“Did you know that 3.09 billion mobile users access top messaging apps as a medium for communication?”

Yes, you read it right. This number is projected to grow to 4.6 billion by 2026.

Well, if you are an entrepreneur or aiming to launch social media platforms as a startup, then building a chat app can become your next choice.

Now, the question is “How to create a chat app?”

You don’t need to wander anywhere, we have made this simple for you by analyzing the method to build a messaging app from the beginner’s level.

Whether you are an organization seeking attractive social networking features for your brand or an influencer looking to develop a chat app, we are ready to cater to all these needs.

Here’s a comprehensive guide to building a messaging app that will cover features, reasons to develop and process, top apps, time to create a chat app, and much more.

Are you ready to proceed?

What is a Chat App?

To define how to build a chat app, it’s important to learn what it is.

The chat app is a software application that is designed to facilitate the end user to effectively communicate their thoughts, opinions, or any information to their target receiver.

Here the communication can be comprised of all kinds of text messages, audio, calls, and multimedia messages.

Well, we think you should be aware of the chat app concept. As a user, sending and receiving messages has become a wonderful part of our lives, right?

Then, let’s learn amazing facts about the same to know about the current chat app market.

All you need is to switch next section!

Eye-Opening Chat App Statistics

Building a chat app, checking for the current competitors, changing market dynamics, and learning about the users’ needs should be on your list. Within social media app statistics you can get it all.

Well, considering chat apps, we have already completed this task to support and boost your choice to proceed further.

Here are some important facts to consider.

Well, what do you think of creating a chat app as your next social media platform?

Still, confused?

The next section of this blog might help. Let’s check it together.

Why Does Your Brand Need a Custom Chat App?

Do you run a business or are you an entrepreneur seeking opportunities in the social media app market?

Well, we have accurate reasons to inspire you to build a chat app.

Why Does Your Brand Need a Custom Chat App

♦ Boost Loyalty with Personalized Chat Apps

Either a fashion brand or an eCommerce shopping site believes in delivering effective customer service, thus they never leave a chance to connect them via a chat app.

This results in improving personalization and connecting the users to enhance overall brand identity. Hence, creating a chat app can help you as a brand to develop loyal customer relations.

♦ Growing Demand for Chat Apps

As an entrepreneur, you should invest in developing a chat app after seeking their demands. The market size for such apps is expected to reach USD 18.9 billion by 2030.

This represents that you can enter the market to earn high revenue because, in the current era, people prefer to directly connect with the brands for any kind of queries via chat apps.

♦ Bridging Brands and Users: A Dual Opportunity

With the right guide to building a messaging app, you will have an opportunity to connect with the end users and brands at the same time. Your app can connect brands and users together.

This will automatically, increase the brand popularity and awareness of your chat app in the market. Therefore, you will score a dual opportunity to address the target users’ demand.

♦ Unlock a Medium of Communication

Chat apps are an important medium to communicate and by developing them, you can help users to connect with each other successfully.

It is among the social networking platforms that assist users to connect with people and remove any communication barriers.

♦ Chat Apps: Eliminating Communication Delays

Messaging apps provide an instant way to connect with the audience. These apps are developed to deliver a seamless communication network to avoid misunderstanding among the audience.

In the present era of digitalization, people believe in fast-servicing apps that promote instant messaging and avoid delays. More than just emails, people tend to check their phones for messages about what makes these apps so convenient to use.

♦ Real-time Connectively

Developing chat apps will increase real-time connectivity and facilitate productive teamwork. These apps are built to allow users to exchange messages, files as well as other media, instantly.

It ensures seamless user experience because via chat apps the messages are delivered and displayed immediately as they are sent.

These were some of the reasons to be considered while developing instant messaging apps.

Now, as you move ahead with the chat app development, identifying its most important features is your next destination.

Check them all in the following section.

Must-Have Features for a Stellar Chat App

When it comes to chat apps, features that can engage and serve users’ purpose is important.

Let’s consider the list of chat app features below.

Must-Have Features for a Stellar Chat App

1. End-to-End Encryption

One of the most significant parameters to consider while creating a chat app is security and end-to-end encryption.

This feature will guarantee that the conversation can only be decrypted between the sender and the receiver.

It is widely regarded as the must-have element in your chat app. People tend to use chat apps because it provides them a way to have direct and encrypted communication. Please consider this feature as your priority.

2. Multi-Media Content Sharing Feature

Allow users to share multi-media content such as image sharing, GIFs and stickers, video sharing, voice calling, document sharing, file sharing, location sharing, and photo sharing.

