Tag: Mobile App

14 Key App Metrics You Need to Track for Your Mobile App

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14 Key App Metrics You Need to Track for Your Mobile App

How well is your mobile app really performing? These essential engagement and profitability metrics are the best way to find out.

How do you really find out if your mobile app is doing well?

The answer is simple: data.

Just like any other marketing channel, mobile comes with a set of metrics that help marketers differentiate between success and failure.

It’s crucial to track and analyze these metrics because they help you understand how users interact with your app and why.

They can also help you discover if your app is making money.

Why is that necessary? Because you need to fully understand how your mobile app performs before you can improve it.

“But there’s so much data out there – daily active users (DAU), monthly active users (MAU), return on investment (ROI) – what’s more important?”

For someone who is new at mobile app analytics, it’s easy to get confused. Especially with all those acronyms. But don’t worry, that’s why we are here to narrow it down for you.

This article will help you discover some of the key metrics you should track for your mobile app, along with steps on how to measure them.

We will cover:

  • Usage & Engagement Metrics
  • Profitability Metrics
  • The Golden Metric

App Usage and Engagement Metrics

Fun fact: 25% of downloaded mobile apps only get used once.

With increasing competition in the mobile app market, it’s important for marketers to understand how people engage with their app and what makes them continue to use it.

You can easily track most of the essential usage and engagement metrics using popular mobile app analytics tools like Google Analytics, Kissmetrics, Flurry, Mixpanel, or Localytics.

In this section, we will cover some of the key usage and engagement metrics you need to track for your mobile app.

1. Downloads and Installs

Fun fact: 25% of downloaded mobile apps only get used once.

With increasing competition in the mobile app market, it’s important for marketers to understand how people engage with their app and what makes them continue to use it.

You can easily track most of the essential usage and engagement metrics using popular mobile app analytics tools like Google Analytics, Kissmetrics, Flurry, Mixpanel, or Localytics.

In this section, we will cover some of the key usage and engagement metrics you need to track for your mobile app.

How to Track App Downloads and Installs

You can easily set up app install tracking using Google Analytics for both Android and iOS. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do that.

2. App Acquisition

So, you know how many people download your app. But, do you know where those downloads came from? That’s what app acquisition tells you.

App acquisition shows the effectiveness of your marketing campaigns and channels and will help you make the most of your marketing spend.

For example, if you’re running multiple ads or campaigns, this metric will help you find what’s working and what’s not, so you can focus on investing in the problem areas.

How to Track App Acquisition

You can track app user acquisition through Google Analytics, or use business analytics platform Mixpanel instead.

Here’s how Mixpanel typically categorizes the campaign source of your users:

The graph shows how app users found your app – Facebook ads, Twitter ads, AdMob, Brightroll, Tapjoy.

3. Active Users

Not all people who download your app are active users. Active users regularly open and engage with your app.

This metric is important because it shows how engaging and useful your app is to users.

So, what classifies a user as “active”? It depends on the analytics tool you use.

According to Google Analytics, an active user is one who has opened and interacted with an app within the last 30 days.

Active users can be segmented into Daily Active Users (DAU) and Monthly Active Users (MAU).

  • DAU measures the number of users who have a session with your app at least once a day
  • MAU is the number of users who have a session at least once a month

How to Track Active App Users

You can measure DAU and MAU using most analytics tool.

Here is how Google Analytics typically shows active mobile app users:

The dark blue line shows 7-day active users, or the number of unique users who initiated sessions on your site or app over the last 7 days. The light blue line shows 14-day active users.

4. Stickiness

The stickiness ratio shows how often users come back to your app.

To calculate stickiness, you just divide the DAU by the MAU. Multiply the result by 100 to get a percentage.

How to Track App Stickiness

Stickiness = (Daily Active Users / Monthly Active Users ) x 100

The higher the percentage, the better. It means you have more MAUs sticking around long enough to become DAUs.

5. Average Daily Sessions Per Daily Active User (DAU)

Average daily sessions per DAU shows how many times on average users open and engage with your app in one day.

So, what’s a good number of average daily sessions per daily active user? It depends.

Social media apps such as Facebook, Instagram or WhatsApp want their users to have a higher number of daily sessions on average.

Other apps that don’t need to be used as much to be successful may be happy with a lower number.

How to Track Average Daily Sessions Per DAU

Average Daily Sessions Per DAU = Number of Daily Sessions / Number of DAU

6. Average Session Length

The average app session length tells you how much time a typical user spends interacting with your app in a single session.

This metric is important because it tells you how engaged your users are. For example, if you have an e-commerce app, are users browsing products for longer periods of time? Or, do they close the app after just a few seconds?

