Getting an accurate quote from Appy Monkey

At Appy Monkey, we are waiting to hear from you right now if you have a great idea for an app and are ready to get a quote. The more information you can give us, the better, so don’t be afraid to add as much detail as you can so we can make your quote as accurate as possible. By providing us with detailed information, you can also speed up the amount of time it takes to get your quote. The more you know about how developers work out estimates, the easier it becomes to provide the right information.

When you are discussing pricing models, tell us about any budget restraints you might have. Should the price seem lower than you expected, feel free to ask us why this is the case. The more transparency you have on pricing, the greater the likelihood of satisfaction becomes. We can also advise you about any features which won’t be possible.

Let’s take a look at the key tips for getting an accurate app development quote now.

1. Outline your specific requirements

It may take anywhere from a few hours to a few days to provide you with an estimate. If you need to get your quote particularly quickly, there are things you can do to speed up the process. When we have a firm understanding of your needs, we can give you a quick and accurate quote for your project. You’ll need to tell us what your end goal is, how much you have to spend and when you need the project to be delivered by.

2. Provide us with context

You will need to tell us what your goals are, what the products and services you offer are, what your specific requirements are, let us know about any investors or anyone else that might be involved in the product and the benefits you want to provide to users. We’ll also need to know who your specific target audience is. We will use the information you give us to define our approach to the project. If you cannot give us all these details at this point, tell us about the main features and key priorities for your app. It’s always better to come up with your own ideas rather than simply asking us to copy someone else’s app. If you do attempt to copy a competitor app, there’s always a chance you will come to regret this for several reasons, including legal ones.

You can split the desired features into ones that are non-negotiable and ones that you would like to add but aren’t so important. We’ll also need to find out more about what makes you distinctive from your competitors so we can emphasise your key attributes.

3. Let us know your aims

We can only meet your requirements if we have a clear understanding of what you want the app to achieve. Think about how users will interact with the app, how much traffic you want to generate and how your product should look. Once you have set goals for traffic and created a mockup of your app, you’ll have a firmer idea of what you want the end result to be like. The clearer you are about your expectations, the easier you’ll find it to communicate these requirements.

Once we know how much traffic you want to generate, we’ll be able to define the technical requirements more effectively. Few apps generate a huge level of traffic immediately, and you may need to raise your budget once the app becomes more successful. The app creation process may take longer if you are yet to define your basic needs. Although this will mean waiting longer, it can heighten the quality and appeal of your app.

4. Use the SCRUM method

It’s important not to underestimate how much planning goes into project management. The process can be incredibly complex but we can start working out an estimate once you have given us the information that we require. After we choose a pricing model, we will negotiate the price with you and then divide the project into the following stages: development, testing, adjustments and bug-fixing, the user acceptance test and deployment. We can use a special methodology called SCRUM to keep corrections and other delays to a minimum.

In SCRUM, your project is completed in sprints. During each of these sprints, we will plan the scope of the work before delivering it and presenting it to you so you can verify it. Two-week intervals are normally involved. This means you will never have to wait more than a fortnight to learn about features that you need amended and can provide your feedback quickly.

Your contract options

Many of our clients opt for our services after discussing their needs with around several different app developers. The three pricing models you will usually encounter when comparing app development companies are fixed-price, time and materials and time and materials with a cap. Each of these has its multiple pros and cons, so think carefully and assess your options to decide which one is the most suitable for your current circumstances, budget and project.

Pros and cons of fixed-price contracts (FPC)

One of the most appealing things about the fixed-price model is that you agree on a price first. It means you won’t need to pay more than you agree before work commences. However, a big drawback of this option is that you will have reduced flexibility on product development. If you do decide you want to add extra features, you will have to pay for these. When you want to bring in changes to the end project, you will need to submit a User Change Request, which can involve a great deal of time and effort.

Time and materials (T&M)

As many of our clients have experienced regret after opting for the fixed-price model, time and materials contracts have become more popular over recent years. The benefits of flexible contracts can be very valuable – adjustments are commonly needed during app development projects, and these contracts are designed with these in mind.This model can be appealing as it enables you to pay for the actual time spent on your product, as well as the resources needed to complete it. It will be quicker to make changes to your product with this model, but you will still need to pay for them. Another benefit of this option is that it’s possible to get your project off the ground quicker, which means you can shorten the amount of time it takes to get it to the market.

Capped time and materials (CTAM)

If you want to enjoy flexibility but don’t want to spend more than an agreed limit, time and materials with a cap may be the best option for your needs. With this option, you won’t exceed a cost that you have already agreed with us, but a certain number of adjustments can still be made.

Know what you are paying for

Before you sign a contract with any company, take a look at their portfolio and testimonials for evidence that you are choosing a service that you can trust. Read all contracts carefully to gain a clear understanding of what your estimate covers. You will need to ask whether the costs cover the deployment process and ensure the best practices are adopted during all parts of the production process. Any reputable app development company will include these costs in the estimate that they provide to you. Make sure there is a clear deadline for your project to avoid the process dragging on for longer expected.  Don’t be offended if a vendor tells you your idea could be improved or won’t be possible. Discussion is vital if your app is to be a success, and you can benefit considerably from the experience of the development team. It’s also important to make allowances for human error when you are setting aside a budget for app development.

At Appy Monkey, we are ready to hear from you right now if you have a great idea for an app and are ready to bring it to life. We can work closely alongside you to help you choose the best pricing model for your needs and deliver an app that you can be truly proud of.

If you would like explore how Appy Monkey can help you with your app then get in contact.