Are you wondering how much it would cost to create a web application? It’s not as straightforward as other types of web development, such as e-commerce, booking, or event planning and management. However, if you form a plan and work with a professional web application development company like Vero Web Consulting, you’ll be sure that your investment is worthwhile.
On average, developing a web application can range anywhere from $5,000 to $250,000 or more, depending on the complexity of the product. Here is a summary of the cost to build a web application:
- A basic web app may cost between $5,000 and $15,000,
- a mid-level web application may cost between $50,000 and $150,000,
- and a complex web application may cost between $150,000 and $300,000.
You might be thinking: “Wow, that looks pretty expensive, so why bother developing a web application”? The answer is simple: more and more of your customers are using wearable technology, and the demand for web apps is only going to increase. In terms of financial gain, the web application market is dominated by ecommerce, media & entertainment, retail, travel, healthcare, and education industries.
Let’s take the most popular version, the Progressive Web Application (PWA), as an example. According to projections, the global PWA market is expected to reach $10.44 billion by 2027. It has been observed that e-commerce conversion rates are two times higher on desktops than on mobile devices. Furthermore, more than half of users tend to uninstall mobile applications that they do not use anymore as they take up a lot of space. Statistics show that PWA’s developed by small and mid-sized companies have the largest user base. It is quite clear that user demand drives usage.
There are a few key reasons why businesses are embracing Progressive Web Application Development (PWA) technology:
- Developers are taking advantage of PWAs to save storage space.
- These web apps are more cost-efficient and straightforward to create and maintain.
- PWAs have a higher conversion rate compared to native apps.
- They make use of the features of mobile applications, such as real-time notifications, quick loading times, and more.
- Lastly, the increasing use of smart technology, like IoT, AR, and VR, encourages users to use capable web apps.
When considering the cost of developing a Progressive Web Application (PWA), there are several factors to consider:
- the complexity of the design,
- the scope of the work,
- the category of the application (patient personal information being the most expensive to store and protect),
- the location of the team (onshore or offshore),
- and any additional expenses.
Let’s break it down:
- Progressive Web Apps (PWA) are websites with features that are beneficial on mobile devices. PWAs can be used on multiple Operating Systems, providing functions similar to those of native apps; such as push notifications, fast loading, full-screen user interface, and more. We design PWAs with a focus on mobile use, making them available even when offline and easy to add to a user’s home screen.
- Next, we will look into the details of the work that needs to be done. We will want to know if the solution is independent, or if it needs to be integrated with other systems (like payment processors, GPS navigation, etc), APIs, webhooks, data storage, and web hosting across multiple locations.
- The last element to take into account when quoting for a custom-coded web application is its user-interface design, also known as UX/UI. At Vero Web Consulting, the cost structure is determined by the complexity, number of elements, and animations. An application must not only be unique, but also aesthetically pleasing, easy to use, and intuitive. For example, creating a basic landing page like the ones from WordPress or Shopify can take between 16 and 20 hours, which usually costs around $1,200 to $1,500. At Vero Web Consulting, we charge $1,500 for this service. If the page includes 3D animations and several other features, the price will likely increase to an average of $4,000-$5,000.
Now you might be asking “How do I translate the idea”? Creating a concept for a product can be difficult, particularly if you are unsure of what materials or technology to use. Fortunately, there are some methods that can make it easier to explain your concept to the development team at Vero Web Consulting:
- The first approach involves starting with the desired end result when estimating the cost of developing a web application. This is a common practice and the best way to begin is to envision the end goal, then work backwards to the present stage and ask questions such as, “What do we need to do to reach this point?”
However, this method is not suitable for completely new products as there is too much uncertainty about the final outcome.
Therefore, think about what makes your product unique, and what customer problems it solves, as well. You should be very specific so that web application developers can decide what tools to utilize. - When it comes to developing web applications, there are two approaches to choose from: custom or pre-made templates (e.g. WordPress, Wix, Squarespace, etc). The pre-made solutions are generally cheaper and quicker to develop since they already have a set of features included. For example, WordPress has a library of themes that you can use to create an app. You can adjust its design and logic to fit your needs, but it is made for the masses and may be difficult to customize to fit your specific business needs.
In contrast, custom solutions are more scalable and offer flexibility in features, design, and app logic. Furthermore, you can create a unique UI design that can help you attract more customers and stand out from the competition. With custom web apps, developers have full involvement and can be contacted anytime to fix any bugs or issues that may arise. Although custom web apps require more time and money initially, they will save you money in the long run.
At Vero Web Consulting, we begin by setting up a discovery call. Our team will then prepare an accurate estimate that involves the input of our developers. This estimate is based off of wireframes, specifications, and other documentation. If you already have the necessary documentation, we can give you a detailed estimate within a few business days.