Developing a mobile app requires mastering several disciplines such as software engineering, user experience design, system architecture and many more.
These skills often require an experienced team with creative vision and technical know-how.
Moreover, mobile application development also involves high costs, more so when building it from scratch with the latest technologies.
From a professional point of view, it is important to accurately estimate the cost of a mobile app development process.
Cost Estimation Of The Mobile Application Development Process
A Blunt Estimate
One can calculate the basic estimate of the cost of developing a mobile app from scratch by multiplying the number of hours it takes to code and design the application with an hourly rate. The “blunt” approach has this name because it does not take into account any other factors such as testing, maintenance, hosting, or any other costs that relate to app deployment.
However, the general cost of developing a mobile application depends on several factors such as the complexity of the project, the design and features required, the platform used, the development team size and other related costs.
A simple mobile app can cost anywhere around $5,000 whereas complex apps with multiple features can go up to $100,000 or more.
Cost Estimation With Agile Methodology
The Agile methodology is an alternative to the blunt approach. It focuses on delivering a working product in iterations. You can estimate each iteration based on the complexity and scope of features to implement.
You can then estimate the cost by adding up all the costs that pertain to each iteration.
This method allows for better cost management and allows the team to adjust their scope and resources as needed.
Estimation With Fixed Price Model
The fixed price model is a common approach used by many development teams.
It involves estimating the total cost of the project upfront and then charging a fixed amount for it. This method often garners favour among clients who want to have more control over their budget.
However, this type of model can also be risky. This is because it does not allow for any changes in scope or features once project approval is done.
App Devs Range Depending On Platforms
When estimating the cost of mobile app development, it is important to consider the platform you develop the app for.
Different platforms require different levels of expertise and hence can affect the cost of development. For example, Android apps may require more coding expertise than iOS apps as they are more complex.
Similarly, developing a hybrid app that works across multiple platforms can be more expensive than building separate native apps.
The Bottom Line
Mobile App Development experts will all tell you that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to estimating the cost of a mobile app.
It is important to consider all the factors involved. They include platform, complexity, features, and development team size before making an estimate.
It is important to work with experienced developers who can provide accurate estimates and deliver quality apps on time and within budget. This ensures that you get the best value for your money.
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