How to Develop a Cloud-Based App: Benefits, Steps, Cost And Tips 2024

Introduction

Cloud-based apps have emerged as a beacon of innovation during a period where technology is reshaping industries at an unprecedented pace. With these apps, organizations and individuals can operate more efficiently and engage with software like never before.

Amidst the plethora of prevalent cyber threats, safeguarding these apps’ integrity and trustworthiness becomes crucial.

Therefore, building cloud-based apps is essential because it allows your app to be accessed from anywhere, scales easily with user demand, ensures reliability, reduces cost, and enables seamless collaboration.

It offers global accessibility, growth potential and simplifies development. Embracing the cloud is a strategic choice for app development.

The cloud accounts for over 60% of all corporate data, according to Statista. Data storage in the cloud is increasing steadily due to the implementation of cloud computing services.

Furthermore, in 2025, cloud applications will reach USD 168.6 billion. There is an exponential increase in mobile apps migrating to cloud services. Multiple businesses benefit from that.

Do you want to develop a cloud-based app? Here, we’ll explore the world of cloud-based apps and show you how to create one.

What are Cloud-based apps?

A cloud-based app is an internet-based software application that performs in a cloud environment.

Users can use cloud-based apps without downloading them on their electronic devices. Additionally, using the internet, users can access all their data from anywhere in the world.

Furthermore, cloud-based apps allow you to use cloud-based resources, such as storage, databases, and servers. Additionally, these apps’ logic and data storage is divided between the client and server on a device.

A cloud application uses a remote server to perform these tasks. Cloud application development is advantageous because most data is stored on remote servers.

Benefits of Cloud-Based Apps

Cloud-based apps help business owners understand their customers’ needs and scale their services to fulfill the demands of their target audience and reduce security breaches incurred on servers.

Cloud-based apps provide the following benefits:

1. Scalability and Flexibility

Cloud-based apps enclose a flexible and dynamic architecture and can be scaled easily to adapt to the changing demand of the market.

Businesses can quickly scale their Cloud Storage by buying more space from the cloud provider. Furthermore, there is no need to purchase another server when expanding your infrastructure or resource.

Also, you don’t need to worry about getting a new server or replacing an old one, as per the business needs, you can expand the server’s storage.

Another significant benefit of cloud computing is that there is no limit on data storage, you can save as much data as you want.

2. Cost reduction

Firstly, cloud-based technology eliminates the need to purchase costly equipment like servers.

Furthermore, cloud-based apps pay a small amount to a cloud provider, who handles all the equipment, its maintenance, and server support.

By leveraging Cloud Computing, there is no need to spend money on your own data centers, staff and facilities.

3. Reliability

Cloud-based apps are developed using a robust and secure cloud infrastructure offered by well-known cloud service providers.

Furthermore, these vendors have established a reputation for delivering reliable services that ensure the smooth operation of apps.

Businesses can use this reliability to ensure smooth workflows, consistent service availability and a satisfying user experience.

4. Security

As cloud-based apps become more popular, strong security measures are crucial to ensure data protection and prevent unauthorized access.

Furthermore, all reputed cloud service providers follow strict security protocols such as data encryption, regular audits, access controls etc to protect the data from breaches.

Cloud-based apps leverage advanced threat detection systems to protect the data from hackers and cyber threats. Thus, giving users a high level of satisfaction and instilling confidence in them by fulfilling all standard compliance requirements.

5. Accessibility

Using a cloud-based application requires no installation on the device and can be accessed anytime and anywhere.

Furthermore, it allows users to access the data from any internet-enabled electronic device.

Additionally, users can collaborate by sitting anywhere in the world and can share and view data efficiently.

Read more: How To Setup Node.Js With MongoDB Using Docker

Types of cloud-based apps

In this section, we will discover the three types of cloud-based apps:

1. Software as a service(SaaS)

Software services as a service (SaaS) are Internet-based applications that service providers provide.

