Web Application Development Cost: Complete Guide

Building your company’s online presence has become essential in today’s environment as people scan through social media and frequently land on shopping websites. Your firm may meet industry standards and engage clients with its products and services by using a professional web application.

To create a flawless online brand presence, however, every business executive must have a good strategy before creating their web apps. And while you consider this development, the following query will pop up:

How much does it cost to develop a web app?

The answer to this question is sadly not a universal one. You will have to look at N different things to know how much web app development costs. The main reason is that web development is a vague term. Web application development cost varies because an application can be a single-page or a multi-page feature-rich application. 

Depending on what you are looking to create, web app development costs will vary. In this article, we will discuss everything related to web application development cost, so you get an idea of the average cost of web application development.

The average cost of web application development

Let us first understand the range of web app development costs. Generally speaking, the cost of developing a web application is based on how sophisticated the app is and how long it will take to construct. The following mentioned breakup of different levels of the web application will give you an idea as to how much web development costs:

Basic web application

The cost for a basic web application would range from somewhere between $12,000 to $40,000.

Basic projects often have straightforward UI/UX, minimal content and interactive aspects, and straightforward search capabilities. 

Simple web apps with predetermined template layouts, compact online catalogues, marketing websites, and widgets or added functionality to existing web apps are a few examples of this type of web application.

Startup web application

A startup web application development cost can be somewhere between $50,000 to $70,000.

Innovative entrepreneurs frequently use these online applications to raise more capital for the creation of a finished product. 

They have more content, media, and features and are more interactive. Developing such apps often takes less than 1,000 hours.

Mid-level web applications

A medium-complexity web application can cost somewhere between $50,000 to $150,000.

Advanced capabilities like basic analytics, audio/video processing, real-time synchronization, API integrations with third-party services, and much more are frequently found in mid-complexity apps and creative Minimum Viable Products (MVPs). 

It can take up to 3,000 hours to produce one of these apps.

Complex or Enterprise-Level Web application

A complex or enterprise-level web application will cost above $150,000.

Such web applications are frequently based on a successful startup MVP or are developed to automate operations in businesses with 200+ workers. 

Depending on your needs and deadlines, the project can require 6–12 months of development time and a diverse team of engineers. B2B SaaS applications, Business Process Automation (BPA) and management tools, and many more are examples of prevalent corporate applications.

As you can see from the above data, the web application development cost is highly variable. You must be wondering what factors determine the web application development cost. We will talk about it in great detail, but before that, it is crucial to understand why you need a web application.

Why do you need a web application?

By looking at the average cost of web application development, you must be wondering – what is the need to spend so much on a web application? The thought is genuine, but you must understand having a web application is not a choice but a need in today’s time. 

With the increasing penetration of technology and the internet, the popularity of web apps will only grow in the coming years. If you are in a business, you must have a progressive web application. You can invest in the web application with confidence based on the following data:

• The global progressive web apps market is estimated to reach over $10 billion in the next five years.
• eCommerce conversion rates are 2X higher on desktops than on mobile devices.
• More than 50% of users uninstall mobile apps because they don’t use them regularly, and apps take up a lot of space.

A progressive web application makes sense even if your business is small or medium. It is found that users only keep apps of brands they use frequently – they don’t prefer to download apps of smaller brands where the usage is not frequent.

You must complete your web application development on time for the above reasons. This article will help you get a fair idea of web development costs.

The Three Development Approaches

If you’ve chosen to develop an application for your company, you can select between three different development strategies:

Native app development

Consider developing a native app for every platform, including iOS, Android, Windows, watchOS, AndroidTV, and any others if you want your programme to operate as well as possible. Just be aware that compared to other ways, the total cost of development will be significantly higher.

Hybrid app development

A hybrid app can be created once and then customised for each platform. A hybrid solution won’t provide the best performance, but it won’t cost as much as native programmes for many platforms. The hybrid technique is ideal for creating an MVP because it allows you to quickly deploy your app to a broad audience and test your idea without having to make a huge financial commitment.

