Want to reduce the cost of building an app? Here are some tips on how you can modify certain areas of application development to cut down on expenses. Read on!

There are many benefits to having your own software application. For one, customers would buy more from companies that have their own website and application. And second, you get to establish a whole new branch of digital services to scale your startup.

However, just as much as there are benefits to owning an app, there’s just as much cost to building it. Fret not, it’s not the end-all of your entrepreneurial ambition. There’s a way to develop an app without breaking the bank. First, let’s examine its significance in a startup’s success.

Business Application Development

Why should a business develop an app? There are several reasons. For one, customers are going digital. In the US, 85% of Americans are active online daily. Hence, there’s no better place to engage with them than through the platforms and channels they enjoy.

On top of that, apps are also shaping the success of businesses. The app economy is expected to reach up to 6.3 trillion US dollars by 2021. This means, if you’re not on top of the latest tech trends, you’ll lose to more tech-savvy competitors. Building an app or a website will keep you relevant in your market.

Now, bear in mind that developing an app is hard work but the benefits are great in the end. To succeed, you have to have to understand what application development entails.

Understanding Application Development

First and foremost, you need to understand the purpose, process, and expectations for application development. You have to establish what your goal is for the app. Are you creating it to build customer engagement? Is it a service extension? Or is it solely for business use? Answering these questions will set the tone for your project. Likewise, you have to understand what factors will increase or reduce the app development cost.

Factors Affecting Application Development Cost

Complexity

The more complicated your app becomes, the higher the surge of app development cost. There are certain product concepts that require a lot more time to develop. On top of that, you may need specific tools that cost more than average. If you’re looking to add a relatively unique feature, you’ll need highly skilled developers to create it.

Timeline

Delays are pretty much unavoidable in application development. It can be as simple as the client wanting to tweak little details or as complicated as changing the whole concept. Unfortunately, the more a project timeline is extended, the bigger the bill gets. You’ll have to spend more on the materials and your staff’s hours. One way to minimize this issue is to adhere to the plan as accurately as possible.

Workforce

Just as there are unexpected delays in the project, there are also unexpected situations among the team. For one, you may end up losing a developer who plays a vital role in the project. You’ll need to find a replacement. Another possibility is you end up needing more developers on board. This means you’ll have to train new staff altogether. These types of situations might stretch your budget.

Product Validation

The most stressful part of application development is its validation stage. The developer and client have to agree on the final output. When there’s a miscommunication gap, the client’s vision may not be translated well into the final product. Hence, another delay caused by drastic changes.

Steps to Reduce App Development Cost

1. Draft a detailed plan

Changing your mind is expensive. Application development is not something you do on a whim. You have to provide detailed project requirements that are pretty much set in stone. This will not only make your developer’s job easier, but it’s also going to save you a lot of money too.

2. Start with minimal features

Adding features to your app takes its toll on the budget. Every new feature adds to the complexity of the project which then extends the development time needed to complete it. If you want to reduce the app development cost, limit your initial features to the most essential ones. Start with an MVP or prototype model instead and gather feedback from customers. This way, you can gradually build up with only a few errors and can avoid wasting resources.

3. Hire the right experts

Application development is not an easy project to tackle. It’s almost inevitable that developers will run into problems with the application during and after its launching. You need experts who are not only skilled in creating the initial product but must also know how to fix bugs and errors. On top of that, they have to be ready to scale it as well.

Here are some tips on how to hire and build your software development team.

• Hire according to project requirements – Check if your project needs front-end or back-end developers, or both. You may even opt for one full-stack engineer. Ensure that the developers you hire have worked with the technology you plan to use. Hiring experts who are already familiar with the platform and tools will save time and money on training.
• Invest in skills – Although it will cost you initially, it’s best to add at least one senior developer to the team. A senior developer can effectively strategize the development process. Their experience and skills will prevent a lot of common development mistakes.
• Don’t neglect quality assurance – Your QA specialists play just as big of a role in the success of the application. QA experts follow a stringent testing process and ensure the product is free of bugs. By filtering mistakes early, you avoid shelling out money to correct them.
• Hire a project manager – Depending on the complexity of your product, you may need a project manager to oversee its creation process. If you’re planning to hire more than seven developers in the team, you’ll have to hire someone who can guide them. The more people involved, the more complicated the coordination will be.

4. Test before launching

Bad impressions are pricey to correct. And you can’t afford to make a bad one on your users. This is why User Acceptance Testing (UAT) is critical. This is a type of testing that ensures that the application carries out what it’s designed to do. It tests the product in a real-world setting so both the development team and the user get the idea of how it’s supposed to work. You have to perform UAT during the prototyping stage and before launching. Validating your work beforehand will ensure a more positive outcome and acceptance from users.

5. Go for a simpler look

It’s better to focus more on the app’s functionality over its aesthetic. Although design is important, you don’t have to go about making it too intricate and expressive. Take advantage of the design guidelines offered by iOS and Android which simplifies the whole design process. Avoid super complex UI/UX and putting too many unique custom elements. You can always revamp and upgrade your design after its initial launching.

6. Invest in tools

Technology is meant to make things more convenient. Even in the process of building tech itself, you can maximize the use of other tech tools. Automate when you can. Whether it’s testing or documentation, there are plenty of tools and programs that can expedite it. Not only will you speed up development time, you can cut down the cost of correcting human errors.

7. Draw from one resource

Application development involves a lot of people. You have to consider factors like design, development, and even the business aspect of it. And the more the development cycle evolves, the harder it is to coordinate everything properly. Hence, it’s better to hire people from one company rather than plucking out experts from different backgrounds. For example, Full Scale is an outsourcing software development company that can help you build a dedicated team for your project.

Build your App with Full Scale

Now that we’ve learned how product development works its attributed costs, the next step is to plan it out. If you’re a non-technical startup founder, software development can be an overwhelming endeavor. From brainstorming your app concept, hiring developers, and marketing; it’s hard. None of these things are easy. This is why you’ll need the right people on your side.

We, at Full Scale, are dedicated to assisting entrepreneurs in growing their businesses. We have seasoned experts that can help you innovate. Whether you’re building a website or developing an app, we’ve got the talent to help. Our seasoned developers, QA specialists, project managers, and designers can help bring your concept to life! Want to learn more? Contact us today!