If you have already launched a mobile app or are about to, then maintaining that mobile application is very important. This is especially valid considering both Google and Apple are actively removing outdated apps from their stores.
With a Mobile Application Maintenance and Support Plan in place, it is possible to ensure that your App is always updated and performs at its optimum with fewer issues, bugs and downtime.
When it comes to maintaining a mobile application, many app owners are often confused and unclear on the Cost of App Maintenance. In this post we will highlight some of the major factors to consider when calculating the Cost of App Maintenance in 2024.
What is Mobile App Maintenance & Support?
Mobile App Maintenance can be described as proactive steps that ensure a mobile application continues to function smoothly, meets user needs, and remains competitive.
Maintaining your mobile application is critical and ignoring it can have significant implications for its future viability.
Key Aspects of Mobile App Maintenance & Support?
Factors Influencing App Maintenance Costs
App Complexity
As a rule of thumb, the more complex your mobile application is, the higher the cost of maintaining it.
Some elements to consider would be the number of features within your app, the number of third party integrations (third-party APIs or services such as payment gateways or social media logins) and if you have custom UI/UX designs.
An app with intricate features, integrations, and a sophisticated architecture requires more resources for continued support. Maintenance activities like debugging, updates, and ensuring compatibility become increasingly difficult as complexity grows.
Platforms Supported
If your mobile application supports multiple operating systems across both iOS and Android, then the maintenance workload is higher and this will have an impact on your Cost of App Maintenance. If your app is compatible with cross-platform operations this will also affect your app maintenance costs, as you would have to undertake performance optimisation across different devices.
Update Frequency
The frequency of how often your mobile app needs to be updated is an important factor when considering your cost of app maintenance. Depending on your type of mobile app and its category, the number of times it needs to be updated may vary.
E-commerce or social media apps would require more frequent updates compared to other niche app categories. However it is important to note that not updating your mobile application in a timely manner can result in poor performance, crashes, or security vulnerabilities that can lead to bigger problems in the long run.
Third-party Services
Another factor when calculating the Cost of App Development are the recurring charges levied by third party service providers including push notifications, content/database management and app store listing fees, to mention but a few.
Many third party services seem free at first glance, but look out for added extras as you acquire more users.
API Integration
APIs help your mobile application to integrate its offering with external services such as Facebook (for direct login) or Google Maps (for real time location). Each time the API is updated, you will also have to meet to match and this can have a bearing on your cost of App Maintenance.
Backend System
Most mobile applications include a backend hosting component which is used to store data. As your user base grows so will your costs for servers, databases, and bandwidth. The cost of hosting varies based on factors such as the capacity of the server and the chosen hosting provider.
Regular maintenance of the backend system is critical to foster reliability, user growth, the introduction of new features or functions and rapid scaling up.
Security & Compliance
If your mobile application regularly handles user data, especially of a sensitive nature, then you will have to ensure you are in constant compliance with all applicable regulations and standards. This will definitely factor in your cost of app maintenance.
Customer Support
If your app is large scale then it is possible that you would need a dedicated user support team. In addition, a professional app maintenance and support provider will continuously monitor your app for crashes or downtime – these activities will also play a role when calculating your app maintenance cost in 2024.
Analytics
Having the correct data driven insights paves the way for continuous improvement of your mobile app. However, you must always take into account the cost of integrating analytics tools into your mobile app. Such tools will help you to gain insights into user preferences, behaviour and the overall performance of your app.
It’s important to anticipate how user growth will affect maintenance expenses to ensure a smooth user experience and prevent service disruptions caused by scalability challenges.
Number of Users
The size of your user base is closely linked to maintenance costs. As your user population increases, so does server load, support requirements, and the need for scalability. A growing user base demands more robust hosting, effective bug fixes, and responsive customer support.
Think of your app as a finely crafted instrument that needs regular tuning to stay in sync with the ever-changing competitive market. Just like a writer sharpens their pencil to achieve the best results, your app requires regular updates to provide the ultimate user experience.
How Much Does App Maintenance Cost?
On average, the annual cost of maintaining an app can range from 15% to 25% of the initial development cost. For example, if you spent $100,000 to develop the app, you could expect to spend $15,000 to $25,000 per year on maintenance. However, these costs can vary significantly based on the factors mentioned above. On average, app owners should expect to spend around $2,000 to $2,500 a month initially to keep their app running optimally.
When planning your maintenance budget, it’s crucial to evaluate the complexity of your app’s design and functionality, as more complex apps typically demand a higher investment to maintain performance and keep users satisfied.
Breakdown of Common Maintenance Costs
- Bug fixes and Updates: Typically 5-10% of development cost annually
- Performance Monitoring and Optimisation: Can vary, depending on app size and complexity
- Server Hosting and Database Management: Monthly fees can range from $50 to $500+, depending on user volume and data requirements
- Security Updates and Compliance: Regular audits and patches could add an additional 5-10% of your development cost annually
- Customer Support and User Feedback Monitoring: Dedicated teams or third-party analytics tools may cost several thousand dollars annually, depending on scale.
Strategies to Minimise App Maintenance Costs
Here are some strategies you can employ to reduce the cost of maintaining your app:
Prioritise Essential Features
When building your app, avoid overloading it with unnecessary features. Stick to a lean, functional core features that addresses user needs. The more features you include, the more complex the app becomes, and the higher your maintenance costs will be.
Use Cross-Platform Development Tools
Cross-platform development frameworks, such as React Native or Flutter, allow you to build apps for both iOS and Android using a single codebase. This approach can save both time and money during initial development and ongoing post-launch maintenance.
Automate Testing and Monitoring
Implement automated testing tools to catch bugs early, and use monitoring software to get real-time insights into the app’s performance. Automated tools reduce manual testing costs and allow for quicker identification of issues.
Outsource Maintenance
Outsourcing app maintenance to an experienced company can help you save money, especially if your app doesn’t require a full-time, in-house support team.
Plan for Regular Updates
Instead of scrambling to update your app only when issues arise, schedule regular updates to ensure compatibility with new OS versions and devices. A proactive approach can prevent costly emergency fixes.
App users expect a seamless experience devoid of disruptions.Regular app maintenance is key to preventing such interruptions, and this does incur additional costs. Neglecting mobile app maintenance could be a cause of your app’s failure, leading to the dreaded app uninstalls that represent a loss of users, as well as a loss of revenue.
Conclusion
App maintenance is a crucial, ongoing process that ensures your app remains functional, secure, and relevant in a rapidly changing digital landscape.
From fixing bugs and issues to updates and providing user support, each element of app maintenance plays a pivotal role in enhancing the user experience and performance of your mobile application.
By understanding the factors influencing maintenance costs and adopting strategies to minimise those expenses, you can keep your app performing at its best without breaking the bank.
With a well-managed approach to maintenance, you can prolong your app’s lifespan while keeping users engaged and satisfied.
Success Checklist
- Plan and budget for regular App Maintenance from the outset ✅
- Adopt strategies to minimise the Cost of App Maintenance ✅
- Always work with a trusted and professional App Maintenance & Support Partner ✅
