iphone app development - overview and cost

iPhone App DevelopmentOverview and Cost

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Whether you've got a great idea for new mobile application that you're sure is going to change the world or have an existing process that you need to make mobile, getting from idea to launch can be a tad overwhelming.




How much does an iPhone app cost?

• The more features you want, the more it will cost.• Beware of companies offering flat rates to develop apps for you. No one should be able to give you a solid quote without first sitting down with you and asking a lot of very specific questions.• Don't forget to budget for costs outside of development. For example, there is the Apple Developer License. This is a yearly fee of $99 and allows your app to be sold in the app store. If you don't renew your developer license annually, Apple removes your app until you renew your license.• Having a clear idea of what you want upfront helps keep costs checked as well. Changing the background color six times until you find just the right shade of blue or asking your development to add a new button here or there while mid-way into development can really push up your project’s price tag.

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Here are few things to keep in mind:




How long does it take to build an iPhone app?

This is another question that has no clear answer without a little work upfront. Multiple things need to be taken into consideration like what features are in the app, does it need to talk to a server to get information, how long will it take Apple to approve the app once its submitted, and many more.

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However, when you work with a developer like Phase 2, you should expect a very detailed timeline that includes tasks such as:

• Requirements gathering An architect can’t design a building with knowing how it’s going to be used, the project budget and what the owner has in mind. A software project is no different. During requirements gathering you explain what you want, how you envision it working, your budget, etc.




How long does it take to build an iPhone app? 2

• Design spec review During this stage, you review the requirements (in writing) as the developer interpreted them to ensure they create the app you want. This step happens before a single line of code is written. Expect to be asked to formally sign off on the written specs to show that you approved them. • Development You sit back and relax while your development team writes the code.• Initial review by you Finally. You get to take a look at your app and note anything that you want to change (which could cost money if it’s different from the original spec) and verify that everything is working as you expected. • Beta testing This should be done by your developers to ensure that the application is bug free and functioning properly. • Handoff to app store Cha-ching. Your app is submitted the app store and ready for sale.




So what’s the process for getting an app built and submitted to Apple?

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Apple has an approval process that each app must go through. This process basically checks that the app meets the Apple Human Interface Guidelines and that it only uses features that a the third party, like Phase 2, are allowed to use. The HIG are put in place to help keep the user experience on the iPhone uniform regardless of who creates the application. Make sure your app developer is familiar with these guidelines and is staying current with Apple requirements.




How much money will I make? 4

• Apps can range in price from free to thousands of dollars. • If you charge for your app, Apple gets 30 percent from each sale. • It's up to you decide what you want to charge, but keep that 30 percent in mind when deciding. • Also remember that a 99 cent app may sell 1000 copies because its 99 cents. • The next day, the 99 cent apps may seem like it’s not going to be the quality of the $3.99 apps so nobody buys it. • It’s all about the content. A little marketing certainly doesn’t hurt either.To see the average price for apps over time, check out this link: http://148apps.biz/app-store-metrics/?mpage=appprice




Is there a cost for hosting the app or other costs?5

No, there is no additional fee for hosting; your cost is just the 30 percent of each sale that Apple takes.In addition, you'll have to pay the yearly developer license, which gives you the right to sell applications in the App Store.

Who owns the rights to the app? I paid for it is it mine? You'll want to verify this is one in your contract with your developer. When working with Phase 2, once the application is created and you are ready to submit to Apple, the code belongs to you.



Does my app need to be sold on iTunes, or can we just use it inside our business?• To distribute an app on the App Store, you need to have a $99 Individual Developer License or Company Developer License, both of which need to be renewed annually.• To distribute internally within your company, you must purchase an Enterprise Developer License, which is $299 annually. However, you must have at least 500 employees to qualify for this license. It allows you to develop and distribute your app in-house without going through Apple’s certification process.• There is also another license available to qualified, degree granting, higher education institutions. Like the Enterprise Developer License, it also does not allow App Store distribution but does allow distribution within a configured “team” that is setup in the licensing portal.

Is there a cost for hosting the app or other costs?5





Can my app do anything, or are there things that are not allowed?

