Magento Development Outsourcing: What to Expect, Cost & How to Choose

Why are so many eCommerce brands turning to Magento development outsourcing instead of hiring in-house?

With nearly 122,000 active Magento stores worldwide, competition is fierce – and the brands that scale fastest are often the ones that outsource smartly.

If you’re a CTO, eCommerce manager, or agency owner looking to upgrade, customize, or expand your Magento store without ballooning costs, this guide is for you. 

You’ll learn what Magento outsourcing really means, how it compares to in-house development, what services and costs to expect, and how to pick the right vendor – backed by real success stories.

Let’s discover!

What is Magento development outsourcing?

Magento development outsourcing means hiring an external team – an agency, systems integrator, or a dedicated remote squad – to build, upgrade, extend, or run your Magento / Adobe Commerce store instead of doing that work with only your internal staff. 

It’s not just “getting code written.” You’re buying a mix of technical skills, delivery processes, and operational responsibility: discovery, architecture, development, testing, deployment, and post-launch support.

Outsource Magento development vs. Keep it in-house

When deciding how to deliver Magento projects, businesses often weigh whether to outsource Magento development to an external agency or keep the work in-house with their own team. 

The table below provides a concise side-by-side comparison to help you evaluate which option aligns best with your project goals, budget, and internal capabilities.

In short:

• Choose to outsource Magento development when you need speed, specialized Magento skills (Hyvä, PWA, complex ERP integrations), or temporary scale. For example, a migration, major upgrade, or a fast Hyvä POC. Outsourcing reduces time-to-value and transfers delivery risk, as long as you require clear deliverables, IP clauses, and a paid discovery or spike up front.
  
• Keep it in-house when continuous product discovery, tight IP control, or frequent small iterations are core to your business. If you expect ongoing roadmap-driven work and want full ownership of architecture and knowledge, invest in hiring and retaining senior Magento engineers.
  
• Hybrid (recommended often): run a paid discovery + technical spike with a vendor, then decide – use a fixed price for defined deliverables and a dedicated/embedded team for long-term work. This lets you validate vendor competence while preserving options to bring work in-house later.

Magento outsourcing development services & deliverables you should expect

A good Magento outsourcing partner often provides a full range of services to build, optimize, and maintain your store efficiently. 

Depending on your specific needs, you can choose a complete end-to-end solution or focus on certain phases such as design, migration, or ongoing support.

Below are the key Magento development outsourcing services – along with the deliverables you should expect from a reliable vendor.

1. Magento design & frontend (theme, Hyvä, PWA options)

This covers the visible part of your Magento store: layouts, product pages, checkout, and mobile experience. 

A vendor should explain tradeoffs clearly – Hyvä is a faster, simpler frontend rebuild; PWA is more app-like and takes longer. Design work should focus on conversions and speed, not just looks.

You want a small proof-of-concept (POC) first (a demo homepage or product page) so you can see performance and UX improvements before committing to a full rebuild. Design deliverables should be easy for your product and marketing teams to review.

Deliverables

• Wireframes & UI kit (Figma link) for key pages.
• Frontend POC (staging URL) demonstrating performance or UX gains.
• Final theme package (repository + build instructions).
• Visual QA checklist (mobile & desktop sign-off items).

Related posts:

• Hyva Theme: Definition, Features, Development Guide, and Setup Steps
• PWAs vs Native Apps: Which One Should You Select?

2. Magento development & feature delivery

This is the core work: building the features, customizations, and fixes you need. When outsourcing Magento development, you want the vendor to deliver working software in iterations (small chunks you can test), not one big opaque “deliverable” at the end.

For example, instead of “improve checkout,” you can request “guest checkout flow implemented and verified with three payment methods on staging.”

Ask for clear ownership, short delivery cycles, and plain acceptance criteria for each feature. That way, you can measure progress and avoid scope creep.

