The App Development Cost UK scene in the UK is in full effect. The app industry itself is blooming more than ever. And the revenue that the app market in the UK is generating is quite a healthy one.
A study shows that “The revenue earned from apps in the UK reached well over $3.8 billion in 2022, equivalent to £2.9 billion.”
That alone shows the massive chunks of cash that the apps bring in, benefitting the UK’s economy. And that is why so many people are looking to develop an app these days so that they, too, can get a piece of the pie for themselves and cash in on the app revenue. But realistically, how much does it cost to develop an app. And can a person with a Million Dollar App Idea afford to build an app? So, to answer that, we will break down the expenses of all the aspects of the mobile app development in detail.
The app development cost UK involves the initial developer-hiring stage to the app development process and, lastly, the launch phase. By estimating the expenses of each stage, you can get a better idea of how much it really costs to develop an app in the UK. So, without any further ado, let’s get straight into it.
Factors that Determine Mobile App Development Cost in the UK
App development in the UK and the cost of doing it depends on a lot of things. Things such as what the app is about and how much time it is going to take to develop it determine the overall app development cost UK. And that does not include the development fees charged by a developer or development company, as well as the app store publishing fees.
And when you add those up along with some other expenses that are crucial to the app’s development, you are looking at tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars. In some cases, it can even reach millions of dollars. But again, it all comes down to a few factors. And those factors will determine the development cost of your app at the end of things. These factors are as follows:
App’s Complexity
First things first, the complexity of the app matters the most and probably above anything else. And the rule is simple: the more complex the app is going to be, the heavier it is going to be on your pocket. The app developer will follow your instructions and bring your ideas to life. They will add features or functionalities you might want to add to your complex app. Those features will be added on top of basic app features. However, it is you who needs to assess those app features. You will need to analyze if the features within the app are innovative and useful. You must make sure that those features actually add to the app’s quality.
If yes, then spending extra cash due to the app’s complexity is worth it in the long run. If not, then it is best to leave out those features and stick with a simple app but a quality performance app rather than regret overspending on pointless features later. More so, you must decide on an application programming interface (API) that can integrate with a content management system (CMS) or related services, for that matter.
Platform To Create An App On: Android App or iOS App
The next thing that determines the app development cost UK is the operating system platform you are building the app on. Building an app for a single OS platform, whether it is an app for Android or iOS, is much cheaper than building it for both. However, that being said, cross-platform apps do have their fair share of benefits. Even though the React Native app development may cost more, it brings users from both iOS and Android platforms as opposed to just one. And by going with just one platform, whether Android or iOS, you lose the users from other platforms. A single-platform app may also not become popular with people.
Development Team
Another factor that determines the development costs is the development team you hire to build your app. For instance, if you hire a big team of skilled app developers, then it is going to cost you more, as opposed to hiring one or two app developers. Not only that, but the price point also varies depending on the skill level of the developer you hire. A more experienced senior developer will charge more than a junior or a mid-level developer in the UK.
So, you will need to make the decision on the type of developer you want to hire to build your app. And that decision will determine the overall cost of development. However, it is also important to keep in mind that the developers’ experience goes hand in hand with the quality of the development. And it will eventually result in the final product as well as the time it takes to develop that product.
App Maintenance Cost
Developing an app is only half of the journey, as keeping it running smoothly is just as important as developing it in the first place. And that is where your post-development expenses will come into play in the form of maintenance costs. You will need to release updates and patches on a regular basis to fix app crashes, bugs, glitches, and other issues. Updates are crucial to fix issues that might develop over time after the app is released.
However, there is good news for you. And it is that you don’t have to pay the app maintenance charges for some time after the app is released. That is because the maintenance is included in the development package. Different companies offer different time durations for free maintenance in their package. But the average is six months of free maintenance. After the time period of free maintenance passes, you will then have to pay the fees. Only then will you be able to keep your app maintained and running smoothly.
How Much Does It Cost to Build an App?
So, how much does an app cost? Well, the cost of making an app can range between £3,000 and £50,000 under normal circumstances. However, if an app is a complex one, then the cost of development can reach up to £100,000. And in some cases, app development cost UK could cost millions of pounds. But how much it costs to develop a simple app? Well, the app development for the idea you might have for your app might cost around £10,000. And that is if you want to keep it simple. And if the app is quite easy to make and the app requires only basic features, then you can get it developed for around £3,000.
Linkitsoft is an app development company that offers app development services at an affordable price. Their app development price and maintenance cost ranges in different packages for each type of app. Their packages for development in the UK start from as low as £3,000 for a normal app type. But if the client wants to build an app like Uber, then the approximate cost of app development would be around £10,000. So, all in all, it depends on the features that you want to add to your app, as the features can affect the cost of developing an app.
Development Options That Decide App Cost
Now, we finally come to the main point that determines the eventual cost of building an app. And that is the development bit itself. You can choose from different types of development methods, as the options are plenty. Keep in mind that each development method is different. Each method has a different number of people involved in the app development process. So that will also determine the time it takes for the mobile application development to complete. It will also determine the cost of your mobile app. We have listed the main development options below:
Develop an App Yourself
If you happen to be a skilled developer or a tech-savvy person with a knack for coding. And programming language, then you can develop your app yourself. And if you do not have previous development experience, then there is a first time for everything, right? So, if you are willing to take the risk, then you can create your app from scratch. You can develop the front-end and back-end frameworks along with your app’s database and cloud solutions. However, you might need to learn the required skills for your app’s development during the process.
