Factors Which Influence the Cost of Web Application Development

Our world is led by technology today; whether it’s business or home, software solutions are everywhere. Web applications are one of the best tools to put your business on the world map. Web applications are user-friendly, mobile-friendly, and more productive than many websites.

This is why many enterprises, big and small, are investing in functional web applications to be one step ahead of the competition.

Web application development has been on the rise for many years now. The most interesting question business owners face is estimating the cost of web application development. While budget might not be a big issue for large businesses, SMBs and startups are always looking for price effective strategies with higher ROI.

To make a good decision for your business, it is required to understand the factors affecting web development. Estimating the cost and planning the project are vital before starting the development process.

If you are also looking for the key factors that influence the cost of web application development, then this article is for you. Get a clear idea about the cost, planning, and time of the dev cycle.

The main advantages of developing a web application 

Web applications can fire up any business sales, operations, and management. Let’s see the principal points of benefits of a web app:

• Budget-friendly: web applications are cheaper than mobile applications as there is no need to check the working and configurations. Also, apps require compatibility with multiple platforms, including android, ios and windows.
• Access anywhere: web applications are accessible on desktops, mobiles, and tablets. This helps employees to keep connected easily anywhere with just an internet connection.
• Easy personalization: the UI of the web applications has simple processes for personalization. The easy user authentication makes it possible to adjust the UI as per the employee’s preferences.
• Quick maintenance: the web apps can be updated and maintained easily. Web applications have a high tolerance for workload and can deliver better performance and protection.

Important factors influencing the cost of web application development 

1. Assessing the market scope 

It is vital to know the scope of the market before moving into the development phase and finalizing the structure of the web app. Another critical decision is to pick the features as per the user’s demand and trend.

2. Design and features 

A web application requires unique designs and so many features. What sets a web app apart are advanced features you pick for it like admin panel, two-factor user authentication login, etc., the type of features decide what amount of time is required to build the app and the costs. However, the features should not always be selected according to the market trend. Features vary according to the type of business as well.

3. Level of complexity 

The more complex an app, the more expensive it is. The complexity of the web app is directly proportional to the cost. There are three levels of it – simple, moderate, and complex.

• Simple web apps: simple web apps have the essential features with the least user interactive elements and minimum content. These are the fastest to get to the market and thus have the least expenses. MVP apps, static web apps are some of the examples of simple web applications.
• Moderately complex apps: dynamic apps are rather complicated, and they need more attention and time as they have interactive pages. The development process is also tricky and requires more investment than simple web apps. These apps are most suitable for enterprises looking to expand their customer base and lucrative business opportunities.
• Complex web apps: complex web apps can cost more than $100,000. These are time-consuming and bring upon heavy expenses during the dev cycle and after. The number of resources, talent, infrastructure, and effort required are all extensive. Think of web apps like big eCommerce websites like Amazon, Walmart, and others. They are some of the most complex web applications which require heavy maintenance and customization. Hiring expert developers is crucial for successful project completion for complex web apps.

4. Geographic of web developers 

Offshore web application development services are the most trending practice around the globe because web application requires long hours of work and the labor cost varies according to the location. The cost of hiring web developers is three to four times higher in countries like the USA, UK, and Canada than in south Asian countries like India, China, Philippines, etc. therefore, it is better to hire software professionals from such offshore countries with lower rates. Offshore countries have many skilled programmers and proficient coders with years of experience in multiple industries and domains.

5. The pricing model 

If you outsource your project to a web development company, picking the right pricing model is crucial. The most common hiring models are fixed, dedicated, and hourly. As per your project deadline and budget, choose the right model between the three.

6. Vendor selection 

The partner firm you choose for web application development impacts the budget a lot. Some of the vendors, along with the cost of hiring, are:

• Big firms with impressive offices and brand names also have the most talented and experienced staff. They have high ticket clients, and thus they charge more.
• Mid-sized firms are also good, and they charge less than the high-budget companies.
• Other independent firms charge the least. These firms are reliable as they still have to prove themselves in the market and thus provide the best services in the long run.

7. Database and eCommerce integration 

Some of the most complex functions to add to a web application are database integration and eCommerce functionalities like payment gateway, security, cookies, and others. They require professionals with prior experience and a higher understanding of the platform and language. And if you want these in your web app will definitely raise the cost of development.

8. Maintenance and updates after development 

After the app deployment, a web app requires maintenance for issues like bugs and malfunctions. Also, new features need to be added to keep the app updated as per the user trends. The more new versions after deployment, the more the expenses.

Final thoughts 

The information mentioned above about the most influencing factors for web app development cost would make it easy to decide and estimate the cost and time.

If you are looking for some professional advice, our web application development team will help you with the project. Contact us today.