What is a database app?
A database application is a web, mobile, or desktop application that stores and retrieves data. Database applications are most often used in large organizations with complex information management needs.
Database apps are similar to accounting apps, bookkeeping apps, and financial management apps. Many database apps are built on top of existing cloud-based services like Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel. Google Sheets is one of the most popular examples of a database app.
Examples of database apps built with Crowdbotics:
- A real estate database platform with listings, a subscription model, and an in-app chat feature for real estate investors seeking new properties and opportunities.
- A database app built for the healthcare industry that helps with the transcription of shorthand written by healthcare providers.
- A custom database app and software built for the development of a new type of phone.
What is the typical cost to build a database app?
A database app usually costs about $37,500 to build. However, the total cost can be as low as $25,000 or as high as $50,000. A database app with a low number of features (also known as a minimum viable product, or MVP) will be more affordable than an app that includes all intended functionality.
For example, here are some previous database app price quotes from Crowdbotics:
How long does it take to build a database app?
A database app usually takes 281 hours to build. However, a database app can be built in as few as 93 hours, or in as many as 533 hours. The exact timeline mostly depends on how complicated your specific app is. As a general rule, it will take longer if you require highly custom designs, niche features, complex logic, or non-standard release platforms.
For example, some previous database apps build with Crowdbotics received the following hourly estimates:
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Crowdbotics has quoted and built hundreds of applications for teams of all sizes. Browse our historical estimates by industry and app type to understand possible costs and considerations.
How to successfully grow your database application
A database app is a tool for managing data in a particular domain. In order to gain traction, a database app needs to show that it offers more value than competing apps with similar functions. The best way to achieve this is to provide a large amount of data that can be used by a wide range of users. Database apps can use viral growth strategies to increase the number of users who have access to their content. These strategies often involve sharing content with other users so that they can find valuable information without having to spend time searching for it themselves.
Risks and challenges of building a database application
A database app faces legal, reputational, and financial risks associated with data security breaches, data loss, and data misuse. These apps are often subject to the same legal requirements as other business apps related to the handling of sensitive personal information. In addition to these risks, a database app must ensure that the underlying storage mechanisms are secure against hackers and other unauthorized access. It is highly recommended that you utilize a secure cloud storage service for this purpose.