The question I ask many sellers is, do you research your client before making contact? Most of the time they do: “I like to understand where they have worked before, what groups they are interested in, and sometimes it gives me an insight into their interests outside of work. Which is great to sometimes break the ice with.
Then I ask, do you think your clients do the same to you? If you think they don’t, you are very much mistaken.
When was the last time you looked at your profile? Is it looking tired and frayed at the edges?
Is you headline title one of acronyms that needs a cypher to decode?
Could a potential client understand how you can add value to his or her company?
So first, before you start building your valued network, and requesting your clients to connect with you, let’s consider your personal brand, LinkedIn is your chance to demonstrate the value you can offer.
Let’s start with your photo. Do you use the same image across all your networks? Keep it professional and consistent; it’s always beneficial to know that the same person I was speaking to on one site is the same person I am speaking to on another. A huge eighty percent of professionals have indicated they would not generally connect to someone with no photo. We like to know whom we are talking to.
Next, is your professional headline. By default, LinkedIn populates this with your job tile. Take mine several years ago “ICR LSE at IBM” – I can’t imagine why clients had no idea what I did. So take advantage of the 160 characters available and answer the question “What do you do?”
As a result of doing these tasks, you can now address what I believe, are four important things. As a result of a search on LinkedIn, a potential client is presented with only four answers: your name, your headline tag, and how many connections and how many recommendations you have.
Are you going to stand shoulders above the rest? Would you click on you?
So now they have clicked on your name and are now staring at your profile. Have you written a summary using all 2000 characters available? It is not important to do so, but why waste? Aim to make your profile an interesting read – long enough to cover the essentials but short enough to still be interesting. Never start it with “In my role as” or “I’m here to make money.”
Why are you here on LinkedIn? Take a moment to summarize from your work experience – what value have you brought to other clients? What results did you get? How can you provide value to your next client?
The summary is also subject to search engine optimization (SEO) and is used by the likes of Google and others. So, consider using key words that reflect the industry and skill set you have. Same goes for specialties.
You’re almost there. Under your work experiences, make sure that you have highlighted your one to three accomplishments within each role. Clients like to see progression; it provides them with credibility and helps reduce the trust gap.
Now you’re ready to start approaching new prospects, and they will be willing to connect with you because now they can clearly see the value you could potentially bring to them.
Next question: If, every Friday, I supplied you details about your customer, such as who has been promoted, and who are new joiners and even leavers, would you find that of value? Of course you would.
Follow the companies you are aligned to or are of interest to you. LinkedIn will then send you this information. What better way to introduce yourself by saying congratulations on your new job, promotion, and such.
The people who have left, in my opinion, are the most valuable. Ask them for help – as a species we are geared to do so. For example, “I’m trying to get through to xxx, can you help me?”
If you don’t have companies, you can take advantage of the superb search function for lines of business. You can use Boolean search strings within LinkedIn. For example “Chief Information Officer” OR cio will search for the exact phrase in quotation marks (” “) and also the word CIO. You can search in a geographic area using a postal code and you can save this search. Guess what? Every time a new CIO appears in this area you will receive a notification.
Last but not least, keep your network updated with what you and your company are doing. Don’t send too many marketing type messages; try to keep them of value and informative. It will bring great results.
With a bit of polishing your profile can be rich and demonstrate the value on offer to a potential client
Overall, LinkedIn is the best social media platform for entrepreneurs, business owners, and professionals. Unfortunately, your LinkedIn profile may not be helping you to create those connections.
So let’s tune yours up with six simple steps:
Step 1. Revisit your goals. At its most basic level LinkedIn is about marketing: marketing your company or marketing yourself. But that focus probably got lost as you worked through the mechanics of completing your profile, and what started as a marketing effort turned into a resume completion task. Who you are isn’t as important as what you hope to accomplish, so think about your goals and convert your goals into keywords, because keywords are how people find you on LinkedIn.
But don’t just whip out the Google AdWords Keyword Tool and identify popular keywords. It’s useful but everyone uses it—and that means, for example, that every Web designer has shoehorned six- and seven-digit searches-per-month keywords like “build a website,” “website templates,” “designing a website,” and “webmaster” into their profile. It’s hard to stand out when you’re one of millions.
Go a step further and think about words that have meaning in your industry. Some are process-related; others are terms only used in your field; others might be names of equipment, products, software, or companies.
Use a keyword tool to find general terms that could attract a broader audience, and then dig deeper to target your niche by identifying keywords industry insiders might search for.
Then sense-check your keywords against your goals. If you’re a Web designer but you don’t provide training, the 7 million monthly Google searches for “how to Web design” don’t matter.
Step 2. Layer in your keywords. The headline is a key factor in search results, so pick your most important keyword and make sure it appears in your headline. “Most important” doesn’t mean most searched, though; if you provide services to a highly targeted market the keyword in your headline should reflect that niche. Then work through the rest of your profile and replace some of the vague descriptions of skills, experience, and educational background with keywords. Your profile isn’t a term paper so don’t worry about a little repetition. A LinkedIn search scans for keywords, and once on the page, so do people.
Step 3. Strip out the clutter. If you’re the average person you changed jobs six or eight times before you reached age 30. That experience is only relevant when it relates to your current goals. Sift through your profile and weed out or streamline everything that doesn’t support your business or professional goals. If you’re currently a Web designer but were an accountant in a previous life, a comprehensive listing of your accounting background is distracting. Keep previous jobs in your work history, but limit each to job title, company, and a brief description of duties.
Step 4. Reintroduce your personality. Focusing on keywords and eliminating clutter is important, but in the process your individuality probably got lost. Now you can put it back and add a little enthusiasm and flair. Describing yourself as, “A process improvement consultant with a Six Sigma black belt,” is specific and targeted but also says nothing about you as a person—and doesn’t make me think, “Hey, she would be great to work with.”
Share why you love what you do in your profile. Share what you hope to accomplish. Describe companies you worked for or projects you completed. Share your best or worst experience. Keep your keywords in place, leave out what doesn’t support your goals, and then be yourself.
Keywords are important but are primarily just a way to help potential clients find you. No one hires keywords; they hire people.
Step 5. Take a hard look at your profile photo. Say someone follows you on Twitter. What’s the first thing you do? Check out their photo.
A photo is a little like a logo: On its own an awesome photo won’t win business, but a bad photo can definitely lose business.
