How easy is it to create an app?
The race is on to create a widely recognised 'WordPress for mobile apps'.
"Anyone who is familiar with using the web should be able to start building an app in a matter of minutes," says Blair at BuildFire. "We have a bunch of easy-to-follow tutorials that hold the users' hands throughout the entire building process … many other app building platforms are too complex for users to just pick up and get started on building an app."
Such platforms are aimed at all kinds of companies, from restaurants wanting to create a unique takeaway app to businesses looking to reward customers every time they buy an item via their phone. All kinds of features are included in these platforms, such as Facebook and Twitter integration, geo-location map listings, custom form builders, image galleries, and video directories.
"With little or no prior technical knowledge users can create apps for both Apple and Android devices," says Nabeena Mali at cloud-based app creation platform AppInstitute. "The drag and drop interface on AppInstitute means that no prior technical knowledge is required and users can either tailor one of the readymade templates or choose from up to 20 customisable modules to create their app from scratch."
Don't presume that your company's tech department can handle the creation of an app; even website developers struggle with apps. "Many desktop web development shops still feel they lack the expertise and resources to develop enhanced native apps," thinks Rudall, "and therefore will often refer to a third party with specific app experience."
How much should it cost?
Native-built apps can be an expensive way to produce and maintain your service. Some incidental costs are fixed – Apple charges £30 per submission of an app to its AppStore while the Android self-publish option on the Google Play Store is free. However, actually creating the app costs as much as you want to pay.
"By using an app building platform you can have an app live in the App Store or Google Play market in less than two weeks for a small monthly fee," says Blair. "If someone wanted to have their app custom developed it would cost around US$10,000 [around £6,400, or AU$12,000] for a rather basic app. Even at that, a business wouldn't be able to update their app on the fly like they could with an app building platform."
As an example, the AppInstitute platform has a basic Self-Build plan for free, a Premium Build Service with a setup cost of £497 (around $780, AU$940), and a Premium Plan that, for £25 per month, gives customers perks like full customisation of business app modules, consultation with an app specialist, full technical support, and Apple AppStore and Google Play Store submissions.
"A lot of App Builders have free trials available with prices then starting at approximately £20 per month," says Davis. "Getting an agency or freelancer to develop a bespoke solution will depend on the complexity, but will tend to start at £1,000 (around $1,560, AU$1,880) for the most basic and go upwards from there."
Paul Swaddle, CEO of app developer Pocket App, goes even further, stating that: "The creation of a bespoke app can cost you anything from £5,000 (around $7,800, AU$9,400) upwards, but a more comprehensive app is more likely to be £20,000 (around $31,300, AU$37,700) and up." Pocket App's most recent app is My Poppy.
