Outsourcing to India: what it costs and how to do it well

India is the world’s largest source of outsourced digital work, from websites and apps to bookkeeping and design. For a small business abroad, the appeal is simple: skilled people at a much lower cost. This guide covers what outsources well, what it costs, and how to set a project up so it actually works.

What outsources well

Work that can be described clearly and delivered online is the best fit:

• Websites and apps
• SEO and social media management
• Logos, branding and design
• Video editing and animation
• Bookkeeping and IT support

Work that depends on being in the room, on local regulation, or on deep knowledge of your local market is harder. Tax returns, for example, need someone qualified in your country’s rules.

Typical prices in India, compared

Guide prices in US dollars for freelancers and small agencies. India figures are what professionals there quote clients abroad; the others are what local professionals charge.

Service	India	United States	United Kingdom
Web Design	$350 to $3,500	$960 to $9,630	$740 to $7,350	per project
App & Software Development	$2,400 to $24,000	$6,600 to $66,000	$5,040 to $50,400	per project
SEO Services	$200 to $1,000	$550 to $2,750	$420 to $2,100	per month
Social Media Marketing	$200 to $1,000	$550 to $2,750	$420 to $2,100	per month
Copywriting & Content	$60 to $700	$170 to $1,930	$130 to $1,470	per project
Graphic Design & Branding	$100 to $1,500	$280 to $4,130	$210 to $3,150	per project
Video Production & Editing	$60 to $1,200	$170 to $3,300	$130 to $2,520	per project
Commercial Photography	$100 to $1,400	$280 to $3,850	$210 to $2,940	per project
Bookkeeping & Accounting	$60 to $280	$170 to $770	$130 to $590	per month
Accounting & Tax	$120 to $1,600	$330 to $4,400	$250 to $3,360	per project
Business Consulting	$300 to $4,800	$830 to $13,200	$630 to $10,080	per project
IT Support	$140 to $1,700	$390 to $4,680	$290 to $3,570	per month

These are our own estimates. See how we work out price ranges.

How to set a project up

1. Start small. A first project of two to four weeks tells you more about a professional than any interview.
2. Write the scope down. Deliverables, deadlines, number of revisions and what counts as finished.
3. Agree communication. One channel, one weekly call, and an expected reply time.
4. Pay by milestone. Never the full amount in advance, and never nothing until the end.
5. Keep ownership. Accounts, source files and logins should be in your name from day one.

Time zones

India Standard Time is 4.5 to 5.5 hours ahead of the UK and 9.5 to 13.5 hours ahead of the United States, depending on the season and coast. Many businesses treat this as an advantage: you send feedback at the end of your day and find the work done the next morning. It only becomes a problem when nothing is written down and every decision needs a call.

Contracts and tax

A short written agreement covering scope, price, payment schedule, ownership of the work and confidentiality is enough for most small projects. A freelancer in India working from India is normally an independent contractor, not your employee. Tax treatment depends on your country, so ask your accountant how to record the payments.

Getting started

You can post a project on VouchQuote free. At most three verified professionals send itemised quotes, your contact details stay private until you hire, and you pay the professional directly. Describe your project or try a cost calculator first.