The Art of Pricing: App Design Edition

App design is one of app development’s pillars; an app can’t stand even one second without it. Imagine a car with one wheel missing, or glasses with one lens, and so on and so forth. All of these cases happen; however, this incompleteness consumes greatly from the usability of the object. And this is similarly applied to an incomplete app design that consumes the effectiveness of an app. The process of designing an app is necessary. But to accomplish a consistent design, this has to come with a heavy price tag. But how much exactly would the process of app design cost? In this article, we will explore the concealed areas and aspects of the app design process, including the price.

Exploring App Design in the App Development Process

App development is one of the most organized yet dynamic processes in the tech world. It always starts and ends the same way. However, a variance in one aspect leads to a change in the following and the result is a different outcome. Although this variance might be beneficial as it leads to unique outcomes, it can also lead to inconsistent ones. But, since we are exploring the role of the design process, let us explore the standard app development process that any developer would go through to create a basic application.

The Process

This process always starts with planning. Planning for an application beforehand could make many aspects crystal clear before your eyes. You would know exactly who you are addressing, what you are addressing, and how. Also, planning gives you a head start, as you will have an idea or two about how the application will look and feel, which is very important for a seamless design process.

The next stage is design. Yes, design always comes first, even before writing code or functionalities. As we said, it is the main pillar that an app can’t work without. In the design process, the app designer doesn’t start right away with creating the layout, colors, and so on. The design process is divided into analyzing research, creating the mood board, wireframing, prototyping, and then creating and finalizing the design.

After finalizing the design, a developer can then take the project again from the app designer and start establishing the coding architecture that would make everything come to reality and be present in the form of a fully functional application.

Then comes the deployment and launch. The deployment here is the process of transferring all the data, design, and code to the server, from which the app will be made available for all users everywhere. After getting everything up and running, the app is then uploaded to the app stores for everyone to enjoy.

The development process doesn’t simply end there, as the developer would go through one constant step of maintenance and updates that would help him improve the app’s functionality and design following new trends or as a way of fixing flaws.

How Does a Good App Design Impact an Application?

A well-designed app can have several profound impacts on its overall success and user experience. Let’s delve into each impact in detail:

Improved Conversion Rates and Monetization Opportunities

Optimizing your app’s design has a direct effect on your conversion rates and your ability to generate revenue from it. It is more likely that users will make purchases, subscribe to services, or engage with advertisements if the app is well-designed and the user experience is optimized. Users are easily led through the conversion funnel to achieve this. Intuitive design, compelling call-to-actions, and smooth transaction procedures all work together to boost conversion rates. Also, the developer may profit from the app’s excellent user experience by monetizing it through in-app purchases, exclusive features, or smart ad placements, all thanks to the carefully designed app.

Increased User Adoption and Acquisition

Differentiating your app from the competition is crucial in today’s app industry to draw in new users and boost adoption. Being aesthetically pleasing and easy to use can be a strong differentiator. This is because it draws in potential users and makes them want to download and use the app. However, drawing in users is only the beginning; keeping them as customers demands living up to their expectations from the first encounter. Creating a journey that meets user needs and surpasses their expectations is the essence of effective app design, which extends beyond just aesthetics. Apps can achieve long-term success and growth if developers adhere to design principles and tackle issues users have throughout the user journey.

Fostered User Advocacy and Community Building

With the right design, an app can retain loyal users who can pass on a word or two about the app. Developers may transform users into advocates for their apps by encouraging interaction through social interaction features, gamification components, and user-generated content. In addition to increasing the app’s organic growth and user acquisition, user advocacy boosts the app’s credibility and reputation in the marketplace. Developers may create a devoted following that helps the app succeed in the long run by considering user suggestions and encouraging community participation in the app’s improvement.

Boosted User Productivity and Efficiency

The goal of every well-designed app should be to make users’ lives easier and faster, not merely to make the app seem good. Efficient app design can cut down on user effort and time spent on activities by organizing the interface thoughtfully. Additionally, it creates intuitive workflows and makes clever use of interactive components. The reduction of mental burden and the elimination of unnecessary stages allow users to concentrate on their objectives without interruptions, which in turn boosts productivity and satisfaction.

What Could Influence an App Design Price?

Now that we are done exploring the app design as a process, let us focus on the price for a bit. We have already established the fact that the app design process consists of five or more stages. Of course, going through each stage needs its own strategy, tools, resources, and so on. But, in addition to these, what else could influence the price of app design? Let us find out!

• Complexity and Scope: the more your app contains unique ideas and functions, the higher the price you expect. This is very common, especially for businesses operating in niche markets and requiring apps with very specific designs and features.
• Platform: As we said, development is dynamic, and so is design. Each platform, either Android, iOS, or more, has strict design guidelines, tools, and more. All of these aspects could contribute to increasing the process of app design, especially for developers creating apps for both at the same time.
• Customization: We know uniqueness and customizations are always needed. But keep in mind that in the app design case, they come with a price. The level of customization you need can include UI elements, visuals, navigations, workflow, and so forth. This will cost more than the initial cost.

Breaking Down App Design Price: What are the Estimate Prices?

Although we can’t fathom the exact price of app design, the price varies according to many factors, including some that we have mentioned previously.

The estimate of the app design price is always calculated per hour and depends on two factors: the complexity, which we have mentioned, and the region.

The region here means the place where the app is developed and from which you will possibly hire designers. The highest prices are found in North America, especially in the US. So, the estimate of the app design cost will be $150 per hour. However, you can find much lower prices in other regions. But, let us say that you will hire a designer from the US, and your app would need around 100 hours of design, then you would need $15,000.

As per complexity, matters are a bit expensive. So, the estimates for a simple design would be around $40 to $60 per hour. For a more average app, the estimate would be around $250 per hour, and for a very complex app, you would be going over a thousand dollars.

Can You Cut the Costs and Design Your App For Free? Looking For the Ultimate Solution

So, apparently, it costs a fortune to design an app the way you want. But, the question is, is there any way that could help cut the cost and design an app for free? Hmm, that looks like a tough question, but there is always an answer to all tough questions. The answer would be that you can design your app for $49 per month. The nandbox app builder, the leading native app-building platform, offers a one-of-a-kind designing process at a very affordable price.

The app builder has a plethora of options for customization, elements to enhance the design, and a robust testing process to validate the effectiveness of the design. In addition, the app builder enables you to develop for both iOS and Android. You will develop both without separate costs and with the same design process. With nandbox, you don’t need to worry about the price of the app design, as you will only pay a fraction for the whole development process.

Try the nandbox app builder now and enjoy robust design and functionality in no time and at the most affordable cost on the market!