Buying goods online became as natural as flipping a switch to turn on the lights. You enter the app or the website, click on everything you need in the catalog, enter your address, and buy it. Perfect. This lazy shopping definitely surpasses old-school strolling along the aisles.
Businesses wishing to succeed in e-commerce must build web and/or mobile software to have a digital presence. If you haven’t established your online image yet, let’s talk about the cost and e-commerce mobile app development services.
source: flectone.com
In fact, every tiny detail in the app can add to the overall e-commerce app development cost. The number of screens, features, UI/UX solutions, and many other things contribute to the budget. Roughly, we can distinguish these factors into several groups:
Complexity refers to the number of features and functionalities in your app. The more complex the app, the higher your expenses will be.
Let us consider an online store app example:
A well-designed app with a user-friendly interface will cost more due to the time and expertise required. Complicated solutions, such as custom animations, can also increase the cost of e-commerce app design.
The cost of development may increase if third-party services like payment gateways, social network logins, analytics tools, and shipping services are included. Each third-party integration in e-commerce apps must be tested to guarantee flawless operation.
After the initial development, you should maintain the app and provide regular updates. We recommend putting aside 15–20 per cent of your original development budget annually for routine app inspections.
For a simple e-commerce app, you will usually pay between $32,000 and $85,000 for software development. A medium-complexity application costs $67,000 to $120,000, while complex apps cost between $102,000 and $220,000 to build.
Disclaimer: These numbers are average. You can use these price ranges as a reference point, but the exact e-commerce mobile app pricing for your project will be known only after a meeting with your development company.
Start small. To enter the market quickly, start with a Minimum Viable Product and gather user feedback before investing in more complex features.
Outsource. Partner with remote IT teams with lower labor costs. Asian and Eastern European development companies are typically more affordable, while the quality of their work doesn’t concede anything.
Use the pre-built solutions. Leverage pre-built solutions and templates for common functionalities. This can save time and reduce mobile app development expenses.
Negotiate on licensing. Haggle on licensing to secure the best deals and avoid unnecessary expenses.
Focus on the essentials. Prioritize features that are crucial for your business and user experience. Avoid adding unnecessary features that can complicate the app and increase the budget.
Utilize open source. Take advantage of open-source libraries and frameworks. These resources can significantly cut down on development time and spending while providing robust and tested functionalities.
Opt for cloud services. Use cloud services for hosting and infrastructure. Cloud providers offer scalable solutions and don’t force you to make upfront investments in hardware and maintenance.
Contact a development agency for a detailed cost breakdown of your project and expert insights on your future e-commerce app!