Have you ever worked on a Google Docs file with your colleague or placed an order on Amazon? If so, you are interacting with custom web apps, and those are just two of the thousands of custom web apps people worldwide are using daily. It’s hard to imagine what life would be without them.
So “What is custom web app development?”. Well, it’s simple. It’s developing a custom web app for a client to help them achieve their goal– whether that goal is improving internal workflow, increasing sales, or enhancing user experience, and the list goes on.
But what are the difference between custom web apps and other software types, what are their benefits, when to outsource custom web app development?
Don’t worry! In this article, I will answer all the questions you may possibly have about custom web app development and anything revolves around it.
Table of Contents
What Is Custom Web App Development?
Custom web app development involves creating applications tailored to meet your business’s unique needs. Unlike off-the-shelf solutions that offer generic features, custom web apps are built from the ground up to align perfectly with your specific goals.
🔎 What are off-the-shelf solutions? Off-the-shelf solutions are pre-made software applications designed to serve the mass market (think Jira, the software developed for businesses worldwide to manage their employees’ tasks).
That explains why off-the-shelf solutions are usually quicker to implement and, well, cost less upfront. However, they come with a fatal drawback: off-the-shelf web apps can hardly ever adapt to a specific business’s unique needs.
For example, an off-the-shelf solution might not support integration with your existing CRM system or offer specific reporting capabilities for your unique processes. In those situations, developing a custom web app is necessary to ensure smooth integration and to create features that support your exact workflow and reporting requirements.
Benefits of Custom Web App Development for Businesses
Though they are more expensive, many businesses still choose custom web apps over readily available off-the-shelf ones. This is simply because the benefits of custom web apps are irreplaceable.
At Axalize, after successfully developing over 80+ web apps for clients worldwide, we usually asked them why they wanted a custom web app. Here are some of the common answers we’ve got from our clients– they all want custom web apps that:
- Are tailored to their needs: as its name already suggests, custom web apps are custom solutions built specifically for their business, not cookie-cutter solutions for everyone. This means they can choose to cut off the unnecessary features and include only the ones they need.
- Increase their efficiency: Lots of our clients revealed that they had to use multiple off-the-shelf web apps to get the work done, and hopping between tabs and platforms wastes their time. So, they want a custom web app to make things easier and more efficient.
- Scale with their business: As businesses grow, their needs change. Clients choose custom web apps because they can be easily updated and scaled to match the evolving requirements of their growing business.
- Integrate seamlessly: Many off-the-shelf solutions don’t integrate well with existing systems. Our clients prefer custom web apps because they can be designed to integrate seamlessly with their current business systems, ensuring a smooth workflow.
- Help gain an edge over their competitors: Custom web apps can include unique features that help businesses stand out from their competitors. Clients seek these tailored solutions to gain an edge in the market.
- Enhance data management: Clients want better control and security over their data. Custom web apps allow them to implement specific data management features that are crucial for their business operations.
Improve customer experience: User-friendly interfaces and features that cater to customers’ needs are a must. Clients choose custom web apps to ensure their customers have a smooth and enjoyable experience with their services.
💡 Join 100+ global leading brands that have trusted our custom web app development services to build enterprise management systems, eCommerce websites, data analysis through camera images, and more! |
Examples of Custom Web App Usage
Custom web apps can be used in various industries and for different purposes. Here are some examples of how businesses utilize custom web apps to enhance their operations and meet specific needs:
Custom web app usage | Typical features |
eCommerce |
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Customer Relationship Management (CRM) |
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Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) |
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Appointment Scheduling Systems |
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E-learning Platforms |
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Whatever web app you want to own, let us build it.
When to Choose Custom Web App Development?
So, when do you need custom web app development? Well, here are a few scenarios that you should consider outsourcing custom web app development:
- When you have unique business requirements that cannot be met by off-the-shelf solutions. An example is when your business requires a specific workflow that standard software doesn’t support.
- When you want complete control over the features, interface, user experience, and many other aspects of the web app. Suppose you need a user interface that aligns perfectly with your brand and offers a unique customer experience.