People like apps that provide multiple services, thus providing them with access to different content-sharing patterns enhances user experience.

3. Mobile Payment Integration

Integration of mobile payment services or API can improve the overall user experience. With chat apps, you can allow users to send and receive payments without switching apps.

This feature will increase customization in chat apps and make users more engaged with your chat apps. You might add filters to the payment screens for gamification to make it more interactive.

4. Push Notifications

If you target user engagement, provide them with ways to interact more with the app. Push notifications will act just like that.

It is a way to inform users and bind them to have a quick check over messages through a pop-up even when screens are locked. The more you find mediums of engagement, will increase on your app.

5. History of Chats

Well, for this feature, it all depends on what your app targets. It’s up to an app like Snapchat where message history disappears after a certain period or it will be like WhatsApp, where the histories of chats have their importance.

Alternatively, you can leave this option as a feature for the users where they can change their settings as per their preference.

6. AI in Chat Apps

You may include this feature where, unlike the pre-programmed chatbots that run on a specific script, AI chatbots will provide customized solutions.

Whether you are developing a chat app for your brand or as an entrepreneur to bring a revolution in the social media industry, it’s necessary to have customization via AI to cater to diverse users’ needs.

Bonus Read: Influence of AI in Social Media

7. Typing in Any Language

Why not make typing simple as per users’ preferences? Well, you should add multiple language support that can make your app valid to use for all regions and countries worldwide.

People love options and to make communication simple as well as fast to understand, you should include as many languages as possible for a seamless user journey.

8. Erase with Ease: Message Delete Feature

Humans have a tendency to commit mistakes and it’s obvious that we aren’t robots who tend to have perfections.

Well, including features such as edit, omit, or delete can help your users to convey their points with ease. This will simplify their communication process and increase the user base on your app.

Till now, you have learned about concepts, reasons, and features to include in your chat app.

CTA _1_Nimble AppGenie’s Exclusive Idea for Chat App Feature

Wondering how to proceed with the stepwise process of creating a messaging app?

Switch to the following section to learn more.

How to Build a Messaging App from Scratch?

How to build a chat app for beginners?

We understand that investing and deciding on a suitable app development process can be a headache.

But, going after the guide to chat app creation, you will be ready to bite the bullet.

To develop a chat app, the process might have some similarities. However, they are way more different too.

Let’s proceed with a step-by-step guide to developing a messaging app:

How to Build a Messaging App from Scratch

Step 1: Market Research

We have already stated that nothing can work without market research. Hence, look before you leap. Here, market research should learn about competitors and their strategies to engage users via chat apps.

This is the most important step where you will analyze the market growth and its current size before creating your dream app.

Additionally, under this step, you will be able to know the current demand of your users and their variable needs to bring a revolution in the market.

Step 2: Identify the Target Segment

Now, it’s time for segmentation. Here you can divide the target users according to their diversified needs.

This will help you decide your app’s target user base through which you can detail the strategy to approach them, effectively.

Whether you are targeting the world’s audience or users from a specific region. Segmentation is the step, where you will decide whom you have to approach first.

Step 3: Hire Dedicated App Developers’ Team

To build a chat app with all your demands you will require a team who can do it exactly as per your dream.

Hire mobile app developers with specialized knowledge and advanced tactics to boost your market presence.

You must recheck the location and expertise of the developers before hiring them. Well, it will help you to boost the process of chat app development.

Step 4: Select the Features

Now, it’s time to select the right set of features. You should note that features are the most important area to build, thus, it needs to have a well-built structure and testing.

You cannot consider building social media app features without testing it on your target audience, right? Additionally, the needs of the users can become your ideas to include features.

Here you can divide the basic and advanced features according to the purpose of chat app development.

Step 5: Develop an MVP

Are you thinking to avoid developing an MVP? Well, this can create an issue for you to get the show on the road.

Minimal Viable Product is all about producing enough features to be usable by the early customers who might provide feedback for its future development.

This is an important step where you can connect with the early adopters and might have an idea about how well your dream app is leading the target market.

CTA-2-Ready To Create The Next Big Messaging App

Step 6: Design Your Chat App

UI/UX app design can seem to play the least significant role; however, it is an element that catches the eye of your end user.

To decide the suitable interface, you can effectively follow UI/UX design principles, this will assist you to overcome any barriers following this step.

Additionally, developing wireframes and prototypes can be a significant area to invest in here. It will help you to have multiple design formats and to select the most prominent among the same.

Step 7: Select Tech Stack

A set of technologies suitable for your app can be difficult to find. However, with the on-demand app development team, it’s no longer an issue.