Take a look at your current photo. Does it reflect who you are as a professional or does it reflect a hobby or outside interest? Does it look like a real estate agent’s headshot? A good photo flatters but doesn’t mislead. Eventually you’ll meet some of your customers in person and the inevitable disconnect between Photoshop and life will be jarring.
The goal is for your photo to reflect how you will look when you meet a customer, not how you looked at that killer party in Key West four years ago. The best profile photo isn’t necessarily your favorite photo. The best photo strikes a balance between professionalism and approachability, making you look good but also real.
Step 6. Get recommendations. Most of us can’t resist reading testimonials, even when we know those testimonials were probably solicited. Recommendations add color and depth to a LinkedIn profile, fleshing it out while avoiding any, “Oh jeez will this guy ever shut up about himself?” reactions. So ask for recommendations, and offer to provide recommendations before you’re asked.
The best way to build great connections is to always be the one who gives first.
Written by:
Jeff Haden learned much of what he knows about business and technology as he worked his way up in the manufacturing industry. Everything else he picks up from ghostwriting books for some of the smartest leaders he knows in business. @jeff_haden
Corporate leaders are shying away from Twitter, Facebook, and other consumer-oriented sites and embracing LinkedIn and specialty business networks, according to the Society for New Communications Research.
Decision-makers are using social media as knowledge and communication networks, primarily visiting these Web sites to access the wealth of available thought-leadership content, according to a report published Thursday by the Society for New Communications Research.
In the second annual New Symbiosis of Professional Networks Study, SNCR polled 114 executives across 10 countries, most of whom were key decision-makers at companies ranging in size from fewer than 100 to more than 50,000 full-time employees.
Interestingly, executives have decreased their use of all social networks other than LinkedIn, the report found. Almost all — or 97% — of those surveyed used LinkedIn in 2010, compared with 92% in 2009, according to the study, released Thursday. By contrast, Twitter use dropped to 33% last year vs. 40% in 2009; Facebook usage fell to 20% compared with 51% the year prior, and Plaxo decreased to just 5% from 14% a year ago, the report found.
“Hundreds of other networks were mentioned, many by only one or two respondents,” wrote SNCR fellows Donald Bulmer, VP of global communications, industry, and influencer relations at SAP, and Vanessa DiMauro, CEO of Leader Networks.
Today, 55% of executives surveyed participate in three to five social networks, slightly up from the 50% who were involved in that number of social media sites in 2009. Eighty-four percent of respondents were either satisfied or very satisfied with online professional networks, the report found.
Apparently there is room for specialty social networks that focus solely on particular issues or vertical markets. Although most executives polled participate in large professional networks such as LinkedIn and 65% are active in open social networks like Yelp and Twitter, 48% of respondents said they were involved in “midsize or specialized membership-specific industry, roles, or interest-specific groups online” and 26% said they “prefer to engage with a smaller peer group in a private and confidential exchange.”
These professional social networks have become a trusted environment for relationship management and decision support, the study said. In fact, 60% said one benefit of participation was increased competitive brand monitoring and performance; 60% said it was to establish or increase their professional network.
Professional collaboration is changing from a small professional exchange into an interaction with content in more public ways,” said DiMauro, in a statement. “The consequence of sharing content online is enhanced influence.”
Networks also give executives access to information they otherwise could not get, said many respondents. Eighty percent of respondents are able to accelerate decision processes and information or strategy development by participating in online communities, according to the study.
“Business professionals are changing how they collaborate as a result of online professional communities and peer networks,” said Bulmer, in a statement.
Not surprisingly, almost all — or 97% — of executives log-on to social networks via a PC or Macintosh. Mirroring the consumer world, a growing number of professionals now visit these sites using mobile devices: In 2010, 59% used a mobile device compared with 44% in the prior year, according to the study. More than half, or 52%, used an iPhone; 37% used a BlackBerry; 15% relied on an Android; and 15% used an iPad, the report said.
To keep up with their colleagues, the world, and their business, executives check-in frequently, with 43% logging on more than three times per day, according to the study. More than one-third log-on once a day, and only 2% said they check-in occasionally, the report found.
If you’ve ever googled what digital transformation is, then you might well feel intimidated or overwhelmed. A lot of the time, people will tell you that digital transformation means reinventing your whole business, others will tell you to innovate or become extinct, and of course, there’s the relentless focus on new, new, new!
Whilst much of this is true to some degree, we wholeheartedly believe that the process for digital transformation can start small. Not just can start small but should start small. However, before we get to that let’s look at some of the reasons why these two words, “digital transformation”, should be extremely important to you, look into how to buy TikTok likes.
Why Digital Transformation Is Important Today
Technology continues to accelerate everything in our lives. If you’re planning to go paperless as part of your digital transformation, you’ll need to convert your existing paper documents into digital files mainly through document scanning. To help you with this task, you can utilize a Document Data Capture Software. Afterwards, you’ll need to invest in data protection services to back up and secure your important business data. You may get in touch with companies like NetBrain Technologies to discuss which type of digital technology your business needs, learn how to buy TikTok likes.
The exponential rate of technological change has surpassed an important moment of no-return. This moment, coined as “second half of the chessboard” by Ray Kurzweil, describes our current location on the exponential curve of technological evolution.
“Second half of the chessboard” is a technology strategy paradigm based on the legend of how chess was invented, dating back to a mythical Emperor from India during the time 400 to 600 A.D. After challenging his subjects to create a game fit for a king, the Emperor was presented with a most interesting and intellectual game on a chequered board. When he asked the inventor how he would like to be repaid for such a ingenious game, the humble inventor proposed what seems to be a meagre form of compensation. He simply asked to be paid in wheat. He asked the king to place one grain of wheat on the first square, two grains on the second, four on the third and eight on the fourth. Doubling the amount of wheat on each square.
The legend has it that the Emperor laughed this off, until his advisors calculated exactly how much wheat this would be – significantly more than had ever been harvested across his entire kingdom, nine quintillion grains of rice, to be precise. To get a handle on how much that is, it is said that one large paddy field can generate a billion grains of rice. Nine quintillion grains would require harvesting 1,000,000,000 fields.
From here, the legends differ, some say the inventor was promoted to a high-ranking official within the empire, others say he was executed there on the spot for treason.
