So, you’ve got an idea—a web app that could shake up your industry, automate a tedious process, or just make life a little easier for your users. Naturally, you want to build it fast, efficiently, and with a framework that’s both powerful and developer-friendly. Enter Ruby on Rails (RoR)—the go-to framework for startups, enterprises, and just about anyone who wants a robust web application without reinventing the wheel.
But here’s the catch: building a great RoR application requires skilled developers—and finding the right talent isn’t always easy. Maybe your in-house team lacks Ruby on Rails expertise. Maybe you’re on a tight deadline and can’t afford the slow hiring process. Or maybe you just want to keep costs under control while still getting top-tier development work. That’s where outsourcing comes in.
Outsourcing Ruby on Rails development can be a game-changer—giving you access to experienced RoR developers without the headaches of recruitment, training, or long-term commitments. But, let’s be real: outsourcing can also be a disaster if not done right. Choosing the wrong partner, failing to set clear expectations, or skimping on communication can leave you with missed deadlines, buggy code, and frustration.
That’s why in this article, we’re diving into when outsourcing RoR development makes sense and how to do it the right way—so you can build your dream app without the nightmares.
When to Outsource Ruby on Rails Development
Outsourcing can feel like a leap of faith. You’re handing over your precious project to people who might be across the globe, trusting them to bring your vision to life. So, how do you know when it’s the right move? Here are some key situations where outsourcing RoR development makes perfect sense:
Your In-House Team Lacks Ruby on Rails Expertise
Let’s say your team is full of brilliant developers—but their expertise lies in Python, JavaScript, or something else entirely. Ruby on Rails? Not so much. Instead of spending months training them or scrambling to hire an in-house RoR expert, outsourcing gives you instant access to skilled developers who live and breathe Ruby. This means less time figuring things out and more time getting things done.
You Need to Launch Faster
Speed matters. Whether you’re racing against competitors, responding to market demand, or trying to impress investors, time-to-market can make or break your success. Hiring takes time—posting job listings, interviewing candidates, negotiating salaries—it all adds up. Outsourcing lets you hit the ground running, skipping the hiring bottleneck and getting straight to development.
You Want to Keep Costs Under Control
Let’s be honest—hiring full-time developers isn’t cheap. Salaries, benefits, office space (or remote work stipends)—it all adds up. If you’re a startup or a business with a limited budget, outsourcing can be a smart financial move. Instead of committing to long-term salaries, you pay only for the work you need—whether it’s a full project build or just extra hands on deck.
You Need to Scale Without the Hiring Headache
Maybe you already have a tech team, but they’re swamped. Scaling up with full-time hires takes time, money, and effort—and what if you only need extra developers for a few months? Outsourcing lets you expand your team on-demand, bringing in experienced RoR developers when you need them and scaling down when you don’t. No long-term commitments, no unnecessary overhead.
You Want to Focus on Your Core Business
Unless you’re running a software development company, chances are your main goal isn’t just writing code—it’s growing your business. When you outsource RoR development, you free up your internal resources to focus on product strategy, marketing, customer experience, and everything else that drives success.
If any of these scenarios sound familiar, outsourcing Ruby on Rails development might be the smartest move you make. But here’s the thing—outsourcing isn’t just about hiring someone and hoping for the best. It’s about finding the right partner, setting clear expectations, and managing the process effectively.
How to Get It Right: Best Practices for Outsourcing Ruby on Rails Development
Alright, so you’ve decided that outsourcing your Ruby on Rails development is the way to go. Great choice! But hold up—before you dive in, let’s talk about how to do it right. Because let’s be real, outsourcing can be a dream or a disaster, depending on how you approach it.
To make sure your outsourcing experience is smooth, productive, and actually helps you build a fantastic RoR application, follow these best practices:
1. Get Clear on What You Need
Imagine hiring a builder for your house but forgetting to tell them whether you want a modern glass mansion or a cozy wooden cabin. Sounds like a disaster, right? The same applies to outsourcing RoR development.
Before you even start looking for developers, define:
- Your project scope – What exactly do you need to be built? A full-fledged app? A few extra features? Bug fixes?
- Your goals & expectations – What does success look like?