Deliverables

• Iteration plan/sprint backlog (JIRA export or spreadsheet).
• Working code repository access for the project with basic branch rules.
• Feature acceptance checklist for each user story.
• Demo recordings or staging links for completed features.

3. Magento integrations (ERP, OMS, payment, shipping)

Integrations are where most projects grow in complexity. A Magento outsourcing vendor should map exactly what data flows between systems (orders, inventory, customers) and how often those flows happen. Good integrations include simple reconciliation steps so you can verify data is correct after cutover.

Require a small Magento integration demo or test script so you can see how errors are handled (retries, duplicates, failed messages).

Deliverables

• Integration spec (spreadsheet + simple flow diagram).
• Test plan & sample data for each integration.
• Integration connector or scripts (repository + run instructions).
• Reconciliation report template (how you’ll confirm data parity).

4. Data migration

Moving products, customers, orders, and prices must be repeatable and reversible. The vendor should give clear migration steps and a way to check the results before going live. Never accept migration as an undefined task.

Require a dry run and a reconciliation report so you can confirm data matches. Also, insist on a tested rollback plan in case something goes wrong during cutover.

For instance, a staged dry run where SKU counts and prices match 1:1 between source and staging is what you should expect.

Deliverables

• Migration plan & step-by-step runbook.
• Migration scripts and sample logs.
• Reconciliation report (row counts, checksum or sample validation).
• Rollback procedure and estimated rollback time.

5. QA, testing & performance checks

QA checks that features work; performance testing shows how the site behaves under real traffic. The Magento outsourcing company should test critical flows (search, product, cart, checkout) and show the results in simple numbers: response times, error rates, and pass/fail status.

Ask for test reports and a short list of any remaining issues with timelines to fix them. Vague “we tested it” statements are not enough. It should be as clear as “Checkout completes in <3s for 95% of transactions under expected peak load,” for example. 

Deliverables

• Test matrix (list of critical flows and pass/fail status).
• Test reports for functional tests, regression, and a basic load test.
• Security scan summary (high-level findings + mitigation plan).
• List of open bugs with severity and ETA.

6. Deployment & operations (CI/CD, rollback)

Deployment is the process of moving code to the live site. Magento development outsourcing agencies should describe a safe, step-by-step deployment process and a tested rollback plan so you can recover quickly if needed. Your priority is business continuity.

Ask for a short deployment demo and a checklist you can sign off on before cutover.

Deliverables

• Deployment runbook/checklist (step-by-step).
• Demo of staging→production deploy (logs or video).
• Rollback checklist and time estimates.
• Monitoring & alerting basics explained (what you’ll be notified about).

7. Magento support, maintenance, & SLA (ongoing)

This can be hourly support, a monthly retainer, or a dedicated team. Make sure SLAs (response and resolution times) are in writing and tied to measurable outputs like uptime and bug resolution.

Below is an example of SLAs by Mageplaza:

Also, confirm how routine patches and security updates will be applied and who is responsible for them.

Deliverables

• SLA document with severity definitions and response targets.
• Maintenance calendar (planned windows).
• Monthly health report template.
• Patch management plan.

How much does Magento outsourcing cost? 

The cost of Magento development outsourcing can vary a lot – depending on your project scope, the vendor’s location, and how you choose to work together. Some businesses spend a few thousand dollars for small fixes, while others invest tens of thousands for a full rebuild or migration.

Let’s break it down clearly so you know what to expect before hiring!

Main engagement models for outsourcing Magento

👉 Tip:

• If your store is complex or you expect ongoing changes, T&M or Dedicated Team usually makes more sense.
• If your project is short-term with clear requirements, a Fixed Price model works best.

Average Magento outsourcing rates by region

Typical Magento project cost examples

Disclaimer: Prices are estimates only and can vary by vendor, region, and project details. Always get written quotes from 2–3 vendors before deciding. 