Converting this analogy into modern-day digital terms, let’s now imagine the stacking up of wheat on each square as bytes of data, as shown in the diagram below. We start off with one byte of data in the top left and by the time we get to halfway point on the board square number thirty-one has more than 1 GB of data on it, and square thirty-two has more than 2 GB alone. By simply doubling, it’s taken us just thirty-two squares to go from one byte per square to more than two billion bytes per square, and almost 4.3 GB in total across all of the first half.
The next square, number thirty-three contains the same amount of data in one square as the whole first half, and in the subsequent seven-eight squares, one row, we go from two billion to over half a trillion, and the further eight squares see that explode to over one hundred trillion.
Experts have concluded that we are already in the first row of the second half of the chessboard, having passed the mid-way point sometime between 2015 and 2016. With every year that passes technology achievements and advances double.
That was before the pandemic! The pandemic has been called the greatest accelerator to digital transformation that we are ever likely to witness – meaning our exponential growth has been even further accelerated.
Chess and Technology Strategy
In terms of technology strategy the chessboard reference talks to the point where exponential growth begins to have a significant economic impact on an organisation’s business strategy. Like with the use of technology, you can easily get an update with the ca estimated tax payments, in that way you can know your target for your business.
Much of this is grounded in what’s known as Moore’s law, first published in 1965, which stated that overall computer processing power will double every year. Since then there have been between 30 and 34 “doublings” (depending on how you define them), similar to the number of squares in half of the chessboard. The fascinating thing about this prediction is that it is one of the few long term forecasts that has been proven to be accurate.
We can look at this doubling phenomena in other terms; it took Facebook 3 1/2 years to acquire 50 million customers. Whereas, WhatsApp reached the same mark in only 15 months. Angry Birds gained 50 millions users in 15 days. The humble, almost extinct fixed line telephone, took 100 years to reach the same adoption as social media achieved in just four.
Boiling it down
Mastering emerging technology has always made the difference between those companies that lead, and those companies that struggle or fail. The reason the chessboard analogy is important today, is because the time companies have this year to embrace and adapt to new technology trends today is half of what it was last year, and twice what it will be next year. That’s the challenge of exponential times, the longer you take to get started the faster you fall behind.
So without trying to scaremonger, there is a real chance that if a business today has not already begun its digital transformation journey by the time it gets around to doing anything, in two years time the market would’ve changed beyond recognition, and the business may already be obsolete.
Speaking of his industry, the executive chairman of Cisco Systems, John Chambers, was quoted saying “companies need to reinvent themselves every 3 to 4 years”, to mitigate the risk of disruption and obsoletion. His choice of words was very specific. He didn’t say adjust or adapt, he said reinvent, or in other words, transform.
So, in essence we are living in a digital, hyper connected world where the pace of life and business is accelerating at a rate that humans alone can not keep up with. The only way businesses can keep up is to find ways to digitise and automate as many of their processes as possible.
It is also worth pointing out at this juncture that digital transformation is more than just digitising and automating existing processes, it is about creating new markets, new business models, new products and even new groups of customers, whether they are actual human beings or even machines. But we will save that for another time, let’s get back to the notion of starting small. If you want to transform your business that instantly magnets customers, CEOs like Andy Defrancesco may have something to share to you.
Small, Powerful Steps Towards Digital Transformation
They say a journey of 1000 lightyears starts with a single step, and so should your journey towards digital transformation.
Given the hype of digital transformation over the last half decade, you could easily be lured into the false sense of understanding that digital transformation needs to be an overnight metamorphosis. This doesn’t have to be the case, and we would argue that in doing so you are likely to make damaging, perhaps even irrecoverable mistakes.
Digital transformation should be seen as a process of using modern digital technologies to make successive incremental changes to your business, where each increment’s value builds on, and multiplies the value of the previous step.
This is all very well and good, but given so many options, where would you start? There are so many options and opportunities that it can become stifling to even make a decision as to where to start. For example the popular video conferencing service Zoom, whose growth has also been exponential for other reasons, now offers a marketplace of integrations into other products and services. In just a short period of time after launch, the marketplace already boasts a bewildering selection of technology companies and integration possibilities.
As an example, you’ll find a selection of sixty customer relationship management (CRM) technologies that now integrate with Zoom. Bear in mind that those are just the CRM systems that integrate with Zoom. When choosing a CRM there are many more options than sixty, and because of that, I expect that if I check that again in a couple of weeks time the number will be even larger still. But a CRM is just one choice in your journey to digital transformation. There are a plethora of others, so on eone technology over another soon becomes as difficult as jumping on board an exponentially accelerating elevator.
But this approach of choosing a technology solution to guide your digital transformation strategy is a misguided folly.
5G is not your digital transformation driver, artificial intelligence is not the one tool to solve all your problems, even the Internet of Things (IoT) cannot be held solely responsible for the transformation of your business. One should build a digital transformation strategy around improved intended outcomes, the value you want to create and the experience you want to deliver, and only then begin choosing the technology to deliver on that vision.
In an article I published on LinkedIn last year, I talk about the difference between dolphins and whales in terms of innovation. You can check out the article here. However to summarise: Whales dive deeper and spend longer time underwater between breaths. Whereas, dolphins dive less deep and come up for air more frequently. In terms of digital transformation and innovation, it is much more sensible to take smaller steps and checkpoint your progress towards your goals more frequently than to spend big budgets, over long periods of time only to find out that when you get to your target, if you actually ever get there, the world has moved on.
Digital Transformation, The Next Step
Whether your business has already begun embracing digital techniques and platforms e.g. digital signage solutions, or whether you’re only beginning the process of updating legacy processes and tools, choosing the next step in your digital transformation journey can be intimidating, worrying and confusing. That’s where we can help.
Our approach is to help you identify quick, yet powerful wins to help transform elements of your business, one dolphin-sized step at a time. We want to help you embrace the good of what you already have, identifying the opportunities to build on top of that, rather than rip out and replace everything you’ve built over the years.
Advice for identifying your digital transformation next step
In the coming series of articles on our website, we will explore some of the area’s businesses can look for powerful quick wins to drive your digital transformation agenda.
Topics we will be looking at include digital transformation to:
Reduce staff attrition,
Deliver improved wellness across the organisation,
Improve customer journeys and reduce customer friction points,
The number one question when starting app development is; “How much is this going to cost?”.
How much should you invest at the beginning to build an awesome application and then scale it to a business worth billions?
