Tag Archive for: Cost of development

How Much Does It Cost To Make An Online Dating App

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Whether we like to admit it or not, most of us have used a dating app at some point. After all, it’s one of the most convenient ways to meet people for possible romantic encounters. People that we would most likely never meet or dare to chat up in a social setting. 

But for many, particularly younger users, these apps aren’t strictly for dating. Millennials and those in their late teens love using apps such as Tinder for casual hookups. As of January 2021, Tinder garnered 6.44 million downloads by mostly male users in 196 countries. And while many of these users seek sexual intimacy with no strings attached from a Tinder match, 13.6% have ended up engaged or married.

Of course, Tinder isn’t the only game in town. Regardless of its popularity, it simply can’t fulfill the needs of every target user. Someone looking for a serious relationship won’t use this particular dating app, given how it incentivizes casual relationships. And this is great because it opens up opportunities for alternatives. Below, we’ll take a deeper look at this market segment and reveal the cost of development.

Notable Frustrations Of The Dating Game

Some people are social butterflies or move in the right social circles. Thus, they face little difficulty in finding a date and enjoying fulfilling romantic relationships. But that’s some people! The hard truth is that most people don’t have the necessary social skills, cachet, and circle of friends to open up exciting dating opportunities.

And it gets even worse! For those living in the boonies, dating opportunities could be next to zero. Without the amenities of the big city, such as bars, coffee shops, cinemas, theaters, theme parks, gymnasiums, restaurants, and nightclubs, few opportunities exist to meet people in the real world.

And what about those hard-working professionals that do live in the big city? Sadly, many of these individuals seldom have the time to use these amenities to meet people. Or when they do, they’ll be lucky to meet people that are a good match for them.

The Early Days Of Online Dating 

During the mid-90s, the first online dating websites emerged. Kiss.com and Match.com allowed online users to meet strangers and form relationships from their home or work computers. It was a convenient and safe way to initiate romantic relationships with people from similar and dissimilar backgrounds. And during the later part of the 90s, the internet quickly became inundated with a plethora of dating websites.

These websites impacted the cultural milieu considerably. And to such an extent, that 1998’s “You’ve Got Mail” movie shed some light on romantic relationships formed online. But this didn’t mean that online dating was regarded as an acceptable way to meet others. Quite the opposite, during the 90s and 2000s, there was a stigma associated with online dating. Those that used these sites were labeled as either desperate or socially inadequate. Unfortunately, some of this negative sentiment is still around today but to a lesser degree.

Why The Dating App Is A Game Changer

We need to understand that these dating sites appeared when the internet was still in its infancy. Neither the internet nor online dating played a significant role in most people’s lives, especially during the 90s. But with the advent of the smartphone and its wide adoption globally, the internet became accessible to the masses. 

From 2010 onwards, smartphone users became accustomed to downloading apps that fulfill specific needs. If they needed to do banking, they’d download their bank’s app. And if they needed to order a pizza, they’d download their local pizzeria’s app if one was available. And similarly, those that wanted to engage in some online flirting wouldn’t be left out in the cold. In 2012, Tinder launched as the ultimate matchmaking app for young singles.

Now, many blame Tinder for promoting and perpetuating the hookup culture. And this isn’t necessarily untrue. Tinder’s primary focus is to match people based on their physical attraction, determined if they swipe right on each other’s photos. Additional factors that may determine a match include age range and location, and both parties are notified if they have friends in common. 

It’s an effective system that delivers a near-endless number of matches for those seeking quick, casual relationships. At the very least, it’s speed dating on steroids, and it’s easy to pinpoint why it’s so successful. It makes finding prospective dates within a user’s location a near painless process. And while users can and do reject others by swiping left, this doesn’t stop two-way matches from materializing eventually.

Key Features Of A Dating App 

Now, let’s take a look at what makes up a dating app. We’ll use Tinder as the baseline, as it’s pretty much the gold standard as far as dating apps on Android and iOS are concerned. 