How to choose a vendor: checklist and evaluation criteria

Choosing a Magento outsourcing partner can make or break your project. A good one feels like part of your team – proactive, transparent, and reliable. A bad one will leave you with delays, bugs, or poor-quality code that costs more to fix later.

Here’s a hands-on checklist to evaluate vendors step-by-step:

1. Check real Magento experience – not just “we do ecommerce”

What to look for:

• Portfolio with Magento-specific projects (not WooCommerce or Shopify).
  
• Experience with your Magento version (2.4.6+ or Adobe Commerce Cloud).
  
• Certified developers or Adobe Solution Partner badge.
  
• Familiarity with Hyvä theme, PWA, ElasticSearch, and security patches.
  

Quick test: Ask, “What’s the most common issue during a Magento upgrade?”
→ A real expert will mention module conflicts, database schema mismatches, or extension compatibility – not “performance issues” only.

2. Review their process – how they plan, communicate, and report

Ask for:

• Project plan with milestones, sprint schedule, and QA checkpoints.
  
• Communication rhythm: weekly demos or status updates, PM tools (Monday, Slack, Jira).
  
• Escalation contact – who handles issues if something goes wrong?
  

Red flag: If they say “we’ll just communicate by email and handle it as we go.”

3. Check quality assurance and deployment practices

What you want:

• Dedicated QA tester, not just developers testing their own code.
  
• Use of a staging environment before pushing to live.
  
• Written testing checklist (functional, responsive, security).
  
• Rollback or backup plan in case of deployment errors.
  

Ask: “Can you show me your testing process?”
→ Vendors who can’t explain it clearly often skip proper QA.

4. Ask about DevOps and maintenance capability

Many Magento issues come from poor server setup, not bad code.

Checklist:

• Do they manage deployments (CI/CD pipelines, Git repo)?
  
• Will they handle server optimization, cache setup, backups?
  
• Who applies Magento security patches after go-live?
  
• Do they provide uptime monitoring?
  

A full-service Magento vendor should offer both development and maintenance support.

5. Evaluate communication & timezone overlap

Good communication solves 80% of outsourcing headaches.

Tips:

• Do a video call – see how well they understand your questions.
  
• Test their written communication with a sample brief (“Explain how you’d handle X”).
  
• Confirm timezone overlap (2–4 hours daily is ideal).
  
• Ensure they use clear written English – critical for tickets & documentation.
  

Pro tip: Assign a project manager or account lead who’s responsive and fluent.

6. Transparency in pricing and change management

You should see:

• A detailed estimate, broken down by stage (discovery, design, dev, QA, support).
  
• What’s not included – e.g., extension licenses, third-party integrations.
  
• Clear policy for scope changes and extra hours.
  

Ask: “If we add a new feature halfway, how do you handle that?”
→ Look for answers like “we’ll estimate it separately and log changes in Trello/Monday” – not “we’ll discuss later.”

7. Ownership, security, and confidentiality

• Make sure you own the code and repositories (GitHub, Bitbucket).
  
• All credentials (servers, domains, stores) stay under your name.
  
• Ask for an NDA and IP ownership clause.
  
• Confirm data privacy standards — especially for stores with EU/US customers.
  

8. Ask for real references & metrics

Don’t stop at testimonials on their website.

Ask for 2–3 clients you can contact, and questions like:

• How was their response time?
  
• Did they deliver within scope and budget?
  
• How many bugs appeared after go-live?
  

Also, ask to see a before → after result:

• Page speed improvements
  
• Conversion increase
  
• Downtime reduction
  

Numbers speak louder than promises.

Case study: The impact of Magento development outsourcing in action

Outsourcing Magento development isn’t just a theory – it works in practice. Here’s a real example showing how the right vendor can solve critical challenges and deliver measurable results.

