If you’re a developer or you’re thinking about becoming one you may start wondering about developing apps for different mobile devices. And of course, you’ll want to know about what’s really involved in creating an iOS app.

Timeline for an iOS App

The first thing you might be thinking about is just how long it’s actually going to take to get that app finished. While you might feel like your skills are excellent or even above average (or the ios developer that you hired is anyway) there’s a general timeline to create a fully functional app.

Most people find that it takes around two months to create an app that will pass muster and be ready to go live. But of course, this timeline can vary slightly based on a number of different features and aspects that you might want for your app.

For one thing, two months will create you a pretty basic app. And that’s figuring that you’re devoting a lot of time to the creation in the first place. If you’re not willing to put in a good amount of time or your developer is split between different projects (or you want a high-level app with a lot of features and functions) you’ll generally need more time.

Some apps may take as much as six months or more based on the complexity of just what features you want the app to be able to do. If you’re looking for more and more you’re definitely going to find that your timeline reflects those extra features and options.

What’s the Cost for an iOS App?

On top of the timeline, you’re also going to need to look at the money involved in creating your app. Once again, this is going to depend on a number of different aspects associated with the app that you want to create, so don’t assume that it’s going to be faster or cheaper for you necessarily.

First, if you want a more basic app you could be looking at around $30,000. Yes, to create a basic function app you could be looking at over $30,000. Remember, this will account for hiring someone to get the job done but it doesn’t account for a lot of extra features.

If you have someone who is working exclusively on your app and trying to get it done faster, or someone who has more skills, or even additional features that take more work and complexity, you’re definitely going to pay more for the end result. In general, a more complex app and a longer timeline, as a result, will mean that your app costs more.

Higher-end, complex apps could be around $50,000. But if you really want to capitalize on the features and create something that’s really high end you may be upwards of $80,000. The more features you want or the faster you want your app to be completed the more you’re likely going to pay for it.

Should You Start with Apple?

Many people think about iOS apps as their first step when developing an app but is this really the way you want to go? Should you be starting with this app or should you be opting for an Android app as your first choice? Well, the answer is Apple really is where to go.

Most apps start out on Apple, in the App Store, before they enter into the Google Play Store. The main reason for this is that App Store apps seem to bring in more money than those on the Google Play Store. So, if you’re looking to create an app that’s going to get you some revenue you’re going to want to start where the money is, right?

That doesn’t mean that you’re necessarily going to strike it rich with Apple. And it doesn’t mean that your Android app won’t ultimately be more successful. There are plenty of apps that seem to defy the odds and do better with Android users, bringing in more money with this platform than with iOS.

There are several factors to consider before you decide to jump into an Android app, however. For one thing, the costs are generally similar to what you would find with an iOS app, but they could be a little slower to be developed. The reason is that Apple devices tend to be similar in size but Android devices come in all over the map.

The different screen sizes and the different types of devices mean that your Android app is going to be a little more difficult to develop, which means that it takes more time and it could take a little bit more money. This is especially true if you want your app to be compatible with a lot of older versions of either Android or iOS.

Setting Things Up

When you’re ready to get started creating an app you want to look at all of the different factors affecting your pricing. Also, keep in mind that you could build an app for as little as $1,000 or $10,000, but you’re not going to get the same functionality or features that you will pay more.

If you want to really bargain with your app you can get the cheapest options possible, but these are generally only going to be an option for those who are doing all the work themselves and cutting a whole lot of corners. Getting a quality app is essential for anything business-related, which means you’ll need to be willing to spend.

Think about what you want your app to do and how you want it to do those things before you hire someone to get started on the work. You might be surprised how many different ways your wishes could be interpreted by someone who is working on development. Being specific will help you and they get your app done right the first time.

Once you’re ready to get going, don’t be afraid to dive in. You’ll have a great app in no time.

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