house solution may result in unexpected costs, such as investments in additional tools and resources or potential dismissal expenses.

Don't forget: An in-house team also requires continuous investment in terms of training and skills maintenance, which can increase the bill in the long run.

Availability and Scalability

An Agile project management with continuous product evolution is supposed to require an UX designer in the loop regularly but discontinuously. This can be challenging to manage internally.

Usually, UX/UI design is done upstream of product development. The UX designer is therefore highly demanded at the beginning of development, and sees his workload decrease until taking on a quality control role. The development of a new module/product then increases his workload again, and so on. This can be difficult for companies to manage this workload evolution. The UX designer may be delegated tasks that are not his responsibility, or the company may have to dismiss the UX Designer and redo the entire process when the workload becomes significant again.

A freelancer can provide occasional assistance, but a UX agency is better equipped to respond to an evolving workflow. With a diverse team, it can adjust its bandwidth according to your needs, ensuring optimal continuity and quality of service.

Remember: With an agency, you won't find yourself at a standstill if a freelancer isn't available. You benefit from a team ready to step in at any time.

Creativity and Expertise

Sometimes, an outside perspective is needed to discover new perspectives. In-house teams can be too involved in the product to effectively identify gaps in user experience.

Specialized agencies bring deep expertise and innovative ideas. Their objectivity can be valuable for stimulating creativity and solving problems innovatively.

Keep in mind: A fresh perspective can open unsuspected doors and set you apart from the competition.

Timeliness

Launching a product quickly can make all the difference in today's competitive market. UX agencies focus on results and deliverables, resulting in faster execution times.

When your company experiences rapid growth, every moment counts. Recruitment and building an in-house team can take up valuable time, especially in such a specialized field as UX Design.

Outsourcing UX allows you to immediately benefit from the expertise and experience of a specialized agency, without the delays associated with recruiting and training an in-house team. It allows you to focus on developing your product, while the agency ensures exceptional user experience within the set deadlines.

For startups, time is often a scarce resource. Outsourcing UX Design for prototypes and initial versions of your product can be a wise choice. It allows you to focus on developing and validating your concept. By working with a specialized agency, you benefit from their experience in the field, which can help you avoid common mistakes and maximize the impact of your product from the start.

Remember: Rapid market entry can give you a crucial competitive advantage.

Outsourcing UX: What to Watch Out For?

When deciding to outsource the UX of your product, several important considerations must be taken into account to ensure successful and harmonious collaboration.

Key Factors to Consider

When choosing an agency or freelancer, don't just be guided by attractive prices. There are much more important factors to consider.

UI Design/Web-design VS Full Stack UI/UX Designer: Remember that user experience is not simply about the visual design of a website. Without in-depth research, it's impossible to create a truly effective user experience. In your initial discussions with a freelancer or agency, make sure they emphasize research, empathy, and user testing. Want an audit? Check if their approach includes an audit based on recognized heuristics such as those of Bastien & Scapin or Norman Nielsen.

What experiences and expertise? It's essential to choose external partners who have the necessary skills to meet your specific needs. Ensure that the agency or freelancer has varied and in-depth experience in UX Design, marketing, development, and UI Design. Beware of overly enticing offers that may hide a lack of real expertise. If you receive designs that your developers cannot effectively implement, your investment will have been in vain.

Remember: An investment in quality expertise can make all the difference between a mediocre product and a successful one.

The Sensitivity of Information

UX Design often involves access to sensitive information about your company, your users, and your business strategy. Ensure that this confidential information is protected throughout the collaboration process. Make sure the agency or freelancer you're working with is aware of the sensitivity of this data and has appropriate security measures in place to protect it.

The Need for Company Culture and Closer Collaboration

Effective collaboration in UX Design requires a deep understanding of your company's culture and values. It's important to choose an external partner who shares your values and is willing to engage in close and transparent collaboration. Open and regular communication is essential to ensure that goals and expectations are clearly defined and respected on both sides.

What About Copyrights?

When you outsource UX, the issue of copyrights and intellectual property rights can become a delicate subject. It's crucial to clarify from the outset who owns the rights to the creative work done during the project. You may consider solutions such as confidentiality agreements to protect sensitive information, as well as agreements on the transfer of copyrights or the creation of collective works to clarify the intellectual property of deliverables.

Conclusion

At merveilleUX, we believe in fundamental values such as empathy, freedom, tolerance, adaptability, and accessibility. That's why we're committed to providing UX services that reflect these values. Whether you need in-depth UX audits, innovative product design, mockups and prototypes, or the implementation of a Design System, Gamification strategies, our team is here to meet your needs in a personalized way.

As a newcomer to the market in 2024, we understand the challenges that SaaS companies face in terms of UX, and we're determined to help them thrive. Our rates start at attractive prices, with launch discounts and flexibility to adapt to your specific needs. With our Full Stack UX Design experts by your side, you can rest assured that your SaaS company or mobile application will be in good hands, ready to stand out in an ever-evolving digital world!

Contact us today to find out how we can help you achieve your user experience goals.