Tag: mobile application

app_development

How Much Does it Cost to Make an App in 2020

Posted on | by devops
Expert Tips on Application Development

If you’re here, then chances are you want the direct answer to “how much does it cost to make an app in 2020?” In reality, the answer varies depending on a wide variety of factors. You can’t possibly provide a universal cost when there are overseas and local options available. 

Also, there are certain things that can affect the bottom line of any app. In order to receive an accurate estimate of the costs of developing an app for your brand, you should take the proper steps of familiarizing yourself with the app development process.

As such, this guide will go over all of the details of how much it would cost to make an app in 2020.

What is the Worldwide App Development Costs?

Whether you’re a business leader or executive, you likely know of a secret production tactic that organizations across the world utilize. This is sending production overseas to save money.

This has happened for generations, and it continues to happen in the app development industry. As you can imagine, costs for developing a fully-functional app vary tremendously based on the country you enlist assistance from.

According to a report from GoodFirms, the average cost for a basic app is somewhere around $40,000 and $60,000. An app that needs a few custom functions could you run you between $60,000 and $70,000, which is good news for businesses on a budget that needs a few more accommodations with a basic app. 

A complex app with numerous custom functions could cost you more than $100,000. Now, these are the total costs of apps. Let’s say that an app developer is charging you $50 an hour and is building a basic app for you. 

The total cost based on the standard hours worked will be around $25,000, $40,000 to $70,000 for medium-complexity apps, and more than $70,000 for complex apps. Again, these rates vary from region to region. 

Here is an image to help you understand how app development rates vary in each worldwide region.

software_development

If you take a look at all of these rates, they should look a bit normal except for one thing. The app development rates in India are noticeably cheaper, which is expected since outsourcing is ubiquitous in that region.

Here comes the tricky part. You can’t just automatically send your app development project to India and expect quality. In fact, here are some things to consider before starting your app development project.

  • There are thousands of app development companies, experienced and new, local and overseas, large and small, and expensive and affordable. Selecting the right one for your brand will require in-depth consumer research.
  • A lot of misconceptions occur about finding the right app development company, such as expensive apps lead to better quality and new app companies are ill-equipped to handle large projects. 
  • Be wary of choosing cheap overseas app development companies. This isn’t to say that all of them do horrible work. Since apps are quite costly, do your research before falling too much in love with the price tag.

The last bullet is very important and will be discussed in further detail in the next section.

Local Development vs. Outsourcing

Local development is simply the act of hiring an app developer close to your place of business. Outsourcing is hiring a company that isn’t local. From a logical standpoint, it seems right to hire a local company. 

After all, you’ll be able to communicate with them face-to-face on the goals of your project. This isn’t always the case for all businesses. In fact, every business is different. Some may just have the wherewithal to purchase any type of app and wouldn’t care where they procured app development services.

Some may have a stringent budget and have to be mindful as to where every dollar is going. In the case of the latter, here are the pros and cons of hiring a local app developer vs outsourcing these services.

outsourcevslocal
As you can see, local development has its perks. You get to receive deeper involvement and straightforward communication without any hurdles. However, local companies are usually more affordable and have a limited amount of resources.

Companies outside of your region are cheaper, more flexible, have a huge talent pool along with a high-level of expertise. Though, there are some challenges regarding time zone discrepancies and a lack of being directly involved in your project.

Depending on the scope of your project and budget, you should think carefully about the selection you make. 

Time and Money Issues Relating to App Development

App development companies generally prefer to charge an hourly rate for their projects. This means that you can estimate the amount you’ll spend on an app depending on the hours of development. 

Here is a breakdown of the typical hours spent on app projects based on complexity. 

  • A basic app will take approximately 500-700 hours to complete. 
  • A basic app with custom functions will take 700-1000 hours to complete.
  • A time-consuming, complex app will often take more than 1200 hours to complete.

If you were to quickly acquire the hourly rate of a prospective app company, you would be able to determine the ballpark amount for how much you should spend. 

What Affects the Final Cost?

When you hire an app developer, you cannot expect to receive an extensive list of development costs right off the bat.