Client: Harbor Leather – a premium leather goods brand

Outsourcing vendor: Mageplaza

The problems

Before outsourcing, Harbor Leather faced multiple Magento-related issues:

• Outdated Magento version: The store ran on an older Magento release, making it hard to maintain and vulnerable to security risks.
• Slow website performance: Pages loaded slowly, especially on mobile, leading to lower user engagement and potential revenue loss.
• Difficult site maintenance: The previous setup was complex, with customizations and extensions that were hard to manage internally.

These challenges are common for many businesses that try to manage Magento development in-house without specialized expertise.

The outsourced solution

Harbor Leather partnered with Mageplaza, a Magento development agency, to handle the upgrade and optimization. The vendor delivered:

• Magento upgrade: Updated the store to the latest Magento 2 version, improving security and future compatibility.
• Front-end rebuild: Implemented a high-performance Hyvä theme, keeping the brand’s premium look while drastically improving speed.
• Maintenance and support: Provided clear documentation, admin training, and post-launch assistance to make ongoing management easier.

By outsourcing to experts, Harbor Leather gained access to skills and processes they didn’t have internally – without hiring a full in-house team.

The results

The improvements were clear and measurable:

• Faster website: Google PageSpeed scores increased to over 80 on desktop and 75+ on mobile.
• Easier maintenance: Clean code and clear documentation made ongoing updates and feature additions much smoother.
• Enhanced user experience: Customers experienced faster load times and smoother navigation, helping engagement and conversions.

This example shows why outsourcing Magento development can be a smart choice: it solves technical bottlenecks, improves performance, and delivers tangible business results – all without the overhead of building a full in-house team.

READ OTHER MAGENTO OUTSOURCING CASE STUDIES

Magento development outsourcing with Mageplaza

Mageplaza isn’t only known for its Magento extensions; it’s also one of the few agencies that’s deeply involved in Magento’s technical ecosystem. 

Over the years, the team has worked with stores of all sizes – from small retailers to global brands – and handled everything from complex upgrades to custom feature development, Hyvä theme implementation, and technical audits.

What they typically handle (deliverables you should expect)

• Discovery report with prioritized fixes and KPI targets (e.g., page speed, error reduction).
  
• A clear project plan: milestones, acceptance criteria, and rollback steps.
  
• Clean, documented Magento code and a repo you control.
  
• Theme work (Hyvä or PWA options where appropriate) with responsive templates.
  
• Data migration and extension compatibility checks (customers, orders, SKUs).
  
• Integrations (ERP, payment, shipping) with API docs and test cases.
  
• QA: manual test cases and basic automation or test scripts.
  
• DevOps support: staging, CI/CD, backups, and a launch checklist.
  
• Post-launch support window and optional retainer for ongoing maintenance.
  

How they run projects (process you should expect)

• Short paid discovery (1–4 weeks) to convert vague goals into a scoped plan.
  
• Iterative delivery in sprints with demos and a regular reporting cadence.
  
• A named project manager and a dedicated core team (dev + QA).
  
• Regular knowledge transfer: docs, admin training, and final handover.

EXPLORE ALL MAGEPLAZA’S OUTSOURCING SERVICES

Magento development outsourcing FAQs

Should I outsource everything or keep a core in-house?
Many teams keep a small in-house product or ops team (business owners, product manager) and outsource specialized Magento work (upgrades, theme rebuilds, integrations). This hybrid model mixes control and expertise.

How long does a typical Magento upgrade or theme rebuild take?
Small upgrades can take 2–6 weeks; full theme rebuilds or large migrations often take 2–4 months depending on complexity and integrations.

How to avoid getting locked-in with a vendor?
Require code repos, documentation, admin training, and acceptance of handover within the contract. Keep a copy of the repo and access to hosting & infra under your control.

Will outsourcing save money?
Usually, yes for short-term or specialist work. For long-term product ownership, compare the total cost of salaries + benefits + tools vs vendor fees. Also factor in speed-to-market and risk.

Is offshore always cheaper?
Offshore can be cheaper on hourly rates, but quality, communication, and timezones matter. Often a blended team (regional PM + offshore devs) gives good balance.