The tech stack comprises multiple elements such as databases, frameworks, languages, and others. Here you need to select the right technology for your chat app.

This is one of the essential steps to count where you should decide over front-end and back-end parameters for developing your app.

Step 8: Develop Front-end and Back-end

Under this step, the developer performs all the coding and develops the back end as well as the front end for the features you have decided earlier.

Here you can make use of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for front-end use and programming languages such as Python, Ruby, and APIs for developing database management systems.

Within this step, whole app development will take place and you need to connect with your developer’s team on a regular basis to make significant decisions on the same.

Step 9: Testing

Mobile app testing might seem like an easy way to proceed, but here you will identify bugs and errors to improve your app’s performance.

When it comes to testing, you should consider its diversified types such as functional testing, usability testing, compatibility testing performance testing, and others.

Along with this, you should cross-check the app security of the mobile app before launching it in the market.

Step 10: Choice of Platform

To build a chat app, you should decide right platform to launch it. You can either go for native, reacting apps to build or work on Kotlin and Swift programming languages.

You can hire Android app developers or iOS app developers based on your project needs.

Deciding on the platform should be based on your target audience and their needs because it will be a medium to reach users.

Step 11: Launch and Maintenance

The next step to be bothered about is launch. Now you have to finalize a date to launch your app. Here you should perform all the testing and cross-check all the important steps.

After launch, you have to be concerned about maintenance. App maintenance is important to user experience, fixing bugs, enhancing security, and engaging the users effectively.

App maintenance services can help here to connect with the latest technologies to never let you lose the users.

These were some of the common steps to develop a custom messaging app.

Well, now it’s time to learn about the best chat apps for inspiration.

The following section is included in the chat app development guide to create awareness about competitors.

Shall we proceed with the same?

Best Chat Apps for Inspiration

You must have observed the success of chat apps, right?

If you are wondering “How to develop a chat app?”

Get to know about some of the apps that are inspiring others by being the top player in the market.

Best Chat Apps for Inspiration

► WhatsApp

There was a time when many phone providers in many countries charged per text message, and placed limits on how many users could send. To develop an app like WhatsApp, you must check its engaging features.

Thus, this app has become globally popular due to its free service, internet-based communication along with additional features such as group chats as well as media sharing.

With its ease of use, simplicity, and mobile notification features, this application has become the most preferred among users.

► WeChat

WeChat provides users with text messaging, broadcast messaging, mobile payment, video conferencing, and location sharing.

With WeChat, you can successfully connect with the audience. Here users can avail of the services from chatting with friends to booking flights as well as paying bills.

This app provides users with different mini features and programs that allow them to conduct different operations without leaving it.

► Facebook Messenger

Facebook Messenger is all about an instant messenger which is owned by Facebook. It is one of the famous apps useful for instant messaging, sharing photos, and audio recordings for group chats.

The app is free to download and here you need an account over Facebook. Within the app, users can find their phone contacts aligned with it.

It is one of the important features where via the app, you can connect with friends and relatives through phone contacts.

► Telegram

Telegram has become one of the largest and fastest messaging apps in the market that connects people through a unique, distributed network.

It is a cloud-based platform that works across different platforms and is accessed by people throughout the world.

Over this platform, users can send messages, photos, videos, and files of any type. Here, they can create groups for up to 200,000 people as well as channels for broadcasting to unlimited audiences.

Bonus Read: Cost to Develop an App Like Telegram

► Snapchat

Snapchat empowers people to express themselves, learn about the world, and enjoy the filters, multiple chat features, etc.

Here, users can send as well as receive self-destructing videos and photos. These photos and videos are taken within the app called Snaps.

The app is all about developing multimedia messages that can be edited, including effects, text captions, and filters. To develop an app like Snapchat, you can consider its amazing filters, and other features that attract users.

Well, are you ready to develop the next messaging app that can bring revolution to this competitive field?

Then, you should be bothered about the cost of investing in developing a messaging app, right?

Let’s consider the following section for more information.

Cost to Build a Chat App

What’s the cost of developing a chat app?

The cost to build a chat app can vary from $15,000 to $80,000 depending on the type of features and advanced technologies you desire to include within the app.

This mobile app development cost depends on multiple factors to determine, such as complexity, choice of platform, app design, features, and development team.

Here, you can check out the cost of developing a social media app, as chats are an important part of this industry.

After learning about the cost to invest, let’s consider the timeline to develop it in the next section.

