If you are an entrepreneur wanting to set foot in the trending industry of dating, then here is a complete guide for you. The sole objective of this guide is to give you a walkthrough of dating mobile applications, including
- Working mechanisms of a dating app
- The technology behind a dating app
- Steps and cost to create a dating app
- Benefits of dating apps
- Profitability of dating apps
The rise of dating apps
The reliance of people on technology has been augmenting exponentially, ever since its advent. Now, as an addition to the list of its applications, mobile apps for dating services have entered the scene. The days when people used to follow the traditional method for finding a life partner are long over. Presently, mobile applications are widely preferred and serve to be greatly useful in finding love in the digital world. This need has created a massive demand for dating applications that are safe and reliable to trust people’s love lives with. As a result, many entrepreneurs are increasingly showing interest in investing in dating mobile applications.
Working mechanism of a dating app
People who are willing to start a new relationship, and waiting to meet the right person, get themselves registered in a dating app. After completing the registration process, the app gives a heads-up about the main features and the terms & conditions. Followed by this, the user will be presented with a massive database of information about other users, including their names, a short bio about them, their photos, their hobbies, and other related information. Based on the information provided, you can like the profiles that you find interesting, and that user will be notified about your interest. If they are interested too, they will like back your profile, and voila, it is a match! You can then interact with that person as per your convenience and get to know if they make a perfect partner to confide your life with.
Technology behind a dating app
Apparently, dating apps serve as a great tool for replacing traditional matrimony websites, thanks to the astounding technology behind it! They function with the help of matching algorithms that help match profiles of different users on the basis of various criteria, including their preferences, geographic locations, hobbies, interests, etc. However, there are various types of matching algorithms that are popular among several leading dating apps. Some dating apps match profiles based on the geographic locations, while others match profiles based on the observed behavior of the user, and a few others match users’ profiles based on statistical analysis. Let us discuss a little more about the matching methods.
a) Matching based on geographic locations
Dating apps are usually integrated with a Global Positioning System (GPS). You can know the location of the users in real-time if they allow you to. However, the app maintains a database of the geographic locations of the users and match profiles based on this too. This is based on the commonly known fact that the geographic positioning of a person has a major influence on the comportment. Besides, it is always cool to date someone from a place you adore. Imagine you’ve been longing to go to Vegas, and you get to date someone from there! He/she can share more information about the place than you can find on the internet (a great way to keep the conversation going!). Or imagine your date is from the same locality as you are! He/she might have been wandering in the same streets as you did, but you never knew it all along. Interesting, right?
b) Matching based on statistical analyses
Statistics is nothing but the collection, segregation, and interpretation of numbers. The data that is to be statistically analyzed can be primary or secondary in nature, i.e., the data could be directly collected from each user or can be derived from the existing information about the users. As far as primary data is concerned, polls or quizzes are conducted, and the answers provided by the users are recorded or tabulated in the form of numbers. These numbers are then manipulated so as to obtain meaningful inferences about the users.
c) Matching based on behavior
Although it is true that geography has an underrated connection with behavioral science, there are several other factors that influence behavior. Thus, to better understand the behavior of the users, dating apps collect information from other websites and applications that the users often visit or use. With this information, it is possible to know the games that the users frequently play, the genre of movies, videos, or books they prefer, their music collections, etc. Thus, it will be a lot easier to gauge the temperament of the users.
d) Futuristic approaches to matchmaking
We can say that technology has been taken to the next level with the advent of several advanced tools and concepts like Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, and so on. Surprisingly, these seem to be hugely helpful in dating applications as well. These futuristic approaches aid matchmaking tremendously. It makes the app more personalized and provides the users with an ease of accessibility. Also, who would say no to an app that can understand the user just like a best friend does and give out cool suggestions for the betterment of his/her love life.
Steps to create a dating app
The development of dating apps goes through multiple stages. This step is to prevent any flaws, and to make the app enjoyable and unique. The following are the essential phases of dating app development.
Brainstorming
This is a MUST. Only then can you restrain yourselves from doing the same thing over and over again. It is important to do enough market research to analyze the existing and expected trends in the industry. Doing case studies can also be very beneficial, as you can learn a lot from the experience of other developers. Also, your ideas should be workable.
Prototyping and coding
Once your idea is ready, build the prototype. This will help you estimate the possible outcome. You can make the necessary alterations in the plan at this stage. This will prevent redoing the same thing, thereby cutting down on the additional expenses.
Software testing
This is a very important stage. The software should be cross-platform compatible and snag-free to ensure maximum user satisfaction. So, the software must be tested prior to the launch. Any bugs that are being detected should be rectified, and the software is to be retested. This is because, while altering the software to rectify the bugs, new bugs might pop up.
Marketing and promotions
Once the app is ready to be launched, sound marketing and promotional strategies need to be incorporated. It is vital to familiarize people about the app much before its launch. Also, attention must be paid to user retention too. When it comes to planning the promotional strategies, procrastination will just not help. You should do it parallely when the app is being developed.
Cost to create a dating app
It is not possible to give an exact figure for the cost of dating app development. The cost varies widely based on several parameters, including the features of the app, the expected time of delivery of the app, etc. so, you need to talk with the development team prior to the commencement of the project. You should be specific about your requirements. Also, take into consideration the fact that it takes time to deliver high-quality projects. In order to cut down the expenses, do not rush the developers. Take enough time and make sure that the app is perfect enough to stay ahead of the cut-throat competition in the industry.
Advantages of a dating app
There is a multitude of exciting benefits of a dating app. Firstly, spamming or fraudulent contacts can be avoided. Besides, the process of finding a gate becomes less time-consuming. The user can also escape from the usual awkwardness and fear of rejection that comes along with the conventional method of date-searching.
Profitability of a dating app
From the entrepreneurial view, how is it possible to earn from dating apps? Here’s how!
There are several monetization techniques to make a dating app generate considerable revenue.
Premium features – certain special features are available only to the premium users. For this, users will have to purchase the premium badge.
In-app purchases – dating apps allow users to make in-app purchases of virtual gifts that can be sent to other users of the app.
Paid Ads – some dating apps host ads of websites or other companies and get paid for the promotional services.
Skip ads – when users want an ad-free experience, they can pay to skip the ads for good, i.e., they don’t get to see the ads ever again.
Unlimited and smart swipes – the number of swipes is limited for each day. Users can pay to get unlimited swipes. Smart swipes are also available when paid for, which enables users to get more personalized results.
Summing Up!
Thus, it is explicit that mobile applications for dating are extremely useful when it comes to finding the right person to date, especially when you are not so inclined towards conventional methods.
