Sweepstakes marketing method is popular to enhance audience engagement and achieve substantial business growth. As a powerful marketing strategy, sweepstakes gaming software creates a memorable connection between the users and the brand.
If that’s not all, it also yields valuable information from the target audience and creates a memory of the brand, which, especially the winners, won’t forget. It’s easier for entrepreneurs to go for white label sweepstakes software, but as it cannot meet their specific demands and evolving needs, the best option is custom sweepstakes software development.
Let’s find out about the process, time, and cost to develop sweepstakes software.
First, Why Invest in a Custom Sweepstakes Software for Entrepreneurs?
Indeed, generic, templated sweepstakes platforms offer quicker market entry. But these platform’s design and features are designed with a broad user base in mind. Since it may not always align with your specific business goals and needs, customization becomes necessary, especially if you want to see results.
A custom software addresses the limitations with tailored design and features built according to the customer’s preferences. Everything from the visual design elements, user interface, content tone, features, and even how transactions are processed is customized to create an engaging and personalized experience for your users.
Another reason for entrepreneurs not to invest in white label sweepstakes software is the lack of scalability. But with a customized solution, you can scale as per the market demand. If that’s not all, there’s the ownership part where custom software’s ownership rests with the entrepreneur.
All data is stored on pre-decided servers, and the entrepreneurs have control over and access to the data and its management.
Cost to Develop Sweepstakes Software
| Development Phase | Percentage of Total Cost | Cost Range | |
| MVP | Full-Scale Product | ||
| Design | 10% | $5,000 to $20,000 | $20,000 to $40,000 |
| Frontend and Backend Development | 50% | $10,000 to $50,000 | $70,000 to $100,000+ |
| Testing and Quality Assurance | 25% | $5,000 to $25,000 | $30,000 to $50,000 |
| Deployment | 5% | $1,000 to $7,000 | $7,000 to $10,000 |
| Post Launch Support and Maintenance | 10% | $3,000 to $30,000 | $30,000+ |
Identifying the cost to build a custom sweepstakes gaming software depends on several key factors. Here are the factors that can directly impact the development costs;
- Features Incorporated: Basic sweepstakes features like user registration, profile creation, participating in content, etc. will cost less. But the costs will be higher with more intricate functionalities like multi-stage contests, gamification, advanced reporting, analytics, prize management, etc.
- Deployment Platforms: Building the sweepstakes software for web, desktop, and mobile will cost more than building it for a single platform. With mobile applications, native apps for iOS and Android will increase the cost as compared to cross-platform app development, which costs less.
- Design Elements: A well-designed software usually costs more when you add gamified elements, animations, fluid graphics, interactive logos, etc. These elements improve engagement and make the user experience more lively. But for an entrepreneur entering a new market, these design elements can take a back seat. Instead, focus on a responsive design, well-formatted layouts, and accessibility.
- Tech Stack: The choice of tech stack, including specific programming languages, development frameworks, and databases, can impact the cost. Not only costs, but it can also affect the platform’s security, maintainability, and scalability. Inability to scale, maintain, and secure the platform can further increase ongoing costs. So, the tech stack selection should consider the platform’s long-term usability.
- Team Location: Startup owners and entrepreneurs often outsource the development task as it saves costs. Instead of hiring an in-house team, they hire a CTO to guide and manage an outsourced team.
Development teams from North America and Europe will charge substantially more than teams from Eastern Europe and Asian countries. However, choose a team that considers the communication challenges, time zone differences, and quality assurance policies.
How Long to Build Sweepstakes Software?
Once again, it depends. A white label sweepstakes software can enter the market with your branding and minimal customizations within 4 weeks. But a customized platform takes time.
A bespoke sweepstakes software timeline further depends on the complexity of design, architecture, and its features. At the same time, an experienced team working with agile methodology and clearly defined goals can complete the development quicker than a team that does not follow these approaches.
Here are some things that can shorten the development timeline of a sweepstakes software;
- Clear and consistent communication
- Prompt feedback
- Rigorous testing
- Quality assurance
- Resolving bugs and performance issues
- Iterative development approach
Given these practices, you can launch an MVP within 6 months. But a full-scale product can take around 10 months or even more to complete.
Calculating the ROI of Sweepstakes Software for Entrepreneurs
At the end of the day, you need to measure sweepstakes business ROI. You can use several KPIs to measure its performance, including;
- Lead Generation: How many potential customers have come to you through the software?
- Website Traffic: Has the sweepstakes campaign increased website traffic?
- Social Media Engagement: How many new followers have you gained through sweepstakes related content and activities?
- Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC): Measure the reduction in CAC after launching a sweepstakes campaign, comparing it to other marketing campaigns.
- Sales Conversion Rate: Identify the number of leads generated, assess the quality of leads, and how many convert into customers.
To Sum It Up
A customized sweepstakes platform can help achieve significant business growth through high-potential lead generation. By engaging with a target audience, entrepreneurs can introduce a better way of interacting with their target audience and generate valuable leads.
At TRUEiGTECH, we will build a customized sweepstakes software according to your goals, design preferences, and target audience requirements. Working as an extension of your team, we build a goal-centric platform with bespoke features you need to maximize engagement, lead generation, and conversion.
Get in touch with our team to know more.