What are the most important features of creating social media apps?" If you are considering developing a social media application, you may ask yourself this critical question to increase the likelihood of your software's success. But, the answer is not simple and varies depending on your industry and the preferences of your target audience.
Each industry has its demographic base, and each demographic has its own needs and problems. As a result, research will be required to determine the best social media app development features for your specific customers to ensure you provide the right products and services. That being said, certain features are shared by all popular social media apps, such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (to name a few).
In this post, we'll look at 10 universal features every social media app should have to provide the best User Experience (UX) possible.
The Most Important Features of a Social Media App
Not every social media app that is released will go viral. You can do a few things to nudge it in the right direction, though. When developing a new social media app concept, it is critical to examine the features of the most popular applications on the market. While they all have distinct characteristics, they do share some similarities.
Here are ten essential features that every social media app should have:
An Easy-to-Use User Interface (UI)
Your app's User Interface (UI) should be one of the first things you think about during the Ideation process. To put it another way, the method by which users interact with software. The UI of an app includes several elements, such as the content and media layout, input controls, navigation, and so on. Regardless of your target audience, your social media app should have a simple and easy-to-navigate UI allowing users to find what they want.
Appealing Design
Many new social media apps fail to gain traction because they are designed. They may contain a slew of random, inconsistent elements that clash and cause user sensory overload, preventing them from being accessible to all. Like any other application, a social media app should have a consistent, accessible, and seamless design with fonts and colour schemes chosen to promote a cohesive and pleasant User Experience.
Safe Login
Users of social media apps are likely to share a variety of information, too. As a result, their data must be kept as secure as possible to avoid malware attacks or identity theft. The ability to create a unique user account with personal login settings and identification methods that allow users to provide their name, contact information, location, occupation, and other personal data to the extent they choose, as well as many verification methods for logging in, such as a backup email or code authentication, is a key feature of social media apps development. You will be able to secure users' data using DevOps best practices.
Networking
It's not called "social media" for nothing! The ability to create a personal or professional network is one of the most desired social media features. Friends, family, colleagues, or people with similar interests may form the network. It is up to the user to make a decision. Some people create accounts for personal networking, while others create accounts for business purposes, yet, your app must allow users to add and follow one another.
Content Distribution Method
Most social media app users want to share information with their network. Content sharing is one of the best social media app features because it facilitates communication and makes users feel more connected even when separated. The ability to post and send photos or videos, as well as the ability to allow users to comment on what is shared, are examples of content sharing.
System of Messaging
One of the most important features of social media apps, like content sharing, is the ability for users to send both public and private messages to one another. Many social media apps even allow users to take part in group chats and video calls. Messaging services do not affect data plans as long as users are connected to a Wi-Fi network. Compared to long-distance calls or expensive text messages, this is a much easier (and less expensive) way to stay in touch with people. These social media application features are expected to improve in the coming years, thanks to 5G technologies.
Open Discussion
There is no easier way to connect with people who share your interests than through social media. Users can use social media apps to express their opinions, rally for a cause, or discuss their hobbies. If you're considering creating a social app, consider including a forum-style platform where users with similar interests can discuss their favorite topics.
Notifications in Real Time
Key social media features include real-time notifications and an activity feed. Users want to stay informed and receive notifications when someone they follow posts, when a business they follow has a sale, or when a significant event in the news occurs. Include this functionality in your app.
Privacy Settings That Can Be Changed
Some users prefer sharing their information, while others limit their content to only those they know. Allowing users to control their privacy settings is a main feature of social media applications. Users should be able to control who can see their profiles and how much of their information is shared and opt out of certain marketing tactics, such as tracking online browsing or shopping experiences.
Flexibility and Responsiveness
Finally, one of the most important features of social media apps is the ability for users to access the platform through desktop and mobile devices and for the UI to adapt and be responsive to different devices and screen sizes without losing any elements or deteriorating quality. When users access your social app on their tablet, smartphone, or laptop, there should be little to no difference in what they see.
Finishing Up
Here are the ten most important social media application features in a nutshell. These features, yet, should only serve as a starting point for your application; there are many other innovative features to consider when developing a new social media app to help you stand out from competitors in your industry. That is where we can come in to help.
For the last 15 years, the InstaIT app development team has been creating successful custom applications, and we would love to assist you in making your vision a reality. Contact us today to discuss your ideas and find out how we can help you decide which social media app development features to include in your application.