Business

Hidden Costs of Mobile Application Development and How to Avoid Them

Published

3 years ago

February 24, 2021

When ordering mobile app development, customers often face unexpected/hidden costs. Understanding this allows you to reduce the risks when working on a project, save time and money.

The fact is that the development process itself is only part of the app lifecycle. And then there are the deployment and maintenance phases, which are also critical to success.

The cost of these two stages can end up an unpleasant surprise. Not to mention the other important aspects, for which you also have to pay.

Supporting multiple platforms

You can’t create a single application that is universal across all platforms. If you were planning a product only for the iPhone, you may end up having to develop a separate version for the iPad Pro, which will increase the cost of designing the user interface.

What if, in addition to the main version for iOS, you also need an Android version of the app? You can imagine how the initial cost of development easily increases several times.

You can save money if you use cross-platform technologies. But cross-platform development company claims this is not always possible, since some functions may require native development. Plus, there are nuances with performance and capabilities in terms of expanding the functionality.

You can always start from one, the most priority platform. But if the market analysis shows the need to expand in the future at the expense of another OS, this one should also be taken into account initially.

Integration with third-party services

In the case of corporate mobile applications, it is not enough to create the mobile application itself. It must be integrated into the corporate IT infrastructure. The task of developing a mobile application that would allow you to work with a corporate CRM or ERP system is quite common.

It’s quite another thing when you already have an application, but the ability to integrate it with something (website, CRM, accounting, etc.) – was not originally provided. And now there is a need for it. As a rule, in this case, you have to modify the application, which can be very time-consuming and expensive.

An application is often just one element of a much more complex system.

If we talk about applications that are not enterprise-level, but products aimed at a wide audience, the range of services that are connected via the API can be quite wide. This includes integration with social networks, the functionality of push notifications and SMS messages, receiving data from any third-party services, etc.

Some services may be completely free, and connecting to others may require paying for a monthly subscription. The cost of all this should be calculated in advance and included in the overall budget.

Infrastructure components

If you are creating an application that receives certain information from the user or gives it to him, this data must be stored somewhere. And if the data volumes are large, you need to take care of the synchronization issue in advance and estimate the volume of requests for storing and processing information.

Even before you start developing a mobile app, you need to prepare a technical specification for the client-server interaction. You will need to lay down the correct architecture on the server, specify in which tables to store data, the structure of queries, which data is used more often than others.

If you postpone the issue of synchronization for the future and do not make a competent client-server architecture, debugging the application can take a long time and seriously postpone the planned release. Ignoring these points can cause quite large and unforeseen expenses.

The need to partially change, update and even completely rebuild the infrastructure is a common problem customers face. And if you add here another option for backup and data protection, which also need to be taken care of – the final check will continue to increase.

Testing costs

Testing is one of the key components of the software development lifecycle and should be budgeted for from the start. Improving the quality of the final product ultimately ensures a sufficient return on investment.

Many customers often underestimate the importance of testing. They do not realize that, depending on the project, it can take a lot of time. Even if you develop a native application for only one operating system, you will need to test how it looks and works on different types of devices.

If you want to make a version for two operating systems at once, it will cost even more. And you need to accept the fact that the best user experience will only be possible on a limited number of the most popular devices. For the rest, you’ll have to settle for just a good UX, without striving for perfection.

Marketing costs

You need to understand how you will attract users and how much it will cost. And you should decide on this before the launch. It is naive to expect that your product will start to attract attention and will be popular on its own.

The most important way to attract organic traffic from the app store is ASO-optimization. It includes working with the text description, name, and visual design elements. It is based on a set of keywords that your application can search for the target audience.

But depending on the type of project and target market, you may also need to invest heavily in paid promotion channels:

targeted social media advertising;
Google AdWords advertising in the Google search engine;
creation of content for third-party resources (guest publications);
payment for reviews on thematic sites;
placement in email newsletters, advertising in messenger channels, etc.

There are more than enough options for promoting applications. But they all require money not only for the placement on the advertising platform itself or clicks but also for paying for the work of authors who create content for third-party resources, as well as those who publish it all.

For example, you can create a YouTube channel to promote your app. But it is unlikely that you will have enough time and skills to create a full-fledged series of videos with a product demonstration. Accordingly, it is better to outsource such work.

Service cost

Work on the mobile app does not end after its release. The more complex the project, the more maintenance costs will be required, including updating versions, fixing bugs, implementing new or refining existing functionality, fixing security issues, and so on.

Some large-scale operating system updates may also require changes to the application to ensure a high level of compatibility. This is true for both Android and iOS.

It is necessary to monitor the smooth operation of the servers and respond to possible problems to ensure that end-users can interact with the product without problems.

Thus, the cost of maintenance can turn into a really expensive part of the project, which is nevertheless necessary for its normal functioning.

Bottom line

It is impossible to foresee all the nuances of development at the start. But, most of the unexpected expenses are quite typical and belong to one of the categories listed in this article. This is important to understand because without solving these problems, it is impossible to create a good product.

This is not the whole list of possible hidden costs that you may encounter during the application development process. But these points can be called the main ones. By taking them into account at the start, you can avoid many problems in the future. This will increase the probability of the successful completion of the project.

Business

Opportunities for Black Banx in Emerging Markets

Published

7 hours ago

May 5, 2024

Matthew Wiles

A significant digital transformation is underway in the world of finance, marked by the emergence of non-bank innovators offering a diverse array of financial technology products and services. This transformation is not confined to established markets; rather, it extends its reach into emerging economies, offering a compelling digital alternative to traditional banking institutions. These alternatives are particularly vital in addressing the issue of financial exclusion, which has left substantial populations underserved by traditional banking systems.