Furthermore, users can access and use the software through a web browser without needing installation or maintenance, paying for the service on a subscription basis.

Uses of SaaS cloud application development

• Handling CRM (Customer relationship management) software and client data.
• Provides automated product sign-up page ad services.
• It Includes excellent auditing features and email tools etc.
• Enables collaboration and data sharing among users.
• Scalability to accommodate changing business needs.
• Reduce IT infrastructure and management burdens for businesses.

A few examples of top-notch companies invested in SaaS cloud app development are AWS, Google Apps, Salesforce, Zendesk etc.

Read more: Top 8 Benefits Of SaaS Application Development For Business

2. Platform as a Service (PaaS)

PaaS enables you to rent all the necessary resources and services required for developing applications.

Furthermore, you can rely on a cloud provider for infrastructure, development tools and operating systems etc.

This approach eliminates the need for managing hardware and software infrastructure, allowing you to focus solely on application development.

PaaS cloud applications development can be used for

• Operating systems
• Development tools
• Database running infrastructure
• Middleware

Some examples of PaaS cloud platforms are Windows Azure, Openshift, and Heroku.

3. Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

IaaS cloud service provider handles all your business resources and IT infrastructure, such as network, server, visualization and storage. Furthermore, you can focus on using the resources without worrying about the underlying hardware or maintenance.

Additionally, IaaS cloud services offer a great deal more than just controlling resources:

• Detailed invoice
• Security instruments
• Log access
• Tracking
• Resiliency tools (backup recovery and replication)
• Load balancing
• Clustering

The administration panel or API of your cloud provider lets you gain better insight into using IaaS cloud services, and the cloud provider manages the cloud app resources on your behalf.

Steps by steps guide to building Cloud-based Apps

Here we will guide you through the step-by-step process of cloud application development. This will help you to boost the efficiency of your app. Let’s check out the steps for cloud-based app development.

Step 1: Thorough Market Research

Before embarking on the cloud-based app development journey, it is essential to research the market.

Furthermore, this process involves understanding the need of customers, identifying competitors, and researching the latest market trends and demands.

Collecting useful information helps businesses to understand the exact needs of users. For example, If you spend some time researching similar cloud-based apps, you can come up with unique features or functionalities to set your app apart.

Step 2: Hire an adept development team

The idea of going all the way alone is unrealistic. You need a team with expert knowledge of cloud technologies, programming languages, and app development frameworks to develop a successful cloud app.

Additionally, to ensure a successful project, you should hire professionals with expertise in user experience (UX) design, cloud app development, and backend and frontend development.

Step 3: Determine the Architecture of the cloud app

Cloud-based apps have different architectures, such as microservices or serverless, based on the specific user requirements and scalability needs.

Furthermore, it is crucial to build the features and functionalities of the app according to user requirements and market trends.

For example, If you build a cloud-based project management app, it is essential to consider the features like task management, document sharing and team collaboration.

Step 4: Choose the Appropriate Tech Stack

It is crucial to pick the right technologies and frameworks for cloud app development. Furthermore, an appropriate tech stack includes technologies such as Amazon web services or Microsoft Azure for cloud infrastructure, programming languages like Python or Node.js, frameworks like Flask or express.js and databases like Amazon Dynamodb or MongoDB atlas.

When selecting a cloud development tool, it is crucial to consult with specialists. They will help you to choose the best tech- stack for your application based on requirements, features and design elements.

Also, you should consider the application’s scalability to keep it updated.

Step 5: Prioritize Product Testing

Several areas need to be tested, including functionality tests, usability tests, performance tests, and security tests.

It is imperative to implement automated testing processes, conduct user acceptance testing, and resolve any bugs in the application.

Load testing, for instance, can identify bottlenecks and ensure the app can handle heavy loads.

Step 6: Launch and Continuous Updates

During the lifecycle of the cloud-based app, it’s essential to prioritize security and maintain the integrity of the app after it has undergone rigorous testing.

