Have you ever purchased a used car where the price tag was cheap? You may find yourself a week after the purchase at the intersection of 72^nd and Dodge during the morning commute with a blown transmission and regret over a financial decision based solely on saving some money.

Talk about a lemon of a deal.

That’s like the process of buying software readily available to all. The software may meet the basic needs of part of your company’s workflow and production needs.  It may also be costing you.

Work bottlenecks, stress on your employees which could lead to turnover and committing precious time to non-essential aspects of building a company. You may be missing revenue because you simply can’t focus on the vital aspects of customer satisfaction. Buying cheap software may drive your customers to a competitor.

Nobody wants that.

In this world, it pays to know a good mechanic. Let Volano Software look under the hood of your business to achieve maximum horsepower for your industry. We take pride in listening to your challenges and finding solutions for improved productivity and a return on investment.

Since 2007, we’ve partnered with various companies in numerous industries and, thanks to custom-built software, accelerated many businesses to higher revenue and results. Don’t just take our word for it, see our let our work speak for itself.

So you might be asking, but how much does my business need to budget for a software project? Below are approximate costs in ranges in 2025. Of course, every project has unique needs (Cost 2020 Article) and challenges so these are not exact numbers for your situation, merely a jumping-off point.

Custom portals
Many of our business clients fit into this software category. Custom portals are what we refer to as “classic data tracking” software. A good or service is tracked, managed, and reported over time. These are the bread and butter of our business.
See our article on 4 Things to Consider Before Building

• Basic: $20,000
• Average: $51,000
• High-performing: $100,000+

Mobile Applications (apps)
We live in a mobile-first lifestyle world. Customers want a personalized experience on the device that’s always with them. It’s a great way to improve team retention and create a competitive advantage. The best part, a hybrid Progressive Web App (PWA) can be within reach for almost any timeline and budget.
See our article on Benefits of Mobile Apps for Your Field-based Teams

• Basic: $27,000
• Average: $65,000
• High-performing: $112,000+

Database work
Let’s say you have a database that needs an adoption or an update (i.e., Microsoft AccessDB). This is where Volano Software can help; we’ll adopt, maintain, and even upgrade your database to run on a modern stack (i.e. Microsoft SQL Server). Database management is one area that may get costly depending on many factors, including age and complexity. Though we have some starter costs, these may not reflect all that’s entailed in tackling the challenges.
Read this article from 2012, Microsoft Access is Like a Dirtbike

• Basic: $10,000
• Average: $22,000
• High-performing: $35,000+

Integrations and API work
Creating a bridge between existing software has never been more important. Whether it’s a payment gateway, marketing data, or payroll and invoicing; not every wheel needs to be re-invented, which is where APIs and integrations play a crucial role. Building an API will help your business materialize ROI faster by connecting the important data accurately and securely.

• Basic: $6,500
• Average: $9,500
• High-performing: $15,500+

Product UX Design
Whether a consumer product or a B2B solution, we generally add product user experience to varying levels. From ideal user flow and journey to a compelling and competitive UX, we can help you with the stage your product is at.
Read our article on Product Design in Custom Software, Is it a Good Investment?

• Basic: $4,000
• Average: $12,000
• High-complexity: $31,000

What’s the lesson? Don’t buy a clunker. Life is too short to be stranded at 72^nd and Dodge. Let’s build a better driving force with custom-built software to make a positive change for your business.

Leave the lemons for your competition. 🍋🍋🍋

At Volano Software, we like to get started with a free fit consult. We’d love to talk about software with you. Reach out when it works for you.