What does it take to build an app like Instagram? Guide to social media app development!

We have moved far beyond the era when people's actions remained in secrecy, as today, individuals eagerly divulge their activities. Lifestyle has assumed a significant role, and people are keen to stay informed about the happenings in the lives of those they know. This is evident by the substantial surge in the popularity of image-sharing platforms such as Instagram. The younger generation now devotes a considerable amount of their time to media-sharing apps like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat.?

This makes social media apps like Instagram, a hit, from a business perspective. They are able to effectively capture a substantial portion of users' attention. To discover how to create a successful MVP for a photo-sharing app akin to Instagram and secure investments for your innovative concept, read on.?

Decoding Instagram: A look into social media app development.

Instagram might strike you as mere photo sharing but it's a multifaceted application that effectively serves as five distinct apps within a single platform. It seamlessly combines features of a photo/video sharing app, a photo/video editing tool, an instant messaging platform, an e-commerce hub, and a live streaming channel. To clarify your objectives for your own app, let's delve into each of these sets of functionalities.?

Photo/Video sharing:?

At the heart of Instagram lies photo sharing, its most renowned and iconic feature. If you're embarking on the journey of creating a social media app, beginning with an MVP that centers around a core feature, like photo sharing, is a sound strategy. You can then systematically incorporate additional features as your platform evolves.

Essential photo sharing features for the MVP include:

1. Profile creation for users

2. Photo uploading and deletion capabilities

3. Geolocation features

4. User tagging

5. Commenting functionality

Photo/Video editing:?

It's only logical that when you aim to share your pictures, enhancing them through editing to achieve a more appealing look becomes the next natural step in your app's evolution. Introducing editing features will ignite users' creativity and encourage them to upload content that's not only more attractive but also more attention-grabbing. Ultimately, this enhancement in content quality will fuel the expansion of your user base.?

Quick/Real time messaging app:

In the realm of social media app development, instant messaging stands as a fundamental and pivotal feature, an element that platforms like Instagram skillfully employ to extend the time users spend on their application. The inclusion of a seamless, convenient, and secure chat functionality becomes a valuable instrument to help you achieve your objectives. It not only fosters meaningful interactions but also serves as a means to further engage users and enhance their overall experience within your app.?

Ecommerce platform:?

Recognizing the potential of digital commerce, Instagram strategically embraced its role as a lifestyle showcase platform. According to Google's AI bard, Instagram now hosts an impressive roster of more than 200 million business accounts. Notably, the advertising revenue on the platform surged to an impressive $43.4 billion in the year 2012, underscoring its immense success.?

To seamlessly incorporate e-commerce services into your social media app, it's crucial to include several key features. These encompass customizable profiles, comprehensive product listings, the capability for paid posts, targeted promotional campaigns and advertising options, as well as robust analytics tools for tracking essential metrics.

Additionally, as a social media platform, you can harness insights to identify and cater to your audience's specific interests, thereby promoting e-commerce businesses that align with their preferences. For instance, it's common to encounter tailored clothing advertisements on platforms like Instagram, which effectively cater to users' individual tastes and needs.

Live streaming:?

Having real-time streaming is a key attraction for influencers, and when marketing your social media app, engaging popular personalities can significantly boost your appeal. Live streaming involves the instantaneous transmission of audio and video, enabling users to join, express their support through likes, and actively participate by commenting or engaging in real-time discussions. This dynamic experience sets it apart from traditional photo and video sharing, as it unfolds in the here and now, fostering a sense of immediacy and connectivity.

Technologies used for social media app development.?

We've now grasped the basic features that propel social media apps to popularity, but it's equally valuable to gain insight into the technologies beneath them. As an app owner, delving too deep into intricate technologies may not be necessary, but having a broad understanding of the technological foundations behind your product remains beneficial.?

Let’s now discuss technologies that we can use for social media apps to compete with industry giants such as Instagram.?

For programming language:?

Java and Kotlin: Java and Kotlin stand out as two widely adopted programming languages for constructing Android applications. Java, with its long-standing history, boasts a vast and robust community, while Kotlin, a more recent entrant, is recognized for its expressive nature.?

Swift: Swift is a programming language used for developing IOS applications. It is a powerful and very capable language used by modern developers.?

Flutter: Flutter is used to build native-looking applications for both android and IOS using a single database.?

For database:?

SQL technologies: For databases, we can use PostgreSQL that is also used by Instagram. SQL databases are well-suited for storing large amounts of structured data such as user account, comment, like etc., which is a must for a growing social media app.?

For Cloud computing:?

Amazon web services, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud: These three are major cloud computing platforms. They offer a wide range of services that can be used to develop and deploy social media apps, such as computing, storage, networking, and databases.

These technologies are exceptionally well-suited for the development of social media apps, as they offer scalability, reliability, and robust security features. They enjoy widespread popularity, ensuring the availability of a rich pool of developers and software development companies, such as Ailoitte, proficient in utilizing these tools. While this knowledge may not furnish you with a comprehensive understanding of your app's inner workings, it equips you with familiarity with these technical terms, which can be particularly valuable if you come from a non-IT background.?

Complete process of social media app development?

Entering a market dominated by formidable industry leaders can indeed present challenges. However, with a well-structured strategy, you can surmount the odds and carve your path to becoming a prominent platform. Remarkable achievements often commence on a modest scale, as even the finest endeavors don't begin on a grand scale. As the owner, it's crucial to maintain a clear understanding of your long-term commitment and your capacity for patience as you progress in your venture.

Process of creating a social media app:

1. Market Research: Prior to entering into the market, conduct thorough research on your target audience to discern their desires and needs in relation to your product. Seek to provide answers to their queries, which will not only grant you an insightful perspective into your competitors but also enhance your understanding of the market you intend to penetrate.
2. Team Building: Whether you're considering hiring individual developers or partnering with a software development company, it's essential to evaluate their portfolios and prior experiences. Developing a social media app is a complex undertaking, and it necessitates the expertise of social media app developers who can create a seamlessly functioning product.
3. Development Phase: The development phase stands out as one of the most critical stages, for it forms the foundation that will shape the essence of your final product. As the app owner, active collaboration with your development team is key. Maintaining open lines of communication to articulate your requirements and address any necessary changes is imperative.
4. Testing Phase: Following the completion of development, rigorous testing by quality assurance professionals is essential. However, this is also the stage where your direct involvement is valuable. Engage in hands-on testing to ensure that your app aligns with your vision.
5. App Launch: Following the testing phase and necessary bug fixes, it's the opportune moment to launch the MVP (Minimum Viable Product) of your product. Remember that the process of adding features and resolving issues within an app can be ongoing, so there's no need to rush to address every aspect at once.

Conclusion:?

In an era of increasing digitalization, venturing into online business is a wise choice. Yet, in a fiercely competitive landscape, thorough planning and extensive research are valuable to not only establish but also sustain an online business. While social media app development may pose significant challenges, with meticulous planning, you can attain your goals.

While process of making a social media app is challenging, the process of choosing an ideal development partner can also be tough, here is an easy guide on how to identify a top-notch social media app development company.