CTA-3_Confused about developing a chat app

Chat App Creation Timeline: What to Expect

Till now, we discussed features, reasons, top apps, and how to build a chat app.

Now, one of the important factors within the guide to chat app creation is timelines. This is an essential resource to be considered.

Check out the table below to learn more about how long it takes to make an app.

Step Duration (Months)
1. Planning & Research 1-2
2. UI/UX Design 1-2
3. Front-end Development 2-3
4. Back-end Development 2-3
5. Integration of Chat Features 1
6. Testing & Quality Assurance 1
7. Deployment 0.5-1
8. Post-Launch Support & Maintenance 0.5
Total Duration 9- 11

The estimated months that can be undertaken are 9-11 months.

This timeline may be impacted by different areas such as features, complexity, size, and development team.

Well, when you go through this app development process, there can be certain mistakes or errors that might be an obstacle.

Therefore, let’s learn what can be the challenges you might face here and how to avoid them in the following section.

Overcoming Challenges in Messaging App Development

To build a chat app from scratch, there are mistakes to avoid while creating a social media app. Mistakes are common, well, if you are aware of them at an early stage, half the journey is yours.

Every application is unique and so does its development process. However, we have discussed here some of the common challenges that your app might come across in this journey.

Let’s proceed with the list below.

Overcoming Challenges in Messaging App Development

A] Real-Time Features- A Technical Challenge

Chat apps need to be spontaneous and should be designed in a way to deliver real-time messages. It comprises special skills such as WebSocket, WebRTC, etc.

Thus, avoiding these specializations can negatively impact the overall purpose of developing a messaging app and developers will be required to implement effective techniques such as pub-sub architecture and WebSocket protocol.

B] Scalability- A Woe to Chat App

Lack of scalability can be a major issue while creating a chat app. With the increasing number of users across the app, poor handling of operations and increased loading timings can become a wide challenge for the app.

Hence, to avoid such challenges, your app must be scalable enough to deal with the growing traffic updates.

C] Budget Blues – Financial Challenge

Many of the startups focused on chat app development were lost in the market just because of improper financial management.

Budget blues can be a major challenge to be considered and to cover it, you should have a fixed planned budget to overcome such an issue.

D] Security Pitfalls- A Challenge in Chat Apps

A lack of mobile app security might lead you to lose the way to retain users in the long run. This can impact the overall brand image. Here you will increase the risk of cyber threats, exposure to hackers, phishing, and other malicious code.

Hence, to avoid such challenges, your app should include cybersecurity techniques as well as tools. With end-to-end encryption, you must protect users’ personal data.

E] Network Jitters- The Chat App Conundrum

The biggest puzzle of the chat app can be poor networking. This can create issues in app productivity because users can get frustrated when they don’t find it effective for sending or receiving messages.

Thus, to overcome this issue, your app must be effective in addressing such an issue through implementing advanced technologies.

F] Competitive Landscape – Crowded Chat App Arena

There are already many chat apps present in the market such as WhatsApp, and Snapchat that have taken over the market. These apps have developed trust among the users and provide secure chat options.

Hence, entering and creating a unique value for your brand can be the most important challenge. However, to overcome it, you should have creative ways to bring a revolution in the industry.

These were some of the challenges that you should go through and overcome on time.

Well, now you learned about the challenges, let’s consider some of the monetizing strategies.

Investment is important, but learning about monetization strategies can help you overcome the cost.

Let’s proceed with the same in the next section.

Monetizing Your Chat App: Proven Strategies

Social media app monetization frameworks can assist in providing ways to earn revenue from chat app development.

Below are some of the app monetization strategies to be considered as given below.

Monetizing Your Chat App_ Proven Strategies

♦ Crowd Funding

With this money-making strategy, you can raise the overall capital for developing your app. You can raise money from a large number of people to enhance investment in your app.

Under crowdfunding you can successfully raise funding based on the app’s popularity. This will assist you in connecting with multiple audiences, even before the app is launched.

♦ Data Monetization

Data monetization is a way where you need to take users’ consent for collecting and using their data for money-making purposes.

When you create a chat app, it provides an opportunity to collect a wide amount of data. This data can be sold as reports to earn money.

♦ In-App Purchases

You can include an in-app purchase model by providing some of the features as free and may charge for the others.

Charging for the premium features within the app can encourage users to pay an additional cost for the same. This cost can act as a permanent revenue stream for your app.

♦ Transaction Fees

If your app includes a payment feature for availing them of a service to perform transactions without switching it, then you may be charged for this service.

Here you can keep a nominal fee for the transactions they made via the app.

