Yes, it is possible to save money on your app! First, choose the most necessary functionality, and the features better left for the next step. If you are not sure what to prioritize, we'll help you define the components, to exclude in the first version of your app.

Built-in Chat
Chats are getting popular, as prospective customers prefer messengers to other forms of communication. We've noticed this trend among our customers as well. Increasingly, entrepreneurs request the implementation of the in-app chat. Develop a chat, such as WhatsApp, Telegram or Facebook Messenger is very expensive: in-app chat only makes sense if you exchange confidential information with customers or you already have a chatbot with the most popular questions. In other cases, it is much easier to insert direct links to your account in popular messengers. The cost of chat development starts at $2000. Postponing its development will significantly reduce the development of the MVP app.

In-app payment
Another popular option is to pay directly in the app. This is very convenient when placing delivery orders, making subscriptions, and so on. As users, we are very often faced with the payment function in the app, and therefore many people want to integrate the same features into their product. However, in practice, this makes sense only when there is a very large number of orders, and the ability to pay in the app increases the level of comfort. Payment processing can be realized through certain banks, payment platforms, and payment aggregators. It is also possible to use the in-app purchase functions of Apple and Google markets. The second option is easier (and cheaper), but the commission can be up to 30% of the payment.

Push-notifications
Push notifications are a very useful tool that allows you to easily notify the customer about the status of their order, as well as inform your entire audience about ongoing promos and campaigns. But for Push notifications to work and display correctly on all platforms and devices, you need to add the cost of the project by $1,500. Push notifications need constant maintenance, which could be costly. It's not the most essential feature of your app demanded by the users, it's better to postpone it.

Connection with map services, such as Google Maps
Half of all development requests contain the request to link the map services. It could be crucial for retail and service apps. For example, the user needs to view their order, find the closest store, and perhaps navigate to it. But in many requests, the map connection is redundant, as the user can copy the address to the map or navigator app, saving you >$1,000 on the development.

Registration and user account
Regardless of the business, your mobile app can work with or without registration. A user account is very convenient for tracking order history, personal discounts, and implementing a loyalty program. But at the initial stage, it is enough to connect a mobile order service that passes user requests to the manager. An app without a personal account is easier to implement, you can quickly launch it and evaluate the audience reaction. This can reduce the cost of development by about $2,000.

If the app is not a replacement of the old one, but a new product, it is hard to justify the necessity of certain functions. Instead, you can launch a basic version of the app and collect user feedback. This is called an MVP (Minimal Viable Product), with which you can go to market with a new app in just a few weeks and check how users respond to your idea. It is a good alternative to the full-featured app, which can save time and money. MVP is a good way to find out how an end-user would react to the app. You can add additional features, such as live chat or in-app payment in the next update. By then, you will already know exactly how your users want to see their personal accounts and what else you need to add to make your app more convenient and efficient.