How to Track Average App Session Length

You can track average session length using Google Analytics or any other analytics tool. Here is how to use Google Analytics to track average app session.

7. Screen Flow

Screen flow analysis breaks down how users interact with your app, screen-by-screen.

Here is what a typical report looks like:

For example, you can track exits by screen, find out the navigation path users take through different screens, and the total number of visits for each screen.

Screen flow highlights the problem areas in your app, such as the screen users interact with before they exit your app.

You can use this data to improve the problem areas and re-engage lost users.

How to Track App Screen Flow

Google Analytics is a great tool to help you track screen flow.

8. Retention Rate

App retention rate measures how many users return to your app after using your app at another time. Simply put, retention measures how many users you retain after a set period of time.

People get bored easily. Retaining app users over time is one of the biggest challenges on your way to success.

This metric also may be useful if you implement new features or release a new update. It can help you find out if the new updates or features are keeping users engaged or driving them away.

How to Track App Retention

App Retention Rate % = (Number Users Retained at End of Time Period / Total Users at Start of Time Period ) x 100

You can also check out this step-by-step guide on how to measure retention with Google Analytics.

9. Churn Rate

App churn rate is the opposite of retention rate.

It tells you how many users stopped using your app after a given time.

How to Track App Churn Rate

1 – Retention Rate = Churn Rate

Profitability Metrics

Track how much money you make with your mobile app.

Here are some key profitability metrics you should track for your mobile app.

10. Average Revenue Per User (ARPU)

This metric tells you how much revenue is being generated on average by each user in the form of subscriptions, in-app purchases, paid downloads, ad clicks, or any other app monetization channel.

This figure is important because it tells you the overall value a single user brings to your app.

How to Track Average Revenue Per User (ARPU)

Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) = Total App Revenue in Given Time / Number Users in Given Time

11. Cost Per Acquisition (CPA)

In the beginning, it might seem like the total number of downloads or conversions are enough to tell you how well your app is performing.

But you need to know how much acquiring new users costs as well.

How to Track Cost Per Acquisition (CPA)

Cost Per Acquisition (CPA) = Total Cost of Campaign / Total Acquisitions or Conversions

12. Return On Investment (ROI)

ROI measures the money you make (return) on the money you spend building and marketing your app.

How to Track App ROI

App Return on Investment (ROI) % = (Gain From investment – Cost of Investment ) / Cost of Investment) x 100

13. Lifetime Value (LTV)

App lifetime value (LTV) helps you identify how much value each customer brings to your app.

Remember, your LTV should always be greater than your CPA. If it isn’t, it probably means you are paying too much for your customers.

The average number of years a customer stays with you, also known as the average customer lifetime, varies depending on the type of customers you have.

For example, if your target customers are aged 18-24, they might grow out of that age group after 4 or 5 years on average.

How to Track App Lifetime Value (LTV)

App Lifetime Value (LTV) = Average Value of Conversion x Average Number of Conversions x Average Customer Lifetime

14. The ‘Golden’ Metric

No matter how many metrics you track, the app star rating is by far the most important (and obvious) one. You should focus on ways to increase mobile app reviews.

People almost always check an app’s rating before they decide to download it.

Regardless of how much you invest in all other aspects of your app, if it’s poorly rated on the App Store or Google Play, it will end up driving potential users away. 

Focus on the Metrics That Matter

Going through mobile analytics might seem easy, but you need to really understand what you’re looking for before you dive into the data.

Be clear on the goals you set for your app, and don’t waste too much time on metrics that don’t matter. Try to focus only on the key areas that help you achieve your goals.

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How to successfully run a startup in the mobile app industry?

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How to successfully run a startup in the mobile app industry?

Are you a startup geek? 

Do you often look up to other successful startups and wonder how they made it? 

Are you constantly pondering over an idea at the back of your mind, waiting for that defining moment to turn it into a reality?

So, if you have stumbled across your eureka moment, and are now faced with multiple challenges as to how to put into action what you have envisioned, you are on the right page. 

We will break down the steps that can help you make the cut and are crucial to successfully run a startup in the mobile app industry. 

Since the world is going digital, and the most amount of time we spend is hooked to a screen, any successful startup involves mobile app development. 

We netizens are well aware that Playstore and App Store are flooded with innumerable mobile applications – Business, Lifestyle, Educational, On-demand apps, etc. But it is equally essential to realize early on that very few apps get trending. 

Studies show that few startups are successful and most appreneurs tend to commit some common mistakes. So the first step in your startup journey should be to look before you leap.

