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With the invention of the internet and email, connecting with people across the world has become as simple as penning a note to your neighbour next door. And, thanks to smartphones, this has been simplified even further, as people can now talk or text with anyone from any part of the world.
As a result, instant messaging apps like Snapchat and Facebook Messenger, which offer the ability to communicate without an SMS cost, have become a powerful tool that virtually every smartphone owner uses.
In fact, in 2022 alone, more than two million Snapchat messages were shared in a single minute on average, while Discord users exchanged about 4 million texts each day. This massive popularity is due to our inclination as humans to connect and share our thoughts with people we love.
But, despite the availability of various messaging apps over the years, there’s a visible gap in current platforms that needs to be bridged by newer and more innovative custom messaging apps in order to properly address the needs of users.
In this article, we explore the major attractions of messaging applications and discuss why the market is far from saturated. We’ll also explain how to build your own custom messaging app, guiding you through market considerations and practical revenue models. Keep reading to learn more about how you can seize this lucrative opportunity.
What You’ll Learn in This Post:
- Messaging app market trends
- Popular messaging applications in 2023
- Features that make a messaging app stand out
- Step-by-step breakdown of how to build a messaging app
- Market considerations before building a messaging app in 2023
- How to monetize your messaging app
What Is a Messaging App?
A messaging app is a type of software application that is designed to enable users to communicate with one another through text or multimedia messages. These messages can be sent and received over a variety of networks, including the internet and mobile phone networks. Some popular examples of messaging apps include WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and WeChat.
In this article, we are specifically going to talk about instant messaging apps that run on smartphones powered by the wonders of the internet. These applications have evolved enough to allow users to not just exchange text messages, but other media like pictures and video. Instant messaging apps also offer the ability to make phone and video calls with people from different parts of the world without incurring any additional telephone charges.
Messaging App Market Trends
Messaging apps are more popular in 2023 than ever before. While people still use email for official information exchange, there are many productivity-based messaging apps that connect employees on a single platform to share ideas and keep track of projects.
However, people do not want to keep switching between applications to communicate with their friends and loved ones. Stats show that smartphone users spend 77% of their screen time on three of their favorite applications, with 50% of that time being spent using a single application, namely Meta’s WhatsApp and Messenger applications, as well as Snapchat, Telegram, Signal, and WeChat. As industry leaders, these messaging applications all serve different purposes and bear unique functionality that makes them stand out in this competitive market.
Additionally, it was reported that in the first quarter of 2022, messaging and chat apps were utilized by 95% of adults who use the internet. This shows that messaging applications are arguably the most popular applications among internet users, followed by social media platforms, which often provide messaging services of their own as an integrated or standalone functionality.
With more than 43% of internet and smartphone users relying on social media and messaging apps to research and form an opinion about popular products, brands, and news articles worldwide, it goes without saying that there is a huge potential for new and existing messaging applications to reach a wide range of audiences. Human beings by nature are always on the lookout for better and easier options, and if a new messaging application cashes in on this, there’s no reason it can’t prosper as a tech business in a short amount of time.
Why Create a Messaging App?
There are several reasons you might decide to create a messaging app. Here are a few top reasons to consider:
- Solve a Problem: You may have identified an issue among existing messaging apps that has not yet been solved, such as bridging the gap between WhatsApp-level security and in-platform social media messaging.
- Reach an Audience: Perhaps you have identified an underrepresented niche within the messaging app industry and wish to reach that audience. For example, you might want to reach bilingual English and Spanish speakers with an app that combines both languages.
- Make Money: Last, but certainly not least, you may simply want to generate revenue–the ultimate goal of businesses everywhere. If this is the case, read on to find out how best to monetize your messaging app.
Top 3 Messaging Apps
There are some chat and instant messaging apps that are quite popular among users worldwide. While many of these platforms provide audio, video, and text message exchange, some also allow users to make purchases and payments from within the application itself. So, let’s now take a look at three such messaging applications that have shaped our society in terms of communication.
