As of May 2020, 2.52 billion people use chat apps regularly and this number keeps growing and is expected to reach 3 billion in 2022. 00:00 What’s inside the video 00:30 Stages of app development 00:50 Market research 01:08 USP identification 01:31 App features 02:19 App design 02:40 App development 03:18 Messaging app development cost *FEATURE-SET INCLUDED INTO A MESSAGING APP* These days, it is necessary to include the must-have features that would make the system work as well as apply some sort of innovation to make the app appealing to the target users. Here we list those messaging app functions that the app cannot exist without. 1. User authorization 2. Contact importing 3. Messaging functionality 4. Sharing of photos and files 5. Location tracking 6. Notifications 7. Synchronization across devices 8. Support video and audio content 9. High-end encryption 10. Video and audio calls *TECH STACK TO BUILD YOUR MESSAGING APP* Depending on your product’s goals and functionality you should understand whether to create a cross-platform or native messaging app. The difference lies in the app availability of the app across the majority of platforms simultaneously or individually for each operating system Both options have their pros and cons. Native app development ensures higher system performance, stability, security but requires more investments. Server-side of software can be coded in PHP, Ruby, Erlang, and similar. Your software development vendor should advise you of what is more suitable to use in your case. Also, one of the most common product architecture is a software bundle of LAMP. Linux as the operating system, Apache- web server, MySQL database, PHP as a back-end language. Alternatively, you can use a PostgreSQL database, Nginx web server, Nodejs, Ruby, or JavaScript for the backend development. It is also necessary to use distinct services and libraries, namely: - *Amazon services* - for data storing - *Socket.io* - library for real-time communication between a browser and server - *Social media integration* - Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc. - *Analytical tools* - Flurry, Google Analytics, Firebase, MixPanel, etc. - *Maps & Navigation* - Google Maps, Google Places - *SMS services* - Twilio - *Email marketing* - MailChimp, Elastic emails - *Payment gateways* - Braintree, Stripe, PayPal, etc. - *Push notifications* - APNS (iOS), FCM (Android) A general idea is to go for open-source technologies, which prevent building everything from scratch. Rather it is possible to use existing well-proven libraries and frameworks. When selecting a tech stack for your messaging app, put users and their experience in a priority, as well as consider speed, performance, and security of the chat app. *CHAT APP MONETIZATION STRATEGIES* We have an answer for you with a few options to build revenue streams in this app type. These strategies include: - *Advertising* — these are multiple ways to include ads inside the messaging application. This can be a banner ad, pop up ad, native ad, and similar. Viber messenger uses this strategy and shows targeted ads and messages and earns millions. - *In-app purchases* — this model implies users to pay for some advanced app feature, access specific content, remove the ads in the messaging app, the possibility to purchase sticker packs, or games. The latter option is used in the LINE chat app, where users play just right in the messenger. - *In-app payments* — corresponds to the typical monetization strategy, where users make payments inside chat applications. - *Integration of a chatbot* — this is an advance monetization possibility once your app gets user interest and base. This allows you to gain revenue from CTR (click-through rate) by providing relevant recommendations. - *Sponsorship* — in this model, revenue is generated via the in-app sponsorship to create brand awareness. This method is best to utilize once you have enough pull of app users. - *Pay per download* — you may use this method if you a sure to provide a unique and new app functioning and you tested the hypothesis that users will purchase the app. In general, users buy only those apps that are very specific and have top performance. - *Subscription fee* — similar to pay per download but the payment is done on a regular basis, only when clients use a messaging app (e.g monthly, annual basis). Interesting fact, that the WhatsApp initial cost $0.99 per year after a year trial period. 🧠 Learn more at: addevice.io/blog/how-to-create-a-messaging-application-from-zero/ 🌍 Interested in Mobile App Development? Visit our website addevice.io/ ❤️ Find Us Here: Blog: addevice.io/blog/ Twitter: twitter.com/helloaddevice LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/adde... Facebook: www.facebook.com/addevice #Facebook #Messenger #WhatsApp #Telegram #Viber #Telegram

Be the first to comment