JavaScript is a robust scripting language used to build web, desktop, and mobile apps with rich features and functionality. With it, one can make a website that is more user-friendly and highly interactive. Things like updating web pages, UI improvements including animations, interactive maps, graphics, and much more can be created easily using JavaScript.

1. Ideate, Pause, Rethink

If you are overwhelmed because your idea is visionary and you think it stands out, don’t jump right in. Take a moment, pause and reflect. 

We understand that is ideal to let your creative juices flowing but it is equally essential to reflect on other possibilities and not dive right in without testing the waters.

Make a list of all your potential ideas. It not only gives you an insight but provides due clarity regarding which idea to pursue. 

In case you are confused whether the idea is worth giving a shot, get it validated from leading experts and see if it sparks their interest.  

Another tip is to never overlook other ideas. Understand that there is always a scope for improvement, and sometimes the whole process of ideation leads to new outcomes.

After finalizing on which idea to pursue, make sure that you have a comprehensive understanding of the pain point and the solution you are offering.

After all, your unique idea is solving a problem. This leads us to the next step.

2. Detail-oriented Market research

No matter how revolutionary your idea is, if you do not conduct a thorough market research and are not able to establish a target audience, you are bound to fail. 

Understanding the market and finding a product-market fit is a prerequisite to run a successful startup. The key is to ensure you are solving real user problems and even though what you may be doing is not overtly unique, you have to find a place for yourself in the market. 

Study the competitive landscape and conduct a competitor audit. Download some apps that work on similar pain points, use them personally and determine the scope for improvement.

Research on apps that failed and explore the reasons for the same. 

Why? Because it eliminates the chances of failure and learning from others’ mistakes is a usual practice in the startup ecosystem.

Conducting an in-depth market research can help you find your unique value proposition and ensure that you are way ahead of your competition. 

Also, during the preliminary research,  one should conduct surveys to understand the user demographic and engagement. Knowing what the target audience likes helps in building a product that they truly want.

Remember, user engagement is the key and at every step of the way keep your niche audience in mind.

3. Ideal platform

Choosing an ideal platform for your app is the next step in your mobile app development journey. 

In order to decide whether your app will cater to Android, iOS, or both, you should take into account a couple of factors. The key is to research which platform is ideal for mobile startups and understand what aligns with your business idea. 

According to Statista, as per the third quarter of 2019, Android users were able to choose between 2.47 million apps while Apple’s App Store offered almost 1.8 million available apps for iOS. This makes Google Play, the app store with the biggest number of available applications. 

To choose a viable platform you should study factors like market share and revenue for both Android and iOS. Arriving at a conclusion would not be possible if you do not have an in-depth understanding of the respective play stores. So, carefully assess the number of downloads and revenue models for both the app stores.

The choice between native and hybrid apps is another factor to consider. Both come with their set of pros and cons, and factors like technicality, functionality, cost and time play a defining role.

4. Product Development

The next step is to jumpstart the development process and for that, you would require an app development team.

There are effective ways to choose an app development company and see months of planning and strategizing come into action. 

To ensure that your idea materializes into a successful product, you need to give a lot of thought to the people you will partner with.

Reflect on the challenges you are currently facing.

Do you want an In-house team or do you plan to Outsource? 

Take a decision based on what aligns with your business needs.

While the former ensures a faster level of communication and a deep understanding of your product idea, outsourcing provides you the opportunity to hire highly skilled designers and developers.

The next question you need to ask yourself is whether you will be able to monitor the development process yourself? Accordingly, choose an app development company. 

Before hiring an app development company, make a list of potential partners, ask the right set of questions and go through their portfolios and case studies. Not only it documents their work, it gives you due clarity if the company is the right fit for you. 

Get feasible options by analyzing the app development cost worldwide.

Hire the best developer but make sure you sign a Non- Disclosure Agreement. 

Besides building a scalable app, your focus should lie in delivering a delightful experience to your end-users. Any user first perceives an app through the User experience. To retain your users in the long run, the

User experience should be immersive and the UI should be modern, innovative and intuitive.

Being ambitious is great but we suggest, you do not get lost in a maze of features. First, concentrate on building an MVP for your app, address the core pain points and then gradually shift to improved features after garnering feedback from your users. The emphasis should be on the ‘must-have’ features, the ‘nice to have’ features can always be added later. 

Making a wireframe solves a lot of problems. It outlines the layout of an app and plays a fundamental role in structuring the product early on.  

It also provides necessary insights on how the users will engage with your app and helps you identify the problem areas.

5. Investment

After spending a considerable amount of time on building your app,  you need to consider the problem at hand- How to raise money for your mobile app startup? 

Generating a large amount of funds implies greater resource availability and higher chances of success. 