Among these innovative digital banking entities stands Black Banx, a fintech brand dedicated to fostering financial inclusion in emerging markets by seamlessly integrating banking services into digital ecosystems. Founded in 2014 as a visionary concept by German billionaire Michael Gastauer, Black Banx swiftly evolved into a global force in the global financial market Officially launched in 2015, the institution rapidly garnered international recognition, extending its services to 180 countries and territories from its inception. Within a mere 12 months of operation, Black Banx amassed over 1 million customers, marking its initial expansions in key regions such as the United States, United Kingdom, and Hong Kong. At present, with a customer base exceeding 40 million as of February 2024, Black Banx stands as one of the fastest-growing digital banks not only in developed countries but also in emerging markets.

What Are Emerging Markets?

An emerging market mostly describes the economic landscape of a developing nation progressively engaging with global markets during its growth trajectory. These economies possess some but not all of the defining characteristics of developed markets, which typically exhibit robust economic growth, high per capita income, well-established equity and debt markets, foreign investor accessibility, and a reliable regulatory framework, according to Investopedia.

As emerging market economies evolve, they tend to integrate more deeply into the global economy. This integration fosters increased liquidity within local debt and equity markets, heightened trade volume, and augmented foreign direct investment. Moreover, these economies witness the emergence of modern financial and regulatory institutions as they transition from low-income, less developed, often pre-industrial states to modern industrial economies with elevated standards of living.

With improving standards of living, the demand for financial security and opportunities escalates, underscoring the pivotal role of banking services. However, traditional banks face challenges stemming from bureaucratic processes and sometimes limited services. Conversely, fintech firms are gaining prominence owing to their convenience, user-friendly interfaces, and expedited signup procedures. Furthermore, their accessibility anytime and anywhere with internet connectivity enhances their appeal to the public.

Strong Demand for Financial Technology

The surge in digital banking adoption, particularly conspicuous in emerging markets, owes much to innovations originating in these regions. For instance, nearly nine out of ten consumers in the Asia-Pacific region, encompassing both emerging and developed markets, actively utilize digital banking services, with a significant portion expressing openness to expanding their usage through digital channels.

Enthusiastic adoption of fintech tools and e-wallets among consumers in emerging markets has propelled the market penetration of these innovative solutions beyond levels observed in developed markets. In the emerging Asia-Pacific region, the penetration of fintech apps and e-wallets surged to 54 percent in 2021, compared to 43 percent in the developed segment. This is indicative of the accelerating shift towards fintech transactions and services, as per McKinsey & Company.

A portmanteau of finance and technology, fintech refers to the burgeoning industry of companies utilizing computer programs and other technologies to provide support or enable banking and other financial services. In developed nations, there’s been a rapid expansion and adoption of fintech technologies ever since businesses and even governments started accepting digital financial transactions as a standard mode of payment. But even in emerging markets, the demand for fintech has also skyrocketed as more people report a diminishing reliance on cash for weekly expenditures.

Identifying Opportunities in Emerging Markets

Launching a successful digital bank entails navigating a myriad of challenges, irrespective of the market’s maturity. However, digital banking in emerging markets presents its own unique set of hurdles, particularly in securing widespread adoption among mass-market consumers. To thrive in any market landscape, a digital bank must first establish meaningful access to its target customers. While the initial interaction may appear straightforward in the digital realm, the reality proves more nuanced.

The proliferation of digital advertising notwithstanding, capturing customer attention remains a formidable task, compounded by the intricacies of onboarding procedures, even for digitally savvy clients. Moreover, the reliance on app downloads as a precursor to engagement further heightens the barriers to entry as first-time users may find them intimidating.

Building a solid trust relationship with customers is important for digital banks to maximize their opportunities in emerging markets. Trust, arguably the linchpin of sustained usage, demands meticulous investment in creating positive onboarding experiences and fostering comprehension of banking channels and products. However, achieving this trust quotient is not easy, especially in emerging markets with lower access to financial services and digital literacy.

Black Banx’s Success in Emerging Markets

Black Banx is a digital bank focused on empowering financial inclusion in emerging markets by integrating banking into digital ecosystems. It was founded by German billionaire Michael Gastauer who always believed that well-designed financial services have the potential to uplift even the most marginalized segments of society, providing them with enhanced economic opportunities.

Consequently, Black Banx is steadfast in its mission to promote financial inclusion while harnessing the advancements within the fintech landscape. Today’s digital technologies offer unprecedented tools to reconstruct banking paradigms, especially for those underserved by traditional financial institutions, with smartphones and laptops serving as gateways to financial empowerment. But while Black Banx makes use of the most advanced fintech technologies, including blockchain and artificial intelligence, it delivers an intuitive and easy-to-navigate user experience through its website and mobile app so even the inexperienced or less tech-savvy consumers won’t have a hard time using its platform to carry out financial transactions.

With his expertise and decades of experience in the financial industry, Gastauer has a keen eye for trends and what works in different markets. So instead of delivering different experiences for developed and emerging markets, the renowned fintech mogul opted to roll out the same suite of services to both because of his motivation to realize financial inclusion and offer only the best banking experience to all. As such, Black Banx facilitates seamless transitions between physical and digital currencies and even cryptocurrencies. The digital bank also tailors its channels to accommodate customers at various stages of their digital journey, ensuring that they feel guided every step of the way until they achieve their financial goals. All of these contribute to Black Banx’s success in emerging markets.