And like all developers, you will probably come up with some issues and get stuck during the development. But hey, it happens to the best of us. No worries: you will need to reach out to a professional app developer in the UK to resolve that problem. Or you might take some words of advice from an app development company that helps enthusiastic developers like you who are willing to develop their own apps. So, if you are ready to invest the time and effort, then it is best to go with this development and option.
Hire an App Developer
But what if you are not a developer yourself? Then, in that case, you will need to hire a professional developer. You can choose developers with different experience levels, from senior to mid and junior. And each developer charges according to their experience. Therefore, we suggest you approach development companies such as Linkitsoft to Hire a Developer. That is because these companies have a team of talented and skilled developers that you can hire to build your app. Or you can hire freelance developers from platforms such as Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer, Guru, etc, to work on your app development.
Partner With Mobile App Development Companies in the UK
If you are not keen to hire a single developer and have the app development budget to build a great app, then you can hire an entire development firm instead. You can partner with an App Development Company in the UK like Linkitsoft to develop your app. This development option is the same as above but has a whole team involved in the development project as opposed to one or two individuals. But before you choose a development company, you must first take a couple of things into consideration, such as the company’s experience in the app development industry.
More so, you must make sure whether that company has the expertise to pull off your app’s development or not. While you are at it, you can check the company’s cooperation model. And how it communicates with clients to serve their needs. Also, you must guarantee the security of the app. You must ensure whether the product they will develop is going to be secure or not. Once you have checked all of these things, you will need to see their development price. You can then compare the price with the development packages available on the market
This way, you can know if you are getting a fair deal or not. Also lastly, you will need to check whether support and maintenance are included in their development package or not. And if they are included, then for what period is the free maintenance? We understand that all of this is a bit too much, but these practices and checking are to ensure you are not wasting your hard-earned money. And have the right app development company working for you.
Build an App Using App Templates
You can choose an entirely different form of development, which is to work on existing app templates. For that, you will need to buy an app template that is already designed from an online platform. You can get a template from platforms such as CodeCanyon, Sketch App Sources, Instamobile, TemplateMonster, and Codester. You can work on it yourself or have a developer work on it. And it will cost you way less than creating an app from scratch. However, you must also keep in mind that the app will look pretty standard. And will lack the unique features that custom apps have.
Costs to Publish an App on the App Store
Once your app is developed, you will need to launch it by making it go live on the app store for the platform on which your app is built. So, if you choose the Android operating system, then you will need to publish your app on the Google Play Store. And if your app is made on iOS, then you will need to do the same for the Apple App Store.
Likewise, you can publish your app on both stores if your app is built on both OS, thanks to the React Native app development. However, publishing an app and making it visible on the app store will require you to pay one-time charges, and these are divided into three sections.
App Store Optimization (ASO)
First up is the App Store Optimization (ASO) that you will need to do for your app to make it visible on the app store. This is a must-thing to increase your app’s visibility in app store search. You can do your app’s ASO yourself or hire a professional to do it for you. This will help your app pop up in the search results. And therefore, it will result in people downloading and using your app.
Developer Account
App store optimization can only be done if you have a developer account on the App Store and Google Play to publish the app. Otherwise, what’s the point of ASO then? So, to publish the app, you will need to sign up for a developer account on the respective app store. You will need to pay a certain amount of one-time fees. However, the developer account fees of the Google Play Store vary from the Apple App Store. That is because the Google Play Store requires you to pay a £20 one-time fee. On the other hand, the Apple App Store requires you to pay an annual charge of £79.
In-App Purchases and Subscriptions
You can also get in-app purchases and subscriptions on the app store. However, the store will charge you a commission fee each time a user purchases something within the app. But it is worth the money, as in-app purchases are a great way to earn revenue and App Development Cost UK. This will also result in the app’s profitability.
App Marketing Costs
Once you have published the app on the app store, you will then need to market your app. You will need to do this to bring in users and get more downloads to earn revenue. There are multiple marketing campaigns and strategies that you can carry out to promote your app. This way, you can bring it under the spotlight. However, the cost of marketing an app can vary depending on the method you go about doing it. Also, the size and scope determine the cost. You will need to consider your app’s niche as well as the target audience when marketing it. The following are the marketing strategies you can use:
App Install Campaigns:
You can run an app install campaign by displaying ads on social media platforms and mobile ad networks. It will help increase app installation.
Influencer Marketing:
Influencer marketing is the most popular and effective method of doing a marketing campaign. You can collaborate with a public personality or a social media influence to promote your app. They can encourage their fans to download and use the app and App Development Cost UK.
Public Relations (PR)
If you are a person with connections, then it is time to use some PR. You can make the most of the relationships you have built with higher-ranking people. Those people or media outlets, for that matter, will create hype around your app. However, to do so, you might need to put in some effort. You might even need to pull some resources or even spend a little cash.
Ways To Cut Down the Cost of Developing an App
The app development cost UK can go up if you don’t pull the strings early on. So, for that, you will need to cut down the cost without compromising the app’s quality. We suggest you use the following methods to lower your app’s development cost:
- Agile methodology.
- Cloud solutions.
- Component reuse.
- Thorough testing.
- Outsourcing advantage.
Final Thoughts
So, there you have it. We hope that by reading this blog, you get an idea of the cost of mobile app development in the UK. We also talked about the factors that come into play to shape that cost. So, by following the tips and tricks, you can develop your own app. Or you can hire an app builder to create your app in an affordable manner. Stay tuned to read more blogs like this in the future and App Development Cost UK.