What usually happens is that you will be sent a proposal, a bill, and the company will estimate the preliminary hours it took to construct the build-out. 

App companies cannot predict other costs that may be necessary, which include:

  • Platforms
  • App maintenance
  • Functionality and features
  • Specific customizations
  • App administration and backend infrastructure
  • Structure and location of the development team

Give Us a Call Today!

Do you want to know more about how you can develop an app for your business? If so, give us a call today at (214) 295-5845 or click here to receive a free quote. 

Not big on reading? That’s okay. Watch “How Much Does it Cost to Make an App in 2020” instead.

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future_of_mobile_apps

The Future Of Mobile Apps

Posted on | by devops
Tips From Professional Mobile Developers

Global sales of smartphones dropped for the first time in 2019. This is terrible news if you’re a cell phone manufacturer, but it could be great news for your business. The 3 billion global smartphone users downloaded a total of 194 Billion Mobile Apps in 2018, a figure that is only expected to grow in the future if trends continue.

Apps have revolutionized the way we use our phones –  with most users spending 90% of their Screen Time on apps.

With more than 2.4 Million Apps available for download and a 23% Rate of App Abandonment after one use, how can you stand out among the noise? In this article, we’ll look at the future of mobile apps to determine the probable impact of upcoming technology on how users interact with content on mobile phones.

Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Mobile Apps

Artificial Intelligence

Every mobile phone currently utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) – whether their name is Siri or Alexa or it responds to the call of “OK Google.” In the future, we will likely see an increase in the use of apps built around AI  to increase productivity and save time. 

Internet of Things

The internet of things (IoT) refers to any device with an on/off switch and an internet connection. Wearable IoT devices like smartwatches, fitness trackers and household IoT devices such as doorbells and baby monitors have automated basic tasks.

In the coming months and years, we are likely to see a rise in apps built around IoT devices as users increasingly adopt IoT technology to communicate, track goals, and simplify daily tasks.

Personalization and its Effect on How Users Interact with Content

Location-Based Technology

From Tinder to Uber to DoorDash, many apps rely on Geolocation technology. In the future, we may see Geolocation used to increase a user’s experience with location-based special offers and other on-demand, location-specific services to make life easier. 

The integration of location-based technology with an IoT device provides endless options for Mobile App Developers.

Predictive Analytics

Smartphone users are rarely separated from their device. This constant companion can gather an incredible amount of data on the user based on where they travel, with whom they communicate, and how they use the applications on their phone.

Predictive analytics can increase user engagement and brand loyalty in a specific app by altering future offerings based on past behavior to improve a brand’s relationship with a client and increase sales.

Innovative apps with cutting edge technology can increase customer satisfaction and increase sales. The use of intelligent design and the latest trends is the key to avoid joining the 23% of apps abandoned after one use.

If you want to join the mobile app revolution, we want to help. Get in touch with Agency Partner Interactive today, and let our expert app designers create a Responsive Mobile Application designed to increase engagement and revenue.

Not big on reading? That’s okay. Watch “Artificial Intelligence and The Future of Web Design” instead.

Using the power of Artificial Intelligence, we turned this Blog into a video for you. Check it out below!

 

inbound_website_marketing

6 Steps to Creating a Successful Inbound Website.

Posted on | by devops
Tips from Web Development Experts

Inbound websites are the way of future marketing. Analytics surf your content for your businesses interests and funnel specific ads relative to those interests directly to your customers. It’s called Inbound Marketing. Instead of outbound marketing, that of casting a wide net, this method focuses on the conversion of a specific target audience.

Outbound marketing is becoming more ineffective as customers are showing signs of ‘banner blindness’. They want to know why the product is good for them, specifically. There are a number of things to consider to make your website an inbound traffic lane. 

Your Website Sells

Whether it’s blogs, education, a portfolio, or physical products, your website is your first line of sales. Your sales team should be referencing your webpage daily for leads. Your webpage should strive to sell your product for you so that by the time a customer talks to a sales rep, the sale has already been made. 

