In today’s world where people are constantly on the web, building a business’s online presence is a must. Professional web app development helps your business reach industry standards and engage customers with your company’s offerings.
Take the example of Google Workspace, which is part of the Google Office suite. It is one of the most popular collections of web applications. Netflix is another example of how web apps can be used as content platforms. Web apps offer the ability to look and feel like mobile apps on smartphones and be accessible across all operating systems and devices.
To make a great online brand, every business leader should have a strategy. As you consider the development, one of the most important questions that you will encounter is:
How much does web app development cost?
We created this web app development cost guide because this is a more complex question to answer. It helps you to break down costs according to the complexity of web apps.
Is it better to create a web application?
Web applications are dynamic websites that combine server-side programming with back-end databases. They provide functionality such as interacting with users and generating results for browsers. Online banking, social networking, and eCommerce apps, as well as interactive games and reservations, are some of the most popular web apps.
Web apps can help you to streamline your operations and give your business an edge.
Security: Businesses are often exposed to security threats. Apps can be used to protect their websites and software programs. They provide greater privacy and security.
Support for customers: Web apps provide enhanced customer service. These apps can be your first point of contact between potential customers and your business. They can also be reached at any time, which will help to drive customer loyalty.
Difference between web apps & websites
Although websites and web apps sound very similar, there is a subtle difference in their meanings. Web apps are interactive while websites present information.
Different types of web apps
Apps for static web
These are limited in content and do not allow for flexibility. They are easy to use and cost-effective to develop on the internet. The languages that are used to create static web applications include HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
Dynamic web apps
These web apps retrieve data in real-time based on user requests. They are more technical than static web apps. Node.js and Ruby on Rails are used to develop dynamic web apps. Netflix, Facebook, and Twitter are the most popular examples of dynamic web applications.
Single-page apps (SPAs)
This page contains a lot of information and must only be updated when necessary. Meteor and React are some of the technologies used in SPAs. Google Maps and Gmail are the most popular SPAs.
Multiple-page applications (MPAs)
MPAs are pages that reload and display a new page from the web server whenever the user does a new action. HTML, CSS, and JavaScript are all used to build maps. Web portals, online shops, catalogs, and marketplaces are some of the most popular MPAs. Enterprise web apps are another example.
Progressive web apps (PWAs)
PWAs look just like mobile apps. This allows users to access all information and features of the website using mobile browsers. These apps can be made using HTML, CSS, or JavaScript. Examples of popular PWAs include Uber, Spotify, and YouTube.
Based on their complexity, there are different levels of web apps
Simple or basic application
This category includes landing pages, one-pagers, and simple electronic commerce. Basic websites include calculator pages, simple online catalogs, basic online portals, and widgets.
App for professional web development
This category includes eCommerce and small-to-medium websites. This category includes a large number of interactive elements and a substantial amount of content. Examples of middle-level web applications: Modules and additional parts for existing websites, online stores, and marketplace-based apps.
Web app that is complex or large-scale
This category includes web apps that are built with enterprise business models. Scalability is a characteristic of all applications. It is about consistent performance regardless of how many people use it at once. Large-scale web applications can handle large-volume data and high traffic. It has unique CMSs, a large database, tons of features, and tons of content.
Factors affecting web app development cost
Scope of Work (SOW)
Scope of work should be the first thing that you determine when estimating the cost of a web application. The scope of your web app can be as large as Netflix or as small as school management software. It is crucial to determine the features and functionalities that your web app will offer to users. This can be further reduced down to who you are building a web application for and what purpose it serves.
These questions can be asked after you have established the target audience.
- Which type of web application would you like? A simple landing page or a fully integrated system? An eCommerce website? ,
- Are you looking for a highly interactive web application, such as a PWA or a CMS?
- Do you need a mobile version?
- What is the deadline and what are the specific functions that you would like in your web application?
- It is important to follow all stages of the software development process.
Phase Discovery: This is where you communicate your expectations to a business analyst. They will help your business understand the market and create a strategy for entering it. A project manager will help you clarify your requirements, assess risks, estimate costs, and give time estimates for your project. You can also obtain a prototype of the product during this phase to ensure that your idea can be implemented technically.
UX/UI design: The UI/UX designer is responsible for designing the interface to your web app, as well as the business goals and expectations of your target audience.