Web Application Development

Applications that run on the web are a panacea. They can function on any gadget with a built-in browser, including smartphones and smart refrigerators. The capability of web apps will continue to expand as wearable technology and Internet of Things (IoT) devices advance. 

The best thing, though? The web application development cost is far less than the price of creating a hybrid or native software.

What are the Types of Web Applications?

The web application development cost varies according to the type of application you want. At a high level, there are three categories:

Multi-page applications

These are applications with multiple pages and have different features on different pages. When building a web application, it is the default choice. An MPA’s various features are located on various pages, therefore clicking a button or link causes a request for a new page to load. 

Marketplaces, e-learning websites, and other platforms can achieve their aims with multi-page apps. If you wish to create a web application, the multi-page option is the default.

Multi-page applications have complex functionality and hence, developing them is a complicated and time-consuming task. Hence, the cost of development would most probably vary from somewhere around $30,000-$50,000 or sometimes even more depending upon your exact requirements. 

Single-page applications

It is a single-page platform where users can quickly navigate all that you have on offer by scrolling down. One page makes up a single-page application (SPA). SPAs enable quick app navigation because all features are available on a single page. 

The page does not reload when a button is clicked, which reduces traffic and saves time. Google services such as Gmail and Google Calendar and social networking platforms such as Facebook and Twitter are examples of SPAs.

A single-page web application development cost is determined by the project and its many components, including:

• Will there merely be a landing page and a tiny contact area?
• Are there groups of different photos on the page?
• Is it necessary to modify the photographs or produce the entire content?
• SVG navigations
• Images

The price of development can be evaluated by asking these and other questions.

Cost estimates range from $90-$400 for a straightforward single-page application with inline CSS and no external scripts that take 3–4 hours to complete. The cost of development might range from $1500 to $10000 if the app is sophisticated and takes up to 50 to 100 hours to complete.

Progressive web applications

These encompass both the traits of native and web apps. They function as web apps but also boast native app capabilities like push notifications, offline usability, and hardware access.

Web applications and progressive web applications are phrases that are frequently used interchangeably. They aren’t the same, though. Web apps in general, but not all web applications, are PWAs. 

Progressive web applications have elements of both web apps and native apps: they function as web apps but also have native app capabilities including offline usability, push notifications, and hardware access. Two PWA examples are Flipboard and Starbucks.

Either you must spend around $30k to create a PWA from scratch or you must change your online store into a PWA. In all situations, the initial support and basic to moderate features are included in the PWA development cost.

What are the Factors that impact the price of Web Apps?

If you have an idea that you need to convert to a web application, you can reach out to a web app development company, and they can give you an idea – how much does a web app cost? 

A development company gives web application development cost estimation based on certain factors. Let us look at what factors determine web app development cost.

Scope of work

The most significant effort goes to what you plan to build – the functionality of your web application. You may plan to build a simple app to store user details or complex hospital management software. 

Next, how many APIs your app will have, databases count, and hosting – all these parameters will determine how much time the web development will take and ultimately how much it will cost.

UI/UX Design

There are two options to get UI/UX design services. The first option is to get a cost-effective template solution. For a custom UI/UX solution, the cost will vary depending on the number of elements, animations, and design complexity. 

If you are looking for 3D animations, the cost will be really high. If you are looking for an attractive design, it takes time and effort, and the cost will be on the higher side. To sum up, custom web application development cost has no range – it totally depends on your budget.

Hiring options

You have multiple options to get your web application developed. Below are the three most common options:

Outsourcing Company

You can find a provider in a foreign country where website development costs are lower if web app development services are pricey in your area. Additionally, outsourcing entails working in tandem with an entire team that can create your app from conception to completion.

