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One of the most rapidly and massively growing businesses nowadays is social media. Especially, after the pandemic, social media has not only showered mercy upon the influencers with social media marketing but by keeping the world hooked to it, social media apps have also almost replaced the age-old television as the primary source of entertainment.
Did you know that in 2023, Social Media Platforms generated a revenue worth £166 making their founders billionaires? Simultaneously, social media has made many ordinary people star influencers. Next in line must be YOU! Let’s build a social media app in 2025 and shine your destiny. So, wondering how to develop a social media app? Here is a complete guide for you that will help you plan to develop a social media app from scratch and launch it in 2025. Let’s start!
Before diving deep into the technicalities, it is important to first understand what exactly is a social media app. To define in simple words, a social media app is an online platform that allows its users to make connections with other users and share photo, video, and audio content. Additionally, on social media platforms, people can also connect through chat, audio calls, and video calls. So, a social media app is an application that allows:
✔️ Making Connections
✔️ Sharing Content
✔️ Connecting on Audio and Video Calls
In a nutshell, a social media platform allows its users to ‘socialize’ with others. Some examples include but are not limited to Facebook and Instagram!
But wait a minute! We said some examples ‘include but are not limited to’ Facebook and Instagram. For those who believe that only FB and Instagram are social media apps, sorry! You’re living in falsehood. The definition of social media provided above fits many other applications as well. So, does it mean that those applications are also a ‘social media app’? Well, the answer is yes!
Facebook and Instagram are only one particular type of social media app. The world of social media is much broader. A social media app has multiple types and niches. Majorly, we can discuss them as below.
On the majority, their are top 7 types of social media applications depending upon the classification of target audience and features. These include:
‘Content is the King’! Platforms that allow their users to share audio, video, graphical or any other form of content are content-sharing social media apps. However, Facebook and Instagram also allow users to share reels and posts, but there are other types of content-sharing social media apps as well.
Say, for example, blog posting sites such as Medium is also an example of content-sharing social media apps. It is because, the users may follow their favourite content providers, ‘share’ their content, and can also share their opinions about their posts with ‘comment’ features. Likewise, TikTok and YouTube as well fall under the category of content-sharing social media apps.
If Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Blogging Sites, and Even YouTube are a content-sharing social media app, then what else is now left? Well, much more! ‘Social Networking Social Media Apps’ is yet another category. However, it is a bit overlapping with ‘content sharing apps’ and Facebook and Instagram are the two major members of the Social Networking App family.
Basically, social media apps that emphasize ‘making connections’, they become social networking Apps. X (formerly Twitter) can also be seen as a member of the Social Networking Social Media App family.
Similarly, Job Portals such as Indeed and LinkedIn where you create your professional profiles and ‘connect’ with HR managers and various professionals, ‘follow’ your favourite organizations, ‘chat’ with your professional connections, ‘create a profile’ highlighting your skills, education, and experience, and ‘share’ your professional pictures and thoughts also come under the ‘social media’ category. These are called professional networking social media apps.
Certain messaging apps also allow you to connect with your family, friends, and relatives. Sometimes, you also make new friends and chat with them. Such messenger apps like WhatsApp, Hike, Slack (professional one), and SnapChat are Messenger Social Media Apps. As you can see on these apps as well you are allowed to share your pictures, create profiles, and make connections. So, clearly, messenger apps also come under the social media category.
Like blogging sites are also a type of social networking app, so are the News Feed Apps. They form a distinct category of social media applications. New Feed Sites such as BBC, Guardians, and The Independent allow their users to create their profiles as either ‘authors’ or ‘readers’. The readers can connect with their favourite authors by ‘following’ them. Also, they can share news with their family and friends while also sharing their opinions via the comment section. So, news feed apps also come under the ‘social media’ category if we go by the definition.
How about Quora and Reddit? These platforms also allow their users to make connections and share or exchange their doubts and opinions in question-answer (QnA) format. Also, users can hold knowledge-rich discussions on such platforms. When an online platform allows you to share your doubts, seek an answer or solve an answer socially with new people (connections), then it becomes a Discussion Forum type of social media app.
Last, but not least! Dating apps are also a common type of social media app. After all, you make connections there by swiping the ‘profiles’. You like people’s profiles and express interest in ‘connecting’ with them. Furthermore, ‘chatting’ is a common feature on all dating apps. Eventually, Tinder, Bumble, Boo, and Hinge also form a part of ‘social media apps’ under the ‘dating’ niche or category.