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• Apple has design guidelines and some functional limitations. • For instance, we cannot turn on or off WiFi or Bluetooth. • The app can use them both, but we do not have access to turn them on or off.




Can my app work on both the iPad and the iPhone/iPod Touch?

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• Sure. You will need to have a “Universal” app created that is optimized for the larger screen of an iPad, as well as the smaller iPhone and iPod screens. • This isn’t an entirely separate development expenditure, it should just be re-using the same logic just wired up differently to what the user sees.• Another, albeit less desirable, option is to build the app on a framework that the iPad can “upscale” and just have the one version of the app. As of this writing, any app built on iOS 3.1.3 or older can be used on an iPad, but it just looks like an iPhone with a magnifying glass above it. This cheats the user of the rich environment that an iPad has to offer. • Remember, having an iPad version will broaden your target market to users who just have an iPad.




Does the user have to purchase the app twice if they have an iPad and an iPhone?

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• Yes and no. There are multiple ways to build for these two devices. • The “Universal” app is better because the developer has just one set of code to debug and work on. • When you make a version for the iPad and a version for iPhones, you are basically creating two apps with two sets of code.




Does the user have to purchase the app twice if they have an iPad and an iPhone?

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• This creates a burden and an opportunity. It’s a burden because of the duplication of code, but it’s an opportunity to have a cleaner codebase for the developer and have a chance to use iPad-only or iPhone-only features such as the iPhone's camera or the special large screen elements on the iPad. • When you have a universal version, a user can buy your app once and put it on both their iPhone and their iPad. • When you do two apps, the user would have to buy each version individually to use it on both devices the way the app was meant to be used.




So I want an iPhone and an Android app. How does that impact the development costs?

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• All mobile platforms use different operating technology and require different programming. • Although your price tag might not double to create both an Android and iPhone app, but it would be close. • The reason is the code base would basically have to be written twice. • Each platform uses its own programming language so the code has to be converted and that’s not as simple as a few clicks of the mouse. • If your app uses standardized controls and doesn’t use device specific features like camera access or GPS location, you should consider developing a web-based app that is basically a mobile web page that is accessed via your phone. • However, this approach is only feasible for the basic simple applications.




How many more people would I really reach if I created both an iPhone and Android app?

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• As of mid-2010, there are roughly 10 to 11 million Apple iPhones being used and roughly 8 to 9 million Android phones on the market. • This seems like it’s a pretty close race, right? However, that number is just phones.• Most second generation and newer Apple devices can run the newest operation system from Apple.This includes iPod Touches and iPhones. And if you have an app built on a previous version of the Apple operating system iOS, then you get all the first generation iPods, first generation iPhones, and iPads too. • With all these devices and platforms added together, your target audience becomes a much larger 18 to 19 million devices.





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• With Android, most of the devices are just phones. • There are some tablets planned, or in release phases so the numbers game between Apple and Android will soon be a better and closer comparison.• Today, the best option to reach the most Apple users would be to have a “Universal” version of your app built against the newest operating system and utilize its features.




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• For Android, you could build against one or two versions back of the operating system so you still have a large user base. Unfortunately, if you require features that only the newest operating system offers, you lose some user base until older devices are upgraded or users get new devices. If you make an app for the newest operating systems, then you lose a large portion of users because Android phones have had the staggered operating system approach that Apple has just now started using.• The best option if you want to increase your reach is to offer a multi- platform release. Offer an iPhone app now and make a profit from the 18+ million devices, then use that to offer an Android or other platform version. • Doing a second round release rather than trying to do everything upfront is a smart move because it allows to test the market for your app while conserving your upfront costs. • You'll also have time to gauge user feedback and incorporate changes prior to developing for a second platform.


Is the Android submission process and fees similar to Apple's?

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The Android process is much less intense. You build the app, pay $25 for a development license and upload the software to the market.You also have the option to simply host the Android app yourself on your own site. However, this might limit your potential market by limiting your exposure. Another thing to consider is where theapplication will be used. Some countries don't have access to Android market, which could limit your potential market.

Like Apple, Android also takes 30 percent of each sale when sold through the Android market.




Where do I go from here? 12

Now that you've had some of your questions answered, it's time to find a reputable company like Phase 2 to build your app.




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