Media app development has witnessed huge popularity in the last few years as newer media apps have transformed how we consume different forms of media, such as movies, music, news, social media, etc. Today’s population consists of smart millennials and enthusiasts of Gen Z, who are always ready to consume different forms of media.
Thus, a media app development could be a great investment if you want to tap into the opportunities in this segment. But what does it take to develop a media app that stands out in such a competitive market? That’s where our role comes in. We are the best media app development company that can help you build a media app with advanced features and functionalities.
Let’s dive into the media mobile app development, exploring the key considerations for building a successful and engaging user experience. We will cover various aspects such as media app features, functionalities, monetization strategies, and also the cost. So, let’s dive in.
What is a Media App?
A media app is a mobile software application with the ability to manage and distribute various types of media content, including audio, video, images, text, social media, and others. Some of the popular examples of media apps are:
· Music Player Apps: Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, etc.
· Video Streaming Apps: Netflix, Amazon Prime, etc.
· Photo Editing Apps: B612, Candy Camera, etc.
· Text media apps: E-readers like Kindle, Blogging Platforms, News Apps, etc.
As you can understand, media app is a very broad term that includes multiple types of apps. Thus, you must have a clear vision of which types of media apps you want to develop. The above-mentioned types aren’t they all. Let’s learn about all the different types of media apps.
Types of Media Apps:
In the 3rd decade of the 21st century, a media app is not just limited to music, text, or video, but it has taken shape in many different forms.
Do you know that there are 14 major types of media apps? The more surprising fact is that we consume 8-10 of them in one way or another at different phases or needs. Here is a breakdown of the major media apps:
| Media App Type | Purpose | Examples |
| Video Streaming Apps | The video streaming apps provide on-demand video content to the users so that they can stream movies, TV shows, web series, etc. | Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu |
| Music Streaming Apps | Users can access music, podcasts, and audio files through on-demand streaming or pre-set playlists. | Spotify, Apple Music, SoundCloud |
| News apps | The users can read news articles, watch news videos, and real-time updates on topics like politics, entertainment, and business. | BBC News, Flipboard, Inshorts |
| Photo Sharing and Editing Apps | Users can capture, edit, and share photos with their friends and family. | Instagram, Snapchat, VSCO, Pinterest |
| Podcast Apps | Users can listen, download, and subscribe to podcast episodes on various topics. | Apple Podcasts, Pocket Casts |
| Educational Media Apps | Deliver educational content such as lectures, documentaries, tutorials, and other form of learning materials. | Khan Academy, TED, Coursera |
| User-Generated Content Apps | Users can create, share, and consume content, often in the form of short videos or, popularly called reels, articles, etc. | TikTok, Quora, Reddit, etc. |
| Sports Media Apps | Users can get real-time updates of sports events, video highlights, and other information. | ESPN, Bleacher Report, DAZN |
Current Market Statistics of Media Apps:
Here are some interesting statistics on the different types of media apps:
· In 2021, the primary media app, i.e., the video streaming market, was valued at $50.11 billion, and by 2028, it is expected to reach $223.98 billion.
· Similarly, the music streaming market was valued at $29.45 billion in 2021 and is projected to grow to $103 billion by 2030.
· The global digital news industry is predicted to increase from $8.8 billion in 2022 to $11.43 billion in 2026.
How Does a Media App Work?
Media apps provide a path for users to access different forms of entertainment, education, and information. That’s why these apps are built to manage different types of media content like blogs, music, videos, etc. Whatever the type of media app you choose to develop, the core working remains the same.
There is an admin backend and a user frontend. Users can register for the app and get access to the content available on the app. In certain apps, the users can just consume the content but can’t create anything. For Media and entertainment solutions you can contact us.
For example, in most music-streaming and video-streaming apps, users can watch movies or listen to music but can’t create and share their content. In these apps, the media house purchases or leases the content to share with the users on a free or paid basis, depending upon the revenue model.
However, in user-generated content apps or social media apps, users can consume and create content to share with other users. By creating the content, the users get popularity and followership and can create collaborations.
6 Must-Have Features to Consider in a Media App Development:
How to make your media app that can stand out in the market? To get an edge over the competitors, you will require the features that are required by the users. It is better to divide the features into two broad categories – must-have features and advanced features. The must-have features are the basic features of a media app, which generally constitute an MVP (Minimum Viable Product). An MVP product stands for a solution with essential functionality to satisfy basic user needs.
You can develop an MVP version of your media app of whatever type, release it, and get feedback from the users. If the users like your app, you can add more advanced or expensive features.
Furthermore, an MVP version of your app will also increase the likelihood of getting funding for your app. It becomes easier to gain the trust of stakeholders by showcasing a working model. Our media app developers will provide you with comprehensive market research and help you build a media app with basic features capable of attracting investors.
