The post-COVID landscape has led to a transformative era for businesses, engaging them to shift their operations online and opt for remote work.
By 2025, an estimated 32.6 million Americans will be working remotely, which equates to about 22% of the workforce.
This paradigm shift has led companies to recognize that this is the new normal, where employees can contribute from anywhere. Also, it ensures the uninterrupted flow of business operations in the hard situation of the pandemic.
Moreover, one industry that seamlessly adapted to remote work long before the pandemic was the IT sector.
And this was just because, when developing an app, all you need is a team of app developers, designers, and testers. They can easily execute their tasks with just a laptop or PC and an internet connection.
But, what other benefits are there to hiring remote software engineers? Let’s see them below:
Benefits of Hiring Remote Software Engineers
- Global Talent Pool:
You are not limited to your local space when you hire remote developers. In fact, you gain access to a global talent pool. The geographical constraints that once limited your search for the perfect developer are shattered. You can cherry-pick the best talent from around the world, bringing diverse skills and perspectives to your project.
- Cost-Effectiveness:
Another essential benefit is that operating remotely can significantly reduce costs. You can bypass the need for:
- physical office space
- utilities
- commuting costs for employees
- parking fees
- and, other overhead expenses.
This translates to more budget flexibility and potentially lower labor costs. Besides, you can hire remote software engineers as per your budget.
- Based on data from Payscale, it has been found that software engineers in the United States earn an average annual salary of $120,000, or approximately $65 per hour.
- On the other hand, in Eastern Europe, the average salary for software developers falls within the range of $22,000 to $30,000 per year, making it a highly cost-effective region for hiring.
- In Western Europe, the salary scale varies quite significantly, ranging from $33,000 to $70,000 per year.
- Flexibility and Scalability:
Remote teams offer unparalleled flexibility. You can scale your team up or down as needed, adapting to the project’s demands without the complications of traditional hiring and layoffs.
Besides, upon sourcing remote software developers, you can swiftly set the wheels in motion for your project. There’s no need for the lengthy recruitment and training processes that accompany in-house team building.
Your chosen Staff Augmentation company; takes care of the role of not only a developer but also a market analyst and risk assessor, effectively saving you precious time and resources.
- Continuous Productivity:
Remote software developers often work in environments conducive to their productivity. They have the freedom to structure their workdays to optimize output, resulting in consistent progress for your project.
Moreover, according to a study, around 35% of people who work from home full-time believe they get more stuff done. This might be because they don’t have to spend time commuting, there are fewer interruptions from coworkers, or they can set up their workspace just the way they like it.
- Diverse Skill Sets:
A remote team can bring diverse skill sets to the table. This diversity can foster innovation and problem-solving, ensuring that your project benefits from a rich tapestry of expertise.
- 24/7 Productivity:
With a distributed team spanning various time zones, your project can make progress around the clock. This can lead to quicker development cycles and faster time-to-market for your app.
- Risk Mitigation:
Remote work often comes with a level of self-reliance and responsibility. Developers are accustomed to meeting deadlines and delivering quality work independently, reducing the risks associated with micromanagement.
- Tapping into Local Markets:
Remote teams can have a local presence, enabling you to better understand and cater to specific regional markets. This can be especially advantageous for global expansion or localization efforts.
Besides these, there are a few disadvantages that you should be aware of:
Cons of Remote Hiring of Remote Software Developers
- Communication Hurdles:
Working with both in-house and remote teams may pose communication challenges due to cultural disparities. Every country boasts unique work cultures, and while diversity is a strength, harmonizing remote teams from various corners of the world can take some time.
The good news is that you can mitigate miscommunication risks by hiring remote workers from regions with similar work cultures. For example, if your base of operations is in the United States, you can consider enlisting remote teams from Latin American countries. Many Latin American nations share cultural similarities with the U.S., such as Panama, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic.
- Time Zone Differences:
While many companies seamlessly employ remote developers from countries across disparate time zones, it doesn’t suit all businesses. When you hire remote software engineers who are located six to 15 hours ahead or behind your time zone can be logistically challenging.
Depending on your industry and project requirements, having overlapping working hours with your remote team can be invaluable. This ensures you have a window for scheduling necessary meetings and discussions, fostering more efficient communication than relying solely on written exchanges.
Conclusion
The aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of remote work, especially in the IT sector. When launching a mobile or web app, harnessing the power of a remote developer team can be a strategic advantage.
And that’s what we have discussed above in this article. Hope this gave you a clear understanding of why remote software engineers are advantageous for businesses. Moreover, you need to be careful in choosing the right remote software developer to ensure that you get the best value for your investment.