People use so many types of apps these days, and it is an integral part of society’s digital transformation. No matter what you want to do online, there is an app for it. Apps allow businesses to reach ever-increasing numbers of mobile phone users, earning plenty of money for its developers.
However, this is not a get-rich-quick solution. Developing an app can cost anywhere from $10,000 to $50,000 for the simplest kinds. Apps with plenty of features can rack up six-figure bills quite quickly. As a result, smaller businesses with no experience in this area find it hard to get the funds for app development.
If your business is keen on developing an app but wants to keep costs to a minimum, here are some ways you can do it.
Streamline your design
The more features you have, the more complex the project, which results in more money spent on development. Focus on the features that provide the most value for your customers.
You do not need to offer everything on your app—get to the core of why you do business, enable modern software security for activity on your app, and offer that to your clients. You can include the add-ons when your app becomes a hit.
Let a contractor handle it
Choosing highly-skilled experts from outside your company might save you a considerable amount of money in the development phase. What’s more, if you don’t have an IT company, you might not have people on your team capable of developing apps given their current skill levels. Hiring an expert from outside will allow your employees to concentrate on other matters.
Carefully screen the contractor
When you hire externally, be sure to vet your choice. Ask for a portfolio, seek feedback from previous clients, and find a partner who has experience in your field. For instance, a business that offers recruitment solutions would benefit from a developer who has produced human resources-related apps in the past.
Furthermore, do not cut costs for the sake of it. You might end up spending more cleaning up an app riddled with bugs and extending your development timeline. Make sure you have in your contract a rough schedule that indicates milestones you can expect.
Decide if you will go for native or hybrid development
Native apps are specific to either Android or iOS devices, while hybrid ones can work on both. Hybrid apps are cheaper to make, but they have their disadvantages.
A native app has a smoother UX, more reliable security, and overall better performance. The downside is that they take a little more time to develop. In contrast, a hybrid app does not take as long to construct.
Businesses looking to cut costs might be better off with a hybrid app. However, it is best to speak to the developer about the best option for the business. Speak to them about the nature of the business’ operations, its budget, and what customers will do on the app.
Conclusion
Developing an app should not come at an exorbitant fee. If your company is keenly aware of why it is building an app, it will be easy for you to specify it to your developer. Make sure you are hiring someone who gives you value for your money, and you will surely have a functional, accessible, and well-designed application.
Make Wolfmatrix your partner in your company’s digital transformation. We are software consultants providing businesses and organizations with custom web and mobile applications. Contact us today for more details.
