Jack or Jill or Outsourcing?

3-minute Read That Outlines the Various Skill Sets That Come in Handy for Full-scale Devops.

Here’s a popular figure of speech:

A Jack or Jill of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one.

Unfortunately, that phrase is usually cut short—right after the first part—and people just say a Jack or Jill of all trades is a master of none. That’s not fair. It sells it short because the second half adds an important distinction, “oftentimes better than a master of one”. It’s truly a nod to the marketing agency world where it’s common, and beneficial for there to be a Jack or a Jill who wears many hats, even though one can’t be everything to all situations all the time.

The moral of the story is, don’t sell Jack or Jill short. They have multiple skill sets, even if they can’t conquer the entire world. They play a key role helping agency clients across the digital divide.

Agencies Generally Fall Into 3 Web-development Talent Pools: 

Meeting Business Needs With Customized Development 

No matter an agency’s in-house skill sets, it’s really about the needs of clients based on the demands of their customers. For example, consumers continue to expect (and require) more personalized and engaging online experiences. In turn, agencies are recommending more interactive and complex websites. Collectively, that means creating things like custom product configurators, lead-generating functionality, dealer locators, customized shopping cart experiences, online account management, third-party integrations… and the list goes on.

A Specialist Versus a Plug-in

A lot of plugins are available that allow the fast, pre-made implementation of tools and functionality. But this also comes at a cost—agreeing to those off-the-shelf software limitations for the benefit of providing low-cost solutions. For many situations, this trade-off is an apt solution.

But not always.

What about 3D rendering and specialized animation? What plug-in or what agency staffer is doing that? Or QA testing, device testing and responsive testing? And who is tackling ERP integrations or performing all of the SEO, or security and compliance?

Specialized skills are required to create truly unique experiences and efficiencies. And to create custom integrations with the tools we all use now in our business operations. Unique processes that are part of the way agencies and their clients develop deep knowledge and deliver intimate experiences, ultimately creating the invaluable intellectual property that locks in long-term ROI.

It’s Called a Digital “divide” Because It’s Difficult to Cross

If websites ultimately fall short of consumer demands and compliance demands, an outsourcing partner can help. A partner—offering a full range of flexible, specialized solutions without the upfront cost of extensive staffing. With a transparent, pass-along hourly cost tied to the SOW.

For a small agency needing full service, the fit is obvious. A white label partner will have many different specialists touching a project, from Designers and Frontend Developers to WordPress Specialists and Sysadmins.

For the Jack-or-Jill scenario, it’s about complementing the skills that are already there—bringing an extra level of customization and testing and QA that goes beyond plugins.

For the full-service provider with robust in-house DevOps, the benefits of outsourcing are about leveraging additional resources combined with subject matter specialists who ensure such things as ADA and security are fully compliant.

Web-dev today can no longer be mastered by one specialist (or even a power couple like Jack and Jill). But the good news is that an agency doesn’t have to choose between all or nothing. Outsourcing partners can fill the gaps that bring web-dev to where it needs to be, without the limitations of any predefined skill set.

In fact, to underscore the demand for ever-changing specialties, white labels themselves constantly pursue ongoing training, development and new staffing additions.

Ultimately, the goal is to cater to client demands, and consumer demands, for a more personalized, customized online experience while simultaneously making agency life easier and more profitable.