Published
November 14, 2019
Category
Marketing / Media
client
axonsoft services users
Social Media App
The Challenge & Solution
From a business perspective, the niche of social media is one of the most promising markets. Of course, this segment is densely occupied with dominant players, but the rapid development of technology is continually opening up new opportunities for the realization of new ideas.
First social media site goes back to 1970s, back when the University of Illinois has developed the PLATO System, which had such features as online forums, bulletin boards, instant messaging, and many other features.
Fast forward to 2019, we have thousands of social media platforms to choose from (with key leaders like Facebook or Twitter). According to App Annie Report Social Media Network 2019 Statistics, the social media platform statistics 2019 show the following leaders in various countries
| Canada | US | UK | France | Germany |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WhatsApp Messenger | Snapchat | WhatsApp Messenger | Snapchat | WhatsApp Messenger |
| Snapchat | Snapchat | WhatsApp Messenger | Snapchat | |
| Facebook Messenger | ||||
| Facebook Messenger | Facebook Messenger | Facebook Messenger | Facebook Messenger |
Working Process
When creating social media, it is necessary to understand that having a mobile application is a prerequisite for a successful project. Also, when we talk about the costs, you should keep in mind that most of the time and cost are related to the backend (what happens in the shadows and makes the app/web project work).
Social networks app development can be provided from scratch or as an add-on to the existing web version. At the APP Solutions, we can work with either option, since we have experience with coming into the development process at any project lifecycle stage.
How to Create a Social Media App
1. Connecting with existing social media networks
The fewer steps separate the user from the full-fledged interaction with an application, the better. They have already left their details in a ton of other social media apps; there is no need to force them to do it again. It is better to cut down the way to the new experience to one button “Connect with” or “Login using” one of the existing apps.
2. Opportunities for self-expression
Every user wants to feel unique and to show the world how creative, extraordinary and outside-the-box he is. Social media app should include some features that can help with this like customizing of profile pictures, backgrounds, nicknames, etc.
3. Creating a network
Any social media makes sense for the user only if there are his friends or interesting people. Therefore, social media app developers should work through the perfect algorithm of friends graph and the system that lets to invite friends with one click.
4. Arranging the newsfeed
early every social network requires news feeds. Content is the king, and rightly so. Users generate an enormous amount of data themselves: check-ins, statuses, video, audio and photo uploads. Even more, they share someone else’s content. It makes it possible to assert themselves and express their opinion (which is one of the benefits of social media – you can make yourself be heard.)
When we start to develop a social media app for Android and iOS, we take this into account and offer the arranging the news feed that best fits the specificity of social media app.
5. Interaction with other services
To give your customers a better user experience interacting with the platform, you have to create a system for integrating existing services into your network. This way, users don’t have to choose among numerous services because they are already interconnected. Speaking of third-party services, we are referring to:
- Relationship networks
Networks that are used to build communication between people. There are several categories: personal networking (Facebook), professional networking (Linkedin), and dating services (Badoo or Tinder app).
- Media sharing networks
This type of social media gives users the opportunity to exchange video and photo content. These include Flickr, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Vimeo, Vine, Snapchat. A distinctive feature is the scaling of content. For instance, some offer to publish short videos; others allow creating their own video channel.
- Online reviews
These social media are a huge base of data that helps users to gather all the necessary information to make purchasing decisions. For example, Yelp and Urbanspoon are based on geolocation and the ability to leave comments and recommendations on local business.
- Discussion forums
Communities, forums, Q&A-services are one of the first forms of social media. Modern representatives of this type include Quora, Reddit, and Digg. At the core mechanics of the interaction between users is the need for knowledge sharing.
- Social publishing platforms
For this type of social media services related to blogging and micro-blogging platforms where users create and publish text and media content. These include such popular platforms as Twitter, Medium, and Tumblr.
- Bookmarking sites
StumbleUpon, Pinterest, Flipboard are services where the user collects the content in the personal library, which can be followed by other members of the community. Typically, these social media study interests to offer more relevant content.
- Interest-based networks
The most attractive opportunity that provides social networks is to find like-minded people with similar interests. For example, Last.fm is a network for music lovers, Goodreads is for lovers of literature.
It should also be considered the option of integrating your service in all existing networks so that publications of users in your social media app could be cross-posted to other social networks. It will bring a user`s friends to your social network.
6. Private communication
No matter how thrilling is the experience of public user interaction, there are always things that need to be discussed privately. Social networking apps should contain built-in services for secure private communication. This way, your users will not go to third-party resources and will spend more time in your application. Read our article to know why data privacy matters.
So you have an app idea, you have an understanding of the essentials of the app. What’s next? How to make a social media app? We proceed to the direct creation of applications.
The APP Solutions as a social media app development company sticks to the native app development. It allows us to get a higher performance of the new social app on Android and iOS, ensures a better UI/UX and gives full access to the built-in services of the mobile device.
Secondly, when working on such a large-scale project, our social media app developers offer to start with the MVP or minimum viable product. MVP is a product with a minimum core set of functionality that quickly lets to send the product to the market to test the idea. This approach helps to announce the product rapidly, while dramatically saving time and money. Once validation is finished, we start to finalize product: add features, and design, improve UI/UX. After this, the application is available in the market for another cycle of validation and testing.
Reasons to Choose Our Small Business Web Solutions
Industry Experience
With 10+ years of industry experience, we are your one-stop-shop for all your design, development and marketing needs
Expert Recommendation
We’ll give you all the possible information & recommendation so you can make an informed decision about your online presence
Communication
Our team is always available for your questions via phone, email or chat. We also use project management and collaboration tools to give you proper updates
Project Quality & On-Time Delivery
Our dedicated team follow the best standards and practices to ensure that we deliver your project on time with no quality issues
Dedicated Team
Our experienced designers, developers and digital marketers will understand your vision and then strategize to deliver the best output
Affordable
We offer a wide range of options so you can customize your requirements and get the digital solutions as per your budget
