With the current shift to mobile-first technology, many entrepreneurs and business owners may be asking how an app can fit into their business plans. The case for developing an app is strong, but like most things in business is dependent on your market, your customers, and your competition. Consumer app spending is expecting to grow nearly $65 billion dollars by 2022, up to $156.5 billion. In other words, the future of apps looks bright.
Reasons to launch a mobile app for your business:
- You have a new product to get to market. App development is faster than creating an entire online application and software solution. With previous app development focused primarily on games, the race is on to become the new viral app to hit the market for multiple industries.
- Your average client would benefit from and use an app. Is your average customer tech-savvy, active on their mobile device, and looking for more ways to interact with your business? They’re the ideal candidate for a new app, and the marketing and communication possible in this new arena.
- Your competition has an app. Good or bad, nothing focuses innovation faster than competition. In this case, though, being the second out of the gate isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Learn from the competitor app, read the reviews, and consider how yours can be that much better, simpler, or easy to use.
- You have an opportunity to optimize a process. This can be an internal or external process. Many B2B companies are leveraging the convenience and simplicity of app development to manage processes previously done on software. For example, many sales teams are using apps to remain mobile, report sales numbers, and focus their time and energy on their clients rather than behind a desk.
The top question: How much does app development cost?
Unfortunately, there is no easy answer to this question. Like most software development projects, quoting such a project is no quick task. To ensure your development cost doesn’t end up at double the quoted price, it is important to engage with your software development team regarding your budget.
To address some of the common concerns we hear during the budgeting process, we’ve put together a few tips to address any cost concerns.
How to budget for app development:
- Consider the scope and complexity. Define and document the requirements for your app. The technical complexity and scope of functionality are the two factors that will implement your budget the most.
- Consider the purpose. Budgets needed to create a consumer-facing, high-end app are very different than an app needed for internal use.
- Enlist the help of a graphic designer to show exactly how your app will look, feel, and function. This will help you “see” the app and envision the priorities to launch first, and those ideas that can wait.
- Interview multiple development teams. Great development teams have four traits. Experience. Affordability. Communication. And Industry Understanding. To get the most out of your budget, and a great end product, find a development team that will work on your behalf to ensure a successful, affordable app launch.
- Pre-plan. Separate your requirements into needs and wants. Then, focus your development on the primary objectives. Engage with your development team on an initial quote to obtain a realistic budget.
- Don’t be afraid to launch. The best apps are improved through the feedback of their users. Engage with your customers, work on a new development phase, and release new versions as needed. Plan for updates in your budgeting process.
- Remember: your app doesn’t have to solve everything. Apps tend to be best received when they are simple in nature and solve a single problem or have a single purpose. Apps can be a budget-friendly, simple, and secure solution to a business software plan. Rather than create a complex app, consider budgeting for multiple apps to solve individual needs. This may end up being a more budget-friendly solution.
Interested in learning more about mobile app development? You can count on our team to deliver a fast, friendly, and affordable solution. We’d be happy to provide a free, no-pressure consultation!
