In today’s world, our reliance on mobile phones is undeniable. From purchasing groceries and commuting to work, to maintaining our fitness and discovering nearby spas or vacation destinations, our daily activities are intricately woven with mobile technology. Our mobile phones are like a lifeline in troubled times, for when in trouble, we can almost always find our answers in our mobile’s app library. Therefore, in order to be successful, every business must roll out a mobile app that effectively markets their product to their target consumer’s needs, thereby boosting both business sales and market presence.
Now, given that producing a mobile app no longer remains a choice but has become a necessity for most business owners, owning one has admittedly become easier and cheaper, but it still costs money. While a mobile app development company will tell you that developing a custom software application like a mobile app, although expensive at first, is always cost-effective, it only stands true if you choose your app requirements with careful precision. So, how does one make sure to zero in on the right list of needs and requirements that not only service the company perfectly but are also not too heavy on the pocket? Why…by starting at the very top of course!
Types of Mobile Apps
There are three major types of mobile apps, categorized in terms of their costs, they are…
1. Low-Cost Mobile Apps
These are your basic apps that mostly come preinstalled on your average mobile phone, like Calculator, Clock, etc. They are designed for single platforms with limited features and have a standard user interface with little to no customizability.
2. Medium-Cost Mobile Apps
These are slightly more complex apps that require a mix of general user interface settings and financial transactional facilities, like those in Apple TV, Viator etc. They can be crafted to function across multiple platforms and seamlessly integrate with various smaller third-party applications. The user interfaces of these apps are more advanced than the low-cost mobile apps and are often customizable based on the users’ preferences.
3. High-Cost Mobile Apps
These are the most common types of mobile apps. They are both complex and large with a vast range of features in addition to a user interface that is attractive, interactive and heavily customizable. They are available across platforms and, therefore, frequently support multiple languages. Uber, Amazon etc. are some of the examples of this mobile app type.
Factors that Affect a Mobile Apps’ Development Cost
Now that you know which category your company’s mobile app falls into, let us find out about some of the factors that will affect its development cost.
Desirable Platforms for Expanding Your Mobile App’s Reach
On average, there are two major platforms namely Android and iOS, that your mobile app can be made available on. Determining the platform of choice, whether it is Android, iOS, or both, will affect your development costs. While hiring Android programmers is cheaper, developing an Android app can be expensive based on the number of different types of devices you wish your app to be available for. Since Android devices vary in screen sizes, hence your app will have to be programmed differently to be compatible with all of them separately. Meanwhile, though iOS devices are not as multitudinous as Android devices, iOS programmers are usually more expensive.
Defining the Inclusions and Exclusions of Your Mobile App’s Features
The features of your mobile app not only make your app unique while carrying out your business processes but also give you a competitive advantage and ensure customer loyalty. These defining core features of your app, based on their number, variety and distinctiveness, drive your app’s development costs. So, when making a list of your required features, make sure that you include all the features that your company needs and remove all those that it doesn’t. For example, a scanning app does not require the use of location services whereas a home delivery app cannot function without location access.
Safeguarding Your Mobile App
Cybercrime is increasingly becoming one of the biggest problems of our rapidly digitizing world, necessitating the need for higher cybersecurity. Hence, as a business proprietor, safeguarding the sensitive data of your mobile app users from potential hacking and misuse becomes imperative. For fintech and e-commerce enterprises, or any app dealing with financial data and customer identity, prioritizing robust cybersecurity is essential. Without it, the risk of succumbing to cyber threats remains ever-present.
Estimating the Development Timeline
Based on your choices of the above factors affecting your mobile app development cost, you will see a directly proportional increase/decrease in this developmental cost. The type and number of features in addition to the security and platform specification you choose for your mobile app will determine the cost of said app. The complexity of your specifications directly impacts the app development timeline, consequently influencing the cost. A more intricate mobile app demands additional testing time, leading to increased development, update, and maintenance expenses.
Exploring Your Software Development Partner
The location and expertise of your hired software development company, along with the number of programmers employed by them in the development of your app influences your mobile app’s development costs. Certain countries exhibit higher costs compared to others. For instance, enlisting a mobile development company in the USA entails greater expenses than opting for one in a location like India. Similarly, the higher the number of people – and their expertise – working on your app, the higher your developmental cost.
Summing Up
A number of factors, such as the platform, features, security, time, and last but not least your mobile app development company, together influence your mobile app development cost. Hence, it holds paramount significance to meticulously oversee each phase of your mobile app development journey in collaboration with your software development services provider. This approach ensures a seamless and budget-friendly mobile app development endeavor.
