hey guys. i have been requested to build mobile app.
But i dont know how to price it,in another word how to charge them?
is the price for native,hybrid and cross-platform same?
price for android,iOS, other same?
usually how much do you charge(developers)?

Estimate the time needed to complete it. Then count it with ur current pay per hour rate. Ofcoz need to include additional fee eg. license, hosting etc.

Ask your client to list down the complete requirements and flow first then determine roughly how much time you need to spend on the development then based on your rate and give them a reasonable quotation.

Its more based on user requirements than other things else...
For example, login page. After login, go to the main page listing the product list.
Click the product list, can go to the product details page...
Then the admin even can upload or delete image...
All of these are REQUIREMENTS and you charge for this. You can go further until for login, you encrypt both username and password during submission...

Yea man, not all projects just pure mobile app.


If got backend php + mysql database you need to take those into consideration as well.


Any real client who wants to develop mobile app that isn't a 'branding' expenditure will require backend interface and you might not be working all by yourself and if you have to, you will be building the whole backend too.


All depends on requirements in detail.

the thing is i dont know the normal rate. first time actually. so how much does people charge?
5k? 10k? or if the app client side only rm2,000. if include backend rm5000?
i worry that i overcharge
please

We really unable to tell you unless we know how much time you will have to spend on the development.

I just give you an example on how you can roughly calculate the cost:

Let's say you are now working in a full time job with about 40 hours per week (8 hours x 5 days). Your monthly salary is RM 4500.

Let's say you have the complete requirements and the flow, you estimate that you will need 2 weeks of time (or 80 hours) to complete the project.
Assume there are 4.5 weeks in a month.

Your rate per week is RM 4500 / 4.5 = RM 1000.
So, the project cost should be at least RM 1000 * 2 weeks = RM 2000.
But since this is a one time off project and they do not offer you any benefits such as insurance and allowance. You should charge more than RM 2000 (eg: RM 2500).

Don't be afraid to be taken advantage of when you are still building up your portfolio. You will learn from experience and increase your rate in the future when your clients trust you.

This post has been edited by mobileoop: Sep 26 2014, 07:16 PM

thanks mobileoop.

Usually how long does it takes to develop an app? Just a standard app with a simple database background?

What database? The internal database like SQLite (preferred only for offline apps) or
at the backend web service which is using MySQL hosted in the PHP powered with
Apache server where Internet connection always needed?
Both are standard apps actually and most apps need Internet connection.

This post has been edited by M_Shahrul: Sep 27 2014, 01:54 PM

Yea. Lets take a standard app has a backend using MySQL hosted in the PHP powered by Apache server where internet connection is needed. How long does it takes to develop it? like HungryGoWhere.

rm6k

Usually I take one week if just for a simple apps. Easy for me.

The question is quite subjective as it depends on how good is the developer and also the complete requirements from the client. If it is just a prototype app that gets data from server and displays on the app, it can be developed within a week time.

I have received a few requests to build a "simple" XXX app. After I try to get more requirements from them on what do they expect to see on each of the pages of the app, that's when you will understand the complexity of the app. Usually, they will have many tiny requests like: When I tap on this button, it should animate the whole screen and etc... I should be able to swipe the top of this screen and the the next screen will be ....

Phew.. I actually have to spend a lot more time on those tiny requests rather than the main function itself. Some of those tiny requests can not be developed easily due to some technical challenges. The clients do not understand the technical challenges and thought those requests can be implemented easily.

The funny thing is I actually received a request to build an app like HungryGoWhere. I told him honestly that HungryGoWhere can not be built easily and it has been build since 2006. It is almost impossible to replicate exactly like HungryGoWhere with limited time and limited budget. I told him that if he wants me to develop the app for him, he has to give me the complete requirements or divide the requirements into a few phrases. I can help him to develop from another phrase to the next. Without those requirements or a clear scope, I am not going to take the projects as the scope of the project can be limitless.

If you ask an app developer to build HungryGoWhere app for you (without a complete requirements/clear scope) is almost like asking a web developer to build a Facebook for you.

Got also request like that.i said phpfox.you dont have money.Yes sometimes customer keep delaying by asking detailing non functional requirement instead of real businese flow objective.Sometimes hard for me to argue tiny part like this.Tiny seem but it can uber complex or changed the whole system flow.

And the funniest part is - mobile programming sometimes make it harder the code of just to swipe some interface elements...
Haha. I have done it in Apple iOS and yea, it sucks. Thank God I managed to make it works... Babi sungguh, phew!! I really depend on my programming experience if the clients want some fancy-fancy things...
Dude, sometimes with the amount and intelligence of programming that I have done, Im thinking I should work in f**kin Microsoft like a truly professional. Haha!!

Exactly. Those small tiny details things are the hardest to implement. The entire navigation/flow of the apps might need to alter just because of those "tiny" requests. That's the reason the complete requirements with the complete flow and expected actions for each screen is very important. Without that, I rather not taking the project.

100% agree. Mobile development is not like creating a powerpoint slide. Those gesture recognisers and the transitions animation from one screen to another might be hard to implement. But, most clients who are new in this industry will not understand those technical challenges.

quick question.
how about the hosting of the mobile applications?
how many types are there and how much do they roughly cost for an average app that requires constant internet connection?
and if an app only needs internet/gps connection like tinder, does the cost differs by much?

I believe u not suit the job yet.
1. You dunno how to quote prices means u dunno where u standing n ability of ur self too.

2. You aint businessman yet,

3. You cant simply calculate the cost base on ur personal salary, cause u dealing with human, flexi, complication n bla bla

Just work out with pr or start low to earn business with out burden .


For example a local bangla can quote me rm 10k for simple cms (web), local student quote me rm 5k but i outsource to usual software house for rm 800.
Is not their ability, is the job n skill, bangla think malaysia is rich n can chop . . . .
Student think other can charge 10k why not they charge 5k but they lag of the ability n responsible to complete it. They told me each day they delay, they fine them self rm 50 (0.1%), is the best from them but standng on client site will said this is bs . . . .





This post has been edited by SonnyCooL: Nov 2 2014, 04:05 AM