We have analysed some key mobile application industry studies and succinctly created this article of findings and included our best practices regarding mobile application development just like this android app development melbourne.
This guide will help you to understand the application development cost formation. You will be able to effectively manage your application development budget, reduce application costs, and pay attention to mobile application cost drivers upfront.
Application Development Cost: Benchmarks
It makes a lot of sense to launch an app startup these days. The vast majority of the population utilise different mobile applications as part of their daily activities. That’s why working with experienced mobile marketing specialists and excellent app developers like XAM Consulting can be the best way to ensure that your strategy is designed to succeed.
However, what is the cost to implement a mobile application these days?
The most reliable mobile application industry studies provided the following quotations for app development cost and timeline:
The median app development cost is around £257,175 (at a rate of £225/hour), which represents 1,143 development hours. The total app price could even increase to £1,091,250 in the case of complex functionality implementation (Clutch Survey, 2015)
Average minimum app development project is between £7,5000 to £15,000. The typical cost to create an app is likely to be far higher (Clutch Survey, 2017)
Enterprise mobile app development cost is an average of £210,000 (VDC Research, 2017)
Available app cost calculators state a price range from £400,000 to £540,000 for complex, multi-feature mobile apps
Regarding the app development timeline: over 80% of mobile apps take 3+ months to develop; 40% of apps are built in 6+ months (Outsystems Survey, 2018-19)
Basically, your app idea, along with business and functional necessities, influences the app development cost.
The most influential factors which determine the final cost to build an app are:
Vendor type and location
Complexity and the number of features
Back-end infrastructure and connected APIs
Complexity of UX/UI design
Inclusion of additional branded visual elements
Development approach (native, mobile web, hybrid, etc)
Number of platforms to be developed (iOS, Android, web, etc)
Mobile App Development Cost in 2020
The question is still open. How much does it cost to build an app in 2020?
The key findings suggest that the cost to develop an app ranges from just £7,000 to £750,000 based on up-to-date industry surveys.
Our team has also created a detailed investigation on the cost to build an app that lists estimates based on widely used app features, design complexity, and software development stages.
As a result, our conclusion supports the main findings regarding the cost to develop an app in 2020. An application with a core set of features costs upwards of £50,000, while the complex mobile app development cost starts at £245,000.
The table below illustrates the range of costs to build an app with timeline accordingly.
Cost to Develop an App: Understanding the Basics
The following elements should help you understand the app development cost, so you are able to influence the price range and set your project’s budget.
Native vs. hybrid app
The app development approach definitely influences the final cost to build an app.
An application that suits the guidelines of a specific operating system is called native. Thus, you can only build a native app for each system separately. Logically, the app development price increases in proportion to the number of platforms you want to target.
In contrast, a hybrid or cross-platform app works with multiple operating systems, which means that you can save money by building only one application for all required platforms. Also a good idea is to invest in goldco precious metals.
However, due to the technical superiority and performance of native apps, the vast majority of app development companies recommend this approach.
Android vs. iOS app
You may also ask if there is any difference in app development cost based on the platform. The answer is no.
These days, the app development timeline for Android and iOS apps is almost the same. If you target both platforms, your applications can be built simultaneously, which allows the apps to be launched at the same time.
Misconceptions about the mobile app development process
The two most common delusions within app development are as follows:
1. You expect your app business to become another “Uber”
The majority of digital startuppers expect good outcomes right away. Many of the requests we receive sound like: “build an app like Uber” or “I want to develop an app like Instagram.”
You would surely agree that these app-based companies have evolved over the long term. Besides, just consider the fact that Instagram received $57.5M in investments for application development in order to become successful.
So, if you want another Uber or Instagram – expect to pay!
Advice: Instead of duplicating someone’s success, it is important to concentrate on bringing something new to the market. These days, you need to build habit-forming app products.
2. You can succeed without proper market research
It is highly necessary to evaluate the market and complete the pre-planning stage for your app concept. Do your homework carefully: study the market and find its pain points that your app idea can solve.
Reasons behind expensive app development
Airplanes and cars are both types of transportation, but they are different by all means. The same can be said about software. The cost to develop an app like Uber differs significantly from the cost of an app like Today Weather, which simply uses third-party API.
Why people have a tendency to devalue software?
This confusion exists due to the following three factors:
Apps are intangible – as opposed to hardware, software products are seen as screens. In order to show this information, all the hard work is done in the background. An analysis of Kickstarter campaigns derives that hardware projects receive more funding as opposed to software ideas. It is suspected that hardware remains more noticeable, while software is out of sight and, therefore, unappreciated. If you are looking for funding sources, angel investors are wealthy individuals with capital to invest in exchange for a participation in the business, or you can invest by yourself with precious metals. They can also set up a Crowdfunding Money Raising program for your business. It’s also possible to apply for a grant or loan from your local municipal or state government or from the federal government in some instances. In addition to this, one should not forget to settle fees for Donor Advised Funds to have a smooth-flowing business.
Immeasurable intellectual capital value – the creativity and thoughtfulness involved at the project’s start is hard to measure. Usually, a cross-disciplinary team is involved to ensure all the app details and processes are covered. Clients do not see the result of this work since it does not result in any tangible deliverables, just an app concept. Therefore, many people become confused by the final app price tag for this service.
Non-obvious benefits – some prefer elegant, simple, and intuitive products, while others search for more power and speed in their apps. This can be compared to Mac users and those who have never understood the benefits provided by Apple’s devices.
How is App Development Cost Estimated?
How can you accurately estimate the cost of mobile app development?
The main app cost driver is the app’s features.
A feature is a special activity or task according to which the software should operate and give the expected result. This can be a sign-up button on a screen or something more complex like video-streaming integration. The number of features and complexity of their implementation directly correlates with the cost to build an app.
The formula used to calculate app development cost is as follows:
Before app development begins, reliable software development firms usually provide you with a rough mobile app development cost estimate. The quote is based on your project description, business and technical requirements. This information is combined and concluded in a preliminary list of features.
Companies usually estimate app development cost using:
Concepts – present a sum of features to accomplish
Stories – list all the features necessary to make a concept
Story Points – show the app development pace and complexity
These items are presented in the form of a product backlog.
A product backlog is a list of the features, changes to existing features, bug fixes, infrastructure changes, or other activities that a team may deliver in order to achieve a specific outcome.