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WhatsApp
WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging applications that has dominated the messaging app industry for years. Owned by Meta, the same group that owns Facebook and Instagram, WhatsApp is used by millions of people around the world on a regular basis.
With this app, users can send and receive text, audio, and video messages, share images and other media, and even participate in group chats as well as voice and video calls. It is available on a variety of platforms, including iOS, Android, and Windows, and can be accessed on both smartphones and desktop computers.
One of the key features of WhatsApp is its end-to-end encryption, which ensures that messages are only readable by the sender and the recipient. This helps to keep conversations private and secure.
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Facebook Messenger
Facebook Messenger is another highly popular messaging app that is owned and operated by Meta. Messenger started out as an integrated chat feature of Facebook, but soon evolved into a standalone messaging and chat application. Today, users don’t even need to own a Facebook account to take advantage of Messenger services, an aspect that has greatly contributed to the application’s success.
Facebook Messenger is available on a variety of platforms, including iOS, Android, and Windows, and can be accessed on both smartphones and desktop computers. With it, users can send and receive text, audio, and video messages, as well as share images and other media. In addition to messaging, Facebook Messenger also offers features like group chat and the ability to make voice and video calls.
One of the key features of Facebook Messenger is its integration with other Facebook services, which enables users to view and respond to Facebook notifications within the app. Meta has even integrated chat systems between Instagram and Facebook, allowing users to see and respond to Instagram chats from Messenger.
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WeChat
Just like any other instant messaging application, WeChat allows users to send and receive text, audio, and video messages, as well as make voice and video calls. This messaging app also offers a number of other features, including the ability to access third-party services and make purchases using WeChat Pay. It is cross-platform and runs on a variety of smartphones and computers.
One of the key features that makes WeChat so popular in Asia is its integration with other services, such as the opportunity to link your WeChat account to your bank account and make payments directly from the app. Additionally, WeChat doubles down as a Unified Payment Interface (UPI) and a messaging app in China, eliminating the need to use separate banks, wallets, and messaging apps for your daily needs.
What Features Should Your Messaging App Have?
While essentially all messaging apps allow text messaging between users, customizability and advanced features are ultimately what make people choose their favorite from the sea of options.
For instance, some messaging apps like Slack, Discord, and Teams focus on work and productivity, while platforms such as Telegram, WhatsApp, Snapchat, and WeChat are more popular among regular users for their day-to-day communication.
All of these platforms, however, have some core features that make them stand out in their own fields. Consequently, when creating a messaging app of your own, it’s a good idea to keep these features in mind to ensure your platform is poised for long-term success.
Message Encryption
Privacy is a major concern that comes with internet use, as fraud, breaches, and hacks have become more prominent with the development of technology. As a result, protecting sensitive information and user data is crucial when it comes to messaging apps in 2023.
Fortunately, message encryption can be used to protect the privacy of digital messages by encoding the information they contain so that it can only be read by the intended recipient. This is typically done using a mathematical algorithm and a secret key, which is known only to the sender and the recipient.
When a message is encrypted, it is transformed into a scrambled, unreadable form that is called ciphertext. In order to read the message, the recipient must use the secret key to decrypt the ciphertext and convert it back into plaintext. This is an important security measure that is used by many messaging apps today to protect the confidentiality of the users, as well as the information being exchanged.
Data Persistence
Data persistence refers to the ability of a mobile application to retain data when the phone is disconnected from the internet or turned off. This is a must-have feature, as users should be able to access previous conversations even when they aren’t connected to the internet. Data persistence can also help save both network and battery use as you go about doing your daily tasks on your favorite messaging apps.
While the need for mobile applications with total offline support is the newest challenge faced by messaging apps, data persistence can be achieved by storing the data on a remote server that is supported by caching data and media on the local device for easier access.
Light and Dark Mode
Light and dark modes are two different color schemes that many mobile and desktop applications now use. Messaging apps also bear this feature, allowing users to switch between Light Mode’s bright background with dark text and Dark Mode, which inverts the color scheme for low-light environments.
