STONES of PHILLY

Apps have really come into the mainstream nowadays. Every business has one. If they don’t, they want one. Apps are a great way to communicate your message to your audience and make sure that they get it. It’s how you can keep your brand front and center in your audience’s minds. Ever since people started using mobile phones to use the internet for any and all purposes, app development has seen an exponential boost.

But what does that mean for businesses that want an app?

Do they just dive in?

What are the things to consider before getting your app built or before building it yourself?

Do you build it yourself?

Is the procedure the same for every app? You might have an idea for an explosive and disruptive app like Instagram or TikTok. You might need an app to improve your business and attract more customers.

The one question that comes up the most is how much does an app cost. Ask any app developer and they will say that this is the question that they get asked the most.

The answer?

You will get 10 different answers from 10 different people.

The reality is that the cost depends on some factors. It’s not the same for everyone. We know you weren’t looking for this answer, but this is what you get.

Let us explain it to you with an analogy.

Suppose you go out to buy a car.

How much does it cost?

There’s no simple answer to this question. There are a lot of things that you need to consider before the cost comes out in the open. You have to see if you want a luxury car, a minivan, a sports car, or more. What kind of engine does it have? 

The same is the reason for app development. Ask any good agency that provides app development services and they will ask you a million questions before giving you a price.

So, let’s see what the factors are that affect the cost of app development.

Factors that affect the cost of app development

Before you get into the whole cost argument, you have to know what it is that you want. If you don’t have a clear goal and objective for your app, don’t jump into the development phase. Think it through. You can’t have a new app anytime you feel that the previous one isn’t working. It’s mostly a one-time deal.

Here are some of the factors that influence app development:

Overhead

Overhead, according to Investopedia, is the direct or fixed cost of running a business. It does not relate to the product or the service that you are running. This means that you’ll have to look into whether you will hire someone to do it or you have a team that can handle this task. Your budget will change depending on these things. Also, you have to consider if you are starting a business and launching an app with it or you have an existing business and you are launching just an app. Even after you have launched the app, you will have to pay someone to do general maintenance, troubleshoot, and update the app from time to time. This will also include any marketing and promotion costs. Once you have an app, you will need to promote it to let the users know.

Complexity

How complex or simple your app is will impact its overall cost. Is it a simple app with a little bit of graphics or are you integrating animations into it? The more graphics and animations you add to it, the more time it will take.

So, how do you find out if your app is simple or complex?

Here’s how:

Simple mobile apps will have the basic features that people expect from an app. These might include email subscriptions, social media sharing capabilities, calendars, and more. Complex apps however will include login features, payment options, adaptability for different screens, back-end servers, access in multiple languages, third party integrations, animations, and more.

So, look at what you want from your app and you will know if it’s a simple app or a complex one.

Server and data hosting location

This is another factor that will add to the cost of your app. If you need a back-end server for your app, it will cost you a pretty penny. There are a lot of hosting services that provide you with cloud storage and hosting. See which one works best for you. Check out their prices as well as the features that they are offering. If you don’t know much about it, talk to the company that is providing you with app development services. They will know the best choices and can guide you.

Operating Systems

You can either go for hybrid app development or native app development. Both have their own pros and cons and you will have to weight them out. Native apps are best for UX. They are better optimized and faster. This means better performance. You can add a variety of features and they will still perform. 

If you want an app for multiple devices and platforms, you will have to go for a hybrid app. Since a hybrid app uses the same code for each platform, it is less costly. But you will have to sacrifice a little bit in the UX department. 

Conclusion

All these factors and more directly impact the cost of your app. don’t forget that there are hidden costs like subscription fees and legal fees. That is why you have to find a reliable and experienced app development agency that knows app creation and can guide you through the entire process.