Mobile applications have already overtaken desktop and web apps, so these days organizations are getting more interested in constructing their own mobile apps as the primary way to engage with customers. Having a mobile app in addition to a web presence in any enterprise can enhance its accessibility and enhance customer engagement. According to statistics, people spend approximately 3 hours each day using their mobile phones, and it’s simpler for them to access the information from one device that is always at hand.
If you already have an idea of your app and intend to get it to the marketplace or simply consider it, the first query you can ask is “How long does it take to develop an app?”. From AXAT’s vast experience in offering Android and custom iPhone app development services, we can say that it depends directly on the app’s necessities and complexity. Many elements affect the project’s timeline, and they need to be taken into consideration during project estimation. For a deeper understanding of this issue, we made an in-depth review of aspects of the production method from the ground up.
Factors that affect the timeline of developing an app
Three major factors that affect the timeline of constructing any mobile application are:
Functionality-
The more complicated the app, the more time it takes to develop it. Building a simple app requires less time and resources than an app with a complicated system, however, it doesn’t mean that they concede. Such apps are even more popular than those that comprise several needless options.
Targeted users & devices-
Creating an iOS, Android or cross-platform app is an independent process that requires the work of a different specialist and their knowledge. The construction of separate iOS and Android apps will take extra time and costs than cross-platform, so you should focus on what devices your target audience makes use of and pick the right operating system earlier than starting development.
Timeline-
If you have strictly described frames whilst your mobile app has to be delivered, however, they do not meet actual development time terms, the only thing you could do in this case, not to lose the app quality, is to limit the functionality in earlier versions of the app. Furthermore, irresponsible developers may also break time limits and established budgets, so you need to protect yourself by working only with reliable software companies on a time and material basis.
App development process
The development of a mobile application from scratch includes five simple steps: planning, design, development, testing, and release. Each level requires a distinct time for its implementation and directly relies upon elements, described above. Some levels can be done simultaneously. Let’s look at each of the steps in detail to apprehend the project timeline better.
1. Planning
At the planning level, it isn't sufficient to have only an idea of the app, because you already need to determine the initial app concept on which to construct the full scale of the project. Before intending to other levels, it's more important to make a broad analysis of app necessities and estimate the vital assets and time spent on the overall performance of every task. After planning is completed, you could roughly apprehend what the end product can be and how long it'll take to complete it.
2. Design
Design is what makes the first impact on a user, mainly an app’s icon and the first screen. With the help of design, you could directly affect the user and the feelings your app conjures. Color, fonts, wireframes, animations – everything should be ideal in case you need to gain user’s trust and make it handy for them to use the app. All app features and technical factors need to be taken into account. As practice shows, it could take a long time to come to a general opinion, however, at this level, it's far worth spending a little extra time to make certain that the app meets all design trends.
3. Development
After vast planning and design, it’s time for coding. With a team of skilled middle or senior developers, this level may take several times less than if junior developers are working on your project. Choosing an experienced team, you also care about the quality of the developed software and decrease the time spent on testing and solving bugs. Working with specialists saves not only your time but also your budget. So, how long does it take to code an app? All in all, the development of both the Front-end and Back-end parts of the application can take from 1 to 6 months.
4. Testing
When it involves the testing level, you need to apprehend that it requires accelerated attention. To make sure the quality of your app, it's far important to conduct full-scale testing of the product and discover all bugs and vulnerabilities for their further solving. Performing both manual and automated tests will permit you to gain greater efficiency whilst testing the app, so it may take from 2 weeks to make your product bug-free.
5. Release
The final level! If all preceding development levels are carried out successfully – your product is completely ready for the release. But there are some additional time restrictions for publishing mobile apps.AppStore, and Google play store takes upto a week to review the Application. If the app passed moderation, you could celebrate the completion, however, you may ought to spend a while on app revision in case the store rejects the publication. After that you'll enter the most interesting part, that's the release, however, this is another story.
Totals
As you could see, the construction of the mobile application is a long technique whose timeline depends on many elements. To sum up, building a simple app can take approximately 300-600 hours, a middle app – 700-1200 weeks Hours, and a high complexity app may take greater than 1500 hours. To get a more accurate estimation, you need to have detailed app necessities so that the development team could count the proper timeline.