How to Reduce Mobile App Development Costs? Key Tips to Keep in Mind

Do you want to order food online? There is an app for that. Or maybe would you like to take a taxi or get a doctor’s consultation? Don’t worry, there are on-demand apps for that too! Nowadays, mobile apps are everywhere.

If you’re an entrepreneur or a startup that has decided to add a functional mobile app, you will need more than just a great idea. You need to consult an application development company and hire a team of app developers that can transform your idea into a quality digital product and get it to your target audience while ensuring that you have the finances to do so.

Along with the functionality and technology, mobile app developers have to deal with high development costs. However, there are several ways to reduce the expenses associated with app development. In this article, our best app developers from Utah will share what affects the cost of custom app development and provide some tips and tricks on how to cut costs without compromising on quality.

How much does it cost to develop a mobile application?

According to Good Firms, it might cost anywhere around USD 70,000-100,000 to develop a complex app like Uber, USD 61,000-69,000 - for a messaging app like WhatsApp, and USD 40,000-60,000 for a user-friendly dating app like Tinder. As for smaller on-demand mobile applications, be ready to pay somewhere between USD 20,000-30,000.

However, there is no one factor that decides your app’s total cost. It depends on a several variables such as:

And these are only some of the main factors.

Also, keep in mind that developing an app costs you only around 35% of the total app development price, while the annual legacy is responsible for 50% or more, and the maintenance costs are paid monthly (from USD 5,000-10,000).

Knowing that will help you decide the best options to convert your app idea into reality at affordable prices. Here are the 5 tips that may help you save tens of thousands of dollars per app.

How to Cut App Development Expenses

1. Create a minimal viable product (MVP)

The cost of an MVP app is low compared to the final product, while the benefits it brings are priceless. Why is it so important?

• It can be built and released publicly.
• MVP can help to raise money for your app.
• You save both money and time by preventing many possible issues
• Once you gain profits via your MVP, you start focusing on the main points of your original product.

Read more about the advantages of building an MVP while developing a web or mobile application here.

2. Delegating your app development

Hiring in-house talents are not affordable for every business. When you have access to the global talent pool and cost-effective development opportunities, there are a few reasons to go for costly in-house development. According to a study by Forrester, more than 38% of top decision-makers delegate their mobile app project because of the expertise offered by their tech partner.

There is also a common misconception that a high price means a high-quality app. It can lead to unnecessary expenses and disturb your app budget.

But always make sure your tech partner provides you with the following team members (specialists):

• Project Manager – to communicate all app-related things and deadlines, to avoid gaps
• Front-end Developer – to write codes for the customer-facing app
• Back-end Developer – to write codes for administrational and back office purposes
• UX/UI Designer – to create the best user-friendly design for your app
• Testers – to test the app as per the set parameters and report bugs timely

3. Focus on the essential features

You might think that introducing an app with a ton of features is a great idea, but often it is not. The basic idea of a mobile app is to facilitate transactions and operations conveniently and with ease. It should not be confusing.

By limiting your focus and concentrating on the essential features that drive secure operations and payments, you can save a lot of expenditure and time.

Focus only on the necessary features and vital functions. Later you can update your application.

4. Cross-platform development

Remember that your target audience is platform-independent and diversified.

Cross-platform development is a rescuer. It saves costs and time by using a single code base across multiple platforms, helping you to avoid further big investments.

The most common programming languages for cross-platform mobile app development:

1. HTML5
2. JavaScript
3. CSS

The main advantages of using cross-platform development are:

1. It is budget-friendly
2. Your app has a wider chance to be explored and attract an audience
3. It uses a single code base across multiple platforms

5. Simplicity at its best for UI/UX

One of the proven methodologies for reducing your app development costs is using a simple yet appealing design. Minimalism is always bound to give out a better user experience since often new users get confused with intricate designs.

Start with a simple design, and improve in full swing.

Using templates might also be a great option for saving money on design development yet getting a great external idea for your best design.

6. Summarize your project requirements

The idea you have must be adapted to the market, audience, and budget.

A very helpful piece of advice to apply is to prepare a document with the key requirements where you include your vision description, market and users’ needs, the features you want to offer as a core of your product, the platforms you want to launch your application on, set timelines, and budget.

Having this basic set of data, your application development services provider can help you to discover and list the rest.

Wrapping up

Saving money on the mobile app development process is not an easy task to perform. This is because the app development process is complex and consists of several stages. There are also many unknowns and risks, and that’s why you might need to hire an experienced mobile app development firm to do it well. And, surprisingly, avoid unexpected payments and save money.

Despite the complexity, it is worth thinking from the very beginning, in a way that makes it easier to spot the right areas for cost reduction, without compromising on quality. You can use the pieces of advice on what you can do to hold your costs down while maintaining the quality up presented above.

At Utah Tech Labs, a leading mobile app development company in Utah, we conduct workshops with the potential client during which we define the key goals and the core set of end-users’ needs, and together with the client, prepare a proposition of the features the product should have. The workshops clarify the vision and requirements while allowing for presenting the most accurate cost estimation.

We focus on long-lasting partnerships and delivering products that work well, for the users (quality) and businesses (price).

For free consultation about mobile app development costs click here.

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