URBN

URBN is a portfolio of global consumer brands comprised of Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, Free People, FP Movement, Anthropologie Weddings, Terrain, and Nuuly. They create unique retail experiences with an eye toward creativity and a singular focus on pleasing their customers.

“Some companies do not care about design…to them it’s an expense, not the profit. We believe design and creativity generates everything. “

Richard Hayne – CEO & Chairman of the Board of Directors, URBN

As of New Year’s day, URBN is our newest client. We didn’t mean for it to happen — we work mainly with B2B clients. But then along came one of the largest consumer lifestyle retailers in the US and Europe, looking for a WordPress shop to help them with some priority work they didn’t have quite the right in-house support for.

Obviously, we wanted to work with them.

And without saying too much, there are good reasons a company like URBN would want to partner with a shop like us.

• COST SAVINGS
  • Reduced Labor Costs: Outsourcing can be more affordable than hiring full-time, in-house developers, especially if you outsource to regions with lower labor costs.
  • Lower Overhead: Outsourcing eliminates expenses related to recruitment, training, employee benefits, office space, and equipment.

• ACCESS TO SPECIALIZED SKILLS
  • Expertise in Emerging Technologies: Web development often requires specialized knowledge in areas like frontend, backend, UI/UX design, security, and performance optimization. Outsourcing allows IT departments to tap into a broader talent pool with the latest skills without the need for extensive internal training.
  • Scalability: Outsourcing can help meet the demands of complex projects or tight timelines by accessing experts with the right skills for specific tasks.

• FASTER TIME-TO-MARKET
  • Quicker Development: External developers can often work in parallel to internal teams, accelerating the project timeline. Dedicated teams can focus entirely on the web development project without the distractions that internal teams might face.

• FOCUS ON CORE BUSINESS FUNCTIONS
  • Allow Internal Resources to Focus on Strategy: Outsourcing web development allows internal IT teams to focus on more strategic and high-priority tasks, such as infrastructure management, cybersecurity, or digital transformation, while the outsourced team handles the web development.
  • Free Up Internal Capacity: For smaller teams or departments with limited resources, outsourcing helps avoid overburdening staff with additional work, enabling them to stay focused on their core responsibilities.

• SCALABILITY & FLEXIBILITY
  • Adjustable Workforce: Outsourcing provides the flexibility to scale up or down the size of the development team depending on project needs. If a project is larger than anticipated or requires more hands on deck, additional resources can be quickly added.
  • Adapt to Project Changes: If project requirements change during development, outsourcing allows you to quickly adapt to new needs without long delays.

• ACCESS TO ADVANCED TOOLS & TECHNOLOGIES
  • Cutting-Edge Tools: Outsourcing partners often have access to the latest development tools, frameworks, and technologies that might not be available or affordable for an in-house team.
  • Innovative Solutions: Experienced external developers are often more exposed to global trends and innovative solutions, which can lead to better user experiences and more effective websites.

• RISK MITIGATION
  • Reduced Operational Risks: By outsourcing, businesses can shift certain operational risks (e.g., development delays, skill gaps) to third-party providers with established processes and methodologies.
  • Security and Compliance: Many outsourcing partners have specific expertise in cybersecurity and compliance, helping ensure that web development projects meet industry standards and regulations.

• BETTER PROJECT MANAGEMENT & QUALITY ASSURANCE
  • Dedicated Teams and Project Managers: Many outsourcing providers assign dedicated teams or project managers to oversee development, ensuring consistent progress and quality control.
  • Established Processes: Outsourcing firms often have established development frameworks (like Agile, Scrum, or Waterfall) and best practices, improving project efficiency and the likelihood of successful delivery.

• FOCUS ON LONG-TERM GROWTH & INNOVATION
  • Strategic Partnerships: Outsourcing can lead to long-term relationships with development firms, which can help continuously evolve the web presence of the business as new technologies and trends emerge.
  • Innovation and Optimization: External teams can often bring fresh ideas and innovative solutions to the table that the internal team may not have considered.

• AVOIDING BURNOUT & RESOURCE STRAIN
  • Prevent Staff Overload: In-house teams might already be stretched thin with other projects or internal initiatives. Outsourcing can prevent staff burnout and ensure that work-life balance is maintained.
  • Capacity Management: Outsourcing provides the flexibility to manage team capacity more effectively without overburdening your internal developers.

• FASTER ADAPTATION TO CHANGING MARKET DEMANDS
  • Agility: Outsourcing allows for faster adaptation to market changes and customer needs, which is essential in the fast-paced digital world. Outsourcing companies are often more agile and can pivot more quickly than an internal team that may be caught up in existing projects.

• BETTER MAINTENANCE & SUPPORT
  • Post-launch Support: Many outsourcing firms offer post-launch maintenance, updates, and troubleshooting as part of their services, allowing the IT department to focus on other critical business functions after the website goes live.
  • Ongoing Updates and Scalability: An external team can be engaged for ongoing improvements, optimizations, and scalability as the website grows or requires enhancements.

Interesting projects at all times, increasing exposure to brand teams as well as IT, and SLAs to continually support the business. Turns out we like B2C.