The million-dollar question in the world of app development is, “What is the cost involved?” At Cloudsa, we have a tested approach that helps our clients make informed decisions about their app and the investment required. However, the cost of app development is not limited to the development process alone. In this article, we’ll discuss the top five essential aspects that should not be overlooked while budgeting for your app.
The 5 factors that you should consider in the development costs of an app.
- Marketing Website: To submit your app for review, the app stores require you to provide your developer contact information in the form of a website URL. The cost associated with this marketing website can include the purchase of a domain, website development, hosting, and branding. For a minimum viable product (MVP) release, you may opt for a simple website that you can create yourself or choose to work with an outside firm specializing in marketing and SEO. This site must be live before you can have your app reviewed.
- Legal Fees: It’s mandatory to have a privacy policy published on your website for app reviewers and users to refer to. You should also consider publishing terms and conditions, even though they are not required. This is best practice to protect you from liabilities, prevent misuse of the app, and document how you handle account terminations and refunds. Hire a lawyer familiar with the mobile app industry and the laws in the countries where you plan to release your app. The cost to draft documents that are in compliance with regulations like Europe’s GDPR may be higher than the potential revenue you can earn from sales in that market in your first year.
- Localization: Localizing your app means adapting it to meet the needs of a specific language, culture, or target market. Begin by identifying where your users live and what language they speak. Even if your target demographic is limited, you’ll need to plan for translation costs. Translation is typically priced per word, with discounts for translating your app in multiple languages.
- Support: Once your app is released, you’ll need to have a support system in place to handle requests from users. There are various support platforms, like HelpShift, that provide you with a customizable interface to receive and respond to user requests, publish helpful articles and FAQs. Beyond the cost of using these platforms, you’ll need someone to respond to support requests, document user requests, and manage replies to reviews in the app stores. Plan proactively for how you’ll provide support to users from day one, and make sure your process can scale as your app gains traction.
- Maintenance: Last but not least, it’s crucial to have a plan for maintenance and updates in place before you launch your app. At Cloudsa, we believe in releasing early and often, signaling to users that your app is well-maintained and that they can expect new updates. Having a development team that can scale with you makes the process of launching and maintaining an app efficient and effective. We tailor our teams and services to your specific needs, whether that’s custom development, maintenance agreements, or staff augmentation.
In conclusion, building an app can be stress-free with proper planning. This article was written in response to a common question we hear from entrepreneurs and startups, “What costs am I overlooking?” At Cloudsa, we believe in beginning with the end in mind and demonstrating ownership of our client’s product by thinking through their needs and helping them navigate unfamiliar territory. If you’re looking for a development partner to launch your app, start a conversation with us today and get a free ballpark estimate.