Since people constantly use messaging apps throughout their day, having the option to choose between the two modes provides a sense of personalization and comfort in viewing. Dark Mode, for example, is very popular among young users who use their phones to chat with friends and family during the night, as it can reduce eye strain and make it easier to read the text on the screen.
In addition to brightness, many messaging apps also offer the ability to customize the background, select themes, and set default stickers and emojis. This further promotes a concept of customization and personalization, ensuring the application resonates well among its users.
Audio and Video Calling
Audio and video calling are features that are commonly found in current instant messaging apps. These features, which have now become a necessity, enable users to make voice or video calls to other app users, either individually or as a group. Audio and video calling can be useful for staying in touch with friends and family, as well as for conducting business meetings or other discussions.
This feature utilizes the smartphone’s built-in camera and microphone to make internet calls possible without using the cell network. Many messaging apps also offer additional features and functionality for audio and video calls, such as the ability to share screens, record calls, or even use virtual backgrounds.
User Invites
Another must-have feature of messaging apps, user invites allow users to ask other people to join the app. This is typically done by sending an invitation link or code to the person being invited, which they can then use to download and install the app on their own device.
User invites can be useful for growing the app’s user base, and can also make it easier for people to connect with their friends and family who are already using the app. Some messaging apps may even offer incentives or rewards for users who successfully invite other people to join, such as additional features or credits for in-app purchases, making these apps all the more lucrative.
7 Steps to Build an Messaging App
Now that you understand how messaging apps work, as well as the huge potential for innovation in the instant messaging application market, it’s time to explore how you can tap into this potential by building one of your own.
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Who Is Your Target Audience? Do Your Research
Before starting the process of creating an application, it’s important to first determine your audience and set a target. Since there are some key players in the market that are difficult to budge, it’s best practice for newcomers to first determine a niche, setting your eyes on a portion of people to focus your services.
There are many distinct groups of people that could be served with a messaging and chat application of their own, including doctors, IT workers, gamers, artists, chefs, and restaurant owners. Basically, if you design an application that allows people of any of these professions to communicate with their peers seamlessly, there’s no shortage of success for you.
For example, if you create a messaging app dedicated to chefs and restaurant owners, people from the same area could list and participate in food-related events by interacting with an integrated map like Snapchat. Users could also trade recipes, talk about their interests and cooking methods, and ask for help in gathering ingredients. This type of platform could gain massive popularity in the food community. After all, who doesn’t want to engage in exciting conversations with like-minded people?
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Create a Wireframe
After you’ve done your research and determined your target audience, you should then create a wireframe for your messaging app to ensure a smooth development process. Generally speaking, a wireframe is a barebones outline that primarily serves to denote functionality and user interface placement.
Once you’ve created a wireframe, you can go ahead and flesh it out with design. For this, you should aim to seamlessly marry your brand and required functionality, leading to an excellent user experience.
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Choose a Development Platform
The next step is to choose a development platform best suited to your messaging mobile app. You have a few options, including:
- React Native: React Native allows you to build cross-platform mobile apps for iOS and Android without losing native functionality. This is an ideal choice if you plan to make use of built-in OS functions.
- Flutter: Flutter is a mobile app development kit aimed at smooth cross-platform development. With it, you can build a powerful messaging mobile app that can operate on a variety of devices.
- Swift: Used specifically for iOS development, Swift enables you to build apps across all Apple devices, from Macbooks to Apple TVs.
If you’re unsure about which development platform to choose, it’s best to reach out to a mobile app development agency for guidance.
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Build the Backend
Once you’ve chosen a development platform, you should set about building the backend. This will involve setting up hosting servers and initiating code, as the backend of your app will handle processes, functions, and server-level issues without being visible to app users.
Backend development is highly technical and requires a solid understanding of mobile app development. As a result, you should consider hiring a development agency with experience in app development, like Idea Maker.