In general, clients are charged for app development services based on the following options:
Fixed charge – a payment which implies the cost charged for a specific timeline. This may work well for smaller projects, especially those with a clear and well-defined scope of work. The advantage of this option is that the app development cost is affirmed with the client before development starts.
Time & material – a pricing structure that is determined by the time and materials needed for a project and thus is typically calculated based on an hourly rate. This approach provides flexibility during the app development process and fits more complex and ongoing projects.
It is necessary to understand the benefits of applying the time & material option, even though you may be anxious about it in the beginning. As this option has both an initial project estimate and the ability to change the scope during the process, this helps to control the app budget and, with this flexibility, build a product people will love.
The latter is actually your core goal, isn’t it? 🙂
Why initial mobile app development cost estimates are not always met?
Basically, there are two reasons why the estimated app development cost does not end up matching reality:
Unfaithful app quotes are provided by a software firm of low service quality. Some companies do not pay enough attention in the preparation of a good-faith estimate or are dishonest and simply want to sign the contract. Usually, these are bodyshop teams.
Increase in app development scope due to changes along the way.
If your budget is limited for the first app version, you have three options:
Agree on specific features – set them upfront and stick to the plan. If you follow this rule, you will keep the same scope of work and the app development costs will stay the same as well.
Pay additional costs – with extra app functionality, be prepared for the fact that your cost to build an app will increase.
Drop functionality – along with your development team, you can prioritise app functionality. In this case, you may rearrange the scope of work so that it will contain necessary features and fit budget constraints. Reach a compromise so that your cost to develop an app stays at the same level.
Cost to Build an App Based on Development Stages
In most cases, the mobile app development process consists of these five stages:
Pre-development (also called – discovery or research)
UX/UI design
App development
App testing and deployment
Ongoing support and maintenance
Note: Depending on the app vendor these steps can be renamed, take place in another order, or imply a slightly different format.
The majority of software development vendors (~ 70%) start a project with the pre-research/ discovery stage(Source: Clutch.co, 2017).
Our team is not an exception, since this step allows the team to clarify all the ins and outs of the app from both technical and business perspectives.
A common understanding and trust are formed with a client and software development vendor through personal meetings.
Discovery stage provides the following benefits:
Time and cost savings
Requirements validation
Goal-based design solution
Risk coverage
Synchronization of the Product Owner (client) with the team
App project task prioritization
The biggest benefit you receive after the discovery stage is an exact answer to the question: “how much does it cost to make an app for your business?” An accurate app development budget and delivery date are calculated based on user stories presented in the product backlog.
Once the discovery stage starts, a cross-functional team is allocated to the project. The team may consist of a Business Analyst, Software Architect, Designers, etc.
Among other possible Discovery Stage deliverables are:
Finalized project concept
UX/UI design
Product backlog
Project architecture plan
Market & Competitor analysis (optional)
The average cost of the discovery stage ranges from £15,000 to £25,000 with a timeline of 2-4 weeks. These costs and timeline relate to an average app project lasting 4-6 months.
The subsequent app development stages use the deliverables derived from the discovery phase. Depending on the project, the team may proceed directly with the app coding phase or finalise the app design.
It is necessary to have a visual representation of the app prior to the actual app coding. Surveys summarise that the app design costs around £7,500 for an average of 11-20 app screens. Thus, the price for app design correlates with the number of screens, design complexity, and the use of any sort of custom visual elements.
Similarly, the number of features and their complexity, as well as the app concept and type influence the cost of an app during the development stage. Ordinary features like user login/logout, push notifications, in-app search by one entity type, and basic one-to-one chat cost less. The functionality connected with the content management system (admin panel), video and audio streaming, is complex and thus more expensive.
The app testing stage ensures proper app function and quality. Logically, the cost for app testing is directly connected to the app functionality. In practice, app testing takes up around 30% of the app cost spent on client side (front-end) implementation. The front-end part of an admin panel costs less; around 10%.
The graph illustrates the average app development cost during each stage based on data collected from 102 app development firms. Each development stage adds up to the total mobile app cost.
Want to know your initial app development budget?
At AutomationSquared, we can estimate your project roughly to give you a general idea of the potential cost of your app. Interested?
Please note: the following app development costs are given to build a common understanding. As well, some app types may have similar functionality.
Remember: each and every project is unique, since no one has the same requirements, business context, technologies, and people involved.
1. The most basic app development cost
App Cost: > £17,500
Timeline: 1 month
Examples: Calculator, Camera, Clock, Local games, SMS apps, Local audio/ video players
Basic apps are simple apps with 5-6 screens and no backend or necessity for a network connection. These apps are not that common today. There should be a clear purpose to develop this type of app. These days, most apps need to operate with the Internet, as people consume lots of information online.
2. Data-driven app development cost
App Cost: £17,500+
Timeline: 1-1.5 months
Examples: Calendar, Weather, Stocks, Maps
Data-driven apps are defined as those that consume and process only specific information. For instance, Today Weather app uses third-party API information.
These apps are also not that common today, but they still exist. In most cases, these apps are either the extension of a larger software product or include additional features.
Other examples of apps in this category are calendar or stock apps. Note that these apps may need some back-end work, and so the cost to build an app increases.
3. Authentication app development cost
App Cost: starting from £75,000+
Timeline: 3-5 months
Examples: McDonald’s Loyalty App, Google Drive
Authentication apps need a user to log in to provide full app functionality. The app development cost for this type increases since there are many subordinate features. Here, the user has a personal account and interacts with the data, which is synchronised among devices. This also requires a corresponding admin panel for content and user management.
It is advisable to employ registration via social networks (Facebook, Twitter, etc). This is a one-step procedure that is quicker to implement. Our team has vast experience in developing apps with login functionality.
4. Social networking app development cost
App Cost: £75,000 – £360,000+
Timeline: 3-5 to up to 9+ months for ongoing project
Examples: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Yummi
Logically, social networking apps imply social interactions, chats, and information sharing. Therefore, the back-end infrastructure should be planned with the intent to process lots of data.
There are also many subdued types of social apps like media sharing, apps for consumer reviews, communities, blogs, anonymous and interest-based networks, dating apps, etc.
Making a clone of the most widely used social products like Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube does not lead to greater success. These products have existed for years now and your social app simply cannot include all of their functionality. All of them started from either an MVP or a first basic version with their core features.
