Technology is evolving, and mobile devices are becoming the ultimate solution for all the needs of people. It is quite hard to imagine a life without smartphones and mobile devices. In recent times, more people have spent the maximum of their time on different mobile applications.
In 2020, about 218 billion mobile apps were downloaded by consumers. Whether you want to chat with someone or shop something online, apps are what you will require. In order to provide users with the best experiences, developers are focusing on creating innovative applications that function without any disruption.
However, did you know that about 25 percent of mobile applications get uninstalled after their first launch? What could be the reason for that? Well, one of the main reasons is the lack of a suitable UX/UI design. Creating the perfect UX/UI design takes a lot of time, effort, knowledge, and creativity. If you want to know how much does it cost to design an app, continue reading to get a better idea.
Are you wondering how much it costs to design an application? Well, without having a knowledge of the process of app development, making an estimation of the cost is not possible. So, let’s take a look at the process of designing an application.
It all begins with research. The designers invest a great deal of time in researching and determining what they actually have to create. At the initial stage, the business analyst, project manager, and UX/UI designer work in a collaborative way to understand the specific requirements of the clients.
They study the market, examine documentation, and accordingly come up with an appropriate product strategy. At the end of the research, the UX/UI designer develops a user persona, including the motives as well as pain points of the users. The value proposition is also developed.
However, everything is colorless and rough. This phase may take 1 to 3 weeks time. Moreover, the cost incurred during the research period is USD 1.5k to USD 3.5k.
After research, the next thing to focus on is the UX/UI design. First, creative ideas are structured in order to create delightful experiences for the users. The design specialists focus on creating a flow diagram that displays the path individuals will be taking to use the product.
In this phase, the high-level structure of the software is crafted. Then the experts work on wireframing in order to get a realistic look at what the final product will look like. Are you wondering what wireframing is? Well, wireframing refers to the schematic representation of the application demonstrating interface elements on different pages.
At first, low-fidelity wireframes are created. It allows the UX/UI professionals to easily navigate through the software in a logical manner. When the screen composition and navigation seem to be perfect, the next step is to create high-fidelity wireframes.
Through high-fidelity wireframes, UX/UI designers can refine the layout, spacing, and graphics for more precision. Creating a wireframe allows reducing the risk of exceeding the time as well as budget constraints. It helps in ensuring the best possible experience for future users.
In this stage, the professionals also work on creating a prototype of the product. A prototype helps in breathing life into wireframes. A prototype is basically a live version where you can actually click on the different buttons, open menus, send forms, and much more.
The conceptual design phase may take up to 2 to 3 weeks. Moreover, the cost involved in this step ranges from USD 2.5k to USD 3.5k.
Detailed design is all about providing the product with the best look and feel. The experts work on adding graphical elements and colors to the clickable prototype. In this stage, the team mainly focuses on fonts, logos, colors, icons, media, and more.
Through creative thinking, proficient experts find out ways to display different content in the right way. With the use of tools such as Figma, InVision, Illustrator, and more, the designers work on UI design.
On completion of this step, a visual design concept is provided to the clients to get a view of the final product. In this stage, the average cost is USD 2k to USD 3k.
Now that you know the process of UI/UX design and the costs involved, the next thing to know is the other factors affecting cost. Here are some of the most prominent factors. Let’s take a look.
The first thing that affects the price is location. Many businesses consider outsourcing their UX/UI design projects and getting them done from a third-party company. In such a case, the cost will differ from country to country. The top destination for outsourcing design projects is the United Kingdom, United States, Ukraine, Germany, Australia, and India.
As a matter of fact, getting the product designed in Australia and North America will cost you the highest. On the other hand, if you want to save more, getting it designed through freelance in India can be the best option.
However, if you are considering the quality-price ratio, it is better to outsource the companies in Eastern Europe.
The complexity of the UX/UI design project is another determining factor in the price of designing software. Are you wondering how to determine the complexity? Well, it depends upon whether you are using the custom or native elements.
Different platforms have different design guidelines. In case you opt for a native design, strictly following the guidelines is important. You have to spend less time on this. However, elements such as images, icons, and buttons will possess a default look. On the other hand, custom design takes time but offers you the flexibility to get the elements a per your choice.
Moreover, you can even choose to go for a mixed style combining the custom and native elements in your UX/UI design project. The minimum cost of the simple products is USD 5k, while that of the complex ones can be USD 50k.
The number of platforms is yet another determining factor of the price. There does not exist any way to develop a universal design that properly fits the iOS as well as the Android platform. Each platform has unique and specific requirements in order to provide the users with a natural feel and ensure better interaction.
So, if you want the application to work efficiently on both platforms, the cost will be doubled.
Not all designers have the same experience. Hiring professional experts in UX/UI designer like Revival Pixel who have vast experience and technology expertise will cost you more. On the other hand, hiring newbies in UX/UI design can reduce the overall price. However, if you want the best quality, it is always better to go with the most experienced professionals in UX/UI design.
Calculating the total cost of the UX/UI design of the mobile apps depends on various factors. The process, project complexity, location of the development, number of platforms, and experience of professionals matter the most.
Now that you know about the costs of UX/UI design, you might be wondering whether to spend more or not. If you want more users for your mobile app, spending more is essential. Work with professional experts and develop budget-friendly apps to get the best results.