Your Website is all about the Customer 

Customers want to know they can trust in their time and energy investment. To accomplish this you need to provide valuable content–answer questions, provide education, be up-front, honest, and direct. 

Customers want clear, concise information to get them straight to the point. The best way to deliver that information is video. Customers want to connect and relate to others. They want normal people to review the product and explain to them, specifically, why that product is going to improve their lives. 

Website SEO

You need to be findable on search engines, and that means understanding search engine optimization (SEO) and formatting. You need to consider how your website functions and make it an appealing search result for the analytics. This has a great deal to do with dwell time (how much time a customer is on your page), content freshness (updates of what is on the page as well as how it is presented), website load speed (refresh rates), mobile access (computer to ‘phone conversation), and SSL Certification (the security of your website). 

Experience-Driven Websites

The business needs to express consideration for the customer experience. Your customer wants a personalized experience where information is clear and straightforward. Here questions can be answered quickly and easily, purchasing is a streamlined process, and the service is friendly and approachable. 

Website Conversion Rate 

Conversion rate is that of taking the unknown viewer and turning them into a known repeat customer which can be accomplished by adding a self-selection tool, such as a form, quiz, or chatbot on your website. This process will direct the customer to the desired information without forcing them to hunt through your content, generating data for the analytics to show that your site is providing value. 

Your Business Website  

At the end of the day, the biggest key to website success is you, the business owner. You need to be able to access and use your website with ease: to update content, track analytics, review sales, and provide excellent customer service.

Agency Partner can help you get there by building you a website with these points in mind. We’ll also include an easy to use content management system (CMS), ensuring that the back end work of maintaining and updating your website is a breeze. 

Not big on reading? That’s okay. Watch “6 Steps to Creating a Successful Inbound Website” instead.

Using the power of Artificial Intelligence, we turned this blog into a video for you. Check it out below!

 

android_vs_ios

The Difference Between Android and iOS App Development

Posted on | by devops
Tips from Web Development Experts

Two of the biggest brands, Apple with iOS and Google with Android, are consistently upgrading and reaching new levels within the tech world. Whether they’re improving phone features or fixing bugs, the value by which these companies operate is obvious–to improve the end-user experience.  

To keep users happy, certain aspects of the app development process need to be taken into account. Especially if developers intend to see a return on investment. Essentials such as programming languages, design principles, time constraints, budget, user spending, and location all need to be considered. 

Programming Languages 

The tools used to create an app need to be taken into account. Those with expertise in Java or Kotlin will find Android a viable choice for the development phase, as iOS apps are coded in Swift. When it comes to the building sites, or the Integrative Development Environments (IDE), Studio and Xcode cater to Android and iOS app design respectively. 

Design Principles 

Aesthetics play a crucial role in the success of an app. Visual elements have powerful impacts on users and their concentration or distraction levels. When these elements fit in with the intent of the application, users are inclined to continue using it, based on the ease and enjoyment it provides.

Costing Variations

If you are creating your own app, rather than hiring a specialist, there are no initial costs during the design and development phases. However, publishing your app on the Android and iOS stores will cost a small sum of money. Android has a one time fee of $25 USD, while Apple charges $99 USD annually.

App Store Verification 

App Developers need to be aware of the potential damage that they could do to a brand if their product is not perfect. Android app creators need to be vigilant about potential bugs and errors within their designs, as the screening process prior to launch is carried out by a bot.

Unfortunately, bots are not perfect just yet, which sometimes leads to applications being launched onto stores with minor faults–users are very quick to criticize any faults or bugs that are found. Apple’s verification can take up to three weeks to complete as it undergoes in-house expert scrutiny which makes it possible for rejection. 

Monetizing Applications

As a developer, armed with the knowledge that out of the two audience options, Android users are less likely to pay for apps, there is the chance to capitalize through in-app, optional purchases and the implementation of advertisement banners.

Android And iOS App Development

Developing an app for iOS may seem like a quicker process than doing so for Android, as the developer would only need to consider the Apple product lines released within 5 to 6 years. Whereas, when developing a mobile app for Android it must work on a wider variety of phones and tablets, which use varying Android operating systems. This explains why the app launches and updates are released earlier in iOS.

