Can you go through an entire day without using your phone? Since its inception in 1973, mobile phones have quickly evolved. They connect us to the world, provide entertainment, and even affect the way we work. According to statista.com, global mobile app revenues amounted to over 365 billion U.S. dollars in 2018. With so many users, it makes perfect sense as a business to provide a mobile app. An app will allow for better customer engagement, make it easier to promote your products and provide access to real-time feedback. Unfortunately, complex apps can easily push six figures to start making them seem out of reach for a small business owner. With a little bit of research and preparation, you can ensure your dream app becomes a reality.
Factors to Consider When Preparing Your Budget
A survey by Clutch calculated that the median cost range to develop an app is between $37,913 and $171,450, but could climb up to $500,000 or higher. Costs will obviously vary based on features, complexity, and platform, as well as your developer. Several mobile app companies are now offering calculators that let you see a ballpark estimate of how much your app will cost. Although this is not an exhaustive list, here are some components to consider:
- What type of app will you offer – Utility, business, social networking, etc.
- Will you hire a freelancer, an agency, or possibly even an offshore development team?
- Will your app require a backend server, or is it completely standalone?
- Is it simple, moderate, or complex?
- How many pages will it have?
Avoid and Prevent Common Pitfalls
As with any new venture, it’s impossible to completely prepare for and prevent literally every scenario that might mean failure. However, there is a reason there are multiple versions of the 6 P’s: Proper Planning Prevents Pitifully Poor Performance. Don’t forget to budget for important costs such as updates, marketing, and your own salary. Create an outline for the release of your app and stick with it. Don’t rush to push your app out into the market only to end up with a subpar version – dedicate a portion of your timeline for beta testing. The same holds true for the idea of “more is better.” Focus on the execution of one feature and do it well to maximize its usefulness, rather than cramming in as much as you can and ending up with a poor product.
As previously mentioned, this is not a complete list, but it hopefully provides you a starting point in your research, and an idea of why creating a mobile app for your business is worth it in the long run. There’s a great community of developers who regularly share their own experiences; anything you can do to be aware will bring you closer to seeing your app succeed. An agency like HRMG can offer direction every step of the way providing strategic targeting, careful planning, and strong design.
