We all know that social media is getting more and more popular all around the world. From Twitter to Snapchat and Facebook to Instagram, all the latest social media apps have come up with a big storm over the internet. You will not believe that there were approximately 4.74 billion social media users across the globe in October 2022, according to a report by Datareportal. Also, the daily time users spend on social media is an average of 142 minutes daily. This data clearly shows that building a social media app development is becoming the finest solution for business planning to increase market reach.
But the question is how much does social media app like Instagram development cost? And how to develop a social media application that is able to attract a broad user base? This article consists of all the questions you are facing including the key features of building a social media platform that can engage a good number of users.
Cost to Build a Social Media App Like Instagram
There is no exact amount one can give you but the idea is that the cost to build a social media app can vary from $30,000 to $250,000, according to the different elements used to develop this app such as the feature list, UI/UX design, and tech-stack. The cost can increase or decrease in the future according to the complexity of building it. A simple social media app costs less than a complex social media app. If the level of app complexity is very basic it can cost between $30,000 to $80,000 and it will take 3 to 6 months to get completed. If the app complexity is medium it will cost between $80,000 to $150,000 and it will take 6 to 9 months to get completed. If the app consists of complex features and its level of complexity is high it will cost between $150,000 to $250,000 and consume 9+ months to get finished.
| App Level Complexity | Estimated Cost | Time Frame |
| Basic | $30,000 to $80,000 | 3 to 6 months |
| Medium | $80,000 to $150,000 | 6 to 9 months |
| High | $150,000 to $250,000 | 9+ months |
Now when it comes to checking the social media app economy, we have seen the app in this category is vast. There are some different types of social media apps in the market today –
- Social network apps
- Media sharing applications
- Discussion forum apps
- Blogging platforms
- Anonymous social networking
- Interest-centric apps like Goodreads or Last
Also, the apps that are categorized as social media apps are so different that some features are common in all of them. Features that are very common in social networking app development and answer how much a social media app costs.
Features to Include in Your Social Media App Like Instagram
The user’s social media app today is increasing at a very good speed and they all want advanced features to stay connected with the app they are using. Having basic features in your app is not enough, you need to add more advanced and customized features that make your application trending in the app store. As you add more and updated features you add in your app, you will be able to get more users. Adding complex features may lead to increased development costs. When developing a social media app, there are several features that you should consider including to make it engaging and user-friendly. Here are some of the features that you might want to consider:
1. Account Authorization
Account authorization is the process of verifying a user’s identity and granting access to their account. In a social media app, account authorization is essential for protecting user privacy and ensuring that only authorized users can access and interact with the app’s features.
2. Profile creation and edit
Another feature to add to your social media app is profile creation which also allows them easily create and edit features. This feature is very common among all social media apps. At this stage, users feel flexible to create their profiles for other users in the app to find them.
3. In-app messaging
Including messaging functionality in your social media apps is not just a common step that every social app development process follows. It is an important feature that should be there to stand up to the users’ demands.
4. Photo and video uploading
Photo and video uploading is a crucial feature in any social media app that allows users to share visual content with others. Users must be able to upload and share their visual content more easily, making the app more engaging and attractive to users. With the ability to upload photos and videos, users can express themselves more creatively, share their experiences, and connect with others on the platform.
5. Link with other social media apps
Linking with other social media apps is an important feature that can enhance user experience and increase engagement on a social media app. Linking with other social media apps can help increase engagement and attract new users to your app. It can also make it easier for users to share content and connect with friends and family across multiple platforms, enhancing the overall user experience.
6. Search functionality
Search functionality is a critical feature for any social media app that allows users to find and discover content and other users on the platform. Search functionality can help users find and discover content and other users on the platform more easily, increasing engagement and retention. With the ability to search for specific content or users, users can find what they’re looking for more quickly and efficiently, enhancing the overall user experience.
7. Push notifications
Push notifications are an essential feature in any social media app that enables users to receive real-time updates and stay connected to the platform. Push notifications can help users stay connected to the platform and engage with content more easily. Real-time notifications can help users stay up-to-date with the latest content and events, leading to increased engagement and retention on the app.
Advanced Features to Create a Social Media App Like Instagram
▪️Tagging : Tagging is a feature that enables users to associate keywords, names, or topics with their content, making it easier for other users to find and discover. Tagging can help users discover relevant content and connect with other users on the platform. It can also help users increase the visibility and reach of their content, leading to increased engagement and retention on the app.
▪️Add Live Location : Adding a live location feature to a social media app can enable users to share their real-time location with friends, family, or followers. Live location can help users stay connected with their friends, family, or followers. It can also be used to provide location-based services and content, leading to increased engagement and retention on the app.
▪️Add games : Adding games to a social media app can be a fun and engaging way to keep users coming back to the platform. Games can be an effective way to keep users engaged and coming back to the social media app. It can also help attract new users who are interested in the app’s gaming features.
▪️Add User Story : Adding user stories to a social media app can be an effective way for users to share their experiences with their followers in a more personal and engaging way. User stories can be an effective way for users to share their experiences in a more personal and engaging way. It can also help increase user engagement and retention on the platform.
▪️Report Abuse : Implementing a “Report Abuse” feature in a social media app is an important aspect of ensuring a safe and respectful community. The “Report Abuse” feature can help create a safe and respectful community on the social media app. It can also help increase user trust and loyalty by showing that the platform takes user safety and well-being seriously.
▪️Business Account : Implementing a “Business Account” feature in a social media app can help businesses and brands better promote themselves on the platform. The “Business Account” feature can help businesses and brands better promote themselves on the social media app. It can also provide a new source of revenue for the platform through advertising and e-commerce integration.
Also Read: How Much It Cost To Make An App In India
Also Read: App Ideas to Make Money
Conclusion
The cost of building a social media app like Instagram can vary greatly depending on various factors such as the complexity of features, the technology stack used, the location of the development team, and more. However, to give you a rough estimate, a social media app like Instagram can cost anywhere between $30,000 to $250,000 or even more. This range is quite wide because the cost depends on the features and complexity of the app. Keep in mind that these are just some of the features that you might want to include in your social media app. The specific features you choose will depend on your target audience, the purpose of your app, and the unique value proposition that you offer.
So, you can hire top app developers at WDP Technologies to turn your new app idea into reality with our mobile app experts and drive maximum return on your IT investment.
