“Social media is not a media. The key is to listen, engage, and build relationships. Engage rather than sell … Work as a co-creator, not a marketer”.

Quick summary: Know how to build a social media platform like Meetup with this comprehensive blog exploring development stages and cost

Do you want to develop a social media platform like Meetup? If yes, this blog is for you, where you will learn about social media platform development.

Social networks have just rocked this world. Youths are setting the pace for popular culture, focusing on social network interactions. In the current era, social media platforms are becoming powerful tools and one-stop shops for all people’s daily needs. Selling, advertising, and communication-everything goes online. Social networks have our most valuable treasures: attention and time; they have attracted an investment of billions of dollars.

According to a study, there will be around 5.17 billion social media users worldwide by 2024. This data drives the business to invest in developing meetup-like apps. However, when creating a social media platform, a common question comes into the entrepreneur’s mind: “How do you develop a social media platform like Meetup? 

So, if you are one of them, this is the only blog you will ever need to read. It will answer all the burning questions and guide you through the critical process you need to follow to build a social meeting App like Meetup.

 

Introduction of Meetup App

It’s a social networking site where users can find and join any group similar to their interests. Users use Meetup to organize and attend events based on hobbies, interests, or causes. Different activities, including book clubs, hiking, political activism, and social justice causes, have used this platform. Moreover, businesses also use Meetup to advertise and connect with customers and stakeholders. 

However, some people are using it as a dating app because of its shared interests, finding singles, and group settings. Hence, investing in developing such a platform is worthwhile as it can be used for different purposes. So, if you find it profitable to invest in such a social networking or dating app development but are unfamiliar with the development process, seek assistance from a mobile app development company. 

 

Current Market Stats On Social Media Industry

If you are going to develop a social media platform like Meetup, you must study the industry market. Hence, are some stats that you should look at:

• In 2022, the social networking market is expected to generate $129.60 billion in total revenue.
• An estimated 7.30% annual growth rate in total revenue (CAGR 2022-2027) is anticipated, translating into a projected market volume of $189.50 billion by 2027.
• The social networking market’s in-app purchase (IAP) income is anticipated to reach $20.48 billion by 2022.

 

Source: Statista 

• In the social networking space, paid app income is expected to reach $0.03 billion by 2022.
• In 2022, the social networking market is expected to generate $109.10 billion in revenue from advertising.

Using social media is among the most common things people do online. Globally, there were more than 4.59 billion social media users by 2022; in 2027, that figure is expected to rise to nearly six billion.

 

Top 5 Social Media Platforms

If anyone is interested to develop a social media platform like Meetup, it’s critical to understand the competitive landscape. Hence, here is a list of social media apps like Meetup you should study:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Twitter 
• Nextdoor
• Linkedin

 

 

1. Instagram

Instagram is a video and photo-sharing app with 2 billion monthly active users. You can develop an app like Instagram by offering a range of filters and editing tools to make images look good.

 

2. Facebook

Facebook boasts over 3 billion active users monthly. It allows users to connect with friends and share news and updates. It’s the best platform for users with the same interests. 

 

3. Twitter 

The app has 550+ million monthly active users. This platform is best for users following news and events. To build an app like Twitter, allow users to connect with others who share their interests.

 

4. Nextdoor

Nextdoor’s total weekly active users, 40.4 million, increased by 6% year over year. The app like Nextdoor allow users to connect to the neighborhood that matters to them so they can belong. 

 

5. Linkedin

LinkedIn is the biggest networking platform, with over 74 million registered users. It allows users to connect with colleagues, learn about industry trends, and find new job opportunities.

 

 

Key Steps to Develop A Social Media Platform Like Meetup

Now, let’s dive into the central part: Create a social media app like Meetup for your business. All the apps are developed using almost the same process; however, to make your social media platforms or event planner apps successful, you should think differently. Hence, here is a list of some critical stages you need to develop an app successfully:

• Target Audience and Purpose 
• Plan the Key Features 
• Choose the best platform 
• Build the UX/UI For the App
• Development Phase
• Extensive Testing of App
• Launch the Social Media App
• Promotion and Marketing

 

 

 

1. Target Audience and Purpose 

Just having an idea for app development is not enough. You have to decide what your social media platform will be about. Ensure that you completely understand your market and competition. To develop a social media platform or app like Eventbrite, you should find out what users expect from your app. Hence, once you have a clear idea of your app and its purpose, you can start assembling your ideas. 

 

2. Plan the Key Features 

After determining the audience and purpose, plan the app’s features. Features are the key to your app’s success, so do not get lost in different functions and features. You need to carefully find out what features can set your app apart.

