How to Save $10,000+ on Your App Development
What every founder wishes they knew when they started
If you’re building a digital product—whether that’s an app, a SaaS platform, or a custom business tool—knowing when to tackle these steps will save you thousands. Use this checklist before development to avoid costly mistakes.
Planning & Requirements
Complete formal requirements gathering
Figure out exactly what your app needs to do before you start building. This prevents you from building the wrong thing or forgetting important features halfway through. Without formal requirements gathering, every quote you receive is just a guess.
Example: If you’re building a pizza delivery app, gather requirements like: “Users need to see the menu, customize their pizza, pay with a credit card, and track their delivery.” Without this, you might build an app that can order pizza but has no way to pay for it.
Identify future features upfront
Tell your developers what features you’ll need later, even if you’re not building them now. This allows them to structure your app properly from the start, saving you from expensive rebuilds down the road.
Prioritize "must-haves" vs "nice-to-haves"
Break your project into what you need to launch versus what can wait. This protects your investment, keeps you adaptable, and prevents scope creep (when you keep adding features mid-project and your timeline and budget spiral out of control).
Security & Compliance
Address security requirements before development
If your app handles sensitive information (payments, medical records, financial data, etc.), meet security and compliance requirements from day one.
Doing it now: $600-$1,000
Fixing it after MVP: $30,000+
Compliance Requirements by Industry
Can't afford security experts yet? Start with a prototype
If your budget is tight but your app needs security/compliance, build a prototype with fabricated data to validate your concept. Just know you’ll likely need to throw it away and rebuild properly once you secure funding.
Code Ownership & Documentation
Own your code from day one
Ensure the contract states you own all code written for your project. Your business should never be held hostage by your developer.
Get proper development documentation
Insist on documentation that allows you to take your app to another service provider if needed. This gives you the freedom to switch developers without starting over.
Smart Technology
Consider a progressive web app instead of native mobile app
Not every mobile app needs to be downloaded from an app store. Mobile native apps start at $80,000 and cost more to maintain.
Unless you need device-specific features like lidar (room measuring, 3D scanning, AR furniture placement) or biometrics (face scan, step counter), a progressive web app works just as well. Users access it through a QR code, bookmark, or URL—no download required.
Select a company that uses AI-assisted development
AI-assisted development is on average 75% faster than traditional methods. In experienced hands, it significantly reduces both development time and costs without sacrificing quality.
Funding Strategy
Plan cash flow carefully with grants
Grants reimburse you after development is complete. You’ll need enough working capital to pay for development upfront and cover expenses while waiting for reimbursement (often several months).
Budget for your 25% contribution
Most government grants require you to contribute 25% of your own money. Factor this into your funding plan.
Do It Yourself (DIY)
Learn to build your own prototype
If you’re bootstrapping or on a shoestring budget, consider learning to build your prototype using AI tools.
New Idea Machine offers vibe coding workshops guided by senior developers.
*Please keep in mind this will likely be a throw away prototype and you will require a professionally developed application for commercial use.
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