In this edition of Mobile Monday, we are taking a look at the untold costs of mobile app development and how Microsoft’s PowerApps aims to lessen the load for some business app developers.
Mobile App Development Costs
According to a recent report by the Smart Data Collective and data from mobile app developer NineHertz, the creating a native mobile app requires:
- 18 weeks, with 10 weeks for the back-end and 8 weeks for the front-end
- $3,000 to $8,000 in costs for a small app
- $50,000 to $150,000 for apps with more robust features
- Upwards of $250,000 for gaming apps
The Hidden Costs
While $250,000 is nothing to sneeze at, this only covers the direct development costs. To get a more accurate perspective, a recent report by Rahul Varshneya of Entrepreneur.com examines the hidden costs of publishing an app. Total app development costs, which they estimate reaching upwards of $500,000, are affected by:
- Hidden costs when low quality resources are used
- Infrastructure fees
- Cost of managing labor (whether local, remote, or outsourced)
- Misunderstandings regarding goals or requirements
PowerApps For Businesses
To alleviate the development costs at the lower end of the app development spectrum, Microsoft recently launched PowerApps. A productivity tool that enables businesses to launch custom apps without writing code, PowerApps is targeted at app developers looking to create tools within organizations.
While PowerApps offers an admittedly limited use case solution in the grand scheme of the app ecosystem, its mere existence does suggest a move and a need in the market to streamline the app development process.
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Mobile Monday examines the latest news, trends, and developments in mobile apps, tech, and advertising. Do you have a story to share for the next Mobile Monday? Tweet your thoughts to @AdColony. For the latest AdColony mobile news and updates, follow @AdColony on Twitter, like us on Facebook, or connect on Linkedin.
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