The Mobile App Market is growing at an incredible pace. These days, everybody’s got an idea for a mobile app. And it’s no surprise because the mobile industry is booming from both the user’s and business perspectives.

You may be thinking that there is little research needed to create a mobile app. But, before you dive into this ever-growing industry and begin your mobile app development process, you need to do some research if you want to succeed in the growing market.

If you think your idea has the potential to be the next industry disruptor like Uber or Snapchat, find out what types of applications get the most cash flow. Or, if you’re looking for ways to improve your current business with a mobile app, then do some math and see how it can work in the best way possible.

And the big question is. How much will this process cost? There is no set price or a single answer to this question. Because of so many different elements, including the platform on which the application is being made. Then we have the features of the app, complexity, the experience of the development team and many other factors that play a big role in determining the cost required to develop an app.

Let’s understand the many variables that can affect the mobile app development cost.

Factors that Influence the Cost of Mobile App Development

1. The Business Model of a Mobile App

A user’s journey begins with finding the right application. After that, you’ll choose a viable business model and an effective process to run your new company on – it will be beneficial for both users and yourself.

Since different mobile apps require a wide range of costs to produce, you must know your app before proceeding. For instance, free applications are more straightforward than those with in-app purchase features, and eCommerce needs additional time and money because they involve integration. Finally, the most difficult type of mobile application is on-demand ones which vary depending on their complexity.

If you want to develop an app like Uber, it can cost you around $30k, and then you have apps that will cost you $1k. However, you don’t need to be a millionaire to have your own app. Mobilise Solutions provides basic apps starting at 1k, so it’s affordable for anyone with an idea they want to get out there!

The above chart is Mobilise Solutions estimation of the starting cost for Mobile App Development.

2. Type of Application

When creating your own mobile app, you must know the essentials and functions of applications to expect, which will affect your mobile app development cost. Included in this decision is determining the type of voice tone possible with an application.

Standalone applications like a clock and calculator can work without being connected to the internet. Since building these apps requires minimal complexity, their cost will be low. However, an application requiring data utilisation, such as a stock market watch or weather app, would need some more relatively.

Applications that require user verification like  Google Drive can cost considerably more. These are the more perplexing type of apps and requires the development of an algorithm to function.

3. App Platform: Android or iOS

Programming for your application can be accessible over several platforms like IOS, Windows, and Android is a good idea. But, first, you should decide where the users of your app will most often use it and then design accordingly to access it on their preferred device.

While the current global platform market share of Android is larger, users of iOS are said to be more reliable. Here are a few factors you must consider while selecting the platform for your app:

There are many other factors; the ones mentioned above are crucial to analyze to estimate mobile app development costs.

The decision of which platform to use for your app is not an easy one. It’s suggested that you go with both, if possible, or the cross-platform development approach. With iOS apps being faster and cheaper than Android applications (most times), it might be best for you!

4. Visual Design and UI/UX

First impressions are everything. It doesn’t matter if you’re going to a new job, on your first date or designing an application for the virtual world–the impression is all that matters! This means it’s important to get it right first to be rejected and kept out of stores.

The design is also an essential component of disruptive applications, which is time overlooked. Here is what an ideal UI/UX design process for an app should look like:

This chart is the ideal UI/UX design strategy for developing your app, but it also comes with a price tag of up to 25k for a basic app.  So this is to show you how crazy the cost can be.

5. The Functionality of Your Application

Ever since the dawn of technology, mobile applications have been transforming daily. As a result, there are now endless possibilities for what an app can do, and the cost to build one is just as different, a few hundred or in the thousands. The following list will break down some basic types of apps that may be worth considering:

• List App – The application is a mobile-optimised form of the site and will, for the most part, list out in different categories. It is easy to create and won’t make a hole in your pocket.

• A Dynamic App – Mobile Apps like Facebook, for example, need to be connected with a server to gather the information from the application. These applications work along with different platforms and applications through APIs. The complexity of such an application and its APIs can bring many variations as far as cost is concerned.

• Games – These are the most complex applications to create and are the most expensive ones. With complex games utilizing Artificial Intelligence getting heavy traction, the 3D environments and propelled material science can cost a sensation.

Applications can be difficult to categorise, leading you into a situation where the application is too broad for one category. In addition, while some functionalities are inexpensive, they still have an associated cost that has not been accounted for in your budget plan.

6. App Complexity

How complex is your app?

Your app will have a range of possible development costs depending on which type you choose- simple, moderate or complex. If you want to know how your application falls into one of these categories, here are some distinctions that might help:

So take a look at your application’s features, functionality and structure. See which category it falls into: If you’re looking for something fundamental with simple features, you can create that at a low cost – but if what you have is more unique or complex to develop, then the intricacy will be higher.

7. Hidden Cost

It is a lot of info to get your head around, but we are almost there.

You may have spent more than you anticipated while developing your application, but you’re not out of the woods yet. Remember to budget for legal expenses and hire a lawyer to help with any questions that arise during this process if that is a requirement.

Keep in mind that if you change or add to features and functionality while developing your app, this will also add to the cost. So make sure you stick to your original specifications, and if you really need the changes or as you test your app can see better ways of doing things or need more features added, keep a contingency budget for these changes and addons.

A lawyer will help secure your copyrights, intellectual property, trademarks, and everything else you need while ensuring that you’re not encroaching on anyone’s business. Remember about membership expenses for external functions either. So don’t think of a budget that you can’t oversee.

Make sure you budget for a little extra for what may come upon the route.

You can request your free quote at Mobilise Solutions.