Factor in Your App Development Cost During Your Planning Phase

We hear about how nifty apps have made people rich and famous all the time. From the teenager whose app tracked Elon Musk’s plane, to the 10-year-old in India who built e-attorney to help his father manage his paperwork, app developers are in demand and here to stay.

Those kids may have made creating an app from scratch look easy and even cheap, but in truth, the cost of making an app is something all app developers have to take into account.

Regardless of the cause of their overnight success (they could well be programming gurus), with the correct guidance, it is actually possible for most people to design and create mobile applications. However, that’s not the issue of this article where we will look at the app development price when creating an app from scratch.

In short, app development cost depends on several factors.

The first thing that all app developers need to consider regarding the cost of making an app is complexity.

This will impact everything from your user interface, which could either be simple and straightforward or it could contain animation and graphics. Then, of course, it will also depend on the type of search functionality that is built into it.

These and other key nuances should all be considered when scoping app development prices during the initial planning phases.

The Cost of Making an App: Scope, Features and Functionality  

One thing that all good app developers have is respect for the process. Whether they are creating an app from scratch or upgrading and maintaining previous work, logic will always prevail.

Of course, a budget can thwart any great idea, but remember that if it is good enough, the finance will follow. There are many ways to cover the costs of your app development price. From crowdfunding, investors and loans, there is usually a creative solution available for to cover the cost of making an app – when it is worth it.

If you truly believe in your vision and project, then what is stopping you from knocking on the doors of corporate businesses to sell them your idea in return for the early financial support that will cover all the app development cost?

In a nutshell, don’t let budget dictate your vision. Your very first step is to figure out what you would like your app to do. From there, this vision can be tailored to meet the realities of your app development cost.

In general, app developers define their reasons and objectives for building an app through a process of thorough market research. They look at the needs that the app would meet in a market and particular app category.

In creating an app from scratch, your second major consideration is to ensure functionality and appearance that is distinct enough to attract users away from competing platforms.

Depending on the level of professionalism and complexity, you may want to include market research and brainstorming sessions into your app development cost.

Remember that even if you are building a simple app, it is always a good idea to request free input from others, especially from your network of programming friends.

Devices and Platforms

The third major consideration when creating an app from scratch, and needing to work out the cost of making an app, is regarding the type, not a category, that you desire to build.

• Web apps are simply websites that are rendered in mobile format. They are generally low performance and can be limited in features.
• Hybrid apps have a combination of native and web app technologies and features.
• Cross-platform apps expand the target audience by ensuring that your app is accessible across every operating system: iOS, Windows and Android.
  • Remember to also factor in the version number of each operating system as well as the hardware devices on which you are aiming to run.
• Native apps deliver optimal user experience and high performance on a specific platform. They are built into the native language of the operating system, hence their name.
  • When comparing the app development price of these four, native apps tend to be the most expensive.

This breakdown shows how important it is to do all of the preliminary work detailed in the previous segment.

New app developers often first consider building a website followed by the app that will go with it.

Essentially, a basic app that has a standard user interface and simple functionality will be cost-effective if you crating an app from scratch.

Alternatively, if you have sourced adequate funding for the cost of making an app, you could also experiment with cross-platform apps to increase your following. After that, you could look at the app development cost for native and hybrid ventures.

Of course, there are many other factors to consider when creating an app from scratch! You will have to include the time and budget to draw up wireframes as well as the backend structure of your app.

The Three Ds

Once you have nailed all of this, the fun truly begins – the design, development and deployment of your app.

When it comes to a simple app, it is possible to take on all of these tasks yourself. If, however, the scope of your app includes bells and whistles that go beyond the basics, you may want a team of freelancers on board to help you get your project off the ground.

Freelancers will generally cost less than partnering with mobile app development companies. On one hand, you may find that freelancers are not up to date with the latest app creation legislation. The solution is simply to make sure you are in the know when it comes to copyrights, patents, trademarks and licencing.

Be aware that legal fines do exist and can often be incurred by novice developers. This is when the cost of using a mobile app development company or embarking on your own course for app development, which will include information about legal obligations, is certainly worth it.

Let's Talk Money

Earlier, we may have created an impression that app developers are casual in their approach to sourcing funding. Most app developers will formulate cost estimates based on recent app development costs. Even if you are a novice developer, this route is recommended.

Working with an app design agency will certainly make the whole process easier as this is the work that they do every day. You would meet and present your ideas to them and they would propose a solution that included design, functionality and features. Once the concept is agreed upon by all parties, an estimated quote should follow. At this point, you could negotiate terms like trade exchanges and payment plans.

Remember that agency prices will always succeed in in-house, or private production. This could lead you to be tempted to do it yourself. If so, honestly consider your ability as well as the time and money involved. Don’t forget to factor in the cost of reworking your app every time a new bug manifests.

Join our interactive coding lessons and embark on a thrilling journey to learn the skills needed to bring your app ideas to life. Our expert instructors will guide you through the process, teaching you the languages, tools, and techniques necessary to develop your app from concept to completion.

If you have the budget to take an agency route, remember that it will cost less in the long run. Choose a start-up agency which will help to keep you within a smaller budget.

Generally speaking, app development costs vary greatly from country to country. Your costs will depend on a number of factors that include your operating system of choice. For example, Android and iOS apps usually cost significantly more than a cross-platform apps.

Remember to include the post-launch costs into your app development which will include everything from marketing and hosting to maintenance, engagement, updates and licencing. In general, maintenance costs can be calculated at 10-15% of the overall app development costs.

Unfortunately, we can't provide you with a set price list or menu from which you could select options you want your app to have, so why not search for an app development cost calculator to help you with the estimation of your project’s costs?

As one of the hottest fields in programming right now, app development is an important career choice. One of the best ways to look into it, and learn more about the importance of accurate cost estimates for your project would be to secure the help of a private app development tutor on Superprof.