[Day 10] How much does app development cost? I looked into it
Yesterday, I wrote about refining the design blueprints and organizing the necessary information for each screen.
Today, it's a topic I can't avoid.
Money.
How much does it actually cost to build an app?
I've always been curious, but I was too scared to look it up.
However, today, I properly looked into it.
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Market rates when hiring a development company
First, what if I hire a development company?
I searched Google for "app development cost market rate."
I was surprised by the information that came up.
Even for a simple app, it starts from several hundred thousand yen
The information varies depending on the article, but it's roughly like this:
・Simple app: 500,000 to 1 million yen
・With more features: 1 million to 3 million yen
・Complex app: 3 million yen or more
My "Hair Medical Record" app has treatment history, photos, and sharing features—
it might not be considered simple.
If that's the case, does it mean it will cost over 1 million yen...?
Honestly, I got scared.
Maintenance costs also add up
That's not all.
Even after it's built, there are server fees, maintenance costs, and update expenses—
it seems it can cost several hundred thousand yen annually.
Wow...
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In the case of no-code tools
Next, what about building it with a no-code tool?
I had heard that this was cheaper than hiring a development company, but I wonder what it's really like.
Monthly fees apply
When I looked into it, I found that many no-code tools are subscription-based.
・Free plan: Limited features
・Paid plan: Around 5,000 to 30,000 yen per month
Annually, that's 60,000 to 360,000 yen.
It's cheaper than hiring a development company, but I'd have to keep paying forever.
And,
it also requires my own time and effort to build it.
As someone who isn't tech-savvy, how much time will it take me...?-----
The gap between my budget and reality
I'll be honest.
I don't have that kind of money saved up.😂
1 million yen is a huge amount of money for a hairdresser like me.
Even the monthly no-code fees would be tough to keep paying forever.
What should I do...?
The more I researched, the more I saw the reality, and I got a little scared.
But I can't give up here.
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I decided to write honestly about money
I decided today:
I will write about money without hiding anything.
When I say, "I'm developing an app!"
people might think I have money.
But that's not the case for me.
I'm just an ordinary hairdresser, and I don't have much in savings.
Even so,
I truly believe, "I want to build this because it's necessary."
So,
I'm going to write honestly about the money,
and my struggles,
everything.
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So, what now?
I don't have money.
But I want to build it.
So, what do I do?
I'm currently considering three options.
① Hire a development company (look for installment plans or grants)
Even if I can't pay 1 million yen at once,
maybe I can pay in installments.
Alternatively,
I'll look into whether there are any grants or subsidies for startups.
② Build it myself using a no-code tool (investing time)If I don't have money,
I have no choice but to invest time.
Even if I'm not tech-savvy,
I'll build it little by little while learning.
If I have 260 days,
maybe I can make it work.
③ Consider crowdfundingIf there are people who need the "Hair Medical Record" app,
maybe there are people who will support it.
I'd like to think about ways to raise funds through crowdfunding.
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How I feel today
Honestly, I felt discouraged.
I felt pathetic for not having thought about money properly.
But I also think it's good that I learned the reality.
It's better to struggle while knowing the facts than to proceed in ignorance.
Even without money,there are things I can do.
I won't give up,and I will move forward one step at a time.
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Tomorrow, I plan to look into grants and subsidies.
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Look forward to the next update!