So, finally when you have decided to build a social media app and launch the same soon to become the next business tycoon, let’s have a look at the right, systematic, and step-by-step approach to social media app development. While planning to launch a new social media app in the market, follow these steps for smoother execution:
If you are planning to launch your own social media platform soon, then you will first need to decide on the niche or category of social media app. Then, other steps, such as market research and a hunt for developers’ teams, will begin afterwards, according to the chosen niche.
Once understood your niche, now you need to understand your target audience. Actually, the target audience of different social media app categories has different expectations from the app. Moreover, depending on the niche, the revenue generation streams are also different. So, understanding facts about your Target Audience helps you plan app features, marketing strategies, and revenue streams accordingly. Say, for example:
We hope you understand our point!
Next, you have to do market research to find out what are the popular trends set by your competitors in the chosen social media category. This market research must cover the following:
All these data sets will help you plan the social media app launch accordingly.
Once you have researched well, now it's time to get an app idea ready to share with the social media app development company. So, now start working on the social media app ideation. Decide an idea for your business logo, the colour themes, UI/UX design, features, functions, and the entire look and feel. When you develop clear ideation for your social media app, it will be easier for you to explain the same to the social media app developers. Remember, it is the most crucial phase that will decide your destiny.
When you get a clear app idea for your would-be billion-dollar business, it's time to look for the top social media app development companies in London, UK. Alternatively, you can also outsource app development services. However, in this case, we would advise you that choose a UK-based social media app development company as the development journey is going to be quite engaging. You will need to attend the weekly reporting to have complete control of your project. So, to ensure that you get a social media app fully customized to your app ideation, choose a social media app development company in UK and go for on-shore development.
While finalising a social media app developer for your project, make sure that you explain your app ideation to as many developers as possible. It will certainly kill two birds with one stone. How? Check the following points:
When you make up your mind to hand over your project to a web developer for social media, finalise and close the deal with him/her by paying the token amount and signing the No Disclosure Agreement (NDA). Always go with a written agreement and terms and conditions that both the parties, the development company (or the developer) and you as a client, counter-sign. This will keep both of you committed to each other. Also, no issues of idea leaks will come into the picture. And then you are good to go.
Moreover, after handing over your project to the development team, do not go carefree! Still, you have an active role in the development process. Keep on taking follow-ups from the development team on the progress. Make sure that the development is going smoothly, bug-free, and thoroughly tested. Also, ensure that the development is in accordance with your app ideation. If you find discrepancies at this stage, you are entitled to ask for amendments under the NDA you both have signed! Remember and be a smart consumer.
However, you must be having a unique app ideation for your social media app venture. Still, there are certain features that are common and mandatory for all kinds of social media apps. So, make a list from here and remember, you will have to have these features:
Client-side features are the features that the end-user will use in your social media app. These should include:
The user must be able to log in to the app with a unique ID and password. It will help the user get a secure session. Also, the login feature is helpful for the business owner (that is you) to get data analysis reports about users’ behaviour, interests, and activities on the platform which will be helpful for strategic business planning.
Next comes profile creation. Although needless to mention, the profile creation feature is the heart and soul of every social media app. Users will make a profile to connect with other people on your social media app platform. He or She will upload pictures, and videos, have a bio, and make connections. So, a profile creation feature is necessary.
Why a user comes to a social media platform? For getting social right? So, sending connection requests and accepting them must be a must-have feature in any kind of social media platform. However, if it is a news feed or blogging platform, then ‘follow’ options are sufficient.
Social media apps are for socializing, right? For socialization, communication is important. These days, messaging is the most convenient method of communication in the busy lifestyle. Eventually, your social media platform must have a chatting feature necessarily. Especially, when it comes to dating and networking apps, chatting comes as a primary feature.
Next comes calling and video conferencing. When messaging goes well, the social media app users would also enjoy calling and video calling with each other. After all, they are humans and it is their basic need to communicate with their family and friends. So, make sure that you introduce calling and video conferencing features.
These days, people also like to share images and videos in chat. So, add a multimedia content-sharing feature to your social media app to encourage engagement. Cute stickers also enhance engagement on the social media app. Additionally, even on social media posts, people like to share their videos. So, multimedia sharing must be a mandatory feature on any social media platform.