There are various ways to generate funds. Decide on ways for fundraising that align with your business model – Seed funding, Bootstrapping, Crowdfunding, ICO, etc. 

Craft an Elevator Pitch and be on the lookout for potential Investors. Now is the time to be ambitious. Make sure you have a product that investors chase. 

6. Robust Business plan along with Strategic Marketing

How do you make sure your app gets traction quickly and reaches far and wide?

Through strategic marketing. 

Marketing is an equally important tool that defines the success of an app.

Through compelling marketing strategies, you can create the buzz around your app and ensure people go gaga over it. 

Use Social media and PR to gain market visibility and facilitate rapid user acquisition. Use effective mobile app marketing strategies and leverage the power of App store optimization to make your app go viral.  

Promote your apps across all social media platforms. 

You also need to finalize a robust business plan. List out the pros and cons of various monetization models and decide the best monetization strategy for your mobile app. Advertising, Sponsorship, In-app purchases, subscriptions, and pay-per-download are few options to choose from.

7. Update and Improve

If you think your digital journey ends by launching your app and diving into the market, you are wrong. 

Mobile app development lifecycle does not end by launching the application. Regular updates improve app visibility and ensures you are providing value to the user at every iteration. 

So, for a lasting success, keep improving your app by taking user feedback into consideration. Maintenance, updates, new functionality, is an ongoing process. Ensure maximum user retention along with a steady revenue model in place.

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What Differentiates a $10,000 Mobile App From a $100,000 Mobile App?

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What Differentiates a $10,000 Mobile App From a $100,000 Mobile App?

In our in-depth mobile app development cost guide and the ways to reduce mobile app development cost article, we detailed the different factors that affect the app development cost and the ways to bring the number down. But what we didn’t look into exclusively was the understanding of the app development costs difference and what separates a $10,000 mobile app from a $100,000 app.

Even though the mobile app industry has grown to a massive extent, there is still a looming doubt on how does the cost range varies so greatly between one app to another or between one agency to another.

The intent of this article is to end the doubt and answer what differentiates the app development cost falling on the two ends of the spectrums and to lay down the elements that make possible the comparison between app development costs.

Note: The article does not hint that the quality applications cost $100,000 and above. We are simply using the difference in numbers to highlight the factors which affect the costing and why the amount varies from one mobile app development agency to another. 

Table of Content:

  1. Type of the Application
  2. Size of the Application
  3. Number of Stakeholders Interacting with the Application
  4. Complexity of The Application
  5. The Technology Stack
  6. Location of the Agency
  7. Internationalization of the Application
  8. The Impact of Partnered Mobile App Development Agency on the Cost

Type of the Application

Deciding the app budget by app type is the first thing that a mobile app development agency does. Now while there can be n number of categories that can emerge when we talk about deciding the app budget by app type, the most prominent ones are:

Native Apps: These apps are ones which are developed for specific platforms. Meaning, the developers would have to make two separate apps, one for Android and one for iOS. And thus, the cost to hire a developer would increase by manifold.

Hybrid Apps: These apps are one whose codes are written only once and are run on multiple operating systems. When we look into the cost difference between native vs hybrid app, the amount would be much lower in case of Hybrid, compared to Native apps.

Data Driven Apps: Falling in the complex app category, these apps need massive data for their operation, which have to be saved directly on the device memory and the web server.

Basic Functionality Apps: These apps are ones which have very little functionalities, like a calculator application. The cost of less complex app development as these are very low.

Apps That Rely on the Device: The biggest app development costs difference is seen in case of application that heavily rely on the device’s functionalities like Camera or GPS etc.

Gaming Apps: These are some of the most costly apps operative in the stores in the present time. Because they make need multiple app bundles to function, the cost naturally increase compared to the pricing of different types of apps.

Size of the Application 

The size of the application is the first differentiator between expensive vs inexpensive app development cost. More often than not, high download size of an app implies great inclusion of features and functionalities.

Of all the mobile apps presently published on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, the usual Android app file size is around 11.5MB, while the average iOS app size is 34.3MB. The average download count also varies greatly on the basis of the app categories. While a gaming app will be much heavier, because of large bundle size, the size of a newsstand app will be lesser. This difference in file size also carries an impact in the cost of development between different apps.

Now although the right development efforts of a mobile app development agency can optimize the app size and bring it down, the general rule of thumb remains the same nonetheless.

Number of Stakeholders Interacting with the Application

The count of people who would interact with an application would also carry a massive impact on the comparison between app development costs and whether it would fall in the $10,000 range or in the $100,000 cost quote.

As opposed to what is generally believed, the stakeholders of any application are not just its users. Stakeholders are everyone who interacts with an application, irrespective of the extent. Let me explain this better with an example.

