Can you recollect how many times in history humanity thought there was no more breakthroughs, no discoveries or inventions? It is hard to count. It continually happens all the time during our progression where suddenly there is a new genius with a discovery, concept or start-up that makes the public wonder.
Today, it is difficult to imagine our life without social networks. Once Facebook was created, we couldn’t recall how we lived without it. More and more Facebook clones have appeared since. Some grew in entirely different social projects that are now among well-known social media networks. Some vanished without a trace in virtual stores’ shelves. Yet the idea is still the same, which is communication; the implementation is all that counts. Don’t know where to outsource app developers? Check out this article on software outsourcing.
Let’s learn what the key factors are that make a social media app successful.
1. It Is All About Learning
What makes popular social networks so special? Each gives their users what they want and unites communities on what they have in common. It would be a great mistake to think that cloning any of the currently existing social networks might bring you closer to your dream. It won’t. However, the world has not had enough of social networks and dating apps, so there is always still something yet to come.
Think of something unique and conceptually different. What makes it exclusive? Why would people love it? What problems does it solve? Make a thorough analysis of the main principles that make people unite in social networks today. Uncover the features they lack and how the process of communication can be improved. If your analysis still resulted into something like-Facebook-but-better, start over. You are still on the wrong path. The only satisfying result you should get is an idea of a brand-new approach.
2. Say My Name, Say My Name
The name of your social media app should embody the concept but be simple and easy to pronounce. Imagine how different people will say it for the first time. What will they first think about? What does it rhyme with? Predict new memes from critics and haters. If you plan to register the website with the same name and then develop mobile apps, make sure all platforms allow you to use the same name and it is still available. Check with what your friends and relatives think of the new name and concept; they might be either your first fans or foes.
3. Investment
This is not in-depth advice but find money. That’s it. You can seek out investors among venture capital companies. Be ready to present a detailed plan and a business model. Hold on, what if my business doesn’t need a custom app?
4. Development Team
After you attained the budget for development, it’s time to find the right team. It would be perfect to start with a detailed UX/UI that would let you know how the whole project would look like without spending too much time and money on the development itself. You can ask for a clickable prototype. If some changes are inevitable it would be easier to modify the UX than rewrite the code. Discuss the details with several teams and choose the best that meets your expectations. Don’t be fooled by the low price. Social media apps are mostly long-term projects.
5. The More, The Better
Thinking about your potential audience, it would be logical to suppose that the more users whom can download and use your app the better. So, during the development time, take into account iOS and Android users, smartphone and tablet users. The app or website should be compatible with the most popular devices.
6. The Sooner, The Better
When do you think it’s time to start promoting your app? The answer would always be “yesterday.” A potential user base should be prepared and targeted alongside the development process so that when it comes to the release, you will have your first downloads right away. The best time to start registering social media accounts for your app is 3-6 months before the release date. You can engage in marketing on social media as well.
Motivate your users to invite their friends to use your app. Communicate, answer their questions and let them know the benefits from using your app. For example, you can offer them a reward system that allows unlocking secret functionalities of the app in return for sharing the link to the app on Facebook.
One of the steps of your marketing campaign can be asking popular bloggers or media people to advertise your app.
7. App Addicted
Do you know how many times users check their accounts on social media apps? If you are using an iPhone, you can quickly check in Settings and see the general time statistics shared by the apps of your smartphone. What makes people check their accounts several times a day? Do they check how many likes and hearts they received? Are they waiting for messages? Make your users get back to your app for specific reasons. Is there anything unique about it? Make people engaged with your app.
8. Attention Please
There should be some factor that won’t let people forget your app over time. You can send your users push notifications to let them know the app was updated, new features were added or a new style created. As an example, you can check how notifications work with a photo editing app. Whenever new filters or frames are added, users get notified. Holidays and celebrations are also a good reason to let your audience know that the new Halloween or Christmas sticker pack was added.
9. Monetization
Developing an app is not only about money but also about earning. There should be a clear monetization strategy with the help of which you will get your profit. Whether your app will be free with in-app purchases or ads is up to you. Determine what brings the biggest profit among apps similar to yours.
10. Luck
However good your app may be, you’ll never know why it failed. However, when time, place and stars coincide, it will lead to success. So, be persistent and confident and good luck to you!
