App Development Software: Should I DIY My App?
With all the app development software out there promising to make building an app easier than ever, it’s a tempting option for businesses and individuals alike.
But before you go down that route, it’s important to know what you’re getting into.
Coding
The good news is, there are plenty of development software options that require minimal to no coding experience as they code your app automatically. The bad news is, as with developers, no software is perfect. Bugs and glitches can and do still happen, so fixes and ongoing maintenance work will still generally fall to you.
Customisability
Generally, app development software will offer a great deal of freedom in terms of design options. Appy Pie, for example, offers many different templates suitable for businesses in hospitality, fashion, homewares, and more. But no software is completely customisable, so your design freedom will still be limited.
Knowledge
As we outlined in our Figma article, even with coding (mostly) out of the picture and the ease of using templates, developing a good app will still take effort. For the best results, you’ll need to write great copy, import your company’s branding, and work with UX/UI principles in mind.
So while it arguably may be true that you can build an app in Appy Pie in 5 minutes, you’ll still need a few weeks of planning.
Cost
Pretty much all good software comes at a cost; for a given software, you can expect to pay upwards of $20 per month, with some software plans going as high as $179/month, as in the case of ShoutEm.
And while pricing is generally transparent, it can be difficult to pinpoint just how long an app will take you to make, making budgeting difficult. But, it will still generally be cheaper than developing through an agency.
In short,
Developing an app for your business yourself can be a great option, provided you’re ready to make a few sacrifices and put in some work.