- When you need an application that can scale and integrate with other systems. For instance, your business is growing, and you require an app that can handle increased user traffic and integrate seamlessly with your existing CRM and ERP systems.
Common Technologies in Custom Web App Development
At Axalize, to build a complete custom web app, our certified developers combine various technologies to ensure the best results. Here are some of the common front-end and back-end technologies we use throughout our custom web app development projects:
- Front-end development: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React, Angular, Vue.js.
- Back-end development: Python, Ruby, PHP, Java, Node.js, .NET.
- Databases: MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB.
Cost and Timeframe of Custom Web App Development
Now that you want to outsource custom web app development, here comes an important question: “How much money and time does a custom web app development cost?”
The cost and timeframe for developing a custom web app can vary significantly based on several factors, such as complexity, the number of features, the technology stack used, and the developers’ experience. Here’s a breakdown to give you an overview:
⚠️ Disclaimer: The pricing information used in this article is updated as of the specific date this blog is published. Also, the pricing can vary significantly based on many factors. Hence, use it for reference purposes only.
Factor #1: Complexity and features
Obviously, the more complex a custom web app is, the more pricey it can be to bring that custom web app to life. From our experience:
- Simple web apps: Typically web apps that include basic functionalities like user authentication and simple data display can cost between $10,000 and $30,000 and take around 2-4 months to develop.
- Medium-complexity web apps with more advanced features like third-party integrations, real-time notifications, and complex databases might cost between $30,000 and $70,000 and take about 4-6 months to develop.
- Complex web apps that possess extensive features like video processing, custom payment solutions, and advanced analytics can range from $70,000 to over $150,000, with development times spanning 6-12 months or more.
Factor #2: Technology stack
The choice of front-end (e.g., React, Angular, Vue.js) and back-end (e.g., Node.js, Python, Ruby) technologies can affect both cost and time. If you specifically require more modern or less common technologies, you’ll need more specialized (and expensive) developers.
Factor #3: Developer experience and location
Hiring experienced developers, especially from regions with higher living costs (like the USA or Western Europe), will increase costs.
Rates can range from $100-$200 per hour in the USA to $20-$50 per hour in countries like India, Vietnam (where Axalize is based) or Eastern Europe.
Choosing a Custom Web App Development Partner
Cost is important, but it shouldn’t be your only determining factor when choosing a custom web app development agency. This is because, at the end of the day, what matters even more is the quality and scalability of your web app.
Therefore, don’t settle down too easily. Instead, be selective toward the agency or expert you plan to work with. Make sure that they tick all the boxes below:
- Competitive and transparent pricing
- Proven experience in custom web app development
- Strong technical expertise in relevant technologies
- Clear and efficient workflow and communication processes
- A robust portfolio showcasing previous work
Axalize’s senior developers are proud that we not only tick all the boxes above but also go the extra mile to meet our client’s custom requests/requirements.
You deserve a custom web app
as unique as your brand.
Conclusion
All in all, though it’s more pricey to build a custom web app, the lasting benefits it brings are tremendous compared to standard off-the-shelf solutions.
Axalize hopes after reading this article, you can better understand “What is custom web app development?”. If you need custom web app development, feel free to drop us a line, and we’ll get back to you ASAP with a free 1-on1 consult.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A custom web app is an interactive software application built to perform specific tasks or solve particular problems, often with complex functionality and user engagement features. A regular website is primarily informational, providing static content and basic user interactions.
Pros:
- Custom web apps are designed to meet specific business needs.
- They can be easily scaled as your business grows.
- Better integration with existing systems and third-party services.
Cons:
- Higher development costs compared to off-the-shelf solutions.
- Longer development time due to complexity.
- Ongoing maintenance and updates are required to keep the app running smoothly.
To make sure your custom web app is of the highest quality, make sure that you:
- Choose to outsource a top-tier agency with proven record experience like ourselves
- Clearly define your requirements and goals
- Regularly check your custom web app for any abnormal downtime or dysfunctions
