“How much does web application development cost?” This is a question our clients frequently ask, expecting a precise answer. We’re sure when you clicked on this blog, you were looking for the same.
Here’s the reality: you can only estimate the total cost of web application development until the project is complete. Developing a website or web application can cost anywhere from $4,000 to $300,000 or more, depending on various factors.
Here’s a breakdown of web app development costs (based on complexity):
- Simple web apps: $10,000 to $50,000
- Medium complexity web apps: $50,000 to $200,000
- Complex web apps: $200,000 to $350,000 or more
While these are estimates commonly shared by search results and web app development companies, they are generic. Additionally, the accuracy of project estimates in the initial phase ranges from -25% to +75%. In many cases, definitive estimates are likely to be -5% to +10% accurate.
However, by the end of this blog, you’ll be able to calculate an estimated amount that’s closer to the actual total cost.
We conducted meetings and discussions with the marketing and sales heads, project managers, and analysts at Codelink Infotech. Our goal was to understand the entire process and find ways to provide more accurate cost estimates.
How to Calculate Web Application Development Cost?
Building a custom website or application is like building a house. From start to finish, you need to consider many aspects to ensure the product meets your expectations.
The overall price (as you may know) depends on the size of the land, number of floors, number of rooms, design and interior, materials used, etc. The same applies to custom web application development cost.
We’ve listed all the important factors that contribute to the total web app development cost.
Design & User Experience
When calculating the total cost of building a house, its design, the number of bedrooms, and the style of each space play a major role. Similarly, for web applications, design and expected user experience are key factors that affect the overall development cost.
The look and feel of the web application and the functions it performs for users determine its development roadmap and requirements. For a clear and accurate cost estimate, you need to know the design requirements and expected functions/user experience for your website or web app.
Don’t worry—you don’t have to do it alone. A reliable development partner and their design team will help you through this process.
Development Time
Regardless of other elements, development time is a key aspect that increases or reduces the total cost of web app development. But how do you know how much time is needed to fully develop and launch your web application?
There are two main factors that can help estimate the expected development time:
1. Project Complexity
Clearly, more complex projects are likely to take more time to complete as they have a greater scope of work. The complexity of a development project is based on the size of the application (number of concurrent users), features and functionalities, performance requirements, and future plans for scaling.
- Functionalities and Features: Based on your business goals, the web application you build should have all the necessary features and functionalities for users. The number and type of functionalities and features impact the time required for coding and testing, eventually affecting the total cost.
- Number of Concurrent Users: Smooth functioning of a web application requires suitable web servers and hosting. Based on the expected number of concurrent users, the development team will suggest web hosting preferences.
- Performance & Scaling: Your business may grow in the future, bringing more visitors to your website. You may also plan to scale your business with additional services. All these factors should be considered to ensure the web application is built for easy scalability. This may add a few more hours or days to the development process.
2. Technology Stacks and Frameworks Used
The frameworks and technology stack you choose for your web apps significantly impact development time. There are simple and complex programming languages with specific use cases, and frameworks that offer tools, features, and ready-made elements to streamline application development.
For example, JavaScript libraries provide ready-to-use elements for application development, reducing development time since developers don’t have to write all the code from scratch. Most of these elements are customizable, so your unique requirements can be met with minor adjustments.
Team Composition
The size and composition of the development team is another important factor that affects web application development cost. There are also detailed aspects to hiring developers or a development team that determine the pricing models.
1. Onsite, Offshore, or Hybrid Team
The total cost of web app development can vary significantly based on your hiring options. You can hire onsite developers or a dedicated team to work on your project, giving you more control but also requiring onsite resources like infrastructure, management, and salaries, which generally increases the cost.
Offshore hiring is something we recommend most. It allows you to find reliable developers from around the world. Offshore development companies offer comprehensive services from research and design to development, testing, and launch. Outsourcing projects to the right locations can save up to 50% in hiring costs.
