How Long Does It Take To Build A Web App in 2024?

Why You Should Build A Web App

In 2024, it’s never been more relevant to create a web app. As digital landscapes continue to evolve, businesses and individuals have a real need to stay ahead.

Statistics of recent time corroborate the growing importance of web app development. By the end of 2024, the population of software developers in the global population is expected to reach of 28.7 million. Meanwhile, Node.js as it is the hottest web framework for developers, with 40.8% of developers using it. The global software development market is forecasted to reach $1039 billion by 2027, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22.54% during the forecast period (2020 – 2027).

Moreover, about 54% of software engineers find themselves more productive when they work from home. Software development projects typically cost $3,000–150,000, but can be more than $1 million for complex ones. At the same time this represents a dynamic industry that is rich with opportunity for businesses.

What is a web app?

A web app, or web application, is a computer program running on a web server. Contrary to the traditional desktop applications, we use web browser to access web apps. They are a mix of applications and sites featuring interactive user experience.

There are many web apps used in different industries such as eCommerce, media, healthcare and education. High accessibility, amount of accessibility, cost effectiveness, and easy updates are the obvious benefits they have provided.

Recommended reading: Web Application Examples and Definition for Beginners

Examples of notable web apps

Interactive experiences on web apps are becoming an integrated part of our daily lives on any device. Here are some notable examples:

Google Docs: Users can create, edit and share documents online, easily.
Spotify: Offers personalized music streaming.
Airbnb: Connects travelers to unique accommodations around the world.
Facebook: Allows users to connect and communicate with friends and family, sharing.
Amazon: Their vast product range offers a seamless shopping experience.
Twitter: This platform allows users to share short message and keep updated with real time information.
Pinterest: Helps users find and save ideas from different sources online and across the entire web.
Tinder: Connects people in need of romantic relationships.
Uber: Offers convenient means of transportation.
LinkedIn: Assists users to connect with colleagues and seek jobs.

This demonstrates how web apps can occupy any segment of the industry. It shows how web apps improve user experience and makes several actions easier.

Main benefits of a web app

Building a web app in 2024 presents numerous opportunities. It’s It’s no longer enough to have an online presence; it’s about tapping into a vast array of advantages that can propel your business or project to the next level. So, here in this section, let’s see why a web app is built. The benefits of web app development include everything from cost effectiveness to greater user engagement, so knowing that can help to inform your decision to embark on your web app journey.

Accessibility and cross-platform compatibility

Web apps are delivered over the Internet, are used by entering a web address in a web browser and can be accessed from any device that has a web browser for example PC, Mac, tablets and smartphones. That would mean your app could be used by anyone on the wider web – without having to download anything.

Cost-effective development

It’s usually cheaper to develop a web app than to make apps for native platforms. You save on development and maintenance costs because you have only one codebase.

Ease of maintenance

Web apps are maintained on the server, therefore all updates are centralized and easier to deal with. This lessens the need of multiple update at a time from several devices.

How long does it take to build a web app?

Scalability and third-party integrations

Web apps are easy to scale as user base grows and integrate with other Services and APIs to improve functionality and user experience.

No download required

A web app doesn’t require users to download or install anything. Going this route can drive higher user engagement, and ultimately retention.

With web apps, you get a more interactive and engaging user experience, which means you have a greater chance of increasing customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Improved customer engagement

Web apps provide a more interactive and engaging user experience, which can lead to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Enhanced efficiency and productivity

For businesses, web apps streamline processes for better efficiency and productivity. This is time and resource saving in the long run.

Increased competitive advantage

A web app can provide you an edge over other businesses having the same services by letting you add a feature or use cases which might not be enough to offer or implement by other competitors.

Today web apps represent a wise investment, where you can potentially earn much back through their accessibility, cost efficiency, and user satisfaction. Are you planning to develop a web app? Then the time is just right.

How Long Does It Take to Build A Web App?

A typical web app built to meet the needs of a business usually takes a lot of time to develop because it has so many features, management tools, and access levels. But moving quickly through the process isn’t the best way to do it. If you don’t do it carefully, it could hurt the overall quality of the solution.

It usually takes 4.5 months to build a front-end web app and a back-end infrastructure from start to finish. If the project is big, it may take a few more months. On the other hand, if the team already has some modules, the project could be finished and adapted to each person’s needs in 3.5 months.

According to Altamira, the durations for specific functionalities are as follows:

`Functions`	`Duration`
`information base, database back-end`	`2-3 months`
`social media, in-app purchase, logins, favorites, back-end admin panel`	`3-6 months`
`dedicated analytics, unique functionality, visual pattern`	`>6 months`

Source: Altamira

Recommended reading: Choosing Web App Development Services: 5 Essential Tips

Estimation difficulties

It’s hard to gauge how long it takes to build a web app. It also depends on a lot of factors: complexity (or lack thereof) of the project, experience level of the team, and so on. The average development time is between 18 weeks according to recent reports, but this can vary widely. How long it’ll be will depend on the type of app you want to make, but a simple one can take up to a few months, while a more complex one can be over a year.

