Quick answer: Outsourcing web development to India works well when you agree a written scope, keep ownership of your domain, hosting, code and accounts from day one, set a regular update rhythm across time zones, and judge partners on live work and reviews rather than price alone. Key takeawaysIndia is roughly 9.5 to 10.5 hours ahead of US Eastern time, so plan an overlap window for calls.A written scope and full ownership remove most of the risk.Choose a partner by live work, process and reviews, not the lowest quote. Many US businesses work with development teams in India. Done well, it gives you an experienced team and a productive working rhythm. Done badly, it leads to missed expectations and unclear ownership. This checklist covers what to agree before any work starts. 1. Plan for the time difference India Standard Time is UTC+5:30 and does not change for daylight saving, so the gap to US Eastern time is about 9.5 hours in summer and 10.5 hours in winter. In practice: Agree an overlap window for calls, usually your morning and the team’s evening.Expect work to progress while you sleep, with updates waiting in the morning.Use a shared project board so everyone can see status without waiting for a call. 2. Agree a written scope The scope should coverWhy it mattersPages and featuresRemoves “I assumed that was included” momentsIntegrationsCRM, payments and APIs are often underestimatedDesign roundsSets expectations for revisionsTesting and launchDefines what “done” meansChangesExplains how new requests are quoted and scheduledSupportWhat happens after go-live A clear written agreement protects both sides before any work starts. 3. Protect your ownership from day one Register the domain and hosting in your own name.Keep the code in a repository you own, such as your company GitHub account.Use your own accounts for Shopify, analytics, email and third-party tools, and add the team as users.Make sure the agreement states that you own the work once it is paid for. 4. Set a communication rhythm Kick-off callAgree goals, scope, contacts and how decisions are made.Regular updatesWritten progress updates and a shared board, so you always know where things stand.Demo at each milestoneSee working software, not just reports, and approve before moving on.HandoverDocumentation, logins and a walkthrough at launch. 5. Choose the partner carefully Visit their live projects on your phone and check speed and usability.Ask how they work: requirements, design approval, testing and launch.Read reviews on platforms such as Upwork, Clutch or Google.Prefer a partner who asks about your customers and goals before talking about technology. Red flags: no live work to show, reluctance to put scope in writing, insisting on owning your domain or code, or a price far below everyone else’s with no explanation. Frequently asked questions Is it safe to outsource web development to India? It can be, with a written scope, full ownership of your domain, hosting, code and accounts from day one, and a partner with real live work and reviews. How do US and Indian teams handle the time difference? By agreeing an overlap window for calls, using a shared project board and receiving written updates, so work progresses while you are offline. What should I ask an offshore web development company? Ask to see live projects, how they gather requirements and test, what is included in the quote, who owns the work and what support looks like after launch. We build websites, Shopify stores and GoHighLevel setups for US businesses. See our pages for Shopify development in the USA and GoHighLevel for US businesses, or get a free consultation.