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Add Features
After setting up your backend, you can begin building your messaging app’s features and user interface. For this, you’ll want to ensure that your features are logically positioned, function correctly, and don’t crowd the user interface. In terms of features, you’ll likely want to include audio and video calling, GIF creation, blocking and muting, user nicknames, and location sharing.
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Test Your App
Once an application is designed and developed, it must undergo heavy testing to make sure all features and functionalities are working as intended. A testing team also checks for any bugs and errors that may arise in any part of the application to prevent malfunctions when the app is released for the public to use. If an application is buggy or unstable, people are unlikely to use it regularly. This means it’s vital to thoroughly polish your application prior to its launch.
When it comes to testing your app, it’s a good idea to form a team of beta testers who will rigorously examine your newly built mobile app’s functionality and features, and give you feedback on what’s working and what’s not. This testing may also bring in some important new ideas that could be implemented before the app’s final release.
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Launch Your App
After going through the above-mentioned intensive steps, your application should be ready to be deployed in the marketplace. Launching an advertising campaign to align with the app’s release is a surefire way to gain extra reach and momentum in the early weeks.
However, things don’t end after releasing the app. You must continue collecting user feedback, fine-tuning your application accordingly for the days to come. Refining an application by pushing updates to include or exclude features, in addition to increasing stability and support by fixing bugs and glitches, is what any good application builder must focus on long after delivery.
Messaging App Development Cost
The cost of developing a messaging app can vary widely depending on a number of factors, including the complexity of the app, its features and functionalities, the platform it is being developed for, and whether it’s a cross-platform or a native application. In general, a messaging application development could cost from a couple of thousand dollars to hundreds of thousands of dollars, based entirely on these factors.
Your project should have a cost estimation before starting, which could give you an outline of the functions and usability of your application. Maps and payment system integration, database, and servers are some factors that affect the functioning of the app, and all of these come at different costs.
Platform Support
The cost of developing any application depends on what platforms the application is intended to run on. In 2023, the two key platforms in the mobile app industry are Android and iOS. Generally, the most economical option is to create a cross-platform app, as it can be developed using a single codebase for multiple platforms. This means that the development team only needs to write the code once, saving you time and resources, rather than developing two separate native applications from scratch.
However, a native application developed specifically for a particular mobile or web platform does have its benefits. For instance, using programming language and tools that are dedicated to that platform can result in enhanced performance, stability, and a more seamless experience for the user due to better hardware integration and support.
Functionality
It’s only natural that the increased functionality of a mobile app can have a significant impact on the cost of its development. Simply put, the more complex and feature-rich a messaging app is, the more time and resources it will take to develop.
Developers determine the cost of the project by estimating the time it would take them to incorporate all functionality into the app while building it. This means that an app with many functionalities will take more time to develop, increasing the overall cost of the project. On top of this, some functions require paid APIs and integrations, which can further incur development costs.
Building an MVP
A Minimum Viable Product (MVP) is a way of building an application with only a basic set of required features. This is a cost-efficient option because you only need to build your application with its basic functionality in mind, not allowing much room for unnecessary expenses on clickbait-like functions. An example of such a feature is Snapchat’s Spotlight.
A compact and purposeful messaging app doesn’t have to be bloated with features. A well wrapped application with instant messaging, conversation history, group chats, audio/video calls, and media sharing, as well as a tightly knit security system, is more than enough to get you started. For a new mobile application that’s entering the market, building an MVP will save your time and resources, while allowing you to deliver a clear and concise product to your target audience.
Marketing Considerations
It’s important to remember that building an application and launching it on the app stores is not the end of your app development campaign. In order for your app to gain popularity and reach its target audience, there are certain components that need to be taken care of post-release.
App Store Optimization
Similar to Search Engine Optimization, App Store Optimization (ASO) is the process of optimizing a mobile app in order to improve its visibility and ranking in app store search results. This includes keyword optimization, ratings and reviews, and user engagement. If done properly, ASO will ultimately increase the chances that users will discover and download an app, helping you leave a footprint in the market and expanding your revenue via in-app purchases, sales, and advertisements.
