Posting Point
Businesses, large and small, are taking stock of their customer base, looking for ways to expand into other markets. One of them is their foray into Android and iOS applications for smartphones. Of course, that has been the case for a while now, but what about the small businesses that might not be able to handle a full team?
Well, that is why we are here to talk about Android app development services and what small businesses need to consider before taking this route.
Do Businesses Need an Android App?
In simple terms, no, you don’t need them, but that doesn’t mean it won’t benefit your business. Not having an Android or iOS app in the modern day is like leaving potential customers on the table, so if you, as a business owner, are ready to take that challenge, then it is an opportunity rather than a necessity.
However, whether or not your specific business should have an Android app depends on several factors, including your business goals, target audience, and budget. These things change with time too, so if you’re just starting out, it might be worth it to wait a while.
The first to consider is your target audience. If your target audience primarily uses smartphones, then having an Android or iOS app may be a wise decision. On the other hand, if your audience favors the traditional business approach, then it might be wiser to at least reconsider that decision. Having at least a website is necessary, though, as it helps you reach those audiences.
Your business goals should also align with such an endeavor. If your business relies heavily on mobile engagement, such as e-commerce, then having a smartphone app can help provide a better user experience, increase customer engagement, and ultimately drive more revenue.
The last but equally important factor, though, is your budget. Developing an app can be a significant investment, both in terms of time and money. Consider whether the cost of developing an app is worth the potential benefits it could provide.
Could a Small Business Owner Afford the Development Costs for Mobile Apps?
Most developmental aspects of going online are costly, especially if you have a team working for you to make it happen. The cost of building a smartphone app in-house in the United States can vary widely depending on several factors, such as the complexity of the app, the features and functionalities required, the level of design and user experience desired, and the experience level and hourly rates of the developers involved.
To put things into perspective, the cost of a mobile application developed for both iOS and Android can cost from $10,000 to a whopping $500,000. That means your app could either cost 10k at the lowest or 4900% more than that at the average. However, that is not all.
The cost displayed here is for multiple parts of the app, from paying the developers, designers, and more to building the software, hosting it, server costs, etc. In addition to all that, you also have to account for offices for the developers, food and snacks, office equipment, bills and rent, health insurance, and more. Not only are you hiring a team, but you are putting them in the workplace, too. Moreover, if you want senior developers, you should expect to pay a significantly higher sum as well.
It’s also important to note that this is only an average estimate, and the actual cost of developing an app in-house can vary widely depending on the specific requirements of your app, as well as the hourly rates of your developers. Most small businesses or even Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) cannot afford such costs, not to mention risking overheads if the app doesn’t take off.
However, this cost can be significantly reduced if you look for iOS and Android app development services. These are agencies that already have the teams and offices to develop your application but come at a significantly lower cost. You will get more streamlined development, not have to worry about personnel, and you can simply work on your business while your mobile app is being designed, developed, and tested.
iOS and Android App Development Services – Your Cost-Effective Option
Hiring iOS and Android app development services can be a more cost-effective option if you have
a lower budget than hiring a full team in-house. Here are some reasons why it benefits your small business:
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You Reduce Overhead Costs
When you hire a development service, you won’t have to worry about the overhead costs of hiring and maintaining a full-time in-house team, such as salaries, benefits, office space, equipment, and software.
All that is handled by the agencies providing you with Android app development services.
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You Get Experts and Senior Develops Ready to Go
Professional app development services usually have a team of experienced developers who are well-versed in the latest development technologies and best practices.
This means you can leverage their expertise to build a high-quality app that meets your specific requirements, whereas hiring a team could mean spending time training, inducting new employees, and more.
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You Have More Flexibility and Can Take More Risks
When you hire a development service, you have the flexibility to choose the level of involvement you want. You can work closely with the developers to ensure your app meets your exact specifications,
or you can delegate the entire development process to them. Some even offer Business Processing Outsourcing (BPO) to have them handle all your administration for you.
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You Can Get to Market Faster
With the talent and resources to develop your app on hand,
you can quickly and efficiently reduce the time to market and stay ahead of the competition.
iOS and Android are the two most popular mobile operating systems in the world. Developing an app for either platform requires a different set of skills, tools, and development strategies. Here are some of the key differences between iOS and Android app development services.
- Development Language: iOS apps are primarily developed using Swift or Objective-C,
- while Android apps are developed using Java or Kotlin. Swift and Objective-C are exclusive to iOS and macOS platforms,
- while Java and Kotlin are platform-agnostic languages that can be used to develop Android apps as well as other applications.
- App Store: Apple’s App Store has strict guidelines for app submissions,
- and it typically takes longer to get an app approved than it does on Google Play.
- The Google Play store is more lenient with its guidelines, allowing for faster app submissions and updates.
- Fragmentation: Android runs on a variety of devices with different screen sizes, resolutions, and hardware specifications. This can make Android app development more challenging, as developers need
- to ensure their apps are compatible with all devices. In contrast, iOS runs on a limited number of devices,
- making it easier for developers to optimize their apps for a specific set of devices.
Conclusion
The cost of hiring a team for mobile app development can vary widely depending on the
the complexity of your app, the features and functionalities required, and the level of design
and user experience desired, not to mention the hourly rate for employees.
Therefore, iOS and Android app development services are your best bet when it comes to
cost-effectiveness and benefits to a small business.