Is there any social media app imaginable without a like, comment, and share option? Obviously not! Whatever be the type of social media app, like, comment, and share must be available on it. Apart from networking, even social media app categories including news feeds and discussion forums must provide likes, shares, and comments to maintain and track engagement.
Above all, even while going social, the public yearns to maintain account privacy. Additionally, large social media tycoon Facebook has paid fines through its nose multiple times. So, to save your reputation as a business and to adhere to data privacy laws, your social media app must maintain users' privacy with strong encryption.
So far, whatever features we have discussed, we discussed from the user’s point of view. Now, there are certain features, that will assist the social media app owner in strategic planning and business management. These include:
Social media apps must have a server-side admin panel that offers centralised access and control of user data to the admin. A centralised control helps the social media business owner control the distribution of sensitive and unsocial content. This helps the business owner maintain the decency of the platform. It further opens gateways for some other server-side important features like the following.
For strategic business planning, data analytics is an important feature in the social media app. By collecting users’ data and providing content recommendations based on their behaviour, the data analytics feature enhances user engagement and keeps the users hooked to the platform. Additionally, the app owner can check engagement sources and work on formulating relevant strategies.
Push notifications form an important part of any app these days. Especially, for social media apps, push notifications come as a mandatory feature. So, encourage the use of push notifications in the social media app and keep the users always updated on the whereabouts of their social media friends. Push notifications are important so that the users never miss an update. However, do not forget to provide the option to turn the notifications on or off.
Fake profiles on social media are a common problem. However, it cannot be cured fully on social media platforms and people will continue to create fake profiles either to stalk some people or to run a page. Well, whatever be the reason, fake profiles will continue to grow. So, profile verification should be an option on the admin side. For this, the admin can issue ‘verified’ badges based on the necessary verification. At least, users can stay updated on which profile is potentially fake. This feature must be an important part of the dating category of social media apps.
Furthermore, as stated earlier sensitive content should be controlled by the admin, so, the AI-driven content screening option must also be included in the social media app development process. Detecting and marking sensitive content at an early stage, elimination of controversial content, and vouchsafing hate comments are some common factors to consider in social media app development to maintain the decency of the platform.
So, now you have a detailed understanding of the basic admin and user-side features that you must have in your social media application. Let’s now dive into some more technicalities and find out what social media trends you must follow in 2025 if you are planning to launch a social media app to the market. This blog will train you 360 degrees so that you can launch the best social media app of the year 2025! Let’s start.
Research is an integral part of business planning. Before the launch of any business, the business founder must do complete research on the market conditions and his/her target audience. So, if you are planning to launch a social media app so, then let’s have a look at the target audience first.
The percentage of iOS users in the UK is around 52%, forming the majority here. Furthermore, considering the worldwide percentage of iOS users, it is equivalent to 30% approx. Therefore, you will have to ensure that your mobile is iOS device-friendly. Otherwise, seemingly, you cut a large section off your target audience.
Now, coming to the percentage of Android users. In the UK, 48% of smartphone users are Android users. However, Android users are the majority when it comes to worldwide data, with a percentage rate of 70%. Therefore, having an Android-friendly social media app is a necessity.
How can you leave the laptop audience behind? Everyone, while studying on a laptop or working on an office desktop, has used social media platforms a thousand times. And if you are smiling while reading this line, then you, too, have done the same. Everybody does! So, do not leave the web app users behind. Before, mobile apps, go for the web app version of the social media app.
Did you know that the cost of iOS app development is usually higher than the cost of Android app development? On an estimate, social media iOS app development costs can range between £25,000 and £75,000 depending upon its UI/UX design, number of features and functionalities. On the other hand, social media Android app development costs can range between £18,000 and £65,000 depending upon similar factors as iOS app development. So, having both apps can burn a really big hole in your pocket!
But no worries! Consider Cross-platform app development. Cross-platform app development is a development technique in which a developer codes an app such that a single codebase runs equally efficiently on both iOS as well as Android platforms. One code, two apps. That is a cross-platform application. Also, cross-platform application costs almost equivalent to iOS app development. So, be a smart consumer and embrace cross-platform app development for your social media business.
There is nothing such as the ‘right’ programming language for social media app development. It is because, the choice of programming language depends upon various other factors like the platform of app launch and functionalities of the application.
