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When you're ready to advance your business and embrace digitalization, developing a top-notch web application is the key. But naturally, the subsequent question remains: How much does it cost to develop a Progressive Web App? Is it?
In today's age of innovation, understanding the cost of developing a progressive web application is crucial for businesses of all sizes. In 2024, the expense of progressive web app development continues to be a significant consideration for businesses aiming to navigate the digital landscape.
Businesses can plan their digital initiatives strategically by understanding PWA development costs, resulting in optimal returns on investment in web development. Dive into this comprehensive article to uncover all the essential details about the cost of developing a progressive web app, and be sure not to miss a single detail.
What are Progressive Web Apps (PWA)?
A Progressive Web App, also known as PWA, is an application that uses web platform technologies to deliver a user experience similar to that of a platform-specific app. These apps combine the best features of websites and mobile apps, and they are designed to be fast, reliable, and engaging. In other words, PWAs offer all the benefits of a native app without the need to download or install anything.
PWAs are like websites that can run on multiple platforms and devices from a single codebase. They can be downloaded onto a device, operate offline and in the background, and integrate with other devices and installed applications like a platform-specific app.
Progressive Web Applications enable users to download web apps to their home screens, work offline, and receive push alerts.
The Cost of Developing A Progressive Web Application
The budget for creating a solution is and will remain a top priority for every web app development company looking to expand its online presence. Developing a Progressive Web App (PWA) is generally more cost-effective than building native applications. Depending on the platform requirements, PWAs can be 3-4 times less expensive. Just wow...Isn't it fascinating to hear about it?
In addition, Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) enable businesses to connect with potential clients by offering effective solutions on various platforms. They reduce development costs and time to market, enhance user experience and maximize user engagement. Many organizations tend to underestimate the importance of maintaining their platform-specific solutions, so it is essential to consider maintenance costs when designing any application.
Now is the perfect moment to embark on building your PWA. Are you interested in obtaining an accurate and precise cost estimation for your PWA project?
The maintenance cost for any application, whether it's mobile or web, is approximately 20 to 25 percent of the total development cost. Businesses can effectively manage their software maintenance costs by implementing Progressive Web App development strategies, as PWAs generally require lower maintenance expenses than native applications.
Key Factors That Influence the Cost of Progressive Web Apps
The cost associated with developing a progressive web app (PWA) is contingent on several factors. Each project's website varies widely in complexity, and the development company's strategy, technology, and expertise also play a role. Additionally, the cost will increase based on the time required for construction. Once you've identified the key factors influencing the total spending on PWA development, you can assess the cost more accurately. Let's delve into each factor in the following sections.
1. Type of Project
The cost of PWA development is highly dependent on the complexity of the project, and it is directly proportional to it. For example, an online retail store will have vastly different requirements than an online booking application. The higher the complexity, the higher the development cost will be.
2. User Interface/User Requirements
It is important to ensure that your product is practical and to market it effectively. Creating brand value is essential, and the design of the application and ease of navigation are crucial in achieving this. High-quality graphics are necessary for building brand value but can increase the cost of PWA development. When budgeting, consider application features such as ease of navigation, multiple filters, catchy calls to action, wishlist and checkout options, product recommendations, and more.
3. Geographical Location of the Development Team
The cost of developing a progressive web app (PWA) is significantly influenced by the location of the development team. A typical development team consists of a business analyst, a project manager, frontend and backend developers, a QA engineer, and a UI/UX designer. Pay rates for these team members are influenced by their geographic location and level of experience. For instance, senior front-end developers in Asian countries like India tend to earn lower average hourly rates compared to those in North America or Europe. The following table outlines the hourly rate ranges for PWA developers in different regions:
| Location | Cost Per Hour |
|---|---|
| South America | $30 to $60 |
| US and Canada | $70 to $150 |
| Europe | $50 to $120 |
| Asia | $25 to $50 |
4. Preferred Development Solution Type
The three primary PWA development solution categories include pre-made, mixed, and custom-built options, ranked in decreasing order of cost. Opting for a pre-made PWA theme allows for minor design adjustments and integration of third-party extensions to enhance functionality. However, when aiming for a unique website to stand out among competitors, a custom-built solution offers the flexibility to select specific elements tailored to your business requirements.
Meanwhile, the mixed solution combines customized services with a premade template. Although pre-made solutions are cost-effective, they may lack scalability and pose challenges in finding suitable templates. Conversely, a tailored solution directly addresses business needs and ensures greater reliability.
5. The Pricing Model You Choose
When considering the creation of your custom project, you have the option to hire either a freelance Progressive Web App (PWA) developer or engage a Progressive Web App development company. Although freelancers may offer a more cost-effective solution, PWA development companies possess broader capabilities to ensure an optimal outcome aligned with your requirements. Additionally, there are three prevalent billing methods utilized by both freelancers and development providers.