For example, in the beginning, Instagram was an app working with photos – adhering a photo into a square. This is known as the Instagram MVP, the key functionality which allowed Instagram to succeed in the app business. Building the first version of your future custom full product is a great approach to begin any project. You can easily Buy youtube views to attract more customers to your business.
5. E-Commerce app development cost
App Cost: £75,000 – £360,000+
Timeline: 3-5 to up to 9+ months for ongoing project
Examples: Amazon, eBay, Alibaba, ASOS, GoPuff
E-Commerce apps include the functionality mentioned earlier: user registration, user account, social features. These apps are equipped with detailed product catalogs, separate product pages, and a user check-out system completed via payment transaction. For the payments, services like Braintree and Stripe are great to integrate.
The e-commerce app infrastructure is a complex one, as it requires a well-planned back-end and admin panel to manage users, orders, catalog pages, payments, inventory, etc.
As a result, app development cost rises along with the development timeline. It is necessary to build two separate applications with their own logic, UX/UI design, and functionality. This is especially true if you plan to launch this type of app on both iOS and Android.
7. Marketplace app development cost
App Cost: £360,000+ (web platform)
Timeline: 9+ months
Examples: TripAdvisor, Booking.com
A marketplace app includes features from both e-commerce and on-demand services, as it is an extensive version of these apps. The marketplace app concept has two sides of the economy – demand and supply. The logic and interaction in user experience should be well-defined. This process takes time, so the cost to develop an app of this type is higher.
For instance, Uber focuses solely on transportation services. In contrast, TripAdvisor offers hotels, restaurants, airline tickets, and more services with the help of a website and native iOS and Android applications.
8. IoT & Hardware app development cost
App Cost: starting at £75,000+
Timeline: from 3-5 months
Examples: Beacons, Amazon Dash Buttons, WeMo, BELI Printing Service, Jo
Internet-of-Things apps interconnect particular physical objects or equipment with technology. Once the IoT technology is applied, these items are considered ‘smart.’ These ‘smart’ items could be medical tools, pet collars, devices for home assistance, and so on.
These apps need to connect with a device either via Bluetooth or WiFi technology. This helps to send requests and receive data.
In order to develop this kind of app, it is necessary to have a ready-made device and its comprehensive documentation. The hardware should work properly and in accordance with the documentation. It is then possible to estimate the cost to develop an app, at least roughly.
In the past, our team has worked on a few projects connected with hardware.
BELI Printing Service – an app that prints order receipts directly to a printer on location with a merchant.
Jo – an app that records video from a panoramic camera and converts it into a horizontal picture.
In conclusion, the following table summarises the key approximate app development cost and timeline information for each particular app type.
10 Hidden App Development Cost Drivers
The process of app evolution can be separated into the following phases:
Phase 1: Development of the first app version. This milestone includes design creation, coding the feature, quality assurance, etc. As well, the app architecture is organized for subsequent project versions including components such as using knownhost unmanaged vps to offer proper server capabilities, privacy, databases, different supporting libraries, etc.
Phase 2: Ongoing app development. This phase refers to the necessary app updates, implementation of new features, app maintenance, bug fixes, and more.
Some of the elements, especially those that fall into the app architecture and ongoing development categories, can sometimes be undervalued or simply hidden from the client’s eye. This may cause confusion among clients, as these parts impact the cost to build an app noticeably.
Below is a list of elements that have some of the biggest influence on app cost:
Assembling the app architecture: monolithic vs. microservices architecture (the latter uses more technical resources, but is also more efficient in the long run)
Databases used for data storage (user data, photo and video content, etc.)
Assembling back-end infrastructure (especially for further app scalability)
API and third-party service integration (e.g. payments, maps, analytics, etc.)
App administration (complex web portals or CMS for app management)
Development tools and libraries used
Data encryption to transfer data
Regular app updates and bug fixes
Video or audio streaming functionality
Please also take into account: Software development vendors estimate the current costs to build an app, which exclude support and app maintenance costs.
If you are planning to build a great app product, you should consider the ongoing app development cost you will have to handle.
The cost to maintain and support an app is considerably higher than the budget spent on original app development.
So, how much does it cost to maintain an app?
Recent studies regarding the ongoing app development cost state:
Typical mobile app development equates to around 35% of the total budget spent over the next two years (Computerworld, 2012)
After the app launch, expect that further support and app maintenance costs will be around £5,000 – £10,000 annually (Clutch Survey, 2017)
Around 50% of the app development cost will be spent on maintenance during the first year, 25% in the second, and 15%-25% each subsequent year (Outsystems Survey, 2018-19)
Thus, it makes sense to set two different mobile app development budgets; one for the first working product version, and another for app’s further support and ongoing development.
Conclusion: How to Build Your App on a Budget
We assume you now have an idea of some approximate app development costs. Here is a list summarizing how it is possible to stick to the initial app budget, as well as a couple helpful recommendations.
1. Do your homework. Note the app requirements (technologies, platform(s)) and conduct your own market research for an app idea, solution, and target audience. 2. Choose the right app development team. Select a vendor who is experienced in your niche, has worked with well-known brands, and has a substantial portfolio.
These vendors are likely to work on minimizing the app development costs and timeline, and:
build and work on their own open-source libraries and use them in app development (while not breaking licenses rights).
use their own best practices and ready-made solutions for the intended functionality (e.g. user registration, chats) to save time for regular operations
apply only proven and working libraries and third-party services with enough documentation
utilise effective project management processes and tools inside the company
apply just the right technologies and development tools to achieve the necessary results
3. Take into account hourly development rates. Outsourcing to Eastern Europe (e.g. Ukraine) can be perceived as cost effective, but has inherent risks.
4. Start small. Beginning the development of the first app version with a focus on “must have” features that drive revenue is a good way to start growing your project. Invest in further features after.
5. Use simple app design. Apply concise and intuitive app design for the first app version.
6. Monitor and be involved in the process as a Product Owner. Your feedback is highly valuable to the team and only through a combined effort can you achieve greater results.
7. Planning is key. Even though it may not have a single line of code, the app discovery stage is one of the keystones. Never undervalue this phase because it is worth the initial investment.
8. Receive a detailed project estimate. Just after the discovery stage, you should receive the core project materials and the rough app estimate should become exact.
