Navigating UI/UX Design Expenses: A Breakdown for Businesses

source: generated with DALL-E 3

An essential component of the development process is UI/UX. Sometimes businesses decide not to spend money on UI/UX because they believe it is inferior to development. This approach results in low adoption and, eventually, failed products. Such companies eventually realize that it’s not enough to simply develop a program but also to make it 100% user-friendly.

This article will go over the costs of UI and UX design services and the reasons why these expenditures are unavoidable.

Why are UI/UX design services obligatory to spend money on?

1. You will get higher conversion rates. By making it easier for customers to complete desired actions, like joining up or completing a purchase, a carefully designed user interface may dramatically increase conversion rates.
2. You will have a competitive advantage. Companies that prioritize UI/UX gain a substantial competitive edge, providing exceptional user experiences that set them apart from rivals who might neglect its critical value.
3. You’ll reduce development costs. Early spending on UI/UX design services can lead to substantial savings on development costs by identifying and resolving usability issues, thus avoiding expensive fixes down the line.
4. You’ll reduce support costs. A product designed with user-friendliness at its core minimizes the need for extensive customer support, as users can navigate and utilize the product independently.
5. You’ll have positive first impressions. An appealing and intuitive interface makes a powerful first impression, motivating users to delve deeper and engage more thoroughly with the product.

Now, let’s talk about the steps you should go through to establish a budget for your project.

Choosing a development company

Start by reaching out to multiple designers or UI/UX design agencies.

Obtain detailed quotes to compare costs and the range of services offered. Rates may differ amongst agencies according to their experience, standing, and location. In North America, for example, a reputable UI/UX design agency would bill $100 to $200 per hour, whereas an agency in Eastern Europe might bill $40 to $80 per hour.

Defining the workscope

Clearly outline the project requirements, including the number of screens, features, and desired outcomes. More features mean more work for designers, increasing costs.

Simple features are quicker and cheaper to design, while complex ones require more time and resources. 

Examples of simple and complex UX features for different types of apps

Simple and complex UI design services 

As for the visual appearance, high-end visual designs with custom graphics, animations, and intricate details can also drive up costs:

For each UX or UI solution, ask the following questions:

1. Does this feature directly support the main user goals and tasks?
2. Can the application function without this feature in its initial version?
3. Does this feature provide significant value to the users?
4. Have users requested this feature or expressed a need for it during user research?
5. Will the absence of this feature negatively impact the user experience or satisfaction?
6. Is this feature simple to design and implement?
7. Can this feature be broken down into smaller, more manageable parts?
8. Will this feature give your application a unique selling point?
9. Is this feature a common expectation in similar applications?
10. Can this feature be added to a future update without significant rework?

If most of the answers are “No,” do not implement this UI/UX solution in the initial stage. Focus on features with predominantly “Yes” answers to ensure your project stays within budget and delivers maximum value.

Establishing timeframes

Business analysts and app designers estimate how much time it will take to design each screen or page. They identify the number of hours needed to map out user flow and create wireframes.

The development of each feature is stiffened by the variety of actions that users can perform while using a program. For example, for a registration feature, the developer must consider not only what happens if the user types a correct login but also what occurs if the user inputs the wrong password or leaves the form blank. This all adds time to the development process and should be considered in calculating the exact price.

Allocating budgets for testing and research

For ongoing projects or companies with continuous development, allocate an annual budget for UI/UX design services. A reasonable estimate is that 25-30% of the total development budget should be spent on UI/UX activities, ensuring regular updates, improvements, and testing.

A breakdown of UI/UX costs for different projects

Examples of UI and UX service costs for different projects

Wrapping up

You don’t need to handle this difficult task of UI/UX project cost estimation on your own. Speak with a development agency to make things easier for you. They have the knowledge and experience to produce precise prices that are customized to your unique requirements. 

Whether you want to create a brand-new app or improve an old one, a qualified firm can help you on every step of the way, keeping you under budget and avoiding typical errors.