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Top Hidden Costs of Developing a Mobile App


It’s no secret that building an enterprise mobile app the traditional way– outsourcing development to professional programmers– can run a business tens of thousands of dollars. And that’s just for the app itself. But according to Mehul Rajput, there are a multitude of hidden costs that can start to accumulate even after the app has been built. In his Jaxenter.com article Top Hidden Costs of Developing a Mobile App, Rajput chronicles the additional expenditures an organization might encounter when embarking upon custom app development, but may not have previously anticipated.

Testing your apps

If the goal is to release your app to the Google Play or iOS store, it will need to go through a series of tests to make sure it’s ready for the market. These tests aren’t optional and often require a third party expert, which will significantly increase the app’s overall price tag.

App store fees

Once your mobile solution is ready for release, you can’t simply ask Apple or Google to put it in their app stores and be on your way. Getting the app featured on their platforms requires a yearly fee, which can vary depending on the kind of app you’ve created.

Marketing your app

Don’t forget about advertising! Unless you create an app just for internal employees (for which you might be better off simply utilizing a self-serve app platform), you’ll probably want your customers to know about it. There are millions of apps in the app stores right now. If you don’t spend time and capital on marketing your creation, you can’t expect anyone to find it. Rajput says that “even a simple marketing support plan can cost you at least around $5000 to $10,000 to begin with.”

It’s wise to examine these and a few additional considerations before deciding which development route– or if a mobile app at all– is fitting for your needs.

For example, your intended audience is important to acknowledge. If the app won’t be customer-facing, you might consider whether you actually need to outsource app creation, or if one of the many DIY apps builders available may accomplish what you’re looking for– at a significantly reduced cost and time investment.

But of course, cost is probably the number one factor for most businesses. Can you afford to spend upwards of $30,000 on the development itself? And if so, can you afford the subsequent costs for marketing, testing, security, etc.?

Head over to Rajput’s article for more elements to consider when it comes time to create a mobile app for your business.

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