Questions our clients often ask us
Frequently asked questions
Choosing to invest in custom software is a big decision. Find answers to some of the questions we often receive, and schedule a call if you'd like to explore your idea.
1 How much does it cost to build an app or other custom software product?
Custom software development is a larger investment than off-the-shelf tools. Cost is dependent on a variety of factors, including the product’s complexity and integration needs. Through a discovery and listening session, we’ll provide a quote.
However, we know you’re curious how much custom software costs. Many of our engagements begin with a product strategy phase. These cost about $20,000, resulting in clear alignment of how the digital product will solve your user needs and business objectives.
From there, the work of UX design and software development ranges heavily, but you can expect to spend, on average:
- $50,000-100,000 for UX design
- $250,000+ for custom software development
MichiganLabs is an ideal partner for complex products that will drive meaningful business results.
Industry consensus today is that the cost to invest in digital transformation is far less than the cost to your business without it. According to the Harvard Business Review, between 2018 and 2022, digital leaders achieved average annual total shareholder returns of 8.1% vs. 4.9% for digital laggards. Through digitization, companies can both provide their customers the experiences they want and improve the productivity of their internal workflows.
2 What industries does MichiganLabs work with?
We primarily work with enterprise organizations, serving the middle market and Fortune 500 companies. We’re an ideal partner for complex products that will drive meaningful business results—for your employees, clients, or customers. Frequent industries we serve include: logistics, health care, automotive, and education.
Our clients are generally looking for a long-term, trusted partner who will help co-create an innovative strategy and excellent product. And they have the organizational maturity and resources to build, implement, and execute that strategy.
In order to maintain a focus on projects that resonate with our core mission, we have made a strategic decision not to engage with organizations in the gambling, adult content, cryptocurrency, or recreational drug industries.
3 Do you build both mobile apps and web apps?
Yes! We expertly deliver custom software solutions for our clients related to mobile applications, web applications, IoT, cloud applications, and AI development. This includes using programming languages such as Javascript, Vue.js, and Python.
If you’re trying to decide whether you should build a web app, a mobile app, or something else, we’re happy to discuss that with you through the product strategy phase of our work.
4 How does app maintenance work?
To ensure seamless functionality of your app, web platform, or other digital product, we suggest devising a maintenance plan tailored to your specific requirements.
While allocating approximately five percent of your total budget per year can be a starting point, the actual needs may vary depending on the complexity and usage of the software. This is particularly important for mobile apps publicly housed in the App Store or Google Play Store
Our aim is to assist you in crafting a maintenance strategy that aligns with your objectives and equipping your team with the necessary tools and knowledge to take ownership of it. Through comprehensive documentation, testing, and README files, we empower you to confidently manage the upkeep of your custom software over time.
5 Do you outsource or do the work in-house?
At MichiganLabs, we complete our design and development work in-house with our team of trusted experts in custom software.
This means we can handle the full digital product journey—from product strategy to UX design to development. Working in this design-build style ensures close collaboration, allowing for quick iterations and resulting in a more cohesive end product for our clients.
The challenge with outsourcing work is that subcontractors often lack prior experience collaborating as a cohesive team. This can result in fragmented efforts and slow progress. Our approach focuses on assembling unified teams dedicated to addressing the problem at hand—minimizing the need to navigate differing processes and priorities.
6 Do you respond to RFPs?
We strongly prefer to have a conversation to hear how your business goals connect to a digital product idea. Selecting the right partner is not just about ticking boxes in a request for proposal (RFP), but about engaging in a meaningful discovery process to find a collaborator who can turn your vision into a successful digital reality.
Our advice is to look for a digital product partner who:
- Hires localized teams, rather than outsourcing development
- Has staff expertise capable of meeting your requirements
7 Who owns the intellectual property of the digital product?
We believe in fostering transparent and collaborative partnerships. Within our standard Master Services Agreement, our clients retain full ownership of the intellectual property (IP) of the digital products we develop for them.
When you work with MichiganLabs, you can trust that your software is protected.