Illumi

Service

Custom web application

There's a point beyond which loading WordPress with plugins costs more than writing a system from scratch. You usually reach it when the site has to calculate, connect people or keep track of state.

Prices start at
€2,000
Quote
After an analysis
The code
Yours
Handover
With documentation

What we do

When a system is cheaper than a website.

If any of these sounds familiar, you're probably already paying to work around the problem — with manual work, with spreadsheets, or with three different services that don't talk to each other.

How it goes

It doesn't start with code.

With systems, the most expensive mistake is writing something that turns out to solve the wrong problem. That's why the first two steps are analysis.

01

Conversation

How the process works today, including the workarounds. They're exactly what shows where the real problem is.

02

Analysis and scope

What the system does in its first version, and what's deliberately left for later. Quoted separately if the job is large.

03

Prototype

A clickable mock-up of the screens. This is where misunderstandings surface, while fixing them is still free.

04

Development in stages

A working part at each stage, not everything at once. You see the progress and can change direction.

05

Testing with real data

With your cases, including the odd ones. Systems break on the exceptions, not on the normal cases.

06

Handover

The code, the documentation and the access details. Plus training for the people who'll use it.

Honestly

What you should know in advance.

Custom systems fail in predictable ways. Here's what they are and how we avoid them.

It costs more than a websiteAnd so does maintaining it. If the job can be done with an off-the-shelf solution, we'll tell you rather than sell you development.
Scope growsAlways. That's why the first version is defined narrowly and deliberately leaves things for the second.
It needs your timeWe can't describe your process for you. You need someone on your side to answer questions.
It isn't finished at launchThe first weeks of real use always produce changes. Budget for them.
There's maintenance to doLibraries age and security requirements change. A system needs looking after, just like a website.
The code is yoursWe hand it over with documentation. We don't lock clients into depending on us.

Related services

What else comes into it.

It's rarely just one thing. Here are the services that go with this one, and why.

Questions

About custom systems.

If your question isn't here, call us — we answer by phone too.

+359 882 95 89 89
How much does a custom web application cost?

It starts at €2,000 for a clearly defined task with one main function. The quote comes after analysis, because the gap between the simple and the complex version of the same idea is several-fold.

For bigger jobs, the analysis is quoted separately, and at the end you get a document with scope and price that's yours, even if you don't carry on with us.

Why not an off-the-shelf solution?

In most cases off-the-shelf is the more sensible choice, and we recommend it. Development makes sense when your process is specific and adapting a ready-made product would cost more than writing one.

If we see that there's a product that does the job, we'll tell you.

What technologies do you use?

It depends on the task. For systems built around an existing WordPress site — within its ecosystem. For standalone applications — on standard, widely supported technologies, so any developer can carry on.

We don't use exotic solutions that make you dependent on us.

How long does it take?

It depends on the scope, and it's set out stage by stage in the quote. We work in stages with a working part at each one, so you don't wait months before seeing anything.

Who owns the code?

You do, once it's paid for. You get the code, the documentation and the access details.

Do you maintain the system afterwards?

Yes, under contract. A system needs looking after — libraries age and security requirements change. It's quoted according to scope.

Next step

Tell us about the process.

Describe how the work runs today, including the workarounds. That's usually where it becomes clear what the system needs to do.

+359 882 95 89 89 office@illumi.bg

Sofia, Bulgaria We reply within 24 hours In business since 2012

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Got it.

We'll be in touch within 24 hours on working days. If it's urgent, call +359 882 95 89 89 — we react faster by phone.