The Cost of Building a Mobile App - Here’s What to Expect

Asking how much it costs to build a mobile app can be a loaded question

If you have ever searched for the cost of creating an app, your head is likely spinning. The answers can range anywhere from a few thousand to a few hundred thousand dollars, sometimes more. The answer to your question is often dependent on the features of your app and the partner you choose to work with.

Finding the right development partner

There are several viable options when deciding who will develop your app

For those interested in building a mobile app to support their business, the best place to start is in deciding the ideal partner to work with. Contact multiple mobile application providers and focus on the type of partnership that best fits your company. Outsourcing the first build will save your organization time and money, but selecting the right partner is key. It’s critical to have a reasonable set of goals and expectations for your app. Doing so will help you and any potential developers quickly decide if the partnership makes sense for both parties.

The types of partners available to help build your app are as follows…

• Hire an in house team and develop the app yourself
• Work with an overseas development firm
• Work with a local contractor
• Work with a local agency
• Work with a national agency

Do Your Research Before Picking a Partner

Plenty of thought should go into the research phase of your new mobile application. Get super clear about your target user and make sure the app meets the needs of this group. Check out the feature sets, designs and user experience of other applications in your industry. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel. Take advantage of the opportunity to learn from other applications with functionality similar to your desired app. Use this as a starting point and customize your application to meet the needs of your business.

“Get super clear about your target user and make sure the app meets the needs of this group.”

To help the planning process, you should be prepared with answers to the following questions…

• What business outcome / challenge / opportunity are you trying to solve for?
• What features / functionality are the highest priority for the MVP version of your app?
• What platforms should the initial version of the app be built for?
• What integrations are necessary to support your app?

Start Small and Select The Most Important Features to Emphasize

Creating a great product is a long and difficult process

Contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t make sense to perfect every bell and whistle on your new application. The goal is to determine the highest priority features and focus your first build around this idea. Remember, it is extremely important to release the first version of your app and learn from early users. There will be plenty of time to develop additional functionality and further enhance the app. First time app builders often forget developing their app is only the first step in a long process to a successful project. Ongoing maintenance, updates and marketing are all additional costs that should be considered.

“…it is extremely important to release the first version of your app and learn from early users.”

Pricing

Hiring an in house team to develop your first build is not usually a cost effective option for small businesses. Working with a partner gives even the smallest of organizations access to people with exceptional experience and skills at a reasonable cost. Last, you’ll need to decide if your project is more suited to a fixed fee contract or one that is based on the cost of time and materials involved (T&M).

Here is a list of general costs to build an app based on the partner you choose…

• Apps built by the largest app agencies likely cost anywhere between $250,000 — $1,000,000
• Apps built by mid-tier agencies cost anywhere between $150,000 — $450,000
• Apps built by smaller and more local agencies cost between $50,000 — $100,000
• Apps built by overseas firms and contractors cost between $10,000 — $50,000
• Apps built with DIY services can cost between $3,000 — $10,000

Bottom Line

Regardless of cost, make sure the firm you choose is genuinely excited about the project and partnership. An enthusiastic partnership with the team building your mobile application will be appreciated if the app takes off and you end up working together over the long term.

If you’re interested in a partnership with a company that is redefining the agency experience, check out snapmobile.io