How to Determine the Cost of Developing a Mobile App?
By Shivam Srivastav
January 1, 2016 5 min read
Last update on: July 2, 2018

For getting an app developed one of the most common questions that business owners ask – “How much does it cost to make an app?” – being an experienced developer, this is one of the prime and common questions that you encounter with. Building an app is just like building a house.

Just as you need to follow a few key steps to build a house, similarly you need to follow a few steps to get your app built.  And, just like a house, the factors for developing a user-centric app are endless.

Let’s take a look at the steps that need to be followed for building a successful app:

Develop a thorough Storyboard

The first and foremost step for developing an app is to define what exactly the app you are developing is doing. Usually, the technical term for storyboard is wireframing. Doing wireframing is much like making the blueprint of the house. The key objective behind developing a user-centric wireframe or storyboard is to seize the functionality and flow of an app. It’s not time to worry about the actual aesthetics, yet. To design the right wireframe, it’s important to think from the beginning though, right from when a user first sees your app. Just think like your user and think about what’s the first and foremost thing that they will see? And, what will appear if they will tap the first menu selection, what will happens next? And, so on.

Here at Appinventiv, to design wireframes, our proficient designers use various pioneering tools like Balsamiq etc.

Other Key Factors

Apart from wireframe and storyboard, other key factors that will affect the development and cost are:

  • Integration with an existing backend portal or Development of backend services: Here at AppInventiv, most of the mobile apps that we develop are required to integrate with the existing backend portal or requires a new backend service.
  • App should support new and latest technologies: Today apps that are getting developed should support latest technologies and platforms like Beacon technology, Wearable technology, Augmented Reality, Apple Watch, and Apple Pay. To make your app support with the latest technologies, the mobility team that you have selected to get your app developed need to be proficient and updated.  So choose your technology partner wisely.

[To know the exact cost breakdown structure of mobile app development, read our detailed page on – How much does it cost to develop and maintain a mobile app.]

Getting a Right Quote

To get the right quote, choose app development marketplace wisely, which is full of app development teams. You can check out for the reputable developers at some best marketplaces like AppFutura and Clutch. You can also find freelancers and offshore teams at a few top-notch portals like freelance.com, guru.com, odesk.com; but choose the app developers wisely. As there are mixed bag for the clients that are selected from these sites. And, if you think your app idea is Next Candy Crush or Angry Birds, you can ask to developer for an NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement) or you can ask them to sign your NDA. When you’ll follow these process, you’ll find a vast range for the quotes.

Conclusion

So, for the question – “How much does it cost to develop an app?”- The highly recommend answer is – take some time to create a user-centric storyboard or wireframe. As this step will help you flush out your idea and concept. It will not only help you in assisting a developer in providing a solid quote for your app, but also choosing the right development partner.

Shivam Srivastav
Shivam Srivastav
Marcom Manager
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