- Your budget & timeline – Are you looking for a quick turnaround or a long-term collaboration?
The clearer you are, the easier it’ll be to find the right partner and get the results you want.
2. Pick the Right Outsourcing Model
Not all outsourcing is created equal! There are different models, and the best one depends on your project’s complexity, budget, and level of involvement.
- Freelancers – Best for small tasks, short-term projects, or when you need an extra set of hands. Platforms like Upwork and Toptal are great places to find RoR freelancers.
- Development Agencies – If you need an entire product built or want ongoing support, agencies provide dedicated teams that handle everything from coding to project management.
- Dedicated Teams – Some companies hire a remote team (instead of an agency), giving them full control while avoiding the hassle of direct hiring.
Tip: If your project is small and straightforward, a freelancer might do the trick. If you need full-scale development and long-term support, an agency like South is the way to go.
3. Find and Vet the Right Developers
You wouldn’t hire just anyone to build your house—you’d check their portfolio, experience, and reviews. The same goes for outsourcing RoR development.
How to evaluate potential developers/agencies:
- Check their portfolio & past projects – Have they built RoR apps similar to yours?
- Look at client reviews & testimonials – Are past clients happy with their work?
- Assess their technical expertise – Do they follow best practices for RoR development?
- Ask about their communication style – Are they responsive? Do they provide updates?
- Check for cultural & time zone compatibility – Will their work hours overlap with yours?
Red Flags to Watch Out For:
- Vague or generic responses to your questions
- No portfolio or lack of relevant experience
- Overpromising unrealistic deadlines
- Poor communication skills
4. Set Up Clear Contracts & Agreements
Imagine shaking hands on a deal and then realizing later… "Wait, we never actually discussed the deadline or the price!" That’s why contracts matter.
Your contract should cover:
- Scope of work – Exactly what will be delivered?
- Timeline & milestones – When will you see progress?
- Payment terms – Fixed price? Hourly rate? Milestone-based payments?
- Revisions & support – What happens if something needs tweaking?
- Ownership & confidentiality – Who owns the final code?
Tip: Use collaboration tools like Trello, Asana, or Jira to track progress and keep everyone on the same page.
5. Ensure Code Quality & Security
Outsourcing doesn’t mean sacrificing quality! Make sure your outsourced developers follow best practices to keep your RoR app scalable, secure, and easy to maintain.
Best practices for high-quality RoR development:
- Use version control – Ask developers to use GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket.
- Write clean, well-documented code – So future developers (including your in-house team) can easily understand it.
- Prioritize security – Ensure best practices for data encryption, authentication, and vulnerability protection.
- Test thoroughly – Automated tests (like RSpec) help catch bugs early.
Red Flag: If a developer refuses to use version control or doesn’t document their work, run the other way!
6. Communicate Like a Pro
The biggest reason outsourcing fails? Poor communication. Avoid misunderstandings by setting up a smooth communication flow from day one.
How to keep things running smoothly:
- Schedule regular check-ins – Weekly or bi-weekly updates keep everyone aligned.
- Use collaboration tools – Slack, Zoom, or Google Meet for discussions.
- Set clear response expectations – How quickly should emails/messages be answered?
- Encourage transparency – If there’s an issue, you’d rather know sooner than later!
Tip: Treat your outsourced developers like an extension of your team, not just a "vendor." Strong relationships lead to better results.
Outsourcing your Ruby on Rails development can be a game-changer—but only if done correctly. By following these best practices, you’ll avoid common pitfalls, ensure smooth collaboration, and get a high-quality product without headaches.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Outsourcing Ruby on Rails Development
Outsourcing can be a game-changer for your business, but let’s be honest—it can also go horribly wrong if you’re not careful. You don’t want to end up with a project that’s over budget, behind schedule, or riddled with problems. So, how do you avoid outsourcing disasters? By steering clear of these common mistakes.
Choosing the Cheapest Option Over Quality
It’s tempting to go with the lowest bidder—after all, who doesn’t love saving money? But in outsourcing, you often get what you pay for. A developer charging rock-bottom rates might lack the experience, skills, or professionalism needed to deliver a high-quality Ruby on Rails application.
Instead of focusing only on price, consider:
- Their portfolio—have they built projects similar to yours?
