As smartphones such as the iPhone and the Android become more popular, development of programs (known as “apps”) that can be downloaded to the phones are also rising in popularity. A recent survey by Deloitte LLC found that 45% of smartphone users downloaded an app at least once a week. With just the swipe of a finger and click of a button, your customers can see your latest deals or newest products, without even stepping foot in your store. Before you can decide whether your company might benefit from having its own app, you should do some research to make sure it is worth the expense.
App developers charge, on average, $100 per hour (the range is $50 to $250 per hour). According to OS X Daily, the cost to develop even a simple app can range from $3,000 to $8,000. A complex or recognized brand app can cost up to $150,000. O’Reilly Digital Media claims that a full-time iPhone app developer costs about $5,000 per week, and some apps can take four to six weeks to develop. Although you can save money by hiring college students or using labor outside of the US, oftentimes projects are not developed properly and more money has to be spent later to fix bugs. Another thing to remember is that each market (iPhone, Android, Blackberry, etc.) will require its own program. If you already know how to write code, you can always develop the app yourself and pay to be part of Apple’s developer’s program.
Having a successful app means having new and changing content, which will add to the cost (or time you spend on upkeep), and is something to include in your consideration. You would also need to ask yourself if your customer-base uses smartphones. Would they have a need to visit your app regularly and will it will drive business into your store? On the flip side, could an app help your employees do their job more effectively? Perhaps the purpose of the app isn’t to make money but to help save money by making certain tasks easier.
Arguments in favor of creating an app? According to Comscore, in 2010, over 45 million people were using smartphones. The Android market had over 800 million apps downloaded in 2010. The Apple iPhone had over 3 billion apps downloaded by the beginning of 2010. Smartphone ownership is expected to grow 30% per year for the next five years (with an estimate that 2/3 of people in the United States will own one). A really, really good argument in favor? Domino’s Pizza claims their app drove over $2 million in business into their stores within three months following the launch. Clearly, Domino’s is a nationally recognized chain already; however, it is a testament to the power of users committed to their smartphone apps.
There is much to consider before you can decide if a smartphone app is right for your business. Under the right circumstances, it could really help you drive business to your store or improve customer service.
How about your business — do you have a smartphone app or are you considering one?