9. Stick to the app scope. Otherwise, be prepared to pay extra or reorganize the work with your app development vendor.
Let’s summarize the results of our app development cost analysis:
App development cost per platform ranges from approximately £15,500 to £360,000+.
Industry studies present the cost to build an app from £7,500 to £750,000+. This supports the fact that the app development cost is hard to predict upfront.
App development cost is based on factors like app development vendor, number and complexity of features, design, development approach, and platform(s).
Accordingly, the timeline to build an app varies anywhere from 1 to 9+ (ongoing project) months.
It is highly valuable to complete the Discovery stage. The stage price for the first app version is around £17,000 – £22,500 from the app development cost. The deliverables are a finalised app concept, product backlog listing app functionality, app design, and architecture plan. As well, an accurate app development budget is specified.
When your small business has progressed to a point where you are ready to hire employees, it is essential to think about the workplace culture, environment, and overall harmony that those employees will work in, and with this a bring a nice peace revolution in your business. After all, your staff will spend around 40 hours per week in the office, and there is an onus on you as a business owner to ensure that their working experience is as pleasant as it can be, and if you’re a worker and you receive a payment with paystubs, you should be looking for the check number to learn if the paystubs are valid or not.
Over recent years, what constitutes a good working environment has changed somewhat. Once, a business would be considered to be doing well if they provided a pleasant office layout, invested in comfortable chairs, and provided necessary on-site facilities such as a kitchen. However according to experts like Bob Bratt, businesses are now expected to expand their remit, with unconventional workplaces such as Google leading the way as the new normal.
However, whether you believe ping pong tables in the office are essential or not, there is one critical element of a good workplace that has remained consistent throughout the years: the need for workplace harmony.
Workplace harmony is a catch-all concept that describes how well a workplace functions, and how happy the people working there are, the personal injury attorneys at Carlson Meissner Hart & Hayslett, P.A. can help by providing a few tips which will work in producing a harmonious workplace, productivity is higher, as is overall staff happiness. They will also make sure that as an employer you have the right legal practices being followed in your company for better results.
What constitutes good workplace harmony?
Interestingly enough, what makes a workplace harmonious is rather difficult to pinpoint, and perhaps the single biggest factor is, simply, the absence of causes of disharmony. Essentially, by minimising the factors that can cause bad workplace harmony, you naturally create good workplace harmony as a result.
What are the disharmony factors you need to eliminate?
There are a number of issues that can greatly impact the harmony of a workplace, so it’s advisable to investigate and rectify these in turn:
Disagreements between colleagues are among the biggest influences on workplace disharmony, and it can proceed to the point that it becomes bullying or even harassment. This is a serious issue that needs addressing head-on, as the last thing that you, or your employees, need are to experience disputes severe enough to require assistance from a commercial law andemployment law attorney to resolve. If you identify issues developing between two or more employees, then separate them as far as is possible, and potentially explore mediation options that can help get them back on the same page.
Whether you are operating a small business or run a large corporation, commercial litigation is always a possibility. Even the best run companies will sooner or later have to deal with corporate disputes. With this, you will need to hire professional commercial litigation lawyers for legal help.
A lack of empowerment can also influence workplace harmony; employees need to feel that their contribution is important, that their work is valued, and that they have the ability to make their own decisions. There are some great tips for empowering your staff here, all of which could greatly benefit the overall workplace harmony of your business.
A poorly-designed office space can also be damaging to harmony, especially if the layout of the office prevents employees from communicating with one another effectively. It’s well worth asking your staff how they feel about the overall office design; if they’re unhappy, then work with them to improve it.
In conclusion
With a harmonious working environment for your staff assured, you should be all the better equipped to ensure a high level of achievement from that staff, which according to experts like Andy Defrancesco, should greatly contribute to your chances of sustaining a successful business.
Working for yourself has an array of benefits, and is becoming a popular way to earn an income. If you’ve trained in English, or have always enjoyed writing for yourself, you could be the ideal candidate for life on your laptop; enjoying the flexible hours and income, it can offer you. You may have just grown tired of an in-house environment and are ready for some time away from the office; whether that’s a short-term or long-term plan. Whatever the reason you want to continue your typing and utilising your literacy skills online; there’s plenty of scope and opportunity out there for you to ensure that you have a steady income for the foreseeable future. It’s worth putting your time and effort into writing a thorough plan of action, to kick off your journey and to make sure it gets off to the best start.
The more you understand about why, how, and where you’ll be working, and how much you’ll be earning will give you a better sense of your new lifestyle ahead. You may need to make some changes to your current life, and begin thinking about your backup plan in case things don’t work out. It’s always better to be safe than sorry, and you’ll be able to remain upbeat and positive about your new job prospects. The following are some ideas, inspiration and advice for those who are tempted by freelancing, and who want their transition to be as smooth as possible.
Time For Professionalism
Although you’ll be able to enjoy the flexibility that freelance writing can provide; it’s crucial to work out what hours you can do and achieve each day. You’re your own boss, so set yourself some rules; you’ll know if you work better in the morning, throughout the day, or are a typical night owl. Therefore, ensure you’re putting in the right amount each day, and give yourself some contingency to cover those moments when you get writer’s block. The stricter you are with yourself when it comes to completing your projects; the more you’ll be able to enjoy your free time and freedom, which are part of your new role. You’ll also need to ensure that the legal side of your work and contract are sorted out. Whether you have to learn what is Ir35 or know your rights regarding claiming money back from your temporary employer for travel expenses; it’s worth researching what you can, knowing your rights, and what you owe in return.
Time For A Proactive Approach
As any experienced freelancer will tell you; you need to be proactive when it comes to getting your work opportunities, it’s rare that great projects fall into your laptop. Therefore, make sure that you’ve created a space online where you can showcase the best of your work, and can continue to hone those writing skills. If you’re unsure about how your website or blog will come across to others, it’s worth checking out places where you can learn the skills needed to create your ideal online environment. If visitors and those you’ve reached out to are impressed by what they see when they land on your homepage; they’re more likely to get in contact with some work, or keep you in mind for the future.
For every success story, there is a tale of woe. The people telling it might be at the top of the tree now, but they learned the hard way. After all, entrepreneurs need to understand the small details of every aspect of the industry to drive the brand forward. You’re at the beginning of your story, which is scary. It’s impossible to know the ins and outs this early on in the game, which is why mistakes are inevitable.
