Tips to Reduce Mobile App Development Cost for Startups

Lately, you have been thinking of taking your business onto the fingertips of the people by getting a mobile app. You have a fair idea as to what do you want in your app, who are your target users, and what do you expect out of the app.

But the high costs of developing a mobile app are stopping you from going ahead. The startup app developers charge by one man-hour, which varies according to the region.

If you have thought of outsourcing, you are wondering as to how to go about it, or whether the quality of your app will be as per your requirements.

All this is delaying your wish for having a mobile app.

Keep your worries aside, and read on to know a few secrets about having a quality mobile app at reduced costs.

How Startups Can Reduce Mobile App Development Costs?

Clear and detailed Wireframe

Being clear about what features, specifications, and the kind of user experience, you want from the mobile app can help you in reducing costs to a high level as unclear and non-detailed requirements will confuse the developers, and will cause you to request changes shooting up the costs.

Always make sure that your requirements are easy to comprehend by the developers so that you can get your desired results at the first go.

Setting multiple purposes for your app can create doubts with the developers, and while clearing the confusion, it will shoot the costs.

Minimum Viable Product (MVP)

An MVP is a prototype of the final version. It features the basic functionality of the end product. It helps to understand the user response to the early access version.

It is, building the app on the top of user reaction by adding secondary features. The initial user response helps to make improvisations by incorporating the required changes.

It helps in tapping the user mood, thus, gain initial profit. Building an MVP helps avoid the development of detailed interface and branded design. It allows the business masters to put in new investments later on with a view of addiction and change.

By developing an MVP, an early version of the app is launched, which targets one single region, with sufficient features and functionalities to suffice the early users’ needs.

Developing a Cross-Platform App

With the surge of multiple devices with multiple platforms in the market, it becomes imperative to have an app that works equally well on all the platforms.

The most popular choice of platforms is iOS and Android, with each having its user interface features. However, building an app for each of the platforms individually will end up making a hole in the pocket of the company.

To save costs, the seasoned developers employ advanced hybrid or cross-platform frameworks which allow the creation of apps similar to native analogs in design and performance working on multiple platforms.

Apps developed using a cross-platform framework will work across multiple platforms and hence need not be rewritten for other platforms individually, thus saving the mobile app development cost.

Usage of languages like HTML5, JavaScript, and CSS in cross-platform frameworks like React Native, Angular, Flutter, etc., helps in building a single codebase for multiple platforms.

Building a native app, i.e., an app from scratch is not feasible financially. Cross-platform apps turn out to be cost-effective, less expensive and have a greater reach. As a result, the cross-platform app development companies list is on the rise.

Using Free Readymade Open Source Templates

Building completely original and authentic mobile app from scratch can be extremely expensive and require a high level of expertise. The mobile app can be developed on free ready-to-use open-source templates to bring down the costs considerably.

Open source templates allow mobile app developers to use the standardized APIs which fit most of the frameworks.

These open-source templates are tried and tested and have high-end building mechanisms that help in shortening the software creation process. By using these templates, mobile developers get to collaborate, exchange and improve the apps with community support.

Open source templates also have an added advantage of the availability of third-party plugins which make the usage and improvements useful.

Agile Methodology

The incremental approach of Agile Methodology allows flexibility to the developers to make changes as and when required on the road to the complete and final product.

Non-Agile methods make it essential to finish the product first and then test, eating into costs and time.

Agile allows the incorporation of changes at each stage of development, testing, and deployment, making it easier for the developers to deliver the finished product.

Employ Targeted Features and Functionality

Every different feature requires additional costs. For example, an e-commerce app will require a Payment Gateway, a category of products, etc.

However, with multiple platforms and various mobile devices, it becomes essential to understand the user base and then add the app features that are required. Unwanted features of the app add to its development costs.

When we add frills and ruffles of app features, we, inadvertently, add to the clutter in the app and unnecessary costs to the app development process.

Mobile apps are dependent on certain features of the mobile device like camera, GPS, etc. Not all apps require such features, or not all mobile devices have a similar interface which renders such features useless.

For example, a food recipe app or a fitness app does not need a GPS so that it can be avoided. Thus, avoid the mess and save costs.

In-house team vs. IT Outsourcing Company

While entrusting mobile app building, the startup can be in a dilemma as to whether to hire an in-house team or outsource it.

Whereas outsourcing can considerably lower the budget, hiring an in-house team can cost the company dearly.

An in-house team can prove to be a not-so-wise option for startups as it leads to the hiring of different resources across the domains, which is not only expensive but also time-consuming.

Outsourcing gives the advantage of using a global talent pool of top mobile app developers with a focus on core business and is a cost-saving exercise.

Importance of a Detailed Documentation

Though a formal and cumbersome process, it is always advisable to present a detailed document that helps the developers to have a basic knowledge about the company background, clear idea, and general requirements. It may contain finer details to be discussed during the workflow.

Though it may help the client relax, it can affect the cost negatively. However, if compared to the costs incurred later, detailed documentation can help save money.

It would be prudent to take some time to compose a complete detailed list of requirements for future reference.

Significance of Communication with Developers

To avoid any roadblocks arising due to miscommunication and other obscurities, it is crucial to be in constant interaction with the developer’s teams in a language that is simple and understandable by the developer teams.

Clear communication can help circumvent the corrections and additions later on, which may incur additional costs.

Minimalistic Design

The current trend has shown a preference for minimalist designs and simple outlook, which are user-friendly and convenient.

• A simple design can come as a new, modern solution,
• Need for a Qualified Team of Testers
• The job of the testers in software development is that they patch up the missing pieces of the product after it is complete.

If you have chosen Non-Agile methods, it is advisable to the startups that they allow either the automated testing or have a highly qualified team of testers.

In case you decide to do away with the testers; you will have to pay more after Go-Live during bug fixing, etc.

Buffer to the Deadline

Never be in a hurry to get the end product from the developers. Constant haste causes the mobile app developers to make mistakes which may lead to missed deadlines, and additional expenses.

Hidden Costs and other aspects

While making the budget for the app, it has been seen that the companies forget to take into account the cost of updates. After the app goes live, the user response motivates the companies to improve user interface, and bug fixing bringing in the need for updates.

Surveys have shown that the apps which are updated regularly give great performances and a high rate of active users. Never ignore the cost of adding the latest features which can help you be the flagship of the market.

Summary

To reduce costs while making a mobile app, it is advisable that the startup outsources the app development work with a clear and detailed idea of the requirements. By introducing a basic cross-platform app, it can judge the mood of the targeted audience and can bring in the required changes at later stages.

Employing the latest technological advancements can help the company get a fantastic mobile app at a cheaper rate. The ultimate aim should always be to get it right the first time.

Originally published on : https://www.topdevelopers.co/blog/how-startups-can-reduce-mobile-app-development-cost/