If you want the benefits of both onsite and offshore hiring, you can opt for a hybrid team. This is a great solution if you have an onsite development team and want to bridge skill gaps.
2. Expertise
Bringing developers onto your project requires thorough research. Expertise determines the reliability of a development team for your project and is a key factor in web application development cost. There are two types of expertise:
- Technical Expertise: This refers to experience and skills in using different programming languages (JavaScript, Python, .NET, etc.) and frameworks (React.JS, Node.JS, Flutter, etc.) for application development.
- Domain Expertise: Developers should also have experience developing web applications for specific industries. For example, if you want to build a web app for your healthcare startup, you’ll need developers or teams with relevant expertise.
Third-Party Integrations
The less development time required, the lower the web development cost. Using third-party integrations in your web application helps reduce development time and hassle. Third-party integrations are commonly used for online payments, geolocation, authentication and access, security, content publication, and more.
However, several factors related to third-party integrations can impact development time and, ultimately, the cost.
1. Availability of API Documentation
Integrating third-party features into your web app requires API documentation. Usually, developers already have the necessary API documentation and may only need to wait for approval from the third party. However, in case of discrepancies, this may take a bit longer.
2. Support of Third-Party Service
Applications and platforms (iOS and Android) frequently update their policies and regulations. This might delay third-party approval for integration. In such cases, developers may need a few days to contact the respective platforms for support before proceeding.
Testing and Quality Assurance
Before launching the application, testing and quality assurance are essential. Different components of the web application require different types of testing. For flawless performance, your web app should be free of bugs and errors. Testing requirements and quality assurance services are also key considerations for estimating web app development cost. However, these requirements vary depending on code quality and bugs.
Post-Development Maintenance and Support
While many clients think the work is done once the application is launched, there’s still much to manage. Smooth operation of a web application requires ongoing maintenance, upgrades, and support from the development team. Signing up for these services will add to the custom web application development cost.
Adding up the approximate cost of these aspects will help you estimate the total custom web application development cost.
How Much Does Each Phase of Web App Development Cost?
The previous section explains how different aspects play a role in calculating web application development cost. If you’re looking for numbers, the table below shows the approximate cost of each phase of web application development.
Tips to Reduce Web Application Development Cost
Web app development is a significant investment for your business’s success. Here are a few tips to help you achieve your business goals while reducing development costs.
Identify Your Target Audience
There’s no point in developing a web application if it doesn’t meet business objectives or provide the right services to users. It’s crucial to understand your target audience and their pain points before planning an application.
Based on your audience’s needs, list the most essential features and design that best fits. Discuss these with your development partner and work on implementation. This will save unnecessary confusion and costs.
Build an MVP
If you want to lower costs and maximize the value of your web application, building an MVP (Minimum Viable Product) is a smart approach. Identify the most important features that contribute to a user-friendly digital solution. Then, build a high-quality web application with the help of a reliable development team. This will yield great results from your investment. You can later scale the application by attracting sponsors, investors, or through other funding options.
Leverage Relevant Third-Party Integrations
Third-party integrations can significantly reduce development time and save major costs. When you have ready-made integrations available, there’s no need to spend time and resources developing them from scratch.
Look for relevant third-party services and integrations to build a feature-rich web app for your business. This will help you get excellent applications at comparatively lower costs.
Build a Web Application With Us
Calculating the exact web application development cost without knowing your requirements can be tricky. We hope this blog helps you understand the various factors that determine overall development costs. Discussing your project requirements with your development partner will give them better insight. With thorough research, the team can provide an accurate estimate.
Codelink Infotech is always ready to offer premium web application development services that support your brand’s goals and vision. Want to build a remarkable web application that drives success?
Leverage our 17+ years of development expertise across various industries. We’ll help you meet your business-specific requirements and launch scalable, future-ready digital solutions.
Want proof? Take a look at our previous work.
Let’s discuss your project and create an impactful digital solution for your business. Fill out the contact form below and we’ll reach out to you within 24 hours!
