Every app requires regular and essential maintenance. Even if you create a great app, there is still a chance that it won’t perform properly and that it will have errors. This is why we’re here to answer the million-dollar question of “How much does it cost to keep an app running?”

Keeping your app running and simply maintaining it will require a significant financial investment from you, as it is of great importance for many reasons. These reasons include fixing your app’s glitches or bugs, updating your app with the latest system updates, and adding the right features that won’t increase your downtime. While developing an app, it is a good idea to estimate the cost of app maintenance in addition to the app’s creation costs. It will help you avoid taking on extra costs if something unexpected happens.

Experts say that app maintenance could cost between 15% and 20% of the total cost of making the app. Let’s first dive into why keeping your app running is essential to the success of your mobile app business before we get into more detail about app maintenance charges. You can check out our article about maintaining your app for more information regarding this topic.

Importance of Keeping Your App Running

This question has a clear-cut answer. The app can be kept up-to-date through maintenance by upgrading the UI and UX, fixing bugs, and more. because it enables you to provide the best experience for your users. In addition to getting top-notch app maintenance services, this has a good effect on the user retention rate as well. Here are some of the reasons why maintaining your app is of great importance:

Keeps Your App Safe and Bug-Free

Manufacturers are constantly improving the technologies in smartphones. Therefore, it can prevent your app from working with fresh upgrades. That might result in several things, like bugs, UI/UX problems, or even security problems in your app. With regular application maintenance, you can prevent these problems from happening even before they arise.

Continually Update Features to Reduce Uninstallations

Users will lose interest in using an app and may even delete it if it ceases to provide them with new information and functions. According to a Statista analysis, about 70% of users remove the app from their cell phones 90 days after installation. According to another study, the US average for app uninstallation in 2020 was roughly 43%. Users are compelled to click the “Uninstall” button by applications that have bugs or drawbacks. It is of great necessity to keep your application in top shape by addressing bugs, adding new functionality, and resolving issues as they arise. This will result in an incredible increase in your app’s retention rate.

Reduces or Eliminates Your App’s Downtime

Downtime for any app is what developers call “a nightmare turned into reality.” Several things can be done to avoid possible downtimes, such as regular updates, compatibility with the latest technology, protection against hacker attempts, etc. Developers could lose a lot of money during downtimes, so you should plan for app maintenance in your budget to avoid such a major drawback.

How Much Does It Cost to Keep an App Running?

Keeping your app running has a wide range of predictable and unpredictable factors. Here are some costs to take into consideration when you’re developing or putting up your app’s financial plan:

Hosting and Server Costs

One of the biggest ongoing expenses for running an app is hosting and server costs. This includes the cost of renting server space, bandwidth usage, and any additional services needed to keep your app running smoothly. The cost of hosting can vary depending on the size and complexity of your app, as well as the number of users accessing it. It’s important to choose a reliable hosting provider that can handle the traffic and usage demands of your app while also providing adequate security and support.

Development and Maintenance Expenses

In addition to the costs of hosting and servers, there are also costs for developing and maintaining your app. This includes the cost of hiring developers, designers, and other professionals to create new features, fix bugs, and ensure that your app is up-to-date with the latest technology and security standards. It’s important to budget for these expenses and prioritize which updates and improvements are most important for your app’s success. You may also need to spend money on marketing and advertising to get the word out about your app and bring in new users, which can be a great expense.

Third-Party Integrations and API Fees

Another cost to consider when running an app is the fee associated with third-party integrations and APIs. Many apps can’t work without integrating with other services, like payment processors or social media sites. These integrations often come with fees that can add up over time. Additionally, if your app uses APIs to access data or functionality from other services, you may be charged based on usage or the number of requests made. It’s important to factor these costs into your budget and consider whether there are alternative solutions that may be more cost-effective. With the right expense report software, you can easily track these recurring fees and analyze their impact on your overall budget.

Marketing and Advertising Expenses

In addition to the technical costs of running an app, there are also marketing and advertising expenses to consider. These costs can vary widely depending on your goals and strategies. For example, if you plan to use paid advertising to acquire users, you’ll need to budget for ad spend on platforms like Facebook, Google, or Twitter. You may also need to hire a marketing agency or consultant to help you develop and execute your campaigns.

Other marketing expenses could include content creation, social media management, and email marketing tools. It’s important to carefully consider your marketing budget and prioritize the channels and tactics that are most likely to drive results for your app. Additionally, partnering with specialized agencies like InboxArmy for email marketing can enhance the effectiveness of your campaigns, leveraging their expertise to maximize engagement and conversion rates. This strategic collaboration can be a valuable addition to your marketing mix, ensuring that your email marketing efforts are both efficient and impactful.

Customer Support and User Acquisition Costs

When running an app, it’s important to think about things like customer support and getting new users, as well as technical and marketing costs. Providing good customer service can help keep users and boost the ratings of an app, but it can also be expensive. This may include hiring a dedicated support team or using a third-party service. User acquisition costs can also vary widely depending on your strategy. Paid advertising, influencer marketing, and app store optimization are all common tactics used to acquire new users, but they all come with their own costs. It’s important to track and analyze these expenses to ensure they are providing a positive return on investment for your app.

Final Thoughts

Knowing how much it costs to keep your app running is of crucial importance. This is why nandbox is providing you with this little guide in order to make sure you include all app costs in your financial planning. nandbox will help you reduce your app costs by providing you with everything you need to build a complete app from scratch. With various features and modules to choose from, our simple drag-and-drop feature addition method will be of great assistance in converting your app-building process into a hassle-free one. Our documentation section is also there to have your back if there is anything in the app builder that you might have trouble understanding. It is a full guide on how to navigate nandbox’s native no-code app builder. Sign up now and enjoy our 14-day free trial!