Hourly rate
Business owners pay developers based on completed project milestones. This approach works well when clients are unsure about their needs and preferences. After each development phase, clients can provide feedback for potential changes or proceed to the next phase. Breaking the project into smaller components helps in predicting the duration of each task and prevents major adjustments during the final stage.
Fixed-price
This is often used for large-scale projects with many complex activities, making it hard to predict the exact duration of each one. Agencies estimate the time and cost of each component based on its complexity. The total of these cost projections will determine the final price.
Mixed
Some projects are of medium size and not overly complicated. The requirements given to developers are clear and simple. They can provide a final price to the client and detailed estimates for each component. The difference is that they offer a fixed final price determined by multiplying the total estimated hours by the hourly rate.
6. The Deadline for the Project
Moreover, if the project has a tight deadline, it will require additional resources, leading to increased development costs for the progressive web app. Providing the project developers with ample time to complete the project can help reduce costs. You can also obtain a comprehensive PWA solution with improved performance at a lower cost. The time required for commercial projects can range from weeks to years, while an enterprise project typically demands around 200 hours. Small projects may only require a few hours, while medium-sized projects can be completed within eight to ten days. Minor tasks usually take two to three weeks to finish.
7. The Complexity Level of the Project
The cost of developing a progressive web app (PWA) varies based on the project's complexity and the number of developers involved. You can opt for basic PWA development, which includes adding the PWA package and essential features.
Alternatively, you can request more complex development involving additional functional pages, third-party system integrations, advanced payment gateways, and chat platforms. Keep in mind that more cutting-edge and distinctive features will require additional time and money. These factors determine the cost of PWA development.
If you're seeking a dependable team for your ideal PWA project, you've come to the right place. Reach out to us for further information.
Unveiling Hidden Costs in PWA Development That You Should Be Aware Of
Here are some hidden costs to consider when developing a Progressive Web App (PWA) to avoid overspending on your project.
- Understanding the short- and long-term goals is crucial before selecting website designs. A strong grasp of customization requirements is also vital.
- To ensure the safety of important customer information, it's important to protect your website from malware and other security vulnerabilities.
- At times, it may be necessary to engage security experts and utilize commercial technology for data backup and infrastructure security.
- The use of mockups by developers, including paying a subscription fee for plugins and themes, could result in additional hidden charges.
- If you want to avoid additional expenses for plugins at the end of the project, ensure that you collaborate with skilled development teams who have a clear understanding of your project goals.
How to optimize the PWA development cost?
Based on the factors mentioned above, it is easy to understand that a complex application results in higher costs. Consider the following points to optimize the cost of PWA development.
1. Clearly Define Requirements
Remember to make notes and list and categorize the necessary features for your application. This will help you stay on track with your budget and timeline during the development process.
2. Carefully Select Your Outsourcing Partner
It is highly recommended to compare the cost of maintaining an in-house team versus outsourcing your project to a reliable partner such as Sparkout.
3. Beware of Hidden Costs
The necessary features may require changes to the back-end system, which will result in installation fees and administrative support service fees. It's crucial to clearly outline these conditions to ensure transparency regarding commitments, deliverables, and the fee structure, thus avoiding any surprises later on.
4. Consider Additional Services
It's important to bear in mind that the completion and launch of the MVP or final product don't signify the conclusion of website maintenance. Regular updates and maintenance of the PWA are equally vital to upholding the application's health. It's crucial to discuss and clarify the cost of these services before finalizing the contract with the development company.
Choose Sparkout's transparent PWA development services
Sparkout is dedicated to delivering transparent and top-tier progressive web application development services. As there is no fixed price for PWA development, we advise carefully considering the solution set and our recommendations for cost reduction. PWA development is particularly suitable for businesses operating on a tight budget that seeks to reach a broader audience, offering reliability, rapid downloads, and network independence.
"Progressive web app development agencies, such as ours, can significantly enhance conversion rates and elevate user experiences. PWAs are viewed as a sustainable long-term solution to this challenge. By harnessing the latest web technologies to fulfill diverse project needs, Sparkout has established itself as a leader in the web app development sector. We are committed to addressing both the technical and commercial aspects of each project."
Author Bio
Gowtham
Technical Architect
Hi, I'm Gowtham Paramasivam, Technical Architect at Sparkout Tech. From a young age, I've been passionate about figuring out how the world works and solving its problems. This is how I was introduced to software technology. Now, help businesses launch and scale with the right software solutions as part of Sparkout's technology team. I intend on taking you all through my journey by sharing the knowledge I have gained over the years.