When you install a BMI calculator application, you are asked to put in details like your name, age, height, and weight. Upon the entry of these information, calculations happen on the basis of the algorithms feeded in the backend and you are given your BMI count.

Holistically, the number of people interacting with the application at any given point in time is just you. Because it is a simple calculation app which does not store data, there is no need for an admin to manage the application.

Now let’s look at an application like Uber. There are three evident stakeholders: You – the one booking a ride, The driver – providing the service to you, Customer care staff – who keep tabs on the ride and manage discrepancies.

Behind the curtains, there would be an admin who looks over certain parts of the application like how it is performing, the crash reports, the details of payments, etc. Then, there would be an investigator who verifies the drivers associated with the brand. Lastly, there would be a Super admin who would look over everything on the application in an easy to digest format.

Now as you must have observed, the application which is in your hand will be very different from the one present on your drivers’ screens. In the back drop too, every stakeholder will have their respective versions of the application – all falling under the same parent company.

So naturally, when you are comparing app development cost, the cost of a BMI calculator application which only interact with will be much lower than the cost of Uber like application which six people interact with at any given point in time.

Complexity of The Application

Complexity of an application – one of the main factors to consider when pricing app development – is decided upon a number of factors – the number of entities who would be interacting with it in real time, the feature set that would be added in the application, the app category it belongs to, and the incorporation of the technology within the application.

Let’s talk about the features set that decide how complex your application would be. Ones which define the breakdown of costs by app complexity.

Features of the Application:

The features present in the application tends to play a massive role in the expensive vs inexpensive app development cost comparison.

Although the list of features that should be present in a mobile app varies from one app type to another, there are some that are present in almost all the applications, irrespective of the category the app belongs to.

Users Login

The functionality is one using which a user enters the applications either through a sign in option or through sign up. While registering through phone number or email address is a very common option given to the users, enabling social media login or sign-up makes the process easy by a great extent.

Push Notifications

One of the best app marketing techniques, push notifications functionality is adopted by app makers to send real-time notifications to the end users in order to keep them engaged with the application.

Media Content Incorporation

There are some applications which require videos and images, while there are others which enables users to work around their audio files. Lastly, going by the current trend, there are messaging and social networking applications that requires inclusion of all editing capabilities, filters, effects, emoticons, and smileys, etc.

Geolocation

From service booking apps to dating and even business apps, Geolocation service has become a part of a number of applications, across categories. The cost of incorporating the functionality in the application is dependent on the accuracy of geolocation service and is mainly divided into three parts: the general area, middle range proximity and an accurate location.

In-App Messaging

Addition of in-app messaging functionality has become a norm in the present time. The feature is used in a number of scenarios: For users to connect with the service providers, for users to talk to the customer care. For service providers to connect with the customer care.

Advertisements

In-app advertisement is one of the most opted for mode of earning money from the application. Here, developers give the app makers the option to add advertisements in their application, which the users can then view or click on to complete a transaction.

In-App Purchase

Integrating in-app purchase in an application has not just become a trend but also the point of comparison between app development costs. The functionality makes it easy for the users to buy a product or order a service without the worry of arranging paper currency. Ideally, you should give your users multiple ways to purchase elements off of the application – Card payment, Digital payment, or simply a cash on delivery option.

Multiple Language Support

With the world becoming one place, the trend of adding multiple language support is now seen as a necessity – one that a company needs to follow to become a global brand. Doing this, not just make them appear more culturally open but also help add likeability points in their favour.

Offline Mode

Dwindling internet connection and high data charges are the issues that almost every user faces, irrespective of what nation or locality they belong to. A way to solve this issue is through providing offline support to users for accessing the content of the application.

Search

Options are a part of almost all applications. Straight from eCommerce apps to video streaming ones and even content centric applications, search functionality is constant across multiple categories. Now, the more advanced you make your search feature, the greater would be the cost of its incorporation inside the application.

Data Encryption

At a time where hack instances like Facebook’s Cambridge Analytics and Uber have become a norm, simply integrating multi-factor authentication systems are not enough. Mobile app testers will have to go above and beyond to ensure that all the data which are shared on the application are encrypted enough to not let hackers breach the system.

A well-devised data encryption will take up time, which in return would increase the cost of its integration.

Generally, the more complex your application is, the greater would be the cost of complex mobile apps. In order for you to gauge whether your app is a $1000 app or a $100,000 worthy application, you will first have to identify which complexity level does your app belongs to.

Here are three tables highlighting the features which are present in a low complexity app and medium complexity apps and ones which are there in high complexity apps – which define the different price tiers for app development. They will help you in estimating the phase to keep your app in when estimating the cost to develop complex app.

