Developing quality software applications comes at a very high rate. Many startups and small businesses lack the capital for the app development cost; however, compromising quality is still not an option. What, then, can they possibly do? How can startups reap the benefits of developing an app?

By understanding what contributes to these costs and how to manage them, app development can become more affordable and accessible to several small businesses. This guide will break down the app development cost and share some essential strategies to help small businesses reduce their mobile app development expenses.

Understanding App Development Costs

For small businesses, “How much does app development cost?” is always on the entrepreneur’s mind. You need to know that the cost of developing a mobile app varies based on several factors. The complexity of the design features (UI/UX), the platform, and the location of the development team are some of the factors that affect its costs.

As these factors are involved in development, they become more expensive. Before starting the process, you should understand the breakdown of app development costs.

A rough estimate for the cost of developing an app should be between $35,000 and $300,000 or more. At the core of the development are the costs for the app’s design, development, testing, and post-launch support.

Additionally, the features come with specific costs. A simple app with basic features may not bear significant costs. However, a more complex app with advanced functionality, like real-time chat or geo-location services, will increase prices.

To comprehend the high costs associated with app development, consider the following crucial factors:

• App Complexity: As we mentioned earlier, the more advanced features you want, the more time developers will need. Also, the more complex the features and their numbers are, the more significantly the overall app cost will increase.
• Platform Choice: Development for both iOS and Android costs more than developing for one platform. This is because each platform requires a separate codebase and testing.
• Development Team: Whether you hire an in-house team, freelancers, or an offshore development agency, it will affect costs. Offshore teams are generally cheaper but may present communication or quality control challenges.
• Maintenance: Once the app is live, there are ongoing costs for bug fixes, updates, and new feature rollouts.

Key Ways to Reduce App Development Costs for Small Businesses

By breaking down the cost of developing an app, you can see that a significant portion of expenses comes from things other than coding. How, then, can you reduce these costs and control your budget? Let’s take a look: 

#1 Prioritize Features with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP)

Focusing on the most important functionality that users need can effectively reduce the cost of app development. You can start with a minimum viable product (MVP). This lets you focus on essential features instead of building an app with them all. An MVP prioritizes the features that solve the main problem your app addresses.

This simple and efficient approach allows you to launch products quickly, run tests, and gather feedback to improve the app over time. With the MVP, you can avoid wasting resources on unnecessary features and generate revenue. You can also keep your budget in check and use the profits and feedback gained to add better features to your app.

#2 Opt for Cross-Platform Development

One common question that arises is, “How much does app development cost for different platforms?” Developing separate apps for both Android and iOS can result in higher development costs. Leveraging cross-platform development tools such as React Native and Flutter can help you reduce expenses. 

With these tools, you can develop apps using one codebase that works on Android and iOS platforms. Opting for the cross-platform option allows you to avoid paying for two separate apps and dramatically reduces the cost of developing them. You can manage your tight budget and still market your apps on both major platforms, extending your reach to a broader audience. 

#3 Outsource to an Experienced Development Team

Setting up an in-house development team requires a lot of resources and revenue, which small businesses might lack. Outsourcing a professional developer can be a very cost-effective solution. Outsourcing offers the flexibility of working with skilled professionals without having to pay for full-time employees. Their transparent pricing structure also reduces the cost for app development.

However, it’s crucial to exercise caution and collaborate with reputable teams who have a proven track record and understand your needs. Hiring offshore developers can lead to more affordable rates and, in most cases, better quality.

Good communication and continuous support are some of the basic criteria to look out for before choosing a partner. They will enable you to avoid potential mismanagement or delays, which can incur more expenses during development.

#4 Leverage Pre-Built Modules and Templates

As much as custom-built apps sound like a wonderful idea, the cost of building from scratch is too high. To reduce costs, you should consider using pre-built modules, open-source libraries, or ready-made templates. Each tool is a cost-effective solution that would fit in perfectly and drastically lower the cost of developing an app.

These tools provide a foundation for standard features, such as user authentication, chat functions, and payment systems. Custom coding every feature is time-consuming and expensive. However, using existing solutions for common app components can speed up the development process and keep the cost of developing the app within a manageable range.

#5 Regular Communication with Developers

Maintaining a smooth and consistent flow of communication between you, your team, and the app developers significantly contributes to reducing app development costs. Lack of clear communication can lead to misdirection.

Developers may end up working on unnecessary features or redesigning parts of the app that didn’t need any adjustments. These missteps can quickly inflate the cost of app development.

Maintaining a clear line of regular communication with your development team requires you to set well-defined goals and milestones. This allows for real-time adjustments and minimizes the likelihood of costly revisions in the future.

Before proceeding, elaborate on the goals, user expectations, and other project requirements to ensure everyone is in agreement. It will help you avoid surprises, confusion, and misunderstandings that can drive up the cost of app development.

How We Can Help

North South Tech brings these cost-reduction strategies to life for your small business. We’ve refined our development approach to deliver high-quality apps while respecting your budget constraints. Our cross-platform development expertise using React Native and Flutter means your app launches on both iOS and Android without the burden of double development costs.

We focus on building MVPs that capture your core functionality first, allowing you to test market fit and expand based on real user feedback. Years of delivering successful projects have taught us the value of clear communication and efficient resource use. If you’re ready to transform your app idea into reality while keeping costs in check, let’s talk about your project. Schedule a discovery call today.