However, the people that are switched on will realise others have already been down the path. So, you can learn from their errors and set a new example. Here are four manufacturing examples for your information.
Prove Your Product (But Not 100%)
Proving a product is viable for the long-term is a delicate balancing act. The initial pitfall is jumping into the business too soon without doing any research. Yes, friends and family are good sounding boards but they’re also biased. They’ll see the excitement and go along with it without posing any tough questions. To avoid this, reach out to strangers on social media with polls and questionnaires. Speaking to contacts on LinkedIn can help too. But, don’t miss an opportunity by waiting for 100% confirmation. Instead, use Jeff Bezos’ 70% rule.
Invest In Quality
You are creating products and can’t outsource to a third-party. So, investing in high-quality material handling equipment orlift truck for sale and other machines are going to be essential. To cut costs, it’s tempting to go second-hand rather than buying a brand new resource. As a generalisation, it’s an error in judgment because the quality isn’t as great. Remember that time is money, so any downtime will impact sales and the company’s profit margin. There is nothing wrong with haggling and negotiating over the initial price; make sure it’s for high-class products. If you need haggling advice, check out the link.
Get Certification Beforehand
A lack of paperwork tends to stump industry newbies. They invest in machines and tools and materials and don’t realise they need regulating. Yep, a PUWER inspection is mandatory depending on the type of device. And, even if it doesn’t need one, it needs checking and putting on a register. Take a look at a comprehensive list of PUWER FAQs by following the link. It’s essential to obtain the certification before the machine is used for the first time or you might be subject to penalties. Get it done fast, get it done by experts, and keep the receipt.
Leave Space For Scalability
There’s a tendency to focus on the present and not look to the future. As a manufacturer, it’s vital that you think about moving forward. Unlike most businesses, you can’t find a new lease and move as there’s too much equipment. And, it’s impossible to grow without the room to install new equipment and hire recruits. The downside is that you end up paying for space which you aren’t yet using. With this in mind, opt for a factory which is roomy but not huge. In addition, you should also consider using electronic contract manufacturing to make your tasks more easier.
Armed with these secrets, do you think you can make a mark in the manufacturing sector? Are you using lathe for your business yet? Lathe is a machine that presses the cutting tool against the rotating material while moving it parallel to the main axis cutting it to form a cylindrical shape.
If you google ‘Digital Transformation’, the results will be a little overwhelming. Almost every organization claims that is embracing the new digital age and, almost everybody that has an smartphone declares that is somehow ready for the digital disruption. Still, if you take a deeper look at the everyday aspects of running a business, the reality seems much more tactical and patchy. There are wonderful pockets of ‘digital enlightenment’, but the concept of a fully integrated ecosystem is only an elegant diagram so far. A perfect example may be Uber drivers, they take the ride with the App and manage the payment and billing ,,, however, they tend to trust themselves to Waze or Google maps for a faster and more accurate output on driving directions.
There are few useful tips collected from experience and failures that will help you (and your teams) on the people aspects of this digital adventure:
– A meaningful platform of digital business assets is the foundation for any transformation initiative – declaring ‘digital’ without the right set of tools is empty demagogy
– Remixing and getting your team ready for a digital business model is not a linear process, it gets complicated and sometimes tactical moves are the best next step on the right direction
– A ‘backbone’ of up-skilling and digital acceleration initiative (aka Training and Education) is indispensable and should be embedded in the daily business execution
– The best ‘talent equation’ is always multigenerational to ensure you have strong players of both, deep business experience and fearless innovation
– Never settled for ‘mild compromises’ in your people programs to smooth the transition to a digital business model; also, never allow ‘grandfathering’ of compensation or incentives practices for legacy pockets of your digital business
– Purposely build a full fledged incubator of digital business model execution within the fabric of your organization
– Enable the leaders to drive the transformation (A reverse mentoring program matching seasoned managers with millennial employees tends to work wonders!)
No perfect formula exists because each organization had accomplished different levels of ‘digital maturity’ and the marketplaces where the day-to-day happens tend to be very segmented. Always be prepare to experiment, win or declare quick failure and move on. We need to repeat ourselves every morning that ‘change’ is the only constant and, maybe gradually, we will really start to believe that and act accordingly. Now stop goofing around in LinkedIn and comeback to work to drive meaningful transformation projects and initiatives ,,,, Good virtual winds on your digital sailing 🙂
Training new employees is rarely a fun walk in the park. In fact, it takes a lot of time, money, and effort. However, this doesn’t take away from the fact that well-trained employees are vital to the success of your business, and as such, are an investment, rather than an expense. If you make a good first impression and use the right methods, then every single penny will be worth it, because you’ll have an efficient member of staff that you can count on to make you way more money than they cost you. To get your training just right, here are five tips.
Figure Out A Plan
Before you start training your new hire from a staffing agency, it’s vital that you figure out exactly what it is that you want them to learn. If you don’t, then you’re only going to end up wasting time and money teaching them information that is of no use at all. With Kennected you can write down a list of all of the skills and information that they need to complete their job, and then work out ways to teach this to them.
Remember The Tour
When you’re planning your employee training, it’s important that you remember to fit in some time to give them a tour of the office. This will probably be most effective at the start of the day before you do anything else. Doing this means that they won’t have to stop and ask someone where to go every time they need to use the bathroom, grab a coffee, or get a pen.
Try Different Methods
No two trainees are the same, which means that no two trainees are going to learn in the same way. Because of this, it’s important that you have a few different training methods that you could use, such as presentations, a corporate video, quizzes, manuals, and more. Switching things up also makes training a lot more interesting, both for you and your new hire.
Let Current Employees Help
Allowing current employees to help with training is a great idea for a few reasons. The most significant is that it tends to help new hires feel a little more relaxed and comfortable. It also provides the perfect opportunity for your new employee to get to know your current ones and helps your current employees to refresh their memory of their training. As an example, when using staffing agencies like Eu Workers to source temporary staff for your business, involving current employees in training contributes to a smoother onboarding process.
Always Be Available
Even with all of their training, your newbies are still going to get stuck and confused every now and then, and are going to need some help. As their boss, it’s essential that you’re always available to help them when they need it. If you can’t be available for some reason, then you need to make sure that your new hire knows who to go to when they need help, such as a buddy.
If you want your new employees to be productive and efficient in their new role, then it’s vital that you provide effective training. Hopefully, with these tips, you’ll be able to do this.