HOW TO BUILD AN APP AT LOWER COST? THE ULTIMATE GUIDE

So, you’ve got this brilliant app idea, and you’re ready to go for app development. But here’s the thing- you’re on a tight budget. Don’t worry! We got you. Building an app doesn’t have to cost you loads. In fact, with correct planning and some smart choices, you can develop a fully functional app without having much to worry about your expenses.

To help you make a better choice, here is your “ultimate guide” to affordable cost development.

1. Start with a Solid Plan

First things first, PLAN. Even before you think about coding, take a step back and plan. This might sound like “just another thing”, but skipping this step can lead to wasted resources and an increased app development cost.

• Define Your App’s Purpose: What exactly is your app going to do? The clearer you are about this, the easier it will be to stay on track and avoid adding unnecessary features. For instance, if you’re building a fitness app, is it going to track workouts, provide meal plans, or both?Answering these questions would help you get more focused.
• Outline Core Features: Secondly, start by listing the absolute “must-haves” for your app-this is your MVP (Minimum Viable Product). If your app is a messaging platform, core features could include user registration, basic messaging, and notifications. Focus on fancy things like stickers and themes in the later stage.
• Set a Budget and Timeline: Important point. Before you start building your app, you must have a clear cut idea of how much money you are willing to spend on it. Knowing this and how quickly you need the app will guide your choices in the next steps. This helps avoid last-minute surprises that can increase overall costs.

2. Research the Market and Your Audience

Now that you’ve planned your app, the next important step is doing your homework i.e. research. Understanding your competition and audience is extremely important. Why? It helps you identify what’s already out there and what you can do differently. This factor can help in the whole process of cost effective app development.

• Analyse Competitors: Look at what similar apps offer. Check out their features, design, and user reviews. What do users love about them? What are their common complaints? This gives you insight into what works and what doesn’t- based on which you can formulate your strategy in a better way.
• Identify Your Unique Value Proposition (UVP): Uniqueness is the X factor, so focus on that. What makes your app stand out? Maybe it’s a feature that no one else offers, or perhaps it has a better user interface. Knowing your UVP helps focus your development efforts on what truly matters.

3. Choose the Right Development Approach

So this is another important factor that can decide the fate of your money. Here’s where you can make or break your budget. The way you choose to develop your app can significantly impact the overall cost. There are various ways to develop your app, you can choose the one that aligns with your goals and most importantly, budget- leading to affordable app development.

• Cross-Platform Development: Building separate apps for iOS and Android can double your costs. Instead, consider using frameworks like React Native or Flutter. These allow you to write code once and implement it on multiple platforms. It’s like getting two apps for the price of one!
• No-Code/Low-Code Platforms: If your app doesn’t require complex functionality, platforms like Bubble, Adalo, or Glide can be great choices. These tools let you build apps with a drag-and-drop interface, which means you don’t need to hire expensive developers. Perfect for simple apps.
• Progressive Web Apps (PWAs): Sometimes, you don’t need a fully developed mobile app. PWAs offer an app-like experience without the need for app store distribution. They’re cheaper to build and maintain and can be a great starting point for your idea.

Choosing the right app development partner also plays a major role in deciding your budget. On one side, there are expensive and fancy developers who will surely give you good results but drain you financially. Whereas on the other side, we have under- budget developers who would do just the bare minimum and hand over your app. But, what if I tell you there is someone who follows the middle path- delivering best results under budget. That’s RainDrops InfoTech for you! With over 150+ mobile apps and 2500+ happy clients , we have built a great reputation in the field of cost effective app development.

You definitely would not want to miss this incredible opportunity. Go on and schedule your free consultation with us by clicking here!

4. Design Matters, But Don’t Go Overboard

Next factor where people spend most of their money is “design”. You want your app to look good, but hiring a top designer can be very costly. Here’s how to get a professional-looking design without spending much money.

• Use Pre-Designed Templates: There are plenty of websites like ThemeForest and Envato where you can purchase high-quality UI/UX templates. These templates are customizable and can give your app a better look at a much lesser cost of hiring a designer.
• Focus on User Experience: Rather concentrating fully on design, you must give priority to bettering user experience. A simple and subtle design can save money and improve user satisfaction. Concentrate on creating a smooth user flow. This means easy navigation, clear calls to action, and minimal steps to complete key tasks. Sometimes, less is more.

5. Opt for Cloud Services

You must have heard about Cloud Services a lot of times. But, what are they? Cloud services are online platforms that provide computing resources like storage, servers, and software over the internet. They allow businesses to use these resources without needing physical hardware or maintenance.

So, as we all know that setting up your own servers is not only costly but also needs regular maintenance. Cloud services take care of all that for you, allowing you to focus on more important business tasks. Plus, they can easily grow as your business does, without the issue of managing upgrades yourself.

• Backend as a Service (BaaS): Services like Firebase and Backendless manage server-side operations, including database management, authentication, and cloud storage. This means you don’t have to worry about the other technical issues, and you only pay for what you use.
• Pay-As-You-Go: Most cloud services let you pay only for what you use, which is great for startups. As your app grows, you can easily adjust costs, keeping your starting expenses low.

6. Plan for Maintenance and Updates

Another necessary point is maintaining the app. Know this very well, launching your app is just the beginning. Regular maintenance and updates are essential to keep your app running smoothly and securely. You cannot just build the app and forget about it. Make sure to continuously keep checking for updates as per latest trends and softwares.

Good planning helps you focus on essential features, avoiding unnecessary expenses on things that aren’t needed. On the other hand, proper maintenance ensures your app runs smoothly, preventing costly fixes and issues later on. Together, they save both time and money in the long run. This will lead to affordable app development.

• Schedule Regular Updates: Make sure to use feedback and data from users to find ways to improve your app. Instead of adding too many new features that could slow it down and raise costs, prioritise updates that make the app easier and more valuable to use.
• Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD): Setting up a CI/CD pipeline makes it easier to add new features and release updates. This helps save time and money when maintaining and improving your app.

7. Market Your App on a Budget

Last but not the least, this is the area where people spend most of their money. It’s none other than marketing. Rightly so, because marketing requires consistent efforts and money but the problem arises when people spend more than it is required. You wouldn’t want to do that, for sure. So the main question is that okay you’ve built a fantastic app, but how do you get people to use it without spending a large sum on marketing?

• Make use of Social Media: Create engaging content around your app and share it on platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Use these platforms to build a community and generate buzz. Keep an eye on the trends and see what is driving the audience. Social media marketing can be highly effective if done right, and it’s often low-cost or even free.
• App Store Optimization (ASO): Optimise your app’s listing on the App Store and Google Play. Use relevant keywords in the title and description, and include high-quality screenshots and an engaging video to showcase your app. A well-optimised app can improve its visibility and attract more downloads.
• Referral Programs: Encourage existing users to refer your app to others. Offer incentives like discounts, free features, or other perks. This can be one of the most cost effective ways to grow your user base.

And there you have it! A complete guide to cost effective app development. With careful planning and execution, you can develop a high quality app that meets user needs and stands out in the market-all while staying within budget.

Now, it’s time to turn that idea into reality. Happy app building!