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The Technology Stack

The scope of technologies used to develop an application is another primal factor that differentiates a $10,000 application from a $100,000 one.

When we talk about technologies on the app development cost front, we talk about two separate elements:

A. Technologies that are used to develop an application from scratch

There are no two apps which are built on the exact same technology stack. Even if you plan on working in the line of famous apps’ tech stack, it will be nearly impossible to employ the exact same stack.

In order for you to understand what we are talking about when we mention the categorization of mobile app development cost estimate on the basis of the technology stacks, you will first have to understand the constituents of a technology stack.

What is a technology stack?

A technology stack is the summary of programming languages, tools, and frameworks that a developer uses to create an applications’ ecosystem. As the above image depicts, a technology stack is made of users side of the application, frontend, backend, and a database.

Now even among these four technology stacks’ elements, there are some languages and frameworks which are more expensive to employ and deploy compared to others. The reasoning behind this difference can be divided into either of these five parts –

  • Experience of developers
  • Scope of scalability
  • Market adoption
  • Presence of alternatives
  • Ease of development

An example of this can be seen in the cost difference that comes when you use Monolithic backend compared to when you use Microservice backend structure. Monolithic architecture is a lot easier to develop compared to Microservices and is best suited for simple apps which does not include a lot of complex functionalities.

However, because Microservices architecture is more long-term oriented, the cost of incorporation is higher – which, in turn, increases the overall app development cost.

B. Technologies that are used to amplify the application’s purpose

The next type of technology that impacts the decision of whether your application would belong to a $10000 range or a $100,000 price quote is the one used to differentiate the app from others or make it more useful.

Example, the cost of Blockchain or an AI powered application will be much higher than one does not use any fancy technology. But even in terms of technologies, the one that has marked its prominence in the market through mass adoption, like IoT will cost a tad lower compared to those which are still in a nascent state and finding its use case, like Blockchain and AI.

But as a general rule of thumb, the cost of a technologically rich application will any day be greater than the application that doesn’t make use of any disruptive technology.

Location of the Agency

The difference in mobile app development cost on the basis of the location of the agency is an age-old occurrence.

Everyone who wants to get their idea converted into an application are familiar with the changing cost quotes with changing geographical locations. While the exact reasonings behind this change in price are not known and thus cannot be written in black and white, it is assumed that it has something to do with the purchasing power parity of the nations in question.

The difference in cost on the basis of nations is decided upon the per hour development cost that the nation’s developers charge on an average. The present trend in terms of the nation wise cost difference looks like this:

The rates mentioned above are a sign that the answer to ‘How much does it cost to develop different types of apps?’ Would continue to reduce as you move from the western nations to eastern. So the more you move in the east, the lower would be the app development cost for your project, irrespective of its technical and market complexities.

Internationalization of the Application

The next element which brings about an app development costs difference is app internalization.

There is more to internalization of a mobile app than simply adding translations in the application and following the mobile app localization practices. So, while adding different languages in the application is not a heavy cost-impacting task, following the internalization practices to their exactness is. The factors included in the process to prepare your app for every individual who would interact with your app are:

  • Change in language
  • Change in currency denomination
  • Following rules and regulations specific to a location
  • Changing media content
  • Cross-checking slang’ context and meaning

Ensuring the presence of all these points would require a special skill set that in turn, will come with an attached cost.

The Impact of Partnered Mobile App Development Agency on the Cost

A major deciding factor of whether your mobile app is a $10,000 app or a $100,000 one is the agency you have partnered with.

In addition to the cost difference that is seen between agencies housed in different nations, there is an app development costs difference in agencies based out of a single nation as well. While the size of the organization is a primal factor that increases the development cost, there are other things too which bring in a price difference.

Here are some things that are present in the agencies that charge higher app development cost.

Positive track record

At the baseline, the work that an agency has done – which can be seen from both their portfolio and the live apps on the stores – validates the quality of their work. It also helps to look into the awards they have received and the third-party ranking they have in the industry in addition to looking into the reviews they have received on their work.

In general, the better the portfolio and the reviews, recognitions, the greater is the amount that they would charge for your app project.

Takeaway: The more recognized and technically, aesthetically sound a company is, the greater would be the app development cost which they would charge.

Skilled Team

Creation of an application is not a one person job. Even the smallest of the app project need a team of designers, developers, and testers. No matter what app type you end up choosing – Native, Web, or Cross-Platform, you will need a skilled team to take care of the project.

