Building a custom web application is a significant investment. Whether you're replacing a legacy system, building an internal tool, or launching a SaaS product, understanding the process helps you make better decisions and avoid costly mistakes.
This guide walks through our development process, based on delivering 50+ custom web applications for startups and enterprises.
Phase 1: Discovery & Requirements (1-2 Weeks)
Before writing a single line of code, we invest time understanding your business, users, and goals. This phase includes:
Stakeholder interviews — Understanding the problem from every angle
User research — Who will use this application and what do they need?
Technical audit — Evaluating existing systems, data, and constraints
Feature prioritization — Using MoSCoW method (Must, Should, Could, Won't) to define the MVPThe output is a detailed requirements document and project roadmap. This document becomes the single source of truth for the entire project.
Phase 2: Architecture & Design (1-3 Weeks)
With requirements defined, we design the technical architecture and user interface in parallel:
Technical Architecture:
Database schema design
API endpoint planning
Authentication and authorization strategy
Hosting and deployment architecture
Third-party integration mappingUI/UX Design:
Wireframes for all key screens
High-fidelity mockups for critical user flows
Interactive prototypes for user testing
Design system creation (colors, typography, components)We use Figma for design collaboration, which means you can comment and provide feedback in real-time.
Phase 3: Development (4-12 Weeks)
Development follows two-week sprints with regular demos:
Sprint structure:
Week 1: Build core features for the sprint
Week 2: Refine, test, and demoEach sprint delivers:
Working software deployed to a staging environment
Updated documentation
Demo meeting with stakeholdersOur typical tech stack for custom web apps:
Frontend: Next.js 15 + React 19 + TypeScript + Tailwind CSS
Backend: Next.js API Routes or separate Node.js service
Database: PostgreSQL or SQLite (via Turso for edge deployment)
Authentication: Custom JWT or NextAuth.js
Hosting: Vercel, AWS, or CloudflarePhase 4: Quality Assurance (Ongoing + 1-2 Weeks Final)
Testing is integrated throughout development, not bolted on at the end:
Automated testing: Unit tests, integration tests, end-to-end tests
Manual QA: Cross-browser testing, responsive design verification
Performance testing: Core Web Vitals optimization, load testing
Security audit: OWASP top 10 vulnerability check, penetration testing
Accessibility: WCAG 2.1 AA compliance verificationPhase 5: Deployment & Launch (1 Week)
Launch is planned carefully with zero-downtime deployment:
CI/CD pipeline setup (GitHub Actions or similar)
DNS configuration and SSL certificates
CDN and caching optimization
Analytics and monitoring setup (Umami, error tracking)
SEO verification (sitemap, structured data, meta tags)Realistic Timeline & Cost Factors
Simple web application (dashboard, internal tool):
Timeline: 6-10 weeks
Cost range: $8,000-$25,000Medium complexity (SaaS MVP, customer portal):
Timeline: 10-16 weeks
Cost range: $25,000-$60,000Complex application (marketplace, enterprise platform):
Timeline: 16-24+ weeks
Cost range: $60,000-$150,000+Factors that increase cost:
Real-time features (WebSocket, live updates)
Complex third-party integrations
Multi-language support (i18n)
Advanced security requirements
Custom AI/ML featuresHow to Get Started
The best first step is a free discovery call. In 30 minutes, we can:
Understand your project requirements
Suggest a technical approach
Provide a rough timeline and cost estimate
Answer your questions about the processContact us to schedule your free consultation.