Google Search Ads
Placing pay-per-click ads on Google can also significantly increase the exposure of your messaging app. When people search for specific terms that relate to your application, Google will show an ad for your app to the user to increase traffic to your application page and the overall likelihood of your application getting downloaded. This is a kind of paid promotion, and results show that businesses generally profit from search advertisements.
Social Media Marketing
Social media marketing is probably one of the most influential forms of marketing in 2023, as a huge portion of smartphone users utilize various social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter. These platforms also serve as the primary source of information for a lot of people.
Paying to promote your post on these platforms through pay-per-click ads means you can get your word heard by a wide range of audiences worldwide. You can also customize and target your posts to the portion of the demographic that is your ideal audience. Apart from that, social media can be used to spread information about your messaging app without any additional costs. These organic posts have a better reputation among viewers, which makes the brand more trustworthy.
Word of Mouth
The good old word-of-mouth marketing still bears huge significance when it comes to products, especially in the IT industry. People love talking about applications they use and sharing the amazing features that make the application stand out. As a result, more people are likely to start using the application in order to not miss out on the cool new thing on the app store. A referral scheme that gives bonuses and in-app purchase tokens to users for every successful invite is an excellent way to spread the word about your application.
Another effective method to organically advertise your app is to ask your users for permission to access saved contacts and send out an invite via the user’s phone to all the contacts. Kik is an example of an app that tried this and gained significant popularity over time. Messaging apps like IMO also apply this technique as their prime mode of advertisement.
Monetization
After marketing your mobile application and gaining a considerable user base, you can begin to focus on monetizing your business. There are numerous ways apps earn money from their users, including paid emojis, a subscription service, and showcasing local businesses.
Paid Emojis
One simple way a messaging app can generate money from its users is by providing in-app purchases like paid emojis and stickers. People love customization and are willing to pay money to get an emoji that resonates with them. Line and WeChat are some apps that collected massive revenue by selling customized stickers. This is because, if a product is limited, it automatically becomes more attractive. So, releasing a variety of limited edition stickers and emojis, and allowing users to create their own within the app for a small price, can go a long way in sustaining your messaging app business.
SaaS Model
A messaging app could also employ the Software-as-a-Service model to increase revenue for itself, charging users for the specific features they want to use. This strategy lets users access some features of the software for free, while prime features are withheld to encourage paid monthly subscriptions.
Spotify, for example, incorporates ads between songs in its free version, but enables users to pay a small price every month to upgrade to an ad-free experience. Messaging apps like Snapchat also implement this idea by giving their customers an option to opt for Snapchat Plus, which provides access to newer features, pre-released updates, longer expiration time on stories, and camera borders.
Show Business Ads
Another way to monetize your messaging application is by partnering with nearby businesses. For example, you could have different local businesses and stores listed in your application’s integrated map, allowing users to find and locate restaurants, gift shops, and other places of interest throughout the area.
This kind of synergy could be beneficial for both you and small businesses that need exposure. The benefits, however, are not confined to only small businesses, as even large corporations do this as a form of organic marketing. In fact, we recently saw McDonald’s and Uber heap praises on one another via Twitter, increasing both their credibility and popularity among users.
Idea Maker’s Experience in Messaging Apps
Idea Maker has the knowledge, skill, and creativity required to fix any challenges faced by businesses worldwide. Our expertise in application development has resulted in many successful projects for a variety of industries, including hospitality, education, health care, real estate, and social media.
For instance, we developed the social media and messaging app Quick Friends, which is aimed at getting out of your comfort zone and meeting new people in real life. The custom cross-platform app offers integrated maps, friends list management, and event hosting capabilities for local meetups, ensuring that the platform stands out among the competition.
If you’re looking to dip your toes into the waters of the mobile app market, we are here to guide you through the process step-by-step. Schedule a call with us today to learn more about how our experts can help bring your vision to life.
