In the age of digital connections, social media apps have become important to everyday life. From chatting with friends and family to watching videos, social media has changed how we live our lives online. 

Building a social media app takes a lot of work, professional experience and technical and analytical knowledge. After all, a mistake here could result in the loss of millions of users. In this article, we will lay out the Software Development Life Cycle, so you have an idea of how such products are created and whether you want to repeat this experience. 

Social Media App definition

Social media apps are digital platforms designed to facilitate social interaction, content sharing, and networking between users. These apps serve as virtual communities where individuals can connect and communicate, as well as represent companies such as banks, municipal services, pizza delivery companies or an entertainment app development company. These entertainment-oriented applications often include features such as photo filters, video editing tools, game elements and interactive content to enhance user interaction and maintain engagement. They provide a platform for searching, creating and sharing interesting content, while facilitating connections with friends, influencers and communities of common interest.

Let's look further at what types of applications are available today.

Networking Apps

Networking apps work as digital portholes for bringing people together, either by their interests, work, or personal relationships. These platforms (Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter, to name a few), have made global social networking a possibility. Users can connect with new people, discuss topics of interest and share content: from professional achievements to updates about their lives.

Visual Content-Sharing Apps

Visual content sharing apps give users a unique way to show photos and videos in hopes of prioritizing visual communication. 

Though they are similar in function to networking apps there's one key difference; they put more emphasis on the multimedia side of things. Users can diversify their feeds with eye-catching images, allowing them to express themselves creatively and through stories. Instagram and TikTok are prime examples that let users show off snippets of their day-to-day lives or artistic representations.

Microblogging Platforms

Microblogging platforms were created for those who like saying what they mean without all the extra chit-chat. With these platforms individuals can share short-form content at specific character limits. When you think of microblogging, you probably recall Twitter or Tumblr because it's so popular for users to share thoughts and insights in real-time. This kind of technology helps get information out fast while also promoting concise expression.

Video Sharing Platforms

Video sharing platforms offer virtual stages for showcasing anything and everything video-related. Whether it's showing off creativity, giving tutorials, or broadcasting events live, these virtual theaters do it all. YouTube is still dominating this category as it hosts a variety of entertainment and educational videos but Vimeo also occupies high positions for visually engaging media.

Messangers

Messaging apps help individuals directly communicate with each other or groups in real-time through text, voice or video messages. No matter if it's casual talk or something more professional: WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Signal, etc., make sure conversations flow seamlessly across networks no matter how different they might be.

There are some platforms that fall into multiple categories as social tech continues to evolve, such as the messaging/networking hybrid app WhatsApp, which, on top of helping people connect with acquaintances, can help those friends, family, or coworkers chat directly. 

Similarly, Facebook has expanded its features to include features for sharing visual content and traditional networking functionalities. As technology continues to evolve, these categories might blur even further, which will allow new platforms that cater to any user need to emerge.

Steps to develop an app

Planning

After you have decided on the app type, the next step is planning, which includes figuring out things like who your audience is going to be, what makes your app special from others, etc. After you have defined the purpose of your app, you move on to market research, where you find competitors and other details about your niche along with potential challenges. 

Prototyping

Once all that information is collected, you begin designing the user experience, which means creating wireframes so everyone visualizes everything the same way before building anything solidly. Creating prototypes comes right after you add graphics such as color schemes, typography, and icons onto those wireframes. 

Development

This is when developers and programmers come in and create the app itself, following predefined SDLC steps. This stage is one of the longest in terms of time, but it is justified because it prevents a significant number of bugs in the future.

Testing

The testing phase is extremely important for the product being developed because it allows you to proactively detect and eliminate bugs that were missed earlier.

The following types of testing are distinguished:

• Functional testing: Test all the features and functionalities, making sure they work as planned. Find and fix any mistakes.
• Usability testing: Collect feedback from real users in beta tests. Check to see if people find the app easy to use, easy to access, and enjoyable.
• Performance testing: Try out the app under different conditions like a heavy load or high stress. Doing so will optimize its speed, reliability, and scalability.

Deployment

The deployment phase is the stage at which the final software product is released and it becomes available to the intended user or customer. At this stage, the software is deployed in a production environment, such as a server, cloud platform, or other computing infrastructure on which the software is running.

• App store submission: Prepare the app for stores like Apple App Store or Google Play by following their guidelines.
• Release management: Put your app on those stores. Make sure you provide proper versioning information that helps generate buzz around your newly released app.

Maintenance and Updates

This stage involves continuous efforts to support, improve and optimize the software after its deployment. This includes tasks such as fixing bugs, fixing security vulnerabilities, adding new features and improvements, and providing customer support. The goal is to ensure the functionality, security and compliance of the software with the needs of users throughout its entire lifecycle.

Bug Fixes and Enhancements

At this stage, the focus is on fixing problems identified in the software and implementing improvements and new features based on user feedback and changed requirements. This stage includes identifying, prioritizing, and fixing unexpected errors so that the software works as intended and expanding features to meet changing user requests and industry standards.

Wrapping Up

In conclusion, building a social media app needs careful thought at every stage of development. Today in the world there are about 10 major players who each occupy a large share in their field and for this reason one idea is not enough. It’s unlikely that you’ll be able to take the place of Facebook or LinkedIn, but if you narrow down your entire request and create a unique proposal for solving a problem that worries many people, it might be successful.