How Much Does It Cost To Build An App Like Property24?

Africa’s growing middle class, urbanization, and the increasing use of mobile devices have created a booming market for property apps like Property24, which offer users the ability to search for, buy, or rent properties directly from their smartphones. However, building a successful property management app in Africa presents several challenges that developers must account for. These challenges are unique to the African context, where the mobile ecosystem, internet infrastructure, and local payment methods differ from other regions.

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In Africa, mobile devices are the primary mode of internet access for many users, especially in countries like South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya. Given the mobile-first nature of the region, developers must ensure that apps like Property24 are optimized for smartphones. Additionally, data constraints and low bandwidth in many parts of the continent make it essential to design lightweight apps that perform well even in areas with unreliable internet connections.

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Another challenge is the variety of local payment systems and methods used across Africa. For a property management app like Property24, integrating local payment systems such as M-Pesa in Kenya or Airtel Money in Nigeria can make the app more accessible to a wider range of users. However, this complexity adds to the cost and development time. This article will outline the various factors that drive how much it costs to build an app like Property24 for the African market and provide insights into how these factors compare to other regions.

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Platform and Device Compatibility

Android Dominance in Africa

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When developing a property app like Property24 for the African market, platform compatibility is crucial. Android dominates the African smartphone market, especially in countries like Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa. Android devices, particularly low-cost smartphones, are more common in Africa compared to iOS devices, so it’s essential that any property management app is optimized for these devices.

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Optimizing the Property24 app for low-end Android devices is necessary, as many African users may have smartphones with limited processing power and smaller screens. Ensuring the app runs smoothly on these devices requires careful design choices, such as minimizing background processes, compressing images, and optimizing the app’s performance for lower memory and processor capabilities. These optimizations contribute to development costs, as developers need to put more effort into creating a lightweight app that still offers a good user experience.

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iOS and Regional Preferences

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While Android leads the market, iOS penetration is significant in wealthier African regions, such as South Africa and Nigeria, where iPhones and other Apple products are more common. As such, Property24 must also cater to iOS users. However, developing apps for both Android and iOS can double the development costs, as separate codebases may be required. To mitigate this, developers often opt for cross-platform development frameworks like Flutter or React Native, which allow for the simultaneous creation of apps for both platforms using a single codebase. While cross-platform development helps reduce costs, it may result in limited access to platform-specific features, which could slightly impact the app’s performance.

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Web-Based and Mobile-First Design

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In areas where internet access is limited, progressive web apps (PWAs) or web-based apps can be a cost-effective solution for apps like Property24. PWAs allow users to access the app directly through a browser without needing to download it, which can reduce the app’s storage requirements on users’ devices. Additionally, PWAs can be optimized for low data usage, which is a significant advantage in regions with unreliable or expensive internet access. However, PWAs have limitations in terms of functionality and performance compared to native apps, so developers must weigh these trade-offs when deciding whether to develop a native app or a PWA.

Design and User Experience (UX/UI)

In the African market, the user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) of the Property24 app play a critical role in ensuring user retention and satisfaction. African users expect apps to be simple, intuitive, and fast, especially in regions with unreliable or slow internet connections.

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Mobile-First Design

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As mentioned earlier, mobile usage is prevalent in Africa, and Property24 must prioritize mobile-first design. The app should be optimized for smartphones with various screen sizes and resolutions. The app must also be easy to navigate, with large buttons, clear icons, and simple menus. User-friendly navigation reduces the learning curve for users and helps them find properties quickly and efficiently.

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Data Efficiency

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In regions where data costs are high, optimizing the app for low data usage is essential. For example, compressing images, limiting the use of high-bandwidth features like videos, and using progressive image loading can reduce the app’s data consumption. These optimizations ensure that the Property24 app remains usable even in areas with poor network coverage, ultimately helping users save money on mobile data.

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Localization and Multi-Language Support

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Africa is a continent with significant linguistic diversity. In countries like South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria, users may speak different languages such as Zulu, Swahili, or Yoruba. Offering multi-language support within the app helps increase its accessibility and usability. The Property24 app should be localized to accommodate different languages and cultural preferences, which will increase development costs due to the additional work involved in translation and adaptation.