♦ Paid Updates and Commercial Use

For every new update, you can charge the users once they get habitual of using it. This can be one of the smart techniques for earning permanent revenue.

Along with this, you might charge people belonging to high profiles when they use your app for commercialized purposes. This monetization feature can act as a regular fee for your app.

Adopting these multiple monetization strategies, you can successfully make money out of your app.

If you are ready to invest in the app, it’s time to connect with an experienced company.

CTA-4-Ready to shine in the chat app industry

Partner with Nimble AppGenie to Create Your Next Chat App

Wondering how to select the right team of developers to develop your chat app?

Well, the following areas can help.

  • Experience: One of the most important parameters that might impact is the experience of a team. Thus, you should consider a team with maximum experience.
  • Portfolio: Other than this, you can check on their work and client’s feedback to know the on-the-ground footage.
  • Location: The location of the team members will help you define the mediums to connect with them successfully.

Are you struggling to find such a team?

Nimble AppGenie got your back. Our skilled team of developers can find the best solution for your dream app project.

We can analyze the market, make advanced technologies work in your favor, and able to develop a competitive chat app to capture a wide audience.

With the best Social Media App Development Company, you can convert your vision into reality.

Conclusion

This guide describes key aspects ofHow to build a chat app?”

Well, with the right series of steps you can make it effectively. These steps begin with market analysis, identifying the target audience, selecting the right team, developing MVP, and end with launching as well as app maintenance.

If you doubt developing an app, then considering the reasons such as growing demand, medium of communication, real-time connectivity, and enhancing customization can become your motivation in this journey.

The features that you may include are end-to-end encryption, mobile payment integration, multi-media integration, push notifications, etc. Along with this, you may check out the top app development scenarios for inspiration. Considering challenges and monetization strategies can just be another element to be considered.

FAQs

The chat app is a software application designed to facilitate communication between users through text, audio, calls, and multimedia messages. It allows users to exchange information effectively, making it a crucial tool for both personal and professional interactions.

Developing a chat app offers several advantages:

  • Boost Brand Loyalty: Personalized chat apps can enhance customer service and strengthen brand identity.
  • High Market Demand: The chat app market is expected to grow significantly, offering potential for high revenue.
  • Enhanced Connectivity: Chat apps provide a seamless medium for real-time communication, bridging gaps between users and brands.

Key features to include in a chat app are:

  • End-to-End Encryption: Ensures secure and private conversations.
  • Multi-Media Content Sharing: Allows sharing of images, videos, and other files.
  • Push Notifications: Keeps users engaged with timely updates.
  • AI Integration: Provides customized solutions through advanced chatbots.

The process to build a chat app includes:

  • Market Research: Analyze competitors and user needs.
  • Feature Selection: Choose essential features based on user preferences.
  • Development: Build both front-end and back-end components.
  • Testing: Ensure functionality and fix bugs.
  • Launch and Maintenance: Release the app and perform ongoing updates and support.

Some of the best chat apps for inspiration include:

  • WhatsApp: Known for its ease of use, simplicity, and features like group chats and media sharing.
  • WeChat: Offers text messaging, mobile payments, video conferencing, and location sharing.
  • Facebook Messenger: Useful for instant messaging, sharing photos, and audio recordings.
  • Telegram: Known for its scalability and ability to handle large user groups and channels.
  • Snapchat: Focuses on self-destructing multimedia messages with various filters and effects.

The cost to develop a chat app typically ranges from $15,000 to $80,000. This can vary based on factors such as the app’s complexity, platform, design, features, and development team. Advanced features and technologies can increase the overall cost.

The estimated timeline for developing a chat app is about 9-11 months and includes:

  • Planning & Research: 1-2 months
  • UI/UX Design: 1-2 months
  • Front-end Development: 2-3 months
  • Back-end Development: 2-3 months
  • Integration of Chat Features: 1 month
  • Testing & Quality Assurance: 1 month
  • Deployment: 0.5-1 month
  • Post-Launch Support & Maintenance: 0.5 month

The timeline can be affected by factors such as the app’s complexity, features, and the development team’s efficiency.

Common challenges in chat app development include:

  • Real-Time Features: Ensuring real-time message delivery with technologies like WebSocket and WebRTC.
  • Scalability: Handling increasing numbers of users and ensuring smooth performance.
  • Budget Management: Proper financial planning to avoid overspending.
  • Security: Implementing robust security measures like end-to-end encryption.
  • Network Issues: Addressing network reliability to prevent disruptions.
  • Competition: Differentiating your app in a crowded market with established players.

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