Apps have increased in popularity over the years as people have grown more attached to their smartphones and tablets. A study conducted in 2014 showed that 60% of all online traffic came from visitors using their mobile devices. This amount has increased to 65%, two years later.
Business mobile apps provide several advantages for your brand:
2. Businesses can also use the apps as a way to reach out and interact with their target market. They can be utilised to promote a brand, advertise products or services, and answer customer queries, among others.
However, there is also a slight downside to having a mobile app developed for your company Mobile app development services do cost money. If you are running a startup or a business with limited source of funds, the cost of developing an app is an important factor in your decision.
It is important to consider that building an app requires devoting significant resources and not just in terms of money. When you have an app developed, you are also investing in the developer’s time, effort and energy in creating the software.
Factors to consider for your business app budget
1. The OS
When it comes to the mobile app, you have to consider where your target market is located. There are two main platforms for mobile apps: Android and iOS. Apple products such as iPhones and iPads run on the iOS. This particular brand is more dominant in the US. On the other hand, there are several mobile device brands that use Android as their main operating system. In much of Asia, South America and Africa, devices running on the Android mobile OS are more popular.
In comparison, iOS users tend to spend more money than Android owners. Some developers may advise starting with an Android app first to see how the market will respond to it before creating one for the iOS.
Developing an iOS app is cheaper and quicker than one that runs on the Android system. Android apps can take three times as long to create.
2. In-house vs offshore development
Mobile app development companies may have teams that work in-house, remotely, or a combination between the two. You might find it easier to communicate and work with a company that has an in-house team of developers and designers. In-house teams work faster but the services will cost you more. This is recommended if you are working with a large budget and need to complete the app quickly.
On the other hand, hiring teams that work remotely is best if you are working with a limited budget. But you may need to remain flexible with your timelines for it to work.
There are also companies that have both in-house and offshore teams. This may give you the best of both worlds as the company can give you a more affordable option without waiting too long for your app to be delivered.
3. App features
The features and capabilities of the app can determine the price and the project timeline. As a guide, it takes about 10 weeks to build a simple app. Development of more complex apps can take up to 28 weeks.
Apps with accounting capabilities may need around 90 hours to complete. If your app requires some backend development, this could take anywhere from hundreds of hours to thousands.
How to measure ROI
So you have now released your app, having invested a great deal in its development. How do you determine if the app was worth the investment? Here are a few questions to ask yourself:
1. How often do people use it?
Having an analytics program can tell you how many times your app has been downloaded and used by your target market. If no one is downloading your app or using it, this indicates how useful it is for your audience.
2. Is it glitchy?
Does it crash and if so, how often does it happen? Your answer to these two questions can determine the usefulness of your app. If your app keeps crashing, your market will eventually stop using your app and remove it from their mobile device.
3. Does it meet the objective?
Monitor the activity within the app and compare it with your initial goal. Did your app help you increase leads or sales orders? Understanding what users do with your app will allow you to confirm whether it is achieving its objectives and existence..
Get in touch with our team here at Alpha Apps today for your mobile app development needs. Our staff are standing by to answer any queries and concerns you may have on having a mobile app developed for your business.