MVP development: Now it’s time to start working on the product. MVP development involves the actual software engineering of the product’s basic features. Front-end and back-end developers need to ensure that classic web applications or PWAs meet all business requirements. To ensure that your app functions properly, the QA engineer must inspect every feature.
It is important to keep in mind that project requirements can change as the business changes.
The physical location of the developer
Hourly rates for development are determined by the geographical location of developers and outsourcing companies. Outsourcing web development is often preferred by companies due to the high cost of local developers and the availability in remote areas of skilled developers at relatively low rates. The hourly rates for developers in the US, Canada, Australia, and elsewhere are some of the most expensive around the globe.
Developers’ skillset
You should determine how many web app developers you need before hiring a team. Here’s what to expect if you require a team with different expertise:
JavaScript developers
According to Stack Overflow’s survey, JavaScript is the most used programming language for custom web app development. Based on their years of experience, you can learn more about JavaScript developers.
Java developers
Java is a very popular back-end programming language used for web development by around 35.35%.
PHP developers
PHP, which is flexible and multi-platform, is the next most popular programming language.
The complexity of UX/UI design
Your project’s final cost will depend on its complexity, features, additional elements, and animations. The UI design of an app should be appealing, intuitive, flexible, and not overloaded with unnecessary components.
The difference lies in the design complexity, animations, and number of elements. While the app interface does not have to be visually striking, it should be easy to use. Both web app developers and designers need to take the time to put it together.
- A landing page for a music application takes between $300-$500 and can be completed in 6-8 hours.
- The complex landing page, which includes 3D animations and other elements, costs $4000-$5000. Both depend on the vendor’s rates.
The custom design is more labor-intensive because it combines both standard and custom elements. There are also two types:
Native App Design: 60 Hours
Custom App Design in 90 Hours
Maintenance
Maintenance is a long-term process. When estimating the cost of maintenance, it is important to include post-release costs. The average cost for ongoing maintenance of web apps is between 15% and 20% of the development company’s total annual budget.
Undoubtedly, as the app grows, so does the likelihood of many changes in the future. These changes include bug fixing, updates to plugins & Integrations, code optimization, and adding new features. Security updates are also included in web app maintenance. A higher number of versions is a sign that you will pay more.
Annual legacy costs could be as high as 50% of original app development costs. If you spend $3000,000 initially on web app development, support and maintenance can cost up to $150,000 each year.
Cost: $50-$5000/year
Time: Lifelong
Hidden costs
Our list of unexpected hidden costs will help you save money on your project. This list will help you save thousands on your web app development budget.
Cyber threats: To protect your customers’ data, you might need to make sure your website is protected from malware and other security risks. In some cases, you may need to back up the data and use paid tools to protect your infrastructure. You might also need to employ security experts.
Subscription costs for plug-ins, updates, and templates: At first, many web builders such as Squarespace or GoDaddy offered affordable packages.
Before you choose templates, it is important to fully understand your website’s short-term and long-term goals. You will also need to be able to customize the templates in the future.
Hidden costs include the design templates that developers use. These templates may also require you to subscribe for additional plugins and themes. It is a good idea for your outsourcing partners to discuss such costs as well as the maintenance costs of web applications.
Partnering with developers who are skilled in your project will help you avoid paying additional plugin costs at the end. Qualified professionals can develop functionalities, not just plugins for basic tasks.
For a prioritized list of software development tasks, use tools such as the product backlog approach.
You can avoid such unanticipated app maintenance and hidden charges by hiring a professional web app developer company.
Which should you choose – The outsourcing team, the Freelance team, or the In-house team?
As a business owner, it is important to manage multiple factors and ask many questions when developing a website. These questions might arise:
- Are freelancers necessary to create my software product?
- Do I outsource it?
- Or should I instead hire an internal team?
All businesses face the challenge of answering such questions. There is no right or wrong answer, each company will have different circumstances.
These are the benefits and drawbacks of each of these options.
Team in-house
An in-house team is a traditional method of hiring web developers. This team works in a company-owned workplace. The company’s in-house team shares the same vision, goals, and mission. All local laws, rules, and regulations are known by the developers.
Benefits:
- You can have great interaction with your employees and face-to-face communication by hiring them.
