You can return your investment in many ways, and it’s better to figure out your monetization strategy before your app goes live – and even before it’s planned. Here are monetization strategies to choose from:
- In-app ads
- Subscriptions
- In-app purchases
- Freemium model
The freemium model is the most popular for dating apps. It provides free access to the app’s core functionality and offers advanced features for a subscription or one-time purchase.
Tinder combines several monetization strategies: it offers a subscription for accessing Tinder Plus, but you can also purchase ple, to increase the number of Super Likes you can give Boulder local hookup free or to unswipe profiles.
Badoo uses gamification elements to encourage users to swipe and interact with others by letting them earn bonuses in the app. However, paid users can boost their profiles and get that content instantly without having to spend time earning it.
Step 3: Plan your app and its marketing
The next step is to thoroughly plan your project from the technical standpoint. Decide on your technologies, the feature set, and the scope of your MVP to be able to quickly deploy your app and check your idea. To effectively develop an app, you’ll need a technical specification, as it allows for detailed project planning and effective communication with your developers.
Before you even start the development process, you should also make a marketing plan and set a budget. Because there are already lots of dating apps, marketing ent itself, so be ready to invest in different types of marketing, such as influencer outreach.
Step 4: Design your project
UI/UX design is one of the most important parts of your application, especially if your target audience is younger people. Your layout and visual elements should be concise, bright, and have something new. However, note that your app’s main goal is to connect potential partners, so make sure you make this process as easy as possible.
Step 5: Develop and release the app
After you plan and design your project, it’s time to start development. For an MVP version of your app, we recommend using simple cross-platform technologies that will speed up development. In this way, you’ll be able to deploy your app in just a few months and save money for marketing and experimenting.
To test your idea as soon as possible and save budget for marketing, we advise cross-platform technologies that will save you time
For custom dating apps, we suggest Flutter. This cross-platform framework from Google is fast to develop with and provides apps with a native feel. After you know exactly what your app is supposed to be, you can create two native apps for iOS and Android for better performance and wider functionality.
Step 6: Market your application
Find creative ways to market your application and make sure you don’t invite your new users to an empty environment where there’s no one to choose from. Allocate your budget to different marketing strategies and see what works best. Also, make users your allies: encourage them to invite their friends to your app through social media.
Step 7: Maintain and improve the app
Your app will need to be maintained after it’s deployed, as new operating system versions and devices come out each year, as do updates to third-party services.
Be ready to plan up to 50% of your initial budget for yearly support and maintenance if you expect to add new features. Improve your app constantly based on feedback and industry trends and standards.
Top 9 dating app must-have features
Allow your users to quickly register and enter your app. Be sure to add several log-in options such as social media accounts, email, and phone number.