Thanks to the ever-rising popularity of smartphones, the mobile app development market has been soaring like never before. Even businesses that already have websites have been looking to get into the latest app trends. In fact, over half of modern businesses have their own mobile app.
Since building a website already requires a strong focus on mobile devices, building an application dedicated to them helps them advance further into the digital business world. Moreover, apps have several benefits over websites.
Benefits of Having an App over a Website
Here are some of the major benefits of having a mobile app over a website for your business:
Easy Accessibility
Apps are always easier to access than websites are. Even if your website is particularly mobile-friendly, your customers still need to visit it whenever they require your services. On the other hand, once an app has been downloaded, it is only a tap away.
Greater Content Delivery
While browsers have begun supporting notifications for websites, it just isn’t the same as the notifications that your app may give to your customers. Apps also allow users to customize the kind of notifications they would like, preventing them from being too intrusive.
Offline Operation
Unlike websites, apps can also be operated offline. While lack of internet access is quite rare in today’s world, your customers will still be able to access your app when it does happen. Moreover, users are more likely to appreciate your application if it doesn’t constantly use their data.
Mobility and Connection
Mobile apps can be taken anywhere your customers go and offer connections with their wearables and smart devices. This connects them to your brand in a more personal way that is bound to boost brand loyalty.
Which Factors Affect the Cost of App Development?
While mobile app development is often seen as similar to website development, it couldn’t be further from the truth. Mobile apps take teams of several experienced programmers working long hours to develop.
Moreover, depending on the type of app, it may require several complex backend procedures to get it to work. As such, it would be unfair to look at the cost of developing an app as a one-dimensional number. Instead, let us take a closer look at the factors involved in mobile app development:
Outsourcing Vs. Hiring
While many businesses decide to hire an in-house development team for their mobile app, this is a decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly. While hiring a team may give you direct control over the development process, it would also be more expensive.
Outsourcing can give you access to the best talent in the market at an affordable price. Moreover, you won’t have to go through hiring new employees for your team.
Features Needed
The features that you need in your application can also significantly impact the price. For example, if you need an eCommerce app that lets your customers order your products, it will cost a lot more than an app that simply gives them access to your latest offers and product catalog.
Target Platform
The target platform of your application matters when building a native app. The two major options are Android and iOS, each with a significant market share and individual application requirements. If your development team uses Flutter, it should significantly reduce the overall development costs. However, you may still have to pay individual fees for hosting the app on each platform.
Frontend Complexity
The frontend of your app includes the app design and everything users would look at when opening the app. Designing a visually complex app can cause your development fees to rise significantly, while poor UI and UX would only push users away.
Backend Complexity
The backend of your app is the part that handles all the information and database connectivity. It allows your application to perform functions such as storing, retrieving, and processing data. Complex backends would require a powerful server to host them. This is another cost you need to consider.
App Industry
The niche or industry of your app will also matter when factoring in the cost, as it would often require developers to connect your app with existing technologies. Some of these technologies can also have a registration fee.
What is the Estimated Price of an App in 2022?
Since the above factors would significantly contribute to the cost of your app, it is wise to plan your desired app after considering each of them. Focus on features you truly need instead of trendy ones to get a functional app that will last a long time.
Once you’re certain of the features you desire in your app, it’s time to find the best app development company in the US that meets your budget. On average, you can expect the app to cost anywhere between $15,000 to $500,000, but this would depend on the kind of app you want and the features you need. Here are some common app types with their cost estimations:
Basic Functionality Apps
Basic functionality apps are the simplest to build since they do not have many features. They are used primarily for distributing information and not for any data processing. Depending on their frontend complexity, you can expect these apps to cost somewhere between $15,000 and $40,000.
Database-Driven Apps
Database-driven applications require a more complex backend. They also require greater computing power on their server for processing the data collected. Depending on various features, these can cost between $40,000 and $80,000.
Firmware Apps
Firmware apps are advanced applications that enhance the device's functionality. An example would be a professional camera application. Such apps have a large range of prices and will ultimately depend on the type of app being made.
Games
Games are often some of the most complex applications since they need to combine the best of the frontend and backend into one application. These take a long time to develop and are often priced between $80,000 and $500,000.
Final Thoughts
Application development is a complex affair. Estimating the cost of your app isn’t as simple as doing the same for a website. However, you’re bound to find a team of expert developers in your budget, depending on the features and type of app you request.
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