Before we can be a little clearer, some examples will help. According to a study by Designveloper, front end web apps usually take 4.5 months to be completed; however, back end infrastructure could take just a little bit more. According to another report, some modules might be done even in as little as 3.5 months, if the team has already had some of them.

These are the variables you need to understand to set and manage expectations in the client’s timeline. This helps developers to plan and develop well what they are going to do.

Methods for reducing web app development time

In 2024, building a web app can be a time-consuming process. Designveloper, as a leading software development company, has successfully implemented strategies to reduce development time on projects like the SaaS platform for Joyn’it and the healthcare platform for ODC. Here are three proven methods to save time:

Leverage pre-built components and frameworks

Pre built components and frameworks can save us a lot of development time. There are frameworks such as React.js, Vue.js or Angular that supply you with ready builds or libraries that make work easier. Statista reported these frameworks are the top choices for developers in 2024.

For instance React.js is component based architecture that simplifies building user interfaces. This method helps developers reutilize certain components which are less time and effort consuming. Similarly, Vue.js provides a flexible and easy to learn framework and reduces the time taken to develop.

Using these frameworks lets the developers not reinvent the wheel and drive their web app towards a more unique feature. By using this method, the development process is sped up, as well as the final product is consistent and reliable.

Adopt Agile methodologies

The flexibility, the collaboration and the continuous improvement from using Agile methodologies have revolutionized the development of web apps. A report from Intelivita says Agile can shorten development time by up to 30%. The key point is that by splitting a project into smaller chunks and having dozens or hundreds of volunteers testing and providing feedback, it means that a project can be finished quickly.

Scrum and Kanban are popular Agile frameworks. Whereas Scrum is focused on short iteration called sprints, Kanban is about continuous delivery without overwhelming the team. Agile programs have brought down delivery times at companies like Cisco and Sony and improved customer satisfaction.

This is why Agile is so important in web app development; it allows developers to quickly change and build a high quality web app in a comparatively short amount of time. The primary benefit of this approach is manifested when requirements are required to change at any given time and time is short.

Utilize cloud services

Cloud services can save web app development time significantly. 60% of corporate data is already stored in cloud, according to latest statistics. Because of this shift in focus towards cloud platforms, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP) have become more common. These utilize alternate platforms that provide a scalable infrastructure and hence speed up the development processes.

For example, 48% of surveyed developers use AWS — It’s the most popular cloud platform among developers and it’s easy to see why. We can use cloud services so developers can concentrate on coding and not infrastructure. Additionally, this approach enables real time collaborations and auto testing speeding up the development cycle.

In addition, cloud services enable cost—effectiveness. Migrating to the public cloud can cut the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) by up to 40%, according to a report by Accenture. Being not so expensive, plus with flexibility and scalability of the cloud service, cloud services are a preferable choice for the web app development.

To summarize, cloud services help save time during the development process and moreover are a cost effective and highly collaborative alternative for both internal and external collaborators. Therefore cloud adoption can be a strategic move for businesses that are looking to simplify their web app development process.

FURTHER READING:

1. What is a Web-Based Application? Examples and Benefits

2. Web Application Architecture: Types, Components, and Tools to Creates

3. What is the Most Popular Web Server Application?

Build Your Web Apps With Designveloper

One of the most common questions that clients ask when they’re looking to develop a web app is, “How long does it take to build a web app?”. The answer to this question depends on various factors, including the complexity of the project, the number of features, the development methodology used, and the team’s size.

At Designveloper, the company follows an Agile development methodology that focuses on delivering working software in short iterations, allowing us to deliver high-quality software in a shorter amount of time. They have a dedicated team of developers, designers, and project managers who work together to ensure that each project is delivered on time and within budget.

Our web app development timeline

The timeline for developing a web app can vary widely, depending on the project’s scope and complexity. Simple web apps with basic features can take anywhere from 4-6 weeks to develop, while more complex web apps with advanced features can take anywhere from 6-12 months or longer.

When you work with Designveloper, they’ll provide you with a detailed project plan that outlines the timeline for each phase of the project, including design, development, testing, and deployment. They’ll work closely with you to ensure meeting your business needs and that the project is delivered on time and within budget.

Conclusion

It’s not always easy to guess how long it will take to build a web app, but you should hopefully have a better idea after reading this post. You could always choose a web development company with a lot of experience to assist you through all steps. At Designveloper, we put a lot of emphasis on careful planning and keeping open lines of communication with our clients. We will do everything we can to explain each step of the process and make sure it meets your needs. All you have to do is get in touch with us, tell us what you need, and we will take care of the rest.