In the last decade, the demand for dating apps has been skyrocketing. Gone were the days when people relied on their friends or cousins to find them a date. Now, they prefer digital platforms on which they can check their profile and make a decision accordingly. That’s why the demand for dating apps among youth is increasing. However, a new technology is gaining traction in the dating apps market: the metaverse. In this blog, we are going to discuss Metaverse Dating App Development.
Metaverse dating app development could be the future of the dating app industry. In the metaverse dating app, users will upload their avatars, which will be a different representation of themselves. Gen-Z is going to like the concept of a metaverse in dating apps.
In this article, we will go through various aspects of metaverse dating app development in which we will cover how to create a metaverse dating app, metaverse dating app development costs, and much more. So, let’s begin.
What is the Metaverse Dating App?
The metaverse dating app works just like another dating app. The core principle is the same, i.e., to connect like-minded people. However, in the metaverse dating app, instead of uploading pictures, users can have their 3D avatars where other people can see them performing their mentioned hobbies through VR. It will give them a better experience to know how their match looks while performing those hobbies.
Current Market Statistics:-
Since Facebook’s transformation to Meta, it has become a huge buzzword. The volume for the Metaverse term has already hit 303,967, and it will continue to grow because everyone is so excited about it. If we consider dating apps, the market is having a huge potential. In 2023, Tinder alone crossed the $1.9 billion revenue. The number of active users on Hinge is more than 23 million. Another popular dating app, Bumble, has achieved a 95% retention rate among female users.
As per a report by Pew Research, in the USA alone, 3 out of 10 people use dating apps, and 40% of users have agreed that online apps make dating much easier. Thus, the amalgamation of metaverse with dating resulting in metaverse dating app development will further revolutionize this industry.
Read More: How to develop a Matchmaker dating app?
How Does a Metaverse Dating App Work?
A metaverse dating app works like any other dating app but doesn’t involve any real photos. Instead, users are required to create an avatar that will work like their identity on the app.
Once they create an avatar, users can select their preferred gender for dating. They can also specify their interests and begin scrolling and swiping through other users on the dating app. If the other person also swipes through the user’s profile, they can start interacting and set up a virtual date. The best thing about virtual dating is it isn’t restricted to any geographical location. Users can set dates in exotic places like Greece or Paris. The users can go on dates in various virtual settings, including coffee shops and bars. They can even walk in nature or even attend any virtual event that they can enjoy.
The metaverse dating apps most create dates in real-time via voice or message. Real-time voice chat and body language enhance the overall experience of users.
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Five Must-Have Features In Metaverse Dating Apps:
To develop a metaverse dating app, you have to consider features of both dating aspects and metaverse technology. When you hire mobile app developers who try to integrate all demanding features in it. The dating features are mostly generic for a smooth user experience, but ensure that these generic features meet the standards of your app. The common dating app features are social sign-in, user profile, geolocation, matching, chatting, push notifications, swiping, and others. However, a metaverse app will have a lot of out-of-the-box features to amaze users with its experience. Here are the must-have features in metaverse dating apps:
AR-enabled User Profiles:
In conventional dating apps, the user profile section is displayed in the text, but in a metaverse dating app, users will create their 3D avatars through which other users can see them performing hobbies through VR.
VR Enabled Dating:
VR has a predominant role in the metaverse experience. It will help users to emerge in a virtual world, which is not possible with conventional dating apps like Tinder. In a metaverse dating app, matches can wear VRs and fantasize naturally about sitting with their dates.
VR Socialization:
In a metaverse dating app, users can interact by playing games using VR technology and socializing with other people. Although it is still time for complete socialization through the metaverse, such a feature will help users take a step and feel the real experience even from a distance.
Digital Wallet for Quick Payments:
In the metaverse world, the dating app will work over the digital payment system. Thus, it is essential to incorporate digital currencies like cryptocurrency for assets, accessories, gifts, and other items that avatars can buy, purchase, and gift.
Blockchain-based gifts:
In the recent digital space, physical gifts are no longer a special thing. Digital gifts are now gaining attention. In metaverse dating app development, you can create unique virtual gifts on the blockchain. These gifts can be sold or traded. It may seem anomalous, but people find it as the fastest way to buy and gift their partners.