You can hire more cheaply through outsourcing. And you only pay for the actual job completed in accordance with the hourly rates set by your outsourcing business. If you choose to outsource software products, your vendor will control the process from conception to release yet you will retain ownership of the intellectual property.

In-house development team

The first thought that undoubtedly enters your mind is to hire an in-house  web developer. However, even without accounting for the costs of hiring, onboarding, and office maintenance, an in-house developer is pricey.

And finally, regardless of how much work is now required, paying full-time developers on a regular basis is a requirement. For large businesses and organizations where internal departmental communication is crucial, in-house teams are fantastic. But this is probably not the greatest option for you if you’re just getting started with your web application business.

Freelance developers

Numerous websites exist that might assist you in finding a freelancer to create a web application. This is the quickest and most affordable method of finding a developer. But regrettably, it’s not the most trustworthy.

Freelancers frequently manage several jobs at once. This means that your developer won’t be entirely committed to creating a web application for you because you aren’t their main source of revenue. Freelancers are not subject to rigid contracts, thus they may leave the job in the middle and never return.

If you decide to collaborate with multiple freelancers, be prepared to oversee their projects. Working with a freelancer is advantageous for quick fixes or straightforward programming assignments. But it’s preferable to avoid giving a freelance developer control of a complicated online app.

Each of the above options has pros and cons associated with them. You will have to work out which is the best option for you amongst them. Depending on your budget, you can factor in this point and see how web application development cost varies for you.

Composition of Web App Development Team

Some web applications require only developers, while others require business analysts, database managers, quality assurance engineers, etc. All these add to web app development costs. Higher the complexity of your web app, the more people you need in your team to mitigate the complexity. You can check with the app development company and get the web app development cost.

Cost of Web Development – Phase Wise

If you’re asking “how much does web development cost,” figure out the price of each step of the development to get a precise estimate.

The leading web development firms in the USA and Canada create websites or web applications using five major phases. Every stage of the web development lifecycle is crucial and needs enough time and money. Let us have a look at each phase as follows:

Research and Market Analysis

The first phase is Research and Market Analysis. This phase will take approximately 1-5 weeks. This phase is very important since herein you will meet the requirements of your target audience. 

Proper implementation of this phase will aid in preventing unforeseen adjustments and expenses later on in the development process. 

The development cost in this stage will take somewhere between $0 – $25,000.

Design

The second phase is Design creation. This phase will take approximately 1-6 weeks. Herein you will code each feature of your app and work towards making a working web application from a design. 

The development cost in this stage will take somewhere between $50 – $50,000.

Development

The next phase is Development. This phase will take approximately 2-24 weeks. You will work on coding each app feature here and transforming the design into a functional web application.

The development cost in this stage will take somewhere between $3000 – $2,50,000.

Testing and Deployment

The fourth phase is Testing and Deployment. This phase will take approximately 1-4 weeks. You will work on bug fixes and make sure every feature functions flawlessly during this period. 

The development cost in this stage will take somewhere between $0 – $25,000. 

Maintenance

This is one of the most important phases which has to be undertaken every year. This phase will consist of upkeeping and updating web applications. You have to consistently free the app from bugs for easy usage of the app. The cost of this app will take somewhere between $50 – $10,000/ year. 

Taking into consideration the above-mentioned stages, costs can come to $3,600 –$3,35,000. The total Time for the whole process will be 5 – 40 weeks. 

Also Read – How Much Does It Cost To Develop An App Like Wish?

What should be the composition of your web development team?

When creating a web application, the amount of labour required will determine which expertise you need to add to your team. The following team members are likely required if you’re creating a web application from scratch:

Business Analyst

A business analyst will assist you in conducting market research, identifying your target market, selecting the primary functionality, and other tasks. Don’t discount the prospect of working with a qualified business analyst because they’ll probably keep you from making costly strategic errors.

Designer

The importance of an app’s design and feel cannot be overstated. Your surefire route to conversions is to work with an experienced UI/UX designer.