Usually, a basic development team looks like this:

  • Project manager
  • Coders
  • UI/UX designer
  • QA engineer

While an extended team, which is needed to develop amazing apps are made of:

  • 1 project manager
  • 2 to 4 app developers
  • 1 backend developer
  • 1 to 2 UI/UX designers
  • 1 QA engineer
  • 1 system administrator

An extension of the point of difference in app development cost on the basis of the development team is the experience that they carry.

Even if you invest in an extended team, the cost of app development might come out low because of the lack of experience they have. On the other hand, you might find yourself paying more even on a basic development team who is skilled to develop and deploy your app project in the least possible time, cost-efficiently.

Let me explain this point better.

Suppose you want to develop a social media application like Instagram. Now if you follow the exact model as theirs, you will get lost in the crowd of millions of other similar applications. But imagine partnering with a team who consults you to add technologies like AI and Blockchain to not just make your app more innovative but also useful – the end result would be more beneficial, won’t it?

This is the difference which comes when you invest in a low experience and small team agency vis-a-vis a team that has the expertise to build different kinds of apps and resources to take your app miles ahead of the competition, whether it is through Android mobile app development or iPhone.

At Appinventiv, we have a team of Business Analysts who help our clients become big businesses at the back of the insights that they have formed by being active in the industry for a long time.

Takeaway: The more skilled and experienced a mobile app development team is, the higher would be the amount that they would charge to develop your application.

High Experience in App Business

For you to be 100% prepared to enter the app development world, you don’t just need a team that knows the design and development process. You will need a mobile app development agency that knows the trick of trade to convert your application into a complete business.

The app development costs difference will be more in case of an agency who knows the process to get your app featured in stores, understands the requirements to publish the app on stores, know what investors look into when they fund your app, and know the post app launch challenges, compared to agencies that doesn’t.

Takeaway: The agency which would prepare you to rank high on the app stores, increase the download count, and get you funded, will charge higher compared to one that doesn’t.

Clarity in App Development Process

Agencies that have a detailed app development process laid out are able to deliver fast and deliver perfect. They don’t struggle with the creation of steps and approaches before every project starts.

At Appinventiv, we have agile app development method incorporated in our corporate DNA. We are known to follow the rules of DevOps like continuous deployment and integration that make processes more efficient and streamlined.

Takeaway: The agencies which have their process documented know how necessary it is to deliver value fast without robbing off the entrepreneurs of their savings. So, if you invest in an agency like Appinventiv that has clarity in terms of how they conduct their process, you would have to pay more than in case of a company that is just starting with the app development game.

The last question that we have to address now, since we have attended the reasons behind the app development costs difference, is what is worth – a $10,000 application or a $100,000 and if it would make sense to not develop a small app and update later than invest in an expensive application.

The answer varies. But in our experience, we have seen very few cases of failure upon investing in a $100,000 app development project compared to instances where the $10,000 app survived for long with only minimal updates. But in order to save money and not go bankrupt, you should find an agency which belongs to low average hours eastern nation and have the skillset to take your business ahead and far.

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8 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Developing a Mobile App for Your Business

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8 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Developing a Mobile App for Your Business

Building a successful mobile app for your business is not an easy task. Many business owners tend to make common mistakes that directly affect the outcomes.

A mobile app can be a goldmine of your business. It can help you optimize your marketing efforts, sales, revenue, and internal business processes. Having a mobile app for your business means you can target a whole new set of audience and generate new streams of income.

However, it’s not as straightforward as it may seem. According to Statista, there are already more than 3 million apps on Google Play Store and Apple Store combined(link is external). 

While, in total, Google Play Store and the Apple Store have the most apps, there are more Android applications in the Google Play Store than iOS applications in the Apple Store. 

So how do you make sure that your mobile app stands out in the crowd and provides the real competitive edge to your business? Avoid the typical app development mistakes business owners make. 

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Developing a Mobile App for Your Business

  1. Developing a Mobile App When There’s No Real Need
  2. Not Doing Your Research
  3. Setting an Unrealistic Budget
  4. Communicating Unclear Briefings
  5. Having Too Many Features and Functionalities
  6. Not Developing a Cross-Platform Strategy
  7. Focusing Too Much on the Appearance While Forgetting the Customer
  8. Failing to Develop a Marketing Strategy

1. Developing a Mobile App When There’s No Real Need

Many business owners approach us with an “awesome” mobile app idea for their business. Mobile apps can help expand the customer base, but developing an app that has no demand is a terrible mistake. 

Mobile app development(link is external) is a time-consuming and expensive process. If no one ends up using your app, it could put a big financial burden on your business. 

You need to clearly define your business objectives and see if the app fulfills those objectives. Businesses want users to connect and make purchases through their app. 