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Revenue Model of Metaverse Dating Apps:
It is essential to pick monetization strategies before even beginning the development of dating apps. To make you aware of them, here are the most widely accepted ways of earning profit through dating apps:
Premium Apps:
Most dating apps try to cover a large audience by offering a free download, installation, and account, but they also have a premium version. Thus, it is a great option for making a good profit. In the premium edition, users will subscribe by paying a weekly or monthly fee. They will get the following benefits in the premium edition:
· Account Boost: Users will get placed in top search results for a particular period after a subscription, and this is fair. Some of the apps that employ this strategy are Tinder, Bumble, and OkCupid.
· Smart Swipe: Several machine learning algorithms work behind the way users see photos of other users. Premium users will have more probability by changing the order through smart algorithms.
· Unlimited Right Swipes: There are limited swipes in a free version of a dating app. Thus, people are motivated to get a premium version for unlimited swipes. There are many dating apps which are working on this model.
· Ad-free experience: In the free edition of a dating app, there are ads for various products and services on the users’ screen. These ads get eliminated in the paid edition.
Advertising:
90% of the mobile apps make money through this model. 64% of the online ad spending is done on mobile app advertising. You can integrate different types of ads within your app. It includes banner ads, native ads, or sponsored content. However, you must ensure that the ads are not obtrusive and frustrating to the users.
In-app purchases:
In a traditional dating app, there is no or very limited in-app purchasing. But in a metaverse dating app, you can offer in-app purchase options for a variety of items. You can offer virtual gifts to purchase or date at certain prime locations, which will be available at a certain cost. For, if someone needs to gift virtual flowers, then they will be available at a certain digital price.
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Process to Develop Metaverse Dating Apps:
To successfully develop a metaverse dating app, you are required to follow a pre-defined process. Here is the roadmap to create the Metaverse dating app:
Define your Target Audience:
Although the most reliable target audience for a metaverse dating app will be the Gen-Z and millennials, you can segment them at further levels. You can consider whether you want to target professionals, niche hobbies, college students, etc. A clear focus on the target audience will set you apart from competitors and help you choose key features and functionalities.
Find a proficient mobile app development company:
The success of a dating app hugely depends on how your tech vendor develops it. The choice of a development company is a critical decision in the dating app development process. A skilled dating app development company like us ensures that the app is built with all the latest features and is scalable to meet the future needs of the users.
Furthermore, a skilled IT company will provide you assistance with the right functionality, tech stack, and other tech hurdles. The aim is to streamline the development process and ultimately deliver a secure, fast, and scalable metaverse dating app.
Features selection:
The mobile app development team will consult with you regarding the features of your dating app. The features can be segmented into two major categories: MVP and advanced features. We always recommend developing a prototype first with MVP or core features of a virtual dating app. After getting feedback from the users, you can implement the advanced features further.
Design and Frontend Development:
After settling on features and functionalities, the UI and UX designers will start creating wireframes and screens/designs of the app. An attractive and easy-to-use interface is essential to acquiring and retaining users of a dating app.
Backend Development:
The backend development consists of the features and functionalities, algorithms, database, and cloud infrastructure that will ensure the smooth running of the app. The backend developers have the responsibility to meet all the required features mentioned in the scope. They will create the admin panel from where the administrator can manage the users and other aspects of the app.
QA:
The penultimate stage is to find the bugs and errors by the QA team. The QA team is responsible for identifying last-stage issues and asking developers to fix them. They ensure that the app meets all the required standards of security, performance, and other aspects given in the scope.
Deployment:
After the QA team signs off, the app is ready to deploy. We assist in deploying the app on popular app stores like Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Visit Also: Top Dating Mobile Apps
Cost To Develop Metaverse Dating Apps:
The cost to develop a metaverse dating app will depend upon a plethora of factors. It includes the size of the app, complexity of the app, required features, type of platform (Android or iOS), development team’s location, and others. For more details regarding mobile app development cost, you can check out this blog.
Among all these factors, the location of the development team matters most. The hourly rates are different in different countries. For, the hourly rates in North America or Eastern European countries lie in the range of $80-$120 per hour. On the other hand, you can get the same development quality at $25-$40 per hour in Southeast Asian countries like India, Malaysia, or Singapore.
We will provide you with a correct estimation of the metaverse dating app development. Reach our consultation team here.
Conclusion:
The future is going virtual with the metaverse, and so is the dating industry. The dating app industry is still in its nascent stage, and thus, it is the right time to tap into this opportunity. At Octal IT Solutions, the best dating app development company in India, we can develop an advanced metaverse dating app to connect people for dating. Let us know your requirements.