- Their experience—how long have they been working with Ruby on Rails?
- Their reviews—what do past clients say about them?
A slightly higher investment upfront can save you thousands in the long run by avoiding costly fixes and delays.
Not Defining Your Project Clearly
One of the fastest ways to run into trouble is by being vague about what you need. If you don’t provide clear requirements, you’ll likely end up with something that doesn’t meet your expectations—or worse, constant revisions that consume time and budget.
Before hiring anyone, make sure you have:
- A clear project scope detailing what needs to be built
- A well-defined timeline with milestones
- A list of must-have features versus nice-to-have ones
Think of it like giving directions. If you tell someone, “Just head that way,” they might end up anywhere. If you give them a map, they’ll get exactly where you need them to go.
Ignoring Communication and Time Zone Differences
Outsourcing often means working with teams in different parts of the world. This can be a huge advantage—accessing global talent and round-the-clock development—but it can also lead to delays and miscommunications if not handled well.
Before you start, ask yourself:
- How many overlapping work hours do we have?
- What tools will we use for communication? (Slack, Zoom, Trello, etc.)
- How often should we check in? (Daily stand-ups, weekly reports?)
A great developer is useless if you can’t reach them when needed. Set clear expectations from day one to keep the project moving smoothly.
Not Setting Up a Proper Contract
Skipping a contract—or using one that’s too vague—can lead to major headaches later. Without a proper agreement, you might find yourself dealing with unexpected costs, missed deadlines, or disputes over ownership.
A good contract should cover:
- Project scope—what exactly is being delivered?
- Payment terms—fixed price, hourly, or milestone-based?
- Deadlines—when will each phase be completed?
- Intellectual property rights—who owns the final code?
- Support and maintenance—what happens after launch?
Think of your contract as a safety net. You hope you’ll never need it, but you’ll be glad it’s there if things don’t go as planned.
Failing to Monitor Progress Regularly
Many businesses make the mistake of hiring an outsourced team and then completely stepping back, assuming everything is on track. That’s a recipe for surprises—none of them good.
Even if you trust your developers, regular check-ins ensure that:
- The project is moving in the right direction
- Any issues are caught early before they become major problems
- Deadlines aren’t quietly slipping away
Use project management tools like Jira, Asana, or Trello to keep track of tasks, and schedule regular updates so you’re always in the loop.
Overlooking Security and Code Quality
Security should never be an afterthought. If your application handles user data, payments, or sensitive business information, you need to make sure your outsourced developers are following security best practices.
Ask your developers about:
- Version control—are they using GitHub or Bitbucket?
- Testing procedures—do they write automated tests with RSpec or Minitest?
- Security measures—how do they handle authentication, encryption, and data protection?
A well-built Ruby on Rails application should be secure, scalable, and maintainable. Don’t cut corners here.
Not Planning for Post-Launch Support
So, your outsourced team has built your Ruby on Rails application, and it’s live. What happens next? Many companies forget to plan for post-launch maintenance and support, only to realize later that they need bug fixes, updates, or new features.
Before the project wraps up, discuss:
- Who will handle bug fixes if something breaks?
- Will there be an ongoing maintenance agreement?
- What happens if you need new features added later?
A smooth transition plan ensures that your project doesn’t fall apart the moment development ends.
The Takeaway
Outsourcing Ruby on Rails development can be a powerful way to scale your business, speed up development, and access top-tier talent without the long-term commitment of in-house hiring. When done right, it allows you to focus on your core business while experienced developers bring your vision to life. However, successful outsourcing doesn’t happen by chance—it requires careful planning, clear communication, and a reliable development partner who understands your goals.
By defining your project scope, choosing the right outsourcing model, and maintaining regular collaboration, you can avoid common pitfalls and ensure a smooth, productive experience. Whether you’re launching a new app, upgrading an existing one, or expanding your development capabilities, outsourcing can be a strategic advantage—as long as you handle it with the right mindset. With a thoughtful approach, you can turn outsourcing into one of your smartest business decisions, helping you build high-quality Ruby on Rails applications efficiently and effectively.
If you’re looking for a top-tier Ruby on Rails developer, why wait? Schedule a free call with us today and build the dream team to take your business to the next level!
