Mobile App Maintenance Cost: Everything you need to know

The time when mobile app has created a buzz in the market. There is nothing like an app that can be more convenient, fast, and easily accessible. But what people don’t realize is that after the development of an app comes its mobile app maintenance cost.

Yes, even the most popular apps in the market require constant monitoring and maintenance daily. It’s just like any other software that requires maintenance.

According to a report, maintaining an app is about 20% of its development cost. So, for example, if your app development costs you $100,000, you can expect to spend $20,000 annually on its maintenance. Thus, it’s not even close to the cost of developing an app.

But what are some of the things that you need to consider while calculating maintenance costs? This article will discuss everything you need to know about mobile app maintenance costs. This includes the factors that affect it and the cost breakdown, so keep reading.

So, let’s get started…

Top Factors Influencing the Mobile App Maintenance Cost

1. Bug Fixing & Frequent Updates for App Compatibility

As new mobile devices and advanced operating systems are released in the market, it’s essential to keep your app up-to-date and compatible with them. Otherwise, it will become outdated soon, and users will start abandoning it.

This is why you need to budget for frequent updates and bug fixes. However, how often you’ll need to update your app depends on the complexity of your app and how quickly new devices and operating systems are released in the market.

For example- if you have a simple app that doesn’t use many features of the latest operating system, you won’t need to update it as often. On the other hand, if your mobile app is complex and uses the latest features of the operating system, you’ll need to update it more frequently.

2. Upgrading the App to Add New Features or Functionalities

As users get more accustomed to using your app, they’ll start expecting more. They’ll want new features and functionality that make their experience better. Thus, you need to budget for upgrading your app to add new features and functionality.

There are two ways to add new app features and functionality –

1) You can develop them from scratch.

2) You can integrate 3rd party services that provide the desired functionality.

The second option is usually more cost-effective as it doesn’t require much development time. However, it’s important to note that you’ll need to pay for the 3rd party service monthly or yearly.

3. Integrating Payment Gateway for Secure Transactions and Renewal Fees

Adding a payment gateway to your app is essential to offer paid subscriptions or other paid services. However, it’s also important to note that you’ll need to pay for the payment gateway monthly or yearly.

There are many payment gateway providers in the market, so you’ll need to research to find the one that best suits your needs. It’s essential to compare the features and fees of each provider before making a decision.

4. API Updates for 3rd Party Services Integration

In addition to adding new app features and functionality to your app, you may also need to update existing APIs used by the app. This is especially true if there are major changes to the 3rd party service.

For example- if you’re using Google Maps API to show directions in your app and there are significant changes to the Google Maps API, you’ll need to update your app to use the new API version.

5. Security & Privacy Enhancements

As maximum people use mobile phones, they become susceptible to hacking and other privacy risks. Thus, it’s essential to keep your app secure by implementing the latest security measures and protocols.

This may require you to invest in new tools or services that enable these security features. However, it’s also important to note that you’ll need to budget for ongoing maintenance and monitoring of these security measures.

6. Quality Assurance Testing & Optimization of User Experience

Quality assurance testing is an integral part of the mobile app maintenance costs, as it helps you identify and fix issues before your app users encounter them. This can involve rigorous functional and usability testing of your app.

It’s also essential to optimize the user experience of your app regularly. This includes making sure that the app is easy to use and navigate and provides the features and functionality that users expect.

7. Updating & Publishing New Content/Graphics

In addition to functional and usability testing, you’ll also need to regularly update and publish new content or graphics in your app. This includes adding recent articles, images, videos, and more.

You have to carefully plan and budget for these updates, as it may require some development work on your part or the help of a third-party content creation service. There are also mobile app maintenance costs associated with hosting and publishing this content on your app.

8. Cloud Hosting, Backup, & Support Services

Cloud hosting, backup, and support services are essential for running your app smoothly. These services can help you avoid data loss or downtime in a technical issue.

They also give you peace of mind knowing that there’s someone you can rely on to help you troubleshoot problems as they arise. However, it’s vital to note that these services often come with a monthly fee.

For example, if you use Amazon Web Services (AWS) to host your app, you’ll need to pay for the AWS services you use monthly. It will cost around $0.50 per GB of data storage and $0.10 per 1 million API requests.

9. Device Fragmentation & OS Updates

Device fragmentation is a significant issue for mobile app developers and can cause compatibility issues with your app. This is because there are various smartphones and tablets in the market, each with its operating system and software.

To ensure that your mobile app is compatible with the latest devices and operating systems, you’ll need to update your app regularly. It includes testing your app on new devices and ensuring it works correctly.

It’s also essential to keep up with the latest OS updates, as they often include new features and enhancements that can improve your app’s user experience.

10. User Engagement & Retention Activities

One of the main goals of mobile app maintenance is to increase user engagement and retention rates. In fact, it’s also an essential part of mobile app maintenance costs.

You’ll need to continuously evaluate how well your app is performing and identify ways to improve it based on the user feedback.

This may include conducting user surveys or focus groups, analyzing user analytics and usage data, and tracking user behavior trends. You may also need to experiment with new features or functionality to keep users engaged with your app over time.

Conclusion

Mobile app maintenance is an essential and ongoing process that helps you keep your app up-to-date, secure, plus compatible with the latest devices and operating systems. It also enables you to increase user engagement and retention rates.

To ensure that your app is successful in the long term, it’s essential to plan for these mobile app maintenance costs and budget accordingly. This may include working with a development team or using third-party services for cloud hosting, backups, and support.

Whatever approach you take, it’s important to prioritize quality assurance testing and user experience optimization to ensure the success of your app over time. If you need assistance, consult the mobile application maintenance and support services to know the actual mobile app maintenance cost and further steps to be taken.

Also Read: A Complete Guide On Grocery Delivery App Development