How to Develop an Android Mobile App on a Budget

<<By Sakshi Sharma- in Grow · Marketing & Sales— 7 Jan, 2014 >>

Android mobile apps are some of the most exciting, useful new tools and toys in our modern arsenal, and the great news is that custom android app development isn’t hard to come by. Many small business owners are sometimes hesitant to pursue building a mobile app because they are concerned about the cost, even when they have a great idea. However, many companies offer surprisingly affordable app development services, and with some planning you can bring the price down even lower.

If you’re hoping to build a mobile app for your small business, here are some great tips for developing an app with a low-cost budget:

1.Use established tools.

Efficient Android app development, like any programming, is all about recycling and reusing the stuff that works. Based on this principle, the open-source Android SDK makes it very easy to implement most app features. The most expensive steps in development are bits that have to be custom made, so you’ll also want to your developers to use code databases and established APIs wherever possible (i.e, for payment gateways, ad networks, social media feeds, etc.). The developer you hire should know what tools are out there to streamline the process.

2.Keep an eye on design

While you’re busy thinking about Android app development, it can be easy to forget how big a job mobile app design can be. Design encompasses all of the visual assets and overall user interface (UI), so it’s a pretty important step. There are companies out there who can can do design work, but you’ll want to make sure they are experienced with mobile app user experience (UX) design, and in most cases this is going to be a more expensive option. If a mobile app company can design and develop under the same roof, that’s usually much more economical than having the design done on its own. You could also do the design yourself, if you have the skills, just make sure to research mobile app design best practices. Design is where the app will make itself stand out. It’s okay to look for a good price, but don’t skimp on it.

3.Keep it simple.

Adding more features and customization might seem like a great plan, but not only will it drive the mobile app development cost up, but it can also reduce the effectiveness of the product. Users can easily feel overwhelmed by apps that offer too many options and give up; users need a clear path to accomplish their goals, and while it’s true that users love to have lots of features and flexibility, they hate being confused. So prioritize the main features, and be ready to cut out the ones that aren’t needed.

4.Remember you can always update.

If you really want more features, remember that you can always wait until after launch to update your mobile app. This tactic can be extremely advantageous for you; an app update and added features will provide you with great marketing opportunities and a lot of goodwill from the user community. Plus you’ll be able to start monetizing sooner to hasten recovery of development costs.

5.Market smart.

When your Android app development project is near completion, you’ll want to get the ball rolling on marketing your new app. There are a lot of ways to market cheaply these days, so don’t throw money at marketing unless you are sure it’s worth it. The most obvious tactic these days is to use social media and blogs to spread the news. Get people excited to use your product, and build a friendly relationship with users. Utilize SEO to ensure your product shows up on Google searches, try various search engines, and post-launch make sure you appear in relevant Google Play searches. On that note, you can also research market trends to choose an ideal launch date, as some apps will be more popular at certain times of the year. With good search results and effective use of your social networks, you can build up a little hype for launch and have a good chance of getting on the Google Play trending list, which is a great source of exposure.

6.Choose the right android app development company.

Obviously you’ll face a lot of options when choosing a developer, and price will be a major selling point—don’t let price be the only selling point, or you’ll likely wind up months behind schedule with nothing to show for your effort. An ideal developer will have good communication, a portfolio of various completed Android projects, commitment to deadlines, and low prices (among other things, but these qualities are important for saving time and money).

Sakshi Sharma has a long experience of working in a renowned App Development Company that offers Mobile & Web App Development Solutions. If you think your business could provide a valuable mobile service, take your idea to SDI’s mobility strategists for a free and confidential mobile app idea analysis. For more details visit Software Developers India and to connect with android app development experts.