Engineer in Quality Assurance

A quality assurance engineer’s job is to test the product and find defects before your users are adversely affected.

Software Programmers

One capable developer can handle everything if JavaScript is used as the front-end and back-end’s primary technology. To solve more difficult problems and shorten your time to market, you may recruit additional programmers.

Project Director

The crew is assembled by the project manager. A project manager’s primary responsibility is to organise the efforts of every team member, control communication between you, the project stakeholder, and your team, and make sure deadlines are reached. 

In other words, a project manager relieves your stress and frees up your time and resources so you can focus on your company’s goal.

Let us now look at what the cost of different types of employees would be in different countries:

Keep the following pointers in mind for developing a web application for reasonable payout:

A web application’s development costs are unpredictable and may exceed your expectations. You could be concerned about making appropriate investments in web app development. There are three options available to you.

Creation of web applications should begin with a discovery phase

One of the initial stages of the software development lifecycle (SDLC), the project discovery phase seeks to assist you in starting your project correctly, reducing potential risks during the web development process, and reducing development costs where practical.

You receive a variety of documents that outline the web development process throughout this phase, which typically lasts between one and four weeks. A software requirements definition, business model canvas, risk management strategy, feature breakdown list, and project cost estimate are just a few examples of these papers. 

You can understand what to anticipate from web app development if you have all these docs in hand. Additionally, you’ll be able to assess the commercial and technical viability of your project and ensure that you won’t squander money developing something that no one will buy.

Build an MVP

You could feel pressured to add all the greatest features to your product at once, even though the contemporary web application development process calls for an MVP-first strategy. However, most of the time, your target audience doesn’t require all of those characteristics right away. 

They require a decently-made programme that can fix their issues. Building a minimal viable product is a win-win solution that enables you to reduce project expenses early in the development process, as well as to verify your business concept and ensure that you’re headed in the correct direction.

Use third-party services

Every feature counts when building a web application from scratch. In order to achieve perfection, you devote a lot of time to each functional component. However, this accuracy comes at a cost of several thousand dollars more and extra weeks of development.

Choose third-party services that you can immediately integrate into your app or only minimally modify to fit the aesthetic of your app to save money. Say a map is required for your online application. Take advantage of the Google Maps API right away. Something that has already been done flawlessly doesn’t need to be reinvented, right?

There are many characteristics that may be on your list that this method works with. Include a ready content management system or a chat platform that has been minimally altered. Your expenses for developing web apps will go down significantly.

How to reduce web app development costs?

Once you get the web app development cost from a development company, and if you think the amount is higher than your budget, you should not give up your plans. There are ways to reduce web application development costs. Below are some ways to reduce the web development cost:

Use template solution

If you are short on budget, you can drastically reduce the web app development cost by choosing the template solution. It cuts the designer and development costs. It will be excellent for you if you can get a perfect template solution.

Lower feature count

Every feature costs you something. If you want to reduce the web development cost, you can start with the basic features. Gradually, you can increase the features as your budget allows you to.

Find alternatives

What do you do if your budget does not allow you to have a luxury car? You travel but in a budget car. If you can’t compromise on the feature count, compromise on the quality for the time being. Your web developers should follow the same pattern. 

Plan the development well

When you get the average cost of web development, you must break down the cost to ensure that you stay within the average cost. Specify the project deadline and maximize the various options for upcoming events so you protect yourself from unforeseen situations and costs.

Conclusion

As you have seen from the above discussion, web application development cost depends on many factors. You can try to save money, but there are better ways than creating a web application. Don’t rush to accept a contract if the app development estimate provided by a vendor is less than you anticipated or significantly different from the estimates provided by other applicants. It is preferable to request a thorough estimate.

To inquire about the cost of developing a web application, you can get in touch with a web app development company and share your requirement. You will get an idea of the web app development cost, and accordingly, you can decide what you need to do next.