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Creating Your Own App from Scratch

Nowadays, it seems like creating an app is the new ‘in thing’. Everybody has the next big idea for a life-changing app. 

If you’ve looked into making an iOS app, you may have realized that it’s a little more complex than it might first seem. It’s not as simple as coming up with an idea and having your app ready to go within a few weeks. 

However, this article should lay everything out clearly. By the end, you should be ready to get started on launching your new app. If you need additional support, please contact us at CrucianPoint to have a chat! 

Methods You Can Use

If you’re looking to build a custom app, there are a few different options.

For those of you who are already a specialized developer who understands programming, you can use low-level coding to create your app. It’s time-consuming and expensive but gives you lots of flexibility.

The second method you can use is hybrid app development, which requires JavaScript. With this method, you develop everything at once, then distribute the app on iOS and Android at the same time.

Rapid App Development is the third option. This is a platform that allows you to use a mobile application using an intuitive interface or template. You will need to know what you’re doing from a technical perspective, but you won’t have to code everything from scratch. Since there’s a lot of pre-built functionality, rapid app development allows you to go to market faster.

Next comes the cookie-cutter apps. These are apps that have an intuitive user interface that uses a standard template. You can switch on and off the features and settings to create your unique app. This is a much easier way to produce your app, but you have less control and flexibility over its features. If you aren’t too bothered about developing your app further, this is a good option to go for.

The final option is to hire a company such as CrucianPoint that specializes in app development. We have an expert team that can build your app from scratch. This option is great if you have no technical knowledge and prefer to outsource everything.

Building an app

How Much Does It Cost to Create an App?  

One of the most common questions people have when they decide to start building their own app is ‘how much will it cost?’ 

Unfortunately, there is not a simple one size fits all answer to this question. There are so many factors that will influence the price of your app including the following. 

  • What is the aim of the app? 
  • How large and complex is the app going to be? 
  • How much of its development are you outsourcing? 
  • How many employees will you be hiring? 
  • What is your timeframe from start to finish? 
  • Are you going to spend money on marketing for the app? 

Once you’ve determined your budget, you need to divide up the costs accordingly. This is important so you don’t end up spending too much money on just one aspect of the app. Whether you’re funding the app yourself or relying on funding from a company, you need to be strategic with your spending. 

Remember to set aside part of your budget to provide a wage for your employees. The amount you set aside depends on how many people you’re hiring and their specific hourly rates. App designs and developers can range from $40-100 per hour depending on experience. 

Of course, you also need to consider the marketing team. You could create the best app in the world, but it won’t be successful if nobody knows about it. Even if you already have a following, you will still need to spend on the promotion of your app. 

If your app is intricate and complex, expect to pay more. On average, a complex app that takes 4-8 months to complete will cost between $750-150,000. If your app has simple, basic features, it may cost around $10,000.

Hiring an App Developer 

If you’re looking to outsource the development of your app, first consider how much of your budget you can dedicate to hiring an app developer. Each developer will have various prices depending on their previous experience. You also have to consider whether or not you’re getting a designer, as this will affect the amount you spend.

Ask yourself the following questions.

  • Are you going to work with a freelancer or a small team of developers?
  • Have they previously been successful in creating similar apps?
  • Do they have a portfolio or testimonials?
  • What timeframe have they given you from start to completion?

You also need to consider whether or not you’re going to need help with the maintenance of the app. Of course, this will add to your costs.

It’s possible that you might need a Mobile Backend as a Service (mBaaS), which involves using a service provider to power the backend services of your app. It covers the technical infrastructure of your app, so you can focus on the front end that your customers will see. Mobile Backend as a Service covers app logic and app management, saving a bunch of time without compromising the quality of your app.

CrucianPoint offers high-quality user-centered design and app builder software for your website and mobile app. This will save you time and money building a custom app from scratch yourself. Contact the team today and you can have your app up and running in no time.

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