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Integrations with Third-Party Services/External Systems

Payment Gateway Integration

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As previously mentioned, integrating local payment gateways like M-Pesa, Airtel Money, or MTN Mobile Money is critical for ensuring that users can pay for property listings, deposits, or subscription fees. Integrating these systems into the Property24 app requires developers to work closely with payment providers and ensure compliance with local regulations. The complexity of this integration increases the overall development cost.

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SMS and USSD Integration

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In areas with limited internet access, SMS or USSD-based solutions can offer an alternative means of interacting with the Property24 app. For instance, users can receive property updates via SMS or make inquiries using USSD codes. While this functionality adds another layer of complexity to the app, it is necessary for reaching a wider audience, especially in rural areas with limited or no internet access.

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Database & Backend Infrastructure

To manage property listings, user data, and payment transactions, the Property24 app requires a robust backend infrastructure. Given the data limitations in many African regions, it is essential to ensure that the app’s backend can handle large amounts of data while being optimized for low connectivity.

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Cloud-Based Solutions

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Many developers turn to cloud-based platforms like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud, or Microsoft Azure to host their apps. However, it’s essential to select cloud services that are regionally available to ensure consistent performance, especially in countries with unreliable electricity or power outages.

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Data Security and Compliance

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In addition to performance, ensuring that the app meets data security standards and complies with data protection laws is critical. FNB-like apps need to comply with regional laws, such as the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) in South Africa, which governs how personal data should be processed, stored, and protected. Implementing robust data security measures will contribute to development costs, but is necessary to gain user trust and avoid legal complications.

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Ongoing Maintenance and Updates

Building the Property24 app is just the beginning. After launch, ongoing maintenance is essential to keep the app running smoothly, ensure compatibility with new mobile OS updates, and introduce new features or improvements.

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Maintenance Challenges

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Maintaining the app across diverse regions with varying internet speeds and network conditions can be challenging. The app may need frequent updates to ensure it performs optimally in urban centers with strong networks and in rural areas with slow or intermittent connections.

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Regulatory Updates

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As local regulations change, particularly in the financial and data privacy sectors, developers will need to update the app to ensure compliance. This adds to long-term costs and requires continuous monitoring of regulatory changes across different African countries.

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Team Expertise and Location

Local Development Teams

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Given the specific needs of the African market, it is often beneficial to work with a local development team familiar with the challenges of building mobile-first apps for African users. Countries like Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa have growing tech ecosystems and a wealth of talent in custom mobile app development. Hiring a local team can provide insights into local consumer behavior, regional payment solutions, and necessary language translations, ultimately lowering costs.

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Moreover, working with local developers who understand the mobile ecosystem in Africa and its unique challenges, such as low bandwidth, can significantly improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the development process.

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Hidden Costs & Miscellaneous Factors

Data and Connectivity Issues: As highlighted throughout the article, data consumption and connectivity issues are critical challenges in Africa. Optimizing the Property24 app to function well in low-connectivity areas requires additional development time, which increases costs.

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Mobile Payment Integration: Integrating local payment systems like M-Pesa, Airtel Money, and others can drive up development costs due to the complexity of each system's integration and the security protocols involved.

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Legal and Compliance Costs: Compliance with local regulations, such as POPIA or data privacy laws in other African countries, adds hidden costs related to legal consultations, regulatory monitoring, and app updates to meet new compliance standards.

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What Makes This App Category Unique in Terms of Development for Africa

The development of a property management app like Property24 for Africa requires addressing unique considerations such as data limitations, mobile-first design, and the need for local payment integrations. The complexity of local payment systems, the high mobile penetration in Africa, and the need for multi-language and multi-currency support all contribute to the app development cost.

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By designing for low-bandwidth environments, integrating mobile payment solutions, and localizing content, developers can ensure that apps like Property24 resonate with the African market, ensuring they reach urban and rural users alike.

Want to bring a mobile-centric, scalable app to the African market? 

At Scrums.com, we understand the specific demands across African regions, from payment solutions to optimizing apps for low connectivity zones. Let’s discuss a custom estimate for your app designed with African users in mind!