However, to name a few, PHP and Python are some evergreen programming languages that can help a developer structure a strong and error-free backend of the social media app. For the social media app front-end development, JavaScript is the best language due to its engaging UI/UX design abilities.
Furthermore, the choice of development framework too depends upon the launch platform. However, considering cross-platform application development necessary for social media app development, React Native can be the best development framework. It offers engagingly unique as well as native UI/UX elements for cross-platform apps and speeds up the development process.
Always remember that testing is the most crucial phase in app development or software development. Social media app development is a lengthy process that takes huge endeavour. Eventually, to avoid chaos, utilise agile testing methods. Test codes bit by bit throughout the development with manual and automation testing procedures. Continuous testing eliminates chances of error, glitches, and bugs right from the beginning.
However, remember that it does not mean that after the finish of the social media app development process, you do not require testing. Rather, as soon as you finish coding the social media app, test the app thoroughly once again and check for glitches and errors. It is because, when you run the complete app and different technical elements work together, the app might face glitches. Identify and rectify!
Now, coming to the technological trends blooming and growing day by day. Technologies such as artificial intelligence and augmented reality are growing high in demand. AI, AR, and IoT are certain technical concepts that can be seen as the future of the information and technology industry. Therefore, the world of app and software development must also create room for them.
Additionally, combining certain social trends with the social media app business will also help you distinguish your product from the existing gigantic competitors. So, let’s have a bird’s eye view of them:
Today, businesses tend to drive website traffic and showcase their products on social media platforms to get more sales. Earlier, businesses used to feature celebrities in their television commercials for their products. However, the advent of social media influencers has changed the advertising world. When influencers have a considerable audience reach with fee charges lower than star celebrities, then why not utilise the same?
So, offer high-quality short and creative video uploads to attract businesses towards your social media platform. This will attract the buyers and sellers more towards your platform. See how Depop, the sensational E-Commerce platform of UK with social media-like user interface. How amazing its idea is.
Augmented Reality is a growing trend these days. The term ‘augmented’ means ‘enhanced’, and thus augmented reality means ‘enhanced reality’. So, when digital elements that ‘enhance’ real-life experience, the technology is called ‘augmented reality (AR).’
Some examples include games like Pokemon Go, in which the players interact with the real-life surrounding environment, and the game goes on. Similarly, the virtual lipstick try-on in which the lip colour is projected on women’s lips through the cell phone camera.
So far, no social media app has demonstrated any out-of-the-box use of Augmented Reality. But you can be the one! So, brainstorm hard and invent something new in 2025. Leverage augmented reality and create something more engaging for the users.
However, augmented reality is taking over, still the importance of virtual reality can not be neglected. Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality are the two different sides of the same coin. On the other side of the coin, we have virtual reality that does not ‘enhance’ the real-life experience but provides an ‘immersive’ virtual experience altogether. The most popular example is gaming zones, where players wear a headset and play immersive games. Also, 3D films are an example of virtual reality. So, try including VR in your social media app and see the difference.
Metaverse is another sensation in the information and technology sector that received sudden fame after the pandemic. In metaverse technology, the engineers tend to create a real-like digital universe powered by AR and VR technologies. So, do not forget to have room for metaverse advancements, too. Allow people to create their virtual 3D Avatars and take it one step forward by introducing an interactive environment. In 2025, the metaverse has the potential to trend ahead, so stay prepared.
Wohh! You earned so much knowledge today. Now its time to add icing to the the cake. Till now, you know what features you must inculcate in your social media app and what latest trends you must follow to outshine the competition in 2025. But, how will you know that your ambitious project is in the right hands and is being treated right?
Well, its simple! Whenever you hand over your project to a social media app development company, make sure that it follows a systematic approach to app development. Majorly the company must necessarily follow the following 7-steps to develop a social media or any other app:
As soon as you connect with an app developer or an app development company, make sure that it does not begin ‘selling’. The right social media app developer will always focus on ‘understanding’ your project needs first. He/she will gather the requirements first and then ‘analyse’ the app's complexity.
So, make sure when you discuss your project with a developer, he/she listens to your needs carefully and documents the requirements. Based on these requirement gatherings, the developer will let you know the cost of development and duration.
