When potential clients ask for a ballpark figure on development costs, these are the questions I ask to help clarify whats required and therefore affect the cost. They are in no particular order…
- What are the target platforms, iPhone, iPad, Android, Windows Mobile?
- If iPhone do you want a universal version, i.e. the same app runs on iPhone and iPad (thanks @ithain)
- Whats the target audience?
- Do you have an idea of how you want the app to flow?
- Are there existing apps out there that do something similar, if there are what are they and what will make this one different?
- Are there existing apps that you like the style of or the way they work?
- Will you apply for your own developers licences so that the app is submitted under your name?
- Will the app be free, sold for a one off fee, have in-app purchases or have subscriptions?
- Who will supply the artwork?
- Does the app need to be location aware?
- Ideas of timescale for release? (thanks @MrAntix)
- Are there any hosting requirements? (thanks @MrAntix)
- Third party services integration requirements? (thanks @MrAntix)
- Any social media integration?
And if the app contains dynamic data the following are also important questions…
- How will the app access the data?
- Have the web services that supply the information been designed/written?
- Would you require a content management system to update information contained in the app?
- If its a Corporate app, what back end data do you need to access and synchronise (thanks @ithain)
Obviously the answers to these questions are likely to lead to more specific questions, but it helps with the thought process involved with what might be required
I would be really interested to know if there are any other questions you ask that I’ve not included?