With nearly 7 billion active smartphone users globally, mobile apps are part of our daily lives. There's no reason to miss out on them when considering how much revenue they bring in. However, it is essential to understand the cost of building an app before anything else.
This is often one of the first questions clients ask when they approach us with an idea for an app. Generally speaking, the cost to build a mobile app ranges from $40K - $150K but can exceed $300K, depending on the project.
Anyone who wants to create an app needs to know the cost of app development. This is not a simple process, and it can be expensive depending on the features and functions that you want your app to have. Many factors go into the cost of app development, so it's important to understand what they are before you begin.
In this guide, we will discuss all the factors that affect the
app development cost. We'll also provide some tips for keeping costs down.
Factors Influencing the Mobile App Development Cost
Many factors influence the cost of app development. Some of these are more important than others, but all of them must be considered when trying to determine how much your app will cost.
The Type of App You Want To Develop
The first factor is the app type you want to develop. Currently, three main types of apps exist: Hybrid, Native, and Web.
Native apps are developed specifically for one platform, either iOS or Android. They are written in the language that is native to that platform and use the device's built-in features.
Hybrid apps are developed using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript and then wrapped in a native container. This allows them to be published on multiple platforms, but they generally don't perform as well as native apps.
Web apps are mobile-optimized websites that look and feel like native apps. They are developed using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript and run in a web browser.
The Platform You Want to Develop For
The next factor is the platform you want to develop for. There are two main platforms: Android and iOS. Each one has its own rules and guidelines that need to be followed, so it's important to choose the one that makes the most sense for your app.
The Features and Functionality You Want Your App to Have
Another important factor is the features and functionality you want your app to have. This will greatly impact the cost because more features and functionality will take more time to develop.
The Design of Your App
The design of your app is also important. You'll need to consider the overall look, feel, and user experience that
mobile app developers can help you with. This includes things like navigation, buttons, and icons.
The App Development Team You Use
The final factor is the app development team you use. This includes the size of the team, their location, and their experience level. All of these things will affect the cost of app development.
Now that we've covered the main factors that influence app development costs, let's take a look at some tips for keeping costs down.
Hidden Factors Affecting Mobile App Development Cost
Understanding these factors will help reduce risks and save time and money.
Quality Assurance: App development costs do not end when the app is completed. Once the app is launched, it will need to be tested on different devices and operating systems to ensure it works correctly. This process, called quality assurance (QA), can add 20% or more to the total cost.
Ongoing Maintenance: After an app is launched, there will be ongoing maintenance costs. This includes things like software updates, new features, and bug fixes. These costs can range from 10% to 20% of the total development cost each year.
IT Support Costs: If you plan to launch your app on multiple platforms, you'll need someone on your team who can handle IT support. This includes setting up server infrastructure, managing user accounts, and dealing with technical issues. These costs can range from 5% to 10% of the total development cost.
Marketing: Don't forget about marketing! You'll need to promote your app to get people to download it. This includes paid advertising, social media marketing, and PR. These costs can range from 10% to 20% of the total development cost.
App Publishing Costs: Once your app is completed, you'll need to pay to publish it on the App Store or Google Play. These fees are typically $99 for iOS and $25 for Android.
The Approximate Cost of Building Different Mobile Apps
Now that we've covered the main factors that influence app development costs, let's take a look at some specific examples. Here are the approximate costs of building different types of mobile apps:
Cost of Building a Marketplace App
A marketplace app is a fusion of several different app types, such as eCommerce, social media, and content. The cost of building a marketplace app will depend on the features and functionality you want to include. However, you can expect to pay around $50,000 - $250,000 for a basic app.
Cost of Building a Social Media App
A social media app is an app that allows users to connect and share content. The cost of
social media app development will depend on the features and functionality you want to include. However, you can expect to pay around $60,000 - $300,000 for a basic app.
Cost to Build a Dating App
A dating app is an app that allows users to connect and potentially start a relationship. The
cost of building a dating app will depend on the features. In most cases, these apps are very simple and easy to use. You can expect to pay around $45,000 for a basic app.
Tips for Reducing the Cost of App Development
You can do a few things to reduce the cost of app development. Here are some tips:
Be Clear About Your Requirements
The first tip is to be clear about your requirements to mobile app development companies. This means having a detailed plan for what you want your app to do and how you want it to look. The more specific you are, the easier it will be for the development team to understand what you want and the less time they'll need to spend making changes.
Use an Agile Development Process
Another tip is to use an agile development process. This is an iterative process where the requirements are divided into small pieces, each developed separately. This allows for changes to be made more easily and reduces the risk of costly mistakes.
Use A Lean Development Approach
Another way to reduce costs is to use a lean development approach. This means focusing on the app's essential features and adding extra features later. This can save you time and money in the development process.
Choose the Right Development Team
Finally, one of the most important things you can do to reduce costs is to choose the right development team. It's important to find a team that has experience in developing the type of app you want and understands your requirements.
Use a Fixed-Price Contract
You can also reduce costs by using a fixed-price contract. This means you will agree on a price with the development team before work begins. This can help to avoid unexpected costs and gives you more control over the budget.
Our Final Thoughts
To sum it up, the final cost of app development will depend on several factors, including the type of app, the features you want to incorporate, the development team you choose, and the contract you sign.
If you're looking to reduce costs, we recommend being clear about your requirements, using an agile development process, and choosing the right development team.
To hire app developers that can definitely do a great job,
contact Hyperlink InfoSystem. We have an experienced team of mobile app developers.