Web application development cost: the complete guide

An enormous chunk of the corporate world has hopped on to the digital trend. This is mainly due to the perks and convenience provided by an online presence. In fact, a report by Emergen Research predicts the market will possess $10.44 billion in the coming five years.

Considering these insights, it has become mandatory for businesses to have polished websites. That is if you seek professionalism and credibility. What’s more? A professional website enables businesses to get the necessary industry standards. It further assists them with marketing their offerings on a large scale. 

However, business owners must possess a well-crafted web app development strategy. In the absence of this, strategizing a low budget would be challenging. During this phase, you must consider the primary factors influencing web app development costs. Before we dive into the same, let’s shed some light on the different types of websites for your business.

The best web app development types for businesses today

1. Static web apps

They are easy, quick, and cheaper to develop throughout the web because they have limited content and minimal adaptability. Here are a few static web app examples

2. Dynamic web apps

These web applications are more technically tricky than static ones since they retrieve the data in real time according to the user’s request. Node.js, jQuery, PHP, HTML, CSS, Perl, Python, Ruby on Rails, and other technologies are used for backend development and dynamic online applications. Some common dynamic web apps are

3. Single-page apps (SPAs)

Here, many pieces of information remain on the same page, but only a few items need to be updated at once. SPAs employ the following technologies: Angular, Backbone, Ember, Meteor, React, and Vue. Some popular SPAs include

4. Multiple-page apps (MPAs)

Every time a user initiates a new action using MPAs, the app reloads and displays a different page in the browser from the server. MPAs are built using profound full-stack development skills and incorporate various technologies, including AJAX, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, jQuery, etc. Some well-known MPAs are

5. Progressive web apps (PWAs)

Users can utilize progressive web apps to get the complete information and functionalities of the web application. These applications can be created by investing more in frontend development using tools like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. A few popular PWAs include-

Factors affecting web app development cost

To keep your budget minimum, there are a few primary factors you’ll have to consider as a business owner. For starters, you’ll have to ensure that your website works well on smartphones and is desktop-friendly. According to Divante’s ‘Top 30 progressive web apps’ ebook, e-commerce websites have double the conversion rate on a desktop comparatively.

1. Scope of work

It’s vital to keep in mind, though, that as the business grows over time, so will the project needs.

2. Skillset

Before recruiting, you should establish how many and which type of experts your web app development team will need. Javascript, Java, PHP, and Python are some skill sets you will need. Additionally, you’ll have to ensure you onboard experienced full-stack developers to avoid mishaps during the web app development phase.

Additionally, experience, seniority, and location will determine the salary you might have to offer. Offshore developers usually come cheaper than the locals. The highest rates are found in the USA, Canada, and Australia, where an hour of software development costs between $80 and $250.

Many companies in the UK offer the services for $50 to $99 per hour. Rates in Central Europe are twice as low; an hour of web dev in Estonia costs $20–$50.

3. Complexity

Unlike template solutions, specialized UI/UX design services are more expensive. These variations rely on how complex the design is and other aspects. For instance, developing a straightforward homepage can take between 6 and 20 hours. For 6 to 8 hours, a designer usually charges between $300 to $400. In contrast, 20 hours of work could hike the price between $800 to $1,000.

The price will increase to $4,000–$5,000 if the page includes 3D animations and numerous other features.

4. Maintenance

It would be best if you always accounted for post-release costs when evaluating the cost. The average annual budget of development companies is between 15 and 20% of the price of current web-app maintenance.

Bug fixes, updates to plugins and integrations, code optimization, the addition of new features, security upgrades, and scaling are some changes that may occur as an app expands. These changes all come under the maintenance umbrella.

Additionally, annual legacy charges may equal up to 50% of the expenditures associated with the initial creation of the software. For instance, if you first invest $300,000 in developing a web app, support and maintenance could cost you up to $150,000 annually.

Web app development hidden costs to keep in mind

If you don’t want to waste money on your project, here are some hidden costs to keep in mind

Make sure to work with professional development teams that comprehensively understand your project requirements if you want to prevent such additional charges for plugins at the project’s conclusion.

In-house vs. freelance vs. outsourcing: what to choose for web app development?

● In-house team

An in-house team is a typical method of employing a web app development team. A team like this operates in an area your business handles explicitly. You can get excellent face-to-face interaction by assembling an internal team that’s well versed in frontend development and backend development. Additionally, you will have total control over the team’s operations and activities.

Regardless, assembling an in-house team isn’t very budget-friendly. And the internal staff at firms will be reliant on them. It may be more likely that the entire project will suffer. It might result in longer deadlines and expense overruns. Here are a few platforms to recruit experts for your in-house team:

● Freelancers

Dozens of websites can assist you in finding freelancers that will help create your desired web application. Based on the region, freelancers’ hourly fees may vary. You can assemble a low-cost team with full-stack development expertise over whom you will directly supervise.

The downside of recruiting a freelancer is that it will be challenging to finish a web app development project by a single individual. For quick or straightforward programming assignments, hiring a freelancer is advantageous. However, they are not ideal for complex projects.

● Outsourcing

To outsource, you will have to share your requirement on a contract basis. You will work with a whole team that can create the app from conceptualization to delivery. According to the outsourcing company’s hourly rates, you must pay for the actual work that was completed. You can locate and engage a contractor in any nation where web application development costs less.

Bottom line

Depending on the complexity, different web apps are developed at different costs. A straightforward web application might cost you $5000. Challenging projects with follow-up modification strategies might cost you more. Therefore, you must evaluate your business’s objectives to determine your website’s cost. Complex web application development can take up to six months to complete. Thus onboarding a skilled team is vital to developing the desired website.