How much does it cost to build a mobile app? That's probably the most asked question for mobile app developers. This presentation give insight into mobile app development process and how business people/clients can get better answers by providing more information when asking for app development cost estimates.

1. How much does it cost
to build a mobile app?
28.01.2015 @jki

2. contract work …!
Jurģis Ķiršakmens!
Mobile apps and experiences
Small mobile apps team - native iOS/Android apps (& consulting)
2 developers + designer + extra people depending on project
28.01.2015 @jki

3. I have an app idea.
How much it would be
to build this app?
28.01.2015 @jki

4. Somewhere
between €3000
and € 300 000?
28.01.2015 @jki

5. 28.01.2015 @jki

6. Design
Idea
Prototype
Develop Launch Support
Process of app development
28.01.2015 @jki

7. Let’s make a simple app!
Awesome.app
28.01.2015 @jki

8. Strategy / Definition
App goals and audience
Explore competition
What is a MVP (V1)?
Platforms / devices / OS versions
Legal stuff
Discussion / communication
28.01.2015 @jki

9. Concept design / Prototype
Main features / functionality
Main user flows / navigation
Basic wireframes / prototype
User testing?
Tools/technologies
Discussion & communication
28.01.2015 @jki

10. Visual Design
Better prototype with visual language
Copywriting
Layout(s)
Colors / fonts / design elements
App icon(s)
User testing?
Discussion & communication
28.01.2015 @jki

11. Development
Environment
Data model / Business logic
Navigation / Screens / Transitions / UX
Detailed design assets
Unit tests / App testing / QA
User testing!
Beta versions / distribution?
Discussion & communication
28.01.2015 @jki

12. Publishing/Launch
Developer account / profile / keys
Name/Title/Description/Keywords
Screenshots/Video previews
App website/Marketing/Press
(Waiting for review & Resubmitting)
Launch
28.01.2015 @jki

13. Support
App crashes - now what?
User feedback handling
Framework/OS changes
28.01.2015 @jki

14. Did we included?!
Analytics integration
Synchronization / web API
Backup & recovery
Crash logging
Mobile ads library
In-app purchasing
Piracy protection
28.01.2015 @jki

15. I have an app idea.
How much days do you
think it takes
to build this app?
Better question
28.01.2015 @jki

16. Math!
Cost (estimated)
days (estimated) * daily rate
!
Days (estimated)
qualified guess based on assumptions
!
Difference in estimates
daily rate * difference in assumptions
28.01.2015 @jki

17. I already have
app design
mockup.
How much days do
you think it takes
to build this app?
28.01.2015 @jki
Even better question

18. Congratulations!
!
but…design mockup is not prototype
Is it complete?
Have you tested your design?
Devices / Screens / OS versions?
Platform UI conventions?
etc. (see Concept/Prototype)
28.01.2015 @jki

19. One size does not fit all
iPhone4 iPhone5
iPhone6
iPhone6+28.01.2015 @jki

20. Improve your design
!
Apple WWDC 2014 : Prototyping: Fake It Till You Make It
https://developer.apple.com/videos/wwdc/2014/#223
!
Build prototype:
https://popapp.in
https://protosketch.uistencils.com
http://www.invisionapp.com
https://www.marvelapp.com
https://mockingbot.com
and many others
!
Test!
28.01.2015 @jki

21. So…
Be ready to invest your time. The better you want the
app to be, the more time you should expect to invest
yourself
!
Strategy/Definition + Concept/Prototype is required to
get accurate estimates
!
If you want Concept/Prototype to be done for you
(with plan & estimates & assumptions & valuable input) -
pay for it
28.01.2015 @jki

22. Hire experience
Hire student/learnerHire cheap (Elance?)
28.01.2015 @jki

23. Thanks, that’s it!
Jurģis Ķiršakmens!
Mobile apps and experiences
Twitter @jki (or @xjki)
http://jki.lv
Questions / Discussion

24. I have got a really
good idea for an
app I wanna get
made and I am will
to give you 30% of
what we make from
the app
28.01.2015 @jki

25. 28.01.2015 @jki