Here are the must-have features of a media app:
1. Search and Library:
Users should find whatever content you are providing on your media app easy to access. A comprehensive content library is the backbone of a media app, offering a vast collection of movies, songs, blogs, videos, etc. There must be a powerful search engine that allows users to find specific content pieces quickly. Advanced search will allow users to apply filters of writers, time duration, artists, etc.
2. Favorites or Playlists:
The users should be able to accumulate or create a playlist of their favorite content pieces. They can compile their favorite videos, audio, books, blogs, articles, images, etc., in a single folder/playlist. A media app should also offer suggestions curated by experts or based on user history. The “Favourites” option will allow users to access their favorite media content.
3. Social Sharing and Integration:
In the connected world, users prefer to share everything on social media platforms, including the media content they are consuming. Integration of media apps with popular social media sharing platforms like TikTok will allow users to share videos, music, blogs, etc., directly from the app. This will increase the popularity of the app and attract new users through word-of-mouth recommendations.
4. High-Quality Content:
Whatever content you are providing should be of the best quality. If it is a video-streaming app, the users should be able to watch it in high resolutions, and the same goes for the music or images. There must be multiple quality options, and users can select the suitable one based on different internet speeds and data plans.
5. In-app Notifications and Updates:
In-app notifications are essential to keep users updated about the new releases, upcoming programs, and app updates. Push notifications can alert users of new content or special events, motivating them to return to the app. Regular updates and improvements provided through the app to the users help in developing strong trust and commitment to enhance the user experience.
6. Admin Panel:
As we mentioned above, the admin panel is the backend of the app where all the content is managed, added, or deleted. An admin panel is also required to manage users, subscriptions, fees, revenue models, and many other things.
Check out More: How to Develop Multipurpose Messaging App like WeChat?
How to Monetize Your Media App?
There are multiple monetization strategies that you can consider to make a profit through media app development. Here are the most well-known variants to make money on your created solution.
1. Freemium:
In the freemium business model, you can offer a certain amount of media content to the users for free, like ad-supported content. However, to access some exclusive content, users need to purchase a premium subscription. A premium subscription will allow users to access content without ads, high-quality content, and other major features.
2. Subscription:
A lot of media apps, such as Netflix, offer monthly subscriptions to users to provide access to content. This strategy will allow you to generate revenue regularly. Also, users may be hesitant initially to pay a larger amount but get ready for regular monthly payments.
3. Advertisements:
You can add while showcasing the content of your media app to the users. It is a very common practice to generate money through advertising on the app. If the users want an ad-free experience, they have to get a subscription.
4. In-app purchases:
In media apps, users can also buy certain content through in-app purchases. It is a less popular strategy in media apps but still an option. It caters to users who don’t want a subscription but still desire specific content.
5. Partnerships and Sponsored Content:
Partnership with relevant brands or content creators to share content on the app. It is a creative way to integrate advertising while offering valuable content to the users.
Read More: How to Develop Audio Chat Social Networking App?
Media App Development Process
Now, we will describe the process of developing a media app. It involves certain steps, among which hiring developers is the most crucial app. Let’s delve into each step briefly.
1. Concept and Market Research:
Before diving into the development, you must have clarity of your app’s idea and the corresponding market statistics. You must know the target audience and their media-consuming habits.
2. Selection of Development Partner:
Building a media app requires expertise in various areas. Partnering with a skilled media app development company like us will help you build a successful media app. Look for a vendor with proven experience and expertise in developing similar features and functionalities.
3. Feature planning:
We will recommend going for MVP features at the nascent stage, and as you get better feedback from the users, you can start deploying advanced features.
4. UI/UX design proceeding:
For a successful media app, the UI and UX design must be captivating and attractive to users. Collaborate with the provided UI and UX designer to create a visually appealing design and easy-to-use interface.
5. Backend Development:
The backend will act like an engine that will power your app. It manages the user authentication, admin panel, and data streaming. The media app development company should build a robust and scalable backend infrastructure using technologies like cloud storage and databases.
6. Testing:
Before releasing any app, rigorous testing is required to ensure no bugs remain in the app. The testing also ensures the required performance, design, and scope of functionality.
Cost To Develop Media App:
The development cost of a mobile app in media insustry depends upon a lot of factors. Thus, it becomes quite difficult to estimate the cost without knowing the exact requirements. The factors that influence the cost are features and functionalities, complexity of the app, UI/UX design, location of developers, etc.
The location of developers plays a major role in deciding the cost. If you hire a mobile app developer to create media app located in the USA or Europe, the hourly rates would be around $80-$120 per hour, while in Southeast Asian countries like India, you can get the same quality development at $25-$40 per hour rates.
Conclusion:
Media apps have become a medium for people to engage and consume different forms of content. Thus, these apps are always in demand, and most of the users spend hours on this content. At Octal IT Solutions, the best mobile app development company in India and USA, we can develop a high-quality media app with the latest features and functionalities. Let us know your requirements.
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