How much does a mobile app cost?

An excellent idea for a mobile app is a good start! Mobile applications allow you to solve your customers’ problems, and this is very close to building a solid and lasting business relationship that brings real financial benefits. Therefore, we will not convince those convinced of the validity of implementing a mobile application into their strategy. Instead, we will tell you how much a mobile app for business costs and what its cost depends on.

Minimum budget for mobile applications

When commissioning a mobile application development, you must consider the cost of several thousand dollars. The price will likely be around $7,500-10,000 for moderately advanced solutions. It may change with the complexity of the project. If the application is not heavily developed, consider a simple application’s minimum budget. However, with each expansion and addition of functionality, additional costs should be included.

Why does it cost so much to create a mobile application?

The cost takes into account the preparation – that is, a thorough understanding of the needs of the business and expectations of the planned solution. In the price of a mobile application, a professional company analyzes the business environment, which has a not inconsiderable impact on creating a distinctive application that will solve customers’ problems better than the competition. Only then do the professionals proceed to the creation of the application, i.e., designing, creating graphics, and conducting tests. The application development process is, therefore, a multi-stage one, and each part is crucial to the entire project’s success.

Degree of sophistication 

To a large extent, the cost of a mobile application is influenced by its degree of complexity. The more advanced and elaborate the solution, the higher the price. Additional features, on the one hand, facilitate further goals, on the other hand, change the cost of the mobile app.

UI/UX

The more attractive the interface and more precise the details that positively affect the user experience, the higher the mobile app cost will be.

iOS / Android platform

Someone can assume that the cost of developing apps for Android is minimally higher than for iOS. This is due to the more significant number of Android devices and the occurrence of budget versions of phones.

Integration and scalability

Suppose you plan to commission an application that must integrate with other systems. In that case, you can expect that the investment cost will increase likewise if the solution in question is only the first step to transforming it into a much more advanced mobile application. 

Security level

Suppose your future business application is not a program for banking, medicine, or any other industry where the highest level of security is necessary. In that case, you will not have to pay as high a cost as representatives of these sectors. The level of security has a direct impact on the cost of the mobile application.

Localization and language

The need to create an app that is multilingual and adapted to different countries or regions also tends to generate additional costs.

How can you reduce the cost of mobile apps?

The solution for companies looking for apps at the lowest possible price is the MVP (Minimum Valuable Product) approach. This concept refers to creating the simplest version with minimal functionalities. Implementing a basic application allows for testing the solution’s market value and learning about the audience’s reaction and business potential. At the same time, the company can avoid incurring the high costs associated with an extensive application. User feedback from the initial version facilitates further development in a direction consistent with market expectations.

What should you consider when procuring mobile apps for business?

Goals

Mobile application development is a process that requires meticulous planning. So, you need to think through the assumptions and business goals the business app should fulfill. Avoid haphazardly ordering this task too hastily. Think well about how your business can benefit through the app. It’s a great tool that will effectively set you apart from your competitors by taking an innovative approach to the problem your customers face. Therefore, an analysis of market requirements is crucial here. 

Need support on how to plan an effective app? Contact us

Maintain

Just as running your business requires constant development, every other project – including mobile apps – doesn’t end with just deployment. Apps require maintenance to continually bring revenue to the company and are secure and fully functional. This is a necessity that must be considered when budgeting for mobile apps. Cooperation in this area can take different variants, for example, a dedicated support contract or a pay-as-you-go model, in which payment is made for a specific task.

Marketing

Already have a fantastic mobile app, but you still need to monetize it to the extent you expect. Make sure that more people get to know its potential. Plan a campaign to promote the app using various social media channels, Google Ads, in-app ads, or collaboration with influencers. Create a consistent and well-recognized image for the app and ensure good positioning in the app store by choosing the right keywords, descriptions, or app titles. Admittedly, marketing is not directly related to creating mobile apps. Still, it allows you to take full advantage of their capabilities, so it should be included!

When will the creation of a mobile application pay off?

The cost of creating a mobile application is worth considering as a long-term investment that can achieve various goals. One of them is generating profits from the sale of additional functionalities outside the basic scope of accessible functions, the so-called freemium model. This option allows you to cover production costs relatively quickly.

Another possibility is the sale of products ideally related to the company’s operations and tailored to customers’ habits – such as an application prepared by Digital Forms for quick purchases of travel insurance ordered at the airport just before departure for a holiday. It is also a model that will allow the company to quickly recover costs if it communicates well the appearance and possibilities of the application.

The primary goal of mobile applications is only sometimes to sell products or earn money on functionalities. The mobile application can also be used to build customer loyalty – which is possible due to the easy availability of the solution – which is always at hand. It is an effective process, but it is long-term by design, so the return on investment may be longer than in the case of other models. Similarly, in the case of using the application to increase the brand’s reach. Creating an application allows the brand to reach new recipients and build a positive image. The return on such an investment is worth attention, although not necessarily immediate.

Does every app generate profits? 

Many factors contribute to the success of an app. One is choosing a professional company with experience implementing mobile business applications. The other is a good definition of the mobile application’s business goals. Next is a properly executed application development process, the maintenance, and development of the application, and proper marketing. 

Are you considering ordering mobile applications? You are welcome! Digital Forms specializes in creating professional digital solutions for businesses.