High quality comes with a high price tag. Such is the case with mobile app development projects as well. With the progression of technology and tools, a great idea can be costly depending on several factors. However, for the end result, it is worth it.
Now, with this being said, not everyone is in the position to invest a hefty sum but still seek quality software solutions. This is definitely a sticky situation that startups often come across. But, there is a smart way to go around this situation. Yes, app development, especially that of a complex solution can be quite pricey. However, there are certain ways to reduce the cost of app development without compromising on quality.
Don’t worry, any firm, let’s say, a great professional mobile app development company in Dallas will be on-board with your smart plan. In fact, with the expertise their teams have, they would guide you the best within your budget.
So, without further ado, let us explore ways to reduce mobile app development costs for our company.
#1 Finalize Your Product Requirements
One of the ways to reduce or avoid unnecessary costs is through efficient planning. This approach allows you to determine everything that you require beforehand in a thorough manner as to avoid stepping out of your budget.
An organized and detailed way to do that is through a product requirement document (PRD). You can even get your development team on this task and determine your app’s features including all other technical requirements – like tech stack, platforms, future additional features, etc.
A PRD eliminates any possibility of vagueness and confusion that otherwise often leads to an end-product that is wrongly built. Next comes several repetitions to rectify those mistakes, leading to increased development cost.
With a clear PRD dictating everything precisely and in-depth leaves, no room for misunderstanding between various teams and the product can head over to development.
#2 Outsourcing
Outsourcing your mobile app development needs will save you tons of money. Period. One of the best perks that you receive is –options. By options, we mean countries that provide IT services and have been developing and marinating many products for their clients in entirely another country. The rates may differ depending on the economy and you can choose the ones that have lower rates with quality work.
Yes, there are a lot of fears attached to giving away your prized project to a company on another side of the globe. This is where your research about their existing client-base and previous projects comes to play.
One of the advantages that you receive outsourcing your IT requirement is access to a global talent pool. Once you find the right firm to partner with, you can hand over your PRD and relax.
#3 Choose Your Tech Stack Wisely
The technological stack comprises of all your technical needs that include programming languages, platforms, frameworks, and other tools that the development and other teams would be making use of to create your product.
Now, if you do not have the knowledge, then your IT partner or your development team would make those decisions for you, keeping your budget in mind.
All in all, your tech stack determines much of the development cost of your mobile app. Which is why you should make learned decisions as what you choose now will stick with your business and product even after launch.
#4 Build an MVP
Imagine launching your app after spending money, time, and resources only for it to fail in the market. That would be a huge loss. This is where an MVP comes in to play it safe.
A Minimum Viable Product is a product that only comprises of the core features. This product is then tested by users for feedback on improvements. Since we are looking to reduce mobile app development costs, an MVP helps us to incorporate features and test their success with customers. In case if the entire idea fails or there are improvements to be made, you are spared the development cost of a failed product.
When your MVP is approved and you are confident with the result, you can then dive into a full-scale mobile app development knowing there won’t be any failures or repetitions. Hence, an MVP saves time and cost for the app development.
#5 Cross-Platform App Development
So you have your mobile app idea ready with a respective requirement document, but according to your audience research, you require your app to be made for both Android and iOS users. This is costly, but you cannot miss the opportunity of reaching out to a wider audience and raking revenue in the long run.
For this dilemma, you have cross-platform app development technology at your service. This is the best way to reduce your app development cost and have your app for both iOS and Android.
Cross-platform app development uses a single code-base and makes use of that for both platforms. This reduces the cost of development, maintenance, and scalability right off the bat. What more is that cross-platform has become a trend and heavily in practice.
Just for your knowledge, the top cross-platform app development tools include Xamarin, Unity3D, PhoneGap, and such.
Wrapping Up
It is true that quality comes with a price. However, when it comes to mobile app development, you can reduce the cost to a certain extent with smart choices and preparations as discussed above.
These techniques or rather tips would not affect the quality, a single bit. If you are lucky and find a great IT partner that has a proven track record and has taken on several mobile app projects – they would make sure to provide you the best end-product within your budget.
Another thing to take notice when you are trying to reduce the development cost of your mobile app is the marketing strategies and campaigns. You cannot expect to develop an app and it magically receiving the attention and conversion you need. So, make sure you are budgeting and planning for your marketing campaigns as well – post and pre-mobile app launch.