The following list briefly describes the functionality necessary to make a Tinder-like dating app:

  • Authentication – Ensure that users don’t create spam accounts by requiring them to log in with their social media accounts. Then, tighten account security by implementing the OpenID Connect protocol or OAuth 2.0 authorization framework.
  • User Interface (UI) – It’s crucial to keep your UI clean and simple. Users would rather spend their time finding new matches than trying to navigate complex UI.
  • User Experience (UX) – Tinder’s innovative swipe functionality is user-friendly and part of what makes the app so successful. Furthermore, the app employs gamification features, making it more addictive and fun to use than its competitors.
  • Matchmaking Algorithm – Tinder is nothing without its trailblazing matchmaking algorithm. Ensure that your dating app effectively matches users based on their location, recent activity, and gender preferences, at the very least.
  • Location Targeting – Utilize analytics data, Google maps, and GPS to determine user locations.
  • Text Messaging – Once users match, they’ll want to chat with each other. Therefore, a robust text messaging service built within the app is essential.
  • Push Notifications – It’s crucial to notify users about special events, successful matches, and whether others are looking at their profiles.
  • Database Backend – You’ll need a place to store user data and payment information. That’s why you’ll need to set up a database and wisely choose the technology stack that best suits your needs.

Cost Of Development

Building a dating app with a core feature set that closely resembles the above can cost between $60,000 and $150,000, provided development time is between 2-5 months. However, the cost of development can exceed $150,000 and even reach $300,000 if additional features are requested and development time is between 5-10 months. Carefully consider what platform-specific features and integrations you’ll need for Android, iOS, and the web before commencing development, as these will impact development costs.

The Bottom Line

Developing an online dating app can be an exciting endeavor and one that can positively impact users. However, the online dating segment is well-established and quite competitive. That’s why it’s crucial not to cut corners and implement all the features that users have come to expect from market leaders, such as Tinder. Contact us today to learn how NS804 can help you make the kind of apps users will fall in love with!

What You Need Before Commencing With iOS App Development

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There’s much to be said about iOS app development. And that’s because it’s one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences afforded to developers and appreneurs. Not only has Apple created an awe-inspiring ecosystem with over a billion users, but they have provided developers with excellent tools to create their apps.

Apple’s Xcode IDE and Swift programming language allow talented developers to bring their ideas to life — ideas that can potentially change people’s lives for the better. But creating amazing apps is only half of the battle. It’s equally challenging to plan, design, market, respond to market demands, and attain long-term user retention. 

Thus, it’s crucial to have a bird’s-eye view of the entire iOS app development process before forging ahead. No matter how fired up your team may be about the upcoming iOS project, it’s essential to have a clear picture of what to expect. After all, iOS apps cost a lot to develop and maintain, and you’ll want to avoid making expensive mistakes. Below, we take a deep dive into what you need to know before commencing work on your iOS app.

What It Costs To Develop And Market An iOS App In 2022

Developing an iOS app today is not cheap by any stretch. Expect to pay between $40,000 and $60,000 for a simple app and up to $100,000 for a native-developed app. And for a complex app, expect to pay $300,000 or more.

Then, you’ll need to consider the yearly costs of maintaining your app. The industry standard is about 20% of the initial cost of development. For example, if you’ve already spent $50,000 on your app, you’ll need approximately $10,000 per year to cover maintenance costs.

But in today’s highly-competitive iOS app market, developing an app and simply releasing it seldom leads to success. Without an effective marketing strategy, it’s unlikely that your app will reach its target audience. 

It costs between $5,000 and $15,000 to conduct app market research and up to $5,000 for beta testing. If you hire a marketing agency, expect to pay up to $25,000 for each iOS app. And if you decide to work with influencers, you may pay between $10,000 and $18,000 per month.

