The Real Cost of Application Development!
What is the real cost of software development? The real cost of software Development is the cost of software development needed to develop the software, this includes its basic design, the programs, and their testing.
The investment made for these elements is what the common man interprets the cost of software development to be. But if we talk about the precise and real cost of software development.
We will consider other important factors that add up to the total cost of software development. The basic main factors that determine the cost of the software include:
- The design
- The technology used
- Professionals team
- The efficiency and quality
- Better security
- Testing
We can estimate by considering these factors. Now we will further elaborate on these factors one by one for instance:
The design (cost of software development)
Designing is the most important step in software development. Designing requires all the detailed analysis for software development. This step includes analysis and pros and cons of a design.
Choosing the design most suitable for the software is essential. furthermore, after selecting and making a design and idea professionals come into action and start implementing the design and start software development.
In this step, the basic software program is developed and the software becomes functional. Additional features are added and updated and advancements are made to make the quality of the software better.
The technology used
Another important aspect is the technology used for programming the software. This will give us an estimate for the cost of our software development. Advanced and up-to-date technology will demand greater costs.
Whereas old and low-quality technology will demand less cost for the development. If we use better technology we will get better software. This will attract more users and generate greater revenue from the cost resulting in profit for the company or software.
Professionals team
The professional’s teams include the human workforce and the people who program the software for its development. The professionals who are more skilled demand more cost than the less skilled people.
So hiring skilled professionals for your software will require greater cost and less skilled programmers will complete the development tasks with less cost but the software will have decreased efficiency and reliability.
The efficiency
The efficiency and quality of software determine the cost. For example, if we are working on more efficient software we will need better technologies, advanced design, and a skilled professional team.
All these together will increase the cost and add up to the total cost of the software Development.
Similarly in the development of software of low to medium efficiency and quality. The design will not be too complicated, simple technology can be used and less trained professionals can also carry out the task resulting in lesser cost for the software Development overall.
Better security
The software can be considered better than another one based on how safe it is to use. users demand their data and personal information to be safe and protected. For this purpose, safer and secured software has more demand.
And to fulfill the user’s need software with security and safety is developed this also requires more cost as security software will also be added to the software.
Testing
Testing is a series of multiple examinations and analyses of the software. testing requires standard software and other reference software.
During testing, a lot of other software and programs are used to check the efficiency of the software.in this step malfunctions and bugs can be detected and removed making the software more efficient.
Testing of the software takes place before the software is handed to the user. When the software passes, through the series of testing and comes up to the selected criteria it is ready for the user.
An important aspect to keep in mind while setting the price for your software depends on your cost and also the target audience.
The revenue must be generated enough to produce profit but also be suitable and affordable for the users to make greater sales of the software.
While considering the price all factors play a role as all factors require some cost. Now moving towards the factors that play a role in the real cost of software Development after the development of the software.
After development cost of software development
Developing the app is not where the work ends but it is just the beginning. After the completion of the development of the design, programs, and testing of these functions. We take into consideration some other factors.
These factors require some costs too and these costs add up to the cost of development of the software. here is a list of the factors:
- Infrastructure costs
- Maintenance costs
- Updates costs
- Marketing costs
- Functional costs
- Advertising costs
- Other platform costs
Now we shall further elaborate on these costs:
Infrastructure cost of software development
After development, a very important aspect is the infrastructure. Which requires some cost. Infrastructure includes the storage and the servers. And those these storage and servers require some cost.
For instance, if the app has a greater number of users, it will require more servers and greater cost. Similarly, for better protection and storage of data, for the convenience of users, more costs will be needed.
Maintenance costs
The app requires more than just software development. Cost may vary for the maintenance. In case of damage, the professionals provide maintenance. Maintenance is also weekly or monthly.
Maintenance requires high to low skills. And these skills required trained professionals. These professionals demand different costs for their efforts and maintenance. Maintenance includes testing software and fixing bugs in the program.
Update costs
To stay up to date professionals update the programs. The process of updating also has a cost. So after Development updating is an essential part of the program.
Another important factor is the professional team which handles the updates and maintenance. Their location and skill effects the cost the better the skill and quality of work the more cost will be demanded.
Marketing costs
Marketing of the program or software requires a budget, detailed analysis, and great professional skills. Therefore, to place the software in the target market some investment will be made.
This will require selecting the best market and the best target audience to increase sales and usage of the software. Without this factor, the software development cost might go to waste if not used by many users.
Investing in the most suitable market will prove to be more fruitful for the company. So again we need a cost for marketing to generate revenue.
Functional cost of software development
The software may require some additional functions. These functions require additional costs. This might require partnerships with other companies and programs.
Working with other programs demands investments. Thus the software gains a reputation and more popularity among its users.
These functions can provide better quality with advanced up to date software. So more investment in these functions will generate greater revenue.
Advertising costs
Advertising plays a huge role in attracting users. so investing in advertising can help in generating greater revenue. Posters banners, social media advertising, and TV commercials all demand a cost.
Advertisements use celebrities or politicians too. They demand cost too. Furthermore, for increasing awareness among the users, seminars and campaigns are also held.
All of this is done by some investment so this also adds up to the cost of software development.
Other platform costs
Moreover, For the growth and advancement of the software, we can use other platforms. These platforms help the software with better functions and greater status among its users These platforms provide better advertisement and attract more users. This helps the number of users for the software to grow and expand.
The total cost of software development
All these together add up with the development cost. This provides the real cost of software development.
These all factors can vary from software to software and the summation of all these costs can provide us with a total cost for our software.
Some people might think that the design, programs, and coding are the only factors that require a cost. But in reality, all the factors, major or minor keep adding to the cost of the Software Development.
Final Verdict
The real cost for the development of the software does not only include the cost needed to develop that software’s design and programs. But it depends on many different factors.
These factors vary from software to software. This in return provides us with a varying cost for different products.
The design, features, maintenance, updates, testing, marketing, advertising, and infrastructure all play a part in setting the cost for the software.