- The employer is in complete control of the activities and functions of the team.
Drawbacks:
- Finding the right team of developers is expensive and time-consuming. In-house developers are more expensive than those who work offshore.
- In-house development can make companies completely dependent: Sometimes, the work of in-house developers is all that matters to companies. This could lead to the project’s failure in its entirety. This can lead to cost overruns or extended deadlines.
The bottom line:
For large companies, in-house teams can be a great resource. However, this is not the best option for you if you are starting a new project.
Freelance team
If you have a tight budget, freelance is the best option to hire web developers. Dozens of websites can help you find freelance web developers to meet your needs. Freelancers’ hourly rates are much lower than those working in other locations. In Latin America, the average hourly rate for freelance developers is $35-$80. In India, it’s $15-$50.
Benefits:
There are many benefits for freelancers and self-employed people who provide services and make money through projects.
- It is possible to quickly build a team at a very low cost.
- You will be able to direct the activities of freelancers.
- There are no upfront costs.
Drawbacks:
This engagement model has a drawback. You can’t depend on just one person to complete a large web app development project. It requires expert developers with knowledge of tech stacks and serious consideration. This engagement model can present challenges, such as communication gaps or low-quality development.
Bottom line: It is profitable to hire a freelancer for simple or urgent programming tasks. However, it is not advisable to hire a freelancer to develop complex web applications.
Team for Outsourcing
Grand Review Research estimates that the global IT outsourcing market was worth $520.74 billion by 2019. It is predicted to grow at a 7.7% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), between 2020 and 2027.
You can outsource web app development by partnering with a whole group who can develop the app from conception to delivery.
For actual work, you will need to pay according to the hourly rates of the outsourcing company. Because of its many benefits, large companies such as Google, Slack, and Alibaba outsource software development.
Benefits:
- Labor costs are much lower overseas.
- Cost savings: You can save money on your costs and use it later to fund a larger, more complex project.
- No distractions in the office: Many developers find that their office environment can cause distractions. Working as an outsourcing developer can make it easier for them to work more efficiently.
Outsourcing is the best and most affordable solution if you are not able to afford web development services in your area. It is possible to find and hire contractors in any country with a lower cost for web app development.
There are no drawbacks to outsourcing: This team can help you save a lot. You pay for the actual work as per the hourly rate of the hired company.
Here are some tips to help you choose the right tech stack for your web application
The tech stack includes technologies required for designing, SaaS, frontend, backend, databases, and designing. The first step in ensuring that your web app meets all expectations is selecting the right technology stack. The average cost of developing a web app depends on the tech stack.
These are some of the things you need to consider when choosing the right tech stack
- Market research is the first step. This will help you to identify your target audience and determine the types of apps that are available. Also, it will help you to understand the features and limitations of your competition.
- Check to see if the tech stack you are considering is capable of handling your app’s processing load.
- Analyze the tech-stack ecosystem. This includes its documentation, community of users, their reviews, and the support available for developers.
- JavaScript is the best front-end development framework. Out of all the JavaScript frameworks available, the top three frameworks for front-end development are Angular and React.
- JavaScript is also an affordable option. You can also reuse JavaScript code to create a separate mobile application.
- There are many backend options. You can choose Express.js or Node.js to be your backend for your web app’s backend if JavaScript is something you are passionate about.
Note: Learn how Express compares to Node.js and which backend technology is best for your web application.
- If you are looking for a more stable and affordable solution, consider Symfony or Laravel PHP frameworks.
- The serverless computing service allows you to manage and run your project with fewer resources.
Bad tech stacks can cause your web applications to slow down, decrease traffic and give poor performance. FIH, International Hockey Federation was an example of a client that used ASP.NET as well as C#. It was also facing the problems mentioned above. We decided to migrate the system.
Are you looking to find a development partner?
Now you know what factors can impact software development costs. You now have a better understanding of how companies manage expenses for your project.
These are the questions to ask if you’re searching for a web app development company that is skilled and professional.
- I have an idea for an app but need help in estimating the costs of web app development.
- What is the cost of a one-page application?
- What is the time it takes to create a web app?
- These questions will help you to determine which option is best for you.
Artoon Solutions provides top-quality web application development services. We also offer the best solutions to help you grow your business.