While choosing custom social media app development, prototyping is a must-have phase as the development burns a large hole in the pocket and because the admin (or client) is emotionally attached to his app ideation. If the final product does not look and feel like what he or she had dreamt of, then a lot of trouble and chaos come to the developer’s way. Prototyping is the go-to solution to escape such circumstances.
Prototyping is a graphical representation (like a photograph or 2D model) of the final product. It gives a clear view of the final UI/UX design of the product. Therefore, always ask the development team for a social media app prototype first.
If, during the prototyping phase, the client seems unsatisfied or comes up with some other idea(s), then the iteration part comes into the picture. Iteration is meant by taking feedback from the client and making necessary changes to the product design. When you have access to a prototype, it becomes less expensive to alter the design and incorporate feedback. So, iteration must come as an important phase.
Now, that everything is clear about the social media app ui/ux design, the project must be given to the developers’ team. At this phase, the social media app developers will perform the full stack development of the app and will ensure that the final look and feel of the final app or software matches the prototype.
Furthermore, testing must be an integral part of the social media app development. In fact, since social media app development comes under a medium-complex type of app development, you must look for a company that uses agile testing methodologies. In agile testing, the company tests the application right from the development phase bit by bit or code by code. It's not like testing the app after the completion of development. Rather testing and development must go hand-in-hand.
Also, make sure that you choose a social media app development company that provides complete launch support. Always remember, that social media app development must be cross-platform anyhow to leverage the full potential and reach the entire target audience. However, at the same time, the App Store accepts only top-notch quality and glitch-free applications. So, you will need support at the time of the launch. If your application does not reach its target audience, the whole time and money invested in the research and development go futile. So, be careful.
Not necessarily yet ideal, lifetime technical support and app maintenance is a good deal to go with. If you find a social media app development company that provides technical support even after the launch, just grab the offer. It is because Information and Technology is a continuously growing, evolving, and ever-changing industry. Eventually, your social media app will not be static, rather it will require app upgrades, redesigns, software updates, bug fixes, and troubleshooting management facilities even in the future. So, be future-ready and prioritise support and maintenance services.
Oh my, my! So much to learn in this blog! We’re still not over! When almost everything has been discussed, then why leave the cost behind? Social Media App Development Cost in UK can range between £22,000 and £250,000 depending upon the app's complexity, features, and functionalities. Some additional factors include the location of the developer and the brand value of the app development company. So, choose the company wisely and find the best quality social media app development services at the most optimum cost.
You can also keep the social media app development cost UK under check by following certain tips. If you plan the development judiciously, you can get the best-quality app at the most optimum prices. So, when you go hunting for thte right social media app development, keep the following points in your mind:
✔️ Make a detailed list of necessary feature for your social media app and side down the unnecessary fancy features. The simpler the UI/UX, the lesser the cost!
✔️ Avoid unnecessary animations and focus on high definition images, videos, and audios! More motion graphics will add to the cost. Therefore, avoid animations unnecessarily.
✔️ However, you can add the animations later in the upgrades when you start making enough revenues!
✔️ While choosing social media app development company for your project, target a company with a brand image suitable to your pockets! If you choose the high brand name, then obviously, you will pay more.
✔️ As an expert, we advise you to choose a 5-10 year old company with 50+ team of developers. Check their previous work on their website carefully and if it aligns your expectations choose them!
✔️ However, before choosing ANY social media app development company, check its Google reviews and social media reviews properly. It will give you a brighter picture of their work!
✔️ Furthermore, choose cross-platform application development over native app development. This will bring you two mobile apps at the cost and effort of one.
✔️ Weird but effective, do not ask for too many customizations and personalizations. Leave as much as possible upon the social media app developer. Believe us! It will control the social media app development cost like a magic.
Woh, woh! Such a gigantic blog right? Well, we had a lot of knowledge to impart so that our audience could be trained in social media app development in a single go! We know that it was a hard nut to crack to read this complete blog and come to the conclusion part. But believe us, it was even harder to bring such insightful content to your plate. Now we have fully trained you to get the best social media app development in 2025. Do not forget to make a checklist of the features we have provided above and make sure that you maintain room for the latest trending technologies like AR, VR, Metaverse, and social media marketing. Furthermore, communicate with the chosen social media app development company and check if they follow the right approach. So, finally, we bid all the very best for you for your future endeavors! And if you still have any doubts regarding social media app development process, feel free to ask in the comment section below. See you again!
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