The end goal is to have the app available on both platforms., however, which can be costly to implement in the beginning. As is evident, when narrowed down to the skeleton, deciding between Android or iOS development systems is not an easy feat, however, the answer lies in the specs as well as the developer’s resources and intent.

With the help of our in-house experts, Agency Partner can assist with the design and development phases of both iOS and Android systems, curating your ideas and transforming them into innovative applications. From mobile versions of websites, restaurant applications, and games, Agency Partner can help you launch your app with ease.

We even provide industry-leading support post-launch, with a team of digital marketers who will make sure that your app is well-received by your target market.

Not big on reading? That’s okay. Watch “The Difference Between Android and iOS App Development” instead.

Using the power of Artificial Intelligence, we turned this blog into a video for you. Check it out below!

custom_web_application

99 Problems But Custom Application Development Isn’t One

Posted on | by devops
Tips from App Development Experts

Creating a custom application is no small feat and it sounds pretty terrifying to most people, especially if you have no experience. If you happen to need a complex custom application with several integrations to power its features and functionalities, you should opt to hire a professional to take care of the design and development for you.

At a super high level, here is a look at some of the components that go into this effort. 

5 Things to Consider:

1. Choose a Hosting Platform 

A web host is a location where you decide to set up shop for your custom application. It is your landlord to whom you pay rent to house all of your digital content. Each page within your application is a room with its own set of amenities and décor such as the images you display on the walls.

As you can imagine, some applications will have more detail than others depending on the level of attention given to keeping it clean and orderly.

Just like any lease contract, you will want to do your homework when choosing a provider to host your custom app. Read all the terms and conditions and be sure to consider scalability. 

2. Choose a Brand and Domain Name 

A domain name or URL is your location’s home address. A website will typically serve as the front door to your web application — once you’re there, you step right into the app after successfully logging in.

In cases where you are building a custom app for mobile, whether it by for iOS, Android, or a Hybrid app, your website serves to direct people to the app store for downloads and updates.

3. Map It Out 

This step is a process of strategically mapping out the type of furniture and décor that will go in each room. As stated above, each page of your app is its own “room” and each will serve a specific purpose. Your Home Page, or Landing Page, will serve as your front door — the first visual people see upon arriving at your site.

Some people display big beautiful photos on their front door to entice people to enter while others may post their store hours and the services they provide and call it a day. 

Before you start designing or building rooms, you should have a clear strategy for the furniture and décor (i.e. content) that those pages will contain. Whatever you do, at each step, be sure to put yourself in the customer or users’ shoes when making decisions.

4. Design Your Custom Application

The design step is easily the most complicated step for most people because it is the first technical step of building a custom app. People often hire a professional UI/UX designer. UI designers are experts at designing the User Interface, which is what app users interact with at face level. The UI is what you see.

Additionally, a UX designer is someone who is an expert at User Experience design. These designers are a little more technical in nature and they aim to bridge the gap between the User Interface, the end users’ wants and needs, and how all that pertains to the overall business goal of the application. 

5. Keep Up With Maintenance 

Once you are up and running, you will want to ensure everything stays running smoothly and in working order.

You’ll most likely need a maintenance repair person. If a light bulb goes out or the air conditioner breaks, who is meant to repair it? As often as not, hosting providers will offer this as an additional service or as part of a package deal. So it’s worth having a look at the ones that do — especially if you are not very tech-savvy.

As you can see, building a basic application can be simple if you want a simple app for your business. However, the more complexities you add to your application, the more you’ll have to consider as it pertains to scalability, design, and development needs.

Choosing the right web host platform for your business app can be a daunting first step. Although no two applications are the same, all great apps have one thing in common – a plan from start to finish and an ability to consistently improve. You could go it alone, but with Agency Partner, we’ll help you get past any learning curves to ensure that your project creates the most immediate value for your stakeholders.

Not big on reading? That’s okay. Watch “99 Problems But Custom Application Development Isn’t One” instead.

Using the power of Artificial Intelligence, we turned this blog into a video for you. Check it out below!