How Much Should App Development Cost?
It’s no surprise that the global app marketplace is pretty huge. However, just how huge it is might catch you off guard. According to recent reports, the Google Play Store is home to 2.65 million apps, and the numbers are pretty similar for Apple.
But that doesn’t even scratch the surface of app spending, which has been reported to be in the hundreds of billions annually.
Needless to say, this is one of the biggest markets in the world, and as such, you may be looking to get some skin in the game. That said, to start making moves in the world of apps, you’re first going to need to invest in an app to launch.
In this post, we’re going to be looking at the real app development cost as well as how you can make the best investment possible.
How much does app development cost?
First, let’s cover the question that’s on everyone’s mind: How much does app development cost?
The short (and unfortunate) answer is: It varies! There is no single answer to how much app development costs, and even giving a range of prices can’t be done too specifically.
For those that have to have an estimate, though, the price will typically start around $40,000 and end at $300,000, depending on how complex or simple your app is.
Of course, the price can change if you’re willing to take on some of the work yourself, or it can go up if you have no idea where to start. Remember, you aren’t just paying for the app itself, but the design, troubleshooting, and expertise that’s coming with it.
You can save money by off-shoring development
One of the best ways to save on your app development cost is by off-shoring your development. In other words, passing the work to an off-shore development team that can handle the task for you.
This has a few advantages over going with a local developer. The first is that it’s much cheaper. While you’re still going to end up paying a lot, it’s far less than what it costs to scope out and hire local talent.
Additionally, off-shoring your development means that you might have access to a larger pool of talent. And you’ll usually be able to access that talent faster than you would otherwise, so you’re saving both time and money when you go this route.
It pays to pay
Having said that, off-shore development isn’t necessarily the way to go for every app development project. In fact, in our experience, we’ve found that it almost always “pays to pay.” Below are some of the benefits you get when you invest that extra cash in your app.
Communication and time zone differences
Something to consider when choosing to off-shore your app development is that, while cheaper, it can lead to more complications during development. Namely, language barriers and time zone differences.
While that might not sound like too big an issue on the surface, it can add time, complexity, and frustration to the process of developing your app. It slows down communication, can lead to misunderstandings that have to be corrected, and just all-around creates a more challenging experience.
A lack of cultural context
Another issue that can arise from off-shore development is a lack of cultural context. Again, this is something that might not seem like much of an issue until you experience it firsthand.
Your app is designed for a target audience, and gearing your app towards that demographic is key to making it a success. Without this, there’s a good chance that your app will flounder in the marketplace.
When you off-shore development, though, you are placing your app in the hands of a team that might not understand the context that your target audience exists in. This can lead to your app being a mismatch for your desired user base.
Training and management
If you’re looking to hire and manage a team of off-shore developers, you’re going to end up spending a good amount of time overseeing their work. In a way, you’ll wind up becoming the manager of this team, checking in with each developer and training them on the tasks you need completing.
You’ll also likely encounter differences in work styles and overall approach, which is yet another barrier that you’ll need to invest extra resources into overcoming.
Make your app expenses a sound investment
If there’s one takeaway from this article, it’s that no matter what, developing your app is going to come with expenses. The goal shouldn’t be to avoid these expenses, but instead to make them count. And the best way to do that is by hiring a localized, specialist development firm. Here’s why.
Save money
In many ways, this approach can help you save money in the long term. You probably won’t have to do major app overhauls any time soon, you’re more likely to get what you want the first time, and your app is more likely to generate the revenue you’re aiming for.
Draw from a more specialized talent pool
Another benefit of going with a local firm, despite the upfront app development cost, is that you’ll have access to a more specialized talent pool. You’ll have an easier time verifying the talent that you’re hiring while also spending less time seeking that talent out.
Plus, by building a team of specialists rather than a team of developers, you can ensure that each facet of your app is executed excellently rather than minimally.
Cut your production time down
Lastly, investing more in your app development cost can help cut production time down. As we covered earlier, off-shore development has the drawback of cultural and communication barriers. These can end up slowing development time down, costing you more in the process.
A localized team is much more likely to be able to start on your app sooner, make fewer errors along the way, and provide you with the end result you’re hoping for in a timely manner.
Partner with Few to bring your app to life
Don’t let app development cost be the reason your app doesn’t thrive. Reach out to the team at Few today and bring your app to life!
