If you are interested in the dating app development, wish to see processes, steps and estimates or see examples of successful projects, let’s look for the dating niche and on what your potential startup can focus on.
Starting with research, we will check why the dating industry has always been and will always be around many people who are trying to find a partner. Discuss the evolving technologies as thanks to them it has become easier to find new friends and dates. So let’s start with analysis of dating app development services according to Weelorum, check competitors and potential users.
Dating app and its types
If your goal and vision is to start helping a specific community such as vegans, bikers or travelers to find their life partner and you wish to combine the Tinder model with geolocation features and dating-by-interests algorithms, you will get a comprehensive understanding of how to build such an app like Tinder, including its model and how to avoid common mistakes.
A dating app is a software application that connects individuals who are seeking relationships, partners, friends or dates according to their needs, interests, preferences, behavior, location and other parameters. The apps similar to Tinder allow users to find potential matches by swiping through their profiles, photos and by applying matchmaking algorithms like:
- Mutual interests: the app needs to gather data for the user’s profile (for example, movies, books and music they like to determine compatibility).
- Geolocation: customers of an app are matched based on their area of living or presence in a current location.
- Behavior: certain features and patterns may help to determine behavior by the swipes, likes, interactions to determine compatibility.
- Machine Learning: new tech such as AI and ML are used to determine compatibility based on a large set of data, for example, filled questionnaires, profile data and other inputs.
Classification
So dating apps may cater to a wide range of users with different preferences, interests and goals. Here are some of the most common types of dating apps:
- By using matching algorithms: by location, interests and other parameters that we discussed above. Examples include eHarmony or Bumble.
- Niche dating: such applications may cater to certain demographics like international dating or separating groups by their professions, age, religion or sexual orientation, providing a targeted experience for the audience. Examples include niche dating apps like Hily (for millennials), SilverSingles (senior dates), JSwipe (for Jewish singles), and Wingman (for travelers).
- By technologies and functionality, for example, swipe-based solutions or AI dating like MatchMde or MeetMe.
- Social dating apps aim to connect users with new people in their area for friendship or sharing the same interests that may develop into something more.
However, most dating apps provide similar functionality and set themselves apart by offering unique solutions to meet the needs of their target audience. Whether it’s connecting the LGBTQ community, empowering women to initiate conversations, promoting long-term relationships, or offering exciting and memorable casual dates, the key to a successful dating app is a creative idea that resonates with a particular segment of the market.
Building an app and how much does it cost?
To make such a solution first, you have to understand the model, estimate it and learn how to avoid main mistakes in your startup. The creation of a Tinder-alike app or to copy and make a clone (with its own unique features and different algorithmic logic) requires a number of stages to ensure its success. Your team has to focus on the process which includes:
- planning
- estimates
- design
- development
- testing
- deployment
- SEO & content
- marketing
Planning and estimating the costs
You can just imagine yourself as a user who is looking for matches and start working on a fairly straightforward way: how the user will be able to create a profile either by logging in with phone or by using social media. Further, you need to add some data to your profile and see how you can find new people and chat with them, etc.
Think of the dating preferences, location and personal information to find relevant people. Think how to use those algorithms that work similar to search engines. Finally, focus on the questions like:
- how to display matches and what algorithm to apply,
- how to make comprehensive analysis of the TA,
- how to make a proper research of the market competition and trends,
- how to make a correct estimation (check scope of the project, technical complexity, how many people you need the development team in house or on freelance basis, etc.).
Designing, main development and testing
These stages entail the creation of wireframes, prototypes, designs, offering a team a whole overview and visual representation. The aim is to create a user-friendly solution with an intuitive user experience (UI/UX).
And here, the developers come in and create the app, incorporating all the features, front and back-end, design and functionality. The team has also to focus on security, payment systems, integration of APIs, testing the beta versions, working on the bags before main release. The performance and stability have to be carefully estimated as well. After all of the stages, you can talk about deployment on the App Store or Google Play Store.
Main features to consider:
- Profile creation
- Complex algorithm to matches users
- Chats/messengers
- Push notifications
- Location-based search tool
Content and marketing part
When you first upload the app, SEO and keywords you use and may think can work magically, can actually not bring enough traffic. It can take a few months of experiments and research. You can improve content, specify the right keywords to get the traffic. Marketing is really important here and you have to get a great team who is experienced on the topic.
Final thoughts
Analyze what’s going on inside and test the audience and market rates. You can build a clickable prototype to take a look at the app. It will be crucial for the future success. If you create applications for iOS and Android, you should make them applicable for two platforms. It is also valuable to create a unique value proposition, the solution has to be clear and unique. Marketing plays a huge role here and the creation of the app.