Also, there are app action costs that further inflate the marketing budget. Average Cost Per Install (CPI) and Cost Per Action (CPA) hovers at around $3.50 per install or registration. But after attaining users, it’s vital to focus on user retention. An effective way to do this is with push notifications that increase user loyalty and reduce churn. Expect to pay between $30 and $250 per month for push notification services.

App Updates Increase User Retention 

Apple always throws show-stopping events that delight its loyal fanbase and its competitors attempt to emulate. Savvy developers often capitalize on the fanfare of these events and whenever Apple introduces new hardware or app updates. These developers will tie their updates together with Apple’s to show their users that they’re staying ahead of the curve.

But app updates also act as a powerful marketing tool if used correctly. With each update, every developer gains another opportunity to engage and delight users. They can make announcements about their update via their App Store page, social media channels, and website. Furthermore, they can reach out to the press, bloggers, and influencers to inform their respective audiences.

If this update contains exciting and indispensable features, users will take notice. And may entice those that have never used the app before to download it out of curiosity. If the updated app meets or surpasses their expectations, it will increase the user base and drive further growth.  

Ultimately, these updates show that the developer is invested in the app and cares about providing value to users. Moreover, these updates remind users that the app still exists and is evolving with their needs.

Respond To Increasing Security Demands

Compared to many of its big tech rivals, Apple has a reasonably good track record regarding security. That’s commendable, considering the increase in cybersecurity breaches recently. And with more people working online, there’s a greater demand for hardened security solutions that will protect users from hackers.  

Apple has responded accordingly by implementing strong security protocols and taking the necessary steps to protect user data. However, Apple can only do so much to protect users. Developers should also do their part by closely following best practices for application security.

Also, it’s wise to develop apps based on iOS 15’s enhanced security features. These include iCloud private relay, Intelligent Tracking Prevention, HomeKit Secure Video, Mail Privacy Protection, Secure Paste, and Two-factor Authentication Code Generator (2FA), to name a few. And you can introduce these features in your existing iOS applications via app updates.

iOS users have come to rely on many of these features and Apple’s security standards. It’s also what keeps them going back to the App Store and confidently downloading new apps. Therefore, your iOS app development endeavors should always have a strong focus on security, especially when dealing with sensitive information and payment details.

AR & VR Present New iOS App Development Opportunities

Users always seek experiences that excite and inspire them. That’s why Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) present a golden opportunity for creative developers to shine. And with the recent announcements regarding Meta and the Metaverse, there’s greater interest in virtual worlds than ever before. 

If you plan on creating an AR app for iOS, you may want to use Apple’s ARKit 5. It allows for the creation of impressive AR experiences in record time. Furthermore, it boasts advanced face tracking and motion capture features. And these are features that more businesses, educational institutions, and government agencies require for their apps.

Generally, there’s a growing trend of visually impactful apps reaching the market. Powerful tools such as Unity and Unreal Engine allow developers to create stunningly beautiful 3D visuals for their AR & VR projects. And with Apple’s rumored mixed reality headsets reaching the market in 2022, there’s never been a better time to explore this avenue.

Implement AI & ML In Your Latest iOS Apps

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) will play a significant role in iOS app development moving forward. Until now, AI & ML were nice-to-have features in many mobile apps. But that’s changing since various industries require scalable self-learning applications to thrive.

AI & ML are indispensable for automation, cloud computing, chatbots, data analysis, deep learning, and facial recognition, to name a few. And there’s hardly a business or government institution that won’t use one or more of these processes to function effectively. These entities require intelligent humanlike decision-making to integrate with all their existing systems while operating at the speed of a machine.

In Conclusion

iOS app development continues to be fruitful for ambitious developers. But it’s important to embrace change and the many new opportunities that come with that. AI & ML, AR & VR, hardened security, and regular updates will play a crucial role on the iOS platform moving forward. 

And it’s equally important to plan and budget for your latest iOS app, as development is on the pricey side. Contact us today to learn how NS804 can help you create phenomenal iOS apps within budget and on time.