The app’s executables, scripts, and software components can be signed digitally using a code-signing certificate.

A code signing certificate should be applied to the executable files and installation packages of the app during its launch phase.

With the cryptographic signature, users are assured the app is not tampered with during distribution and is from a trusted source.

As a result, users can establish trust and confidence in the app by verifying its signature and ensuring its authenticity.

Tips for building successful cloud-based apps

Building a cloud-based app is an exciting job but it requires careful planning and research to reduce the risks involved in building an application. Check out a few tips to maximize the potential of your app.

1. Prioritize security

Firstly, focus on security from the initial phases of app development.

Secondly, take the necessary action like data encryption, access controls, and authentication protocols to ensure application security

Additionally, update the application regularly to protect the applications from vulnerabilities and security breaches.

2. Build for scalability

There are a plethora of iOS App Technology Stacks available in the market. The coming text will only highlight the ones that help streamline the process. Here’s a list of development tools for iOS mobile apps:

Firstly, make sure your cloud-based app is scalable·

Secondly, take advantage of cloud-native architectures like microservices and serverless to make resource allocation efficient and meet increasing user demands·

Thirdly, Auto-scaling capabilities are essential for ensuring optimal performance during peak loads·

3. Optimize performance

Firstly, make sure your app’s code, database queries, and network communications are optimized·

Secondly, implement data retrieval and processing techniques efficiently, leverage caching mechanisms, and use content delivery networks (CDNs)·

4. Leverage Cloud Services

Firstly, utilize the ability of cloud services and platforms to enhance the app’s functionality·

Secondly, use cloud-based storage, databases, and messaging services to offload infrastructure management so that you can concentrate on developing your core apps·

Lastly, check out APIs and services ready to use for functions like authentication, payment processing, and push notifications.

5. Ensure High Availability

The first step is to ensure the high availability of your application by implementing redundancy and failover mechanisms.

To minimize downtime and provide uninterrupted service to users, distribute your application across multiple data centers or regions, use load balancers, and use fault-tolerant architectures.

How much does it cost to build cloud-based apps?

The cost of building a cloud-based app depends upon the following factors:

• Application Features
• Company location and rate of your outsourced cloud developers.
• Project size
• The complexity of an application
• Technology stack
• Timeframe

Here we have mentioned a rough estimate:

• The cost of SaaS cloud development services can typically range from $500 up to $500,000.
• The development of a basic cloud application can take anywhere from 100 to 250 hours, and it may cost anywhere from $15,000 to $25,000 depending on the team’s contribution.
• It will cost you between $25,000 and $150,000 to develop a medium to complex cloud application.

The price mentioned above does not include the hosting cost. Furthermore, you can buy any hosting service from AWS, GCP cloud hosting or Microsoft Azure etc.

In order to produce cloud-based applications, you can ask your cloud development service provider to provide a detailed estimate based on all the factors that must be taken into account.

Additionally, by using cloud application development services, you won’t have to worry about server costs, hardware complexity, or data storage concerns. In spite of this, managing cloud-based solution development can be difficult work.

How can Bigscal help you with Cloud-based app development?

Bigscal is a leading mobile app development company specializing in AI/ML, cloud computing, AR/VR, and data analytics.

When you work with our application and software development team, you can select a cloud platform (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS) aligned with your business requirements.

No matter what your business requirements are, whether you have an on-premise data center or a third-party hosting provider, our experts deliver world-class cloud consulting services.

Our services include cloud machine learning, cloud consulting, cloud-native development and flexible cloud management.

Make your cloud mobile app scalable and secure by partnering with us.

Conclusions

Business owners can leverage the power of the cloud by developing cloud-based apps to drive innovation, and most importantly, provide exceptional customer experiences. When cloud-based apps are meticulously planned, executed, and focused primarily on delivering value, they can propel businesses toward unparalleled success.

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