The first step is to figure out the problem areas of your business and the requirements of your customers. Then see if a mobile app can fix the issues and live up to customers’ expectations. If yes, then continue with the app development process. 

2. Not Doing Your Research

This goes in line with the above point. Business owners have to do enough research before deciding to develop a mobile app. Remember, every business and app development process has a different set of objectives. You’ll have to consider a large number of factors before starting. 

Never jump to the conclusion based on your Google research. Think of the primary objective of your app, the nature of your business, target audience, competition, and your unique selling proposition (USP). 

When it comes to developing a mobile app for your business, thorough research can help you save tons of money.

3. Setting an Unrealistic Budget

Setting a non-realistic budget is another common mistake people make.

Developing a custom mobile app means you have to hire a team of developers(link is external), designers, and app marketing experts. Plus, the development process can take a few weeks or a couple of months, based on the features, functionalities, and the overall complexity of your app.

Mobile technology is changing day by day with the introduction of new technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR). It makes the development process even more complicated and time-consuming.    

Perform market research by receiving quotes from different companies and freelancers.  This will give you an idea of what you will potentially spend. 

Building a mobile app for your business is no small expense. There are some cheaper options available, but they don’t guarantee the best results. Make sure you discuss requirements and objectives with the developer before finalizing the budget. 

4. Communicating Unclear Briefings

It’s important that to clearly communicate your expectations in the beginning. 

The best way to avoid confusion is to explain to the developer what exact features you need within the app, and with the help of visuals. Start by creating flowcharts, diagrams, and sample sketches of the screens so that the designers and developers get the idea. 

Explain each element in the sketch, what should happen when users click a specific button, which screen should appear after a particular activity, and everything that you want in the app. 

This will also help you in setting up a realistic budget as the developers know exactly what needs to be accomplished and how much time it would take. 

5. Having Too Many Features and Functionalities

It’s great to have an app that has some unique functions and features. But, wanting an app with all the features you can think of is not a smart move. 

Remember that every new feature is going to add up to the cost and time of development. The budget for developing an app with multiple functions is going to cost more than that of a simple app. 

Additionally, you don’t know for sure that these extravagant features are going to be useful for the customers. 

That’s why you should first start with an app that serves the primary purpose of your business. You can then slowly introduce new features, update and optimize them based on users’ feedback.

6. Not Developing a Cross-Platform Strategy

Not developing an efficient cross-platform strategy is another common mistake. Gone are the days when it was smart to build a mobile app only for a single platform. 

Today, with the help of advanced cross-platform mobile app development tools, developers can simultaneously build apps for both Android and iOS. Developers can use single source code to deploy on multiple platforms. PhoneGap(link is external) is one such tool that developers can use for building cross-platform applications.

Keep in mind that there are some drawbacks to developing a cross-platform mobile app, but it is a viable option when you have a limited budget. It will also help you test the market and decide whether to stay with the hybrid app or go for a native app.

7. Focusing Too Much on the Appearance While Forgetting the Customer

Having an awesome mobile app with a terrible user experience won’t be of any help. You need to make sure that you’re developing an app with a focus on your customers’ needs and not just the design. 

User experience plays a vital role in engaging and improving your customer base. Make sure the app design is fluid and straightforward, allowing users to navigate through various screens swiftly. Build an app with an end-user objective in mind, not the one that just serves your business objective. 

The apps that fulfill the primary business purpose while providing excellent user experience can go a long way in improving your business.

8. Failing to Develop a Marketing Strategy

Before investing your money, time, and efforts in app development, take some time to plan the marketing strategy. Getting an app built is one, but reaching out to the right people for app downloads is a whole different game.

There’s a huge competition in the app stores as thousands of apps are getting released every day. It is nearly impossible for your app to sell itself unless you have a solid app marketing plan. 

Research your audience, optimize your app storage page, get reviews to your app, socialize your app, use influencers to promote your app to market your app effectively.

Partnering With an Experienced Development Team Is Vital for Businesses

Mobile app development is going to be one of the significant investments of your company, so it shouldn’t be handed over an inexperienced team. Vet carefully because you’re getting what you pay for. Sometimes it’s better to invest more into a trustworthy and credible firm with the capabilities and experience needed to create a top-quality product. 

Additionally, developing a mobile app is an ongoing process. There will be multiple revisions until you get the final app ready to launch. It’s all about making things better step by step. And, when you have an experienced team of developers, you can reach a successful app much faster. 

Make sure the app development company has an in-depth understanding of your business, design and development expertise, and best testing practices. Ask the development company to show their previous work, check out the reviews and clients they’ve worked for.

Be smart and do your best to avoid mistakes to make the right development choice. 

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