You can provide unique features by obtaining assistance from an AI development services provider. Furthermore, before finalizing the features, you also need to consider the budget so that a cost-effective social media platform can be developed.

 

3. Choose the Best Platform 

Once you have finalized the features, choose the right development platform to develop a social media platform like Meetup. When choosing the platform, consider security, scalability, ease of development, and compatibility with desired features.

Whether you opt for iOS, Android, or a cross-platform framework, hire an Android or iPhone app development services provider. The social app development company must ensure that your chosen platform aligns with your budget and project’s goals. 

 

Read More: Best Apps Like Wizz

 

4. Build the UX/UI For the App

If you want to develop a social media platform like Meetup, ensure your app is intuitive and user-friendly. It will help you attract more users. For this, you can hire a mobile app development company. The company has years of experience and knows what users want. Hence, with the help of experts, you can make the user’s experience effortless by making your app’s layout simple, user-friendly, and up-to-date.

 

5. Development Phase

To develop a social media platform like Meetup, you have to create the back-end and front-end functionalities based on the intended features and design. You are advised to use a content management system, authentication method, and other critical features. Throughout the development process, maintain, perform, scalability, and security. 

 

6. Extensive Testing of App

After completing your social media platform like Meetup design, you can start building your work on the testing. Coding the platform’s front and back end is required for this. Here, to develop a social media app like Meetup, you have to conduct several tests, including compatibility testing, functional testing, performance testing, and use acceptance testing. This guarantees a reliable and robust application. 

 

 

7. Launch the Social Media App

Once you have completed the development and testing phases, it’s time to introduce or launch your social media platform. To keep your social media platform functional, monitor your app’s performance post-launch and address available issues to ensure a smoother user experience. To maintain your app, you can ask the mobile app maintenance services provider so that users can enjoy your app without any issues.

 

8. Promotion and Marketing 

Developing a social media platform like Meetup and launching is just the beginning. You must work on a comprehensive marketing strategy to reach the target audience. For this, you can use influencer marketing, social media platforms, and strategic partnerships with relevant communities.

Moreover, the target audience and budget should be considered while building the networking strategy, and the outcomes must also be tracked and improved as required. 

 

Essential Features of Social Media Platform Like Meetup

As you know, not every social media platform is going to be a huge hit. However, for sure, you can make your social media platform receive applause by integrating some must-have features that users want and some popular platforms have. As per event management app development company across the world, to stand out, develop a social media platform like Meetup including the following features:

• User Registration and Authentication 
• User Profiles
• Location-based Search
• Friending Options
• Real-time Notification
• Chat and Messaging
• Notification 
• Privacy Settings
• Content Sharing Method 
• Group Creating and Management

 

 

1. User Registration and Authentication 

With a secure registration and authentication process, allow users to sign up and log in using their social media accounts or email addresses. 

 

2. User Profiles

Let’s users create and customize their profiles where they can showcase their skills, interests, and affiliations. It fosters connections within the community.

 

3. Location-based Search

Develop a social media platform or event management app like Whova, Integrating GPS in your app, allowing them to discover nearby events and communities that tailor their preferences. 

 

4. Friending Options

Make a social media app like Meetup, allowing users to connect with others, follow their activities, and create a network of like-minded individuals. 

 

5. Real-time Notification

Ensure Instant alerts regarding event updates, friend requests, messages, and other relevant activities in your app to keep users informed and enraged. 

 

6. Chat and Messaging

By offering real-time chat or seamless communication between users, you can make your messaging app development successful.  

 

7. Notification 

Create a social meeting app like Meetup with personalized notification settings, so that users can tailor their experience based on their interests and preferences.

 

8. Privacy Settings

Ensure to implement robust privacy control in your social media platform, empowering users to manage the visibility of their profile and activities. 

 

9. Content Sharing Method 

Develop a social media platform like Meetup that allows users to post and send their videos or photos to others as well as comment on what is shared. 

 

10. Group Creating and Management

Build a social media app like Meetup, allowing users to form and manage groups, define the group’s purpose, and customize group descriptions. 

 

 

How Much Does It Cost To Develop A Social Media Platform Like Meetup?

If you want to build a social media platform like Meetup from scratch, the cost can range from $8000 to $25000. However, the cost varies, depending on factors such as the app’s features, chosen platform, development team, etc. Additionally, if your social media platform is much more complex, then the social media app development cost can fluctuate as per the table below:

 

Social Media Platform’s Type	Estimated Cost	Time Frame
Simple Social Media Platform Development	$8000 – $15000	3 to 5 Month
Medium Complex Social Media Platform Development	$15000 – $20000	5 to 8 Month
High Complex Social Media Platform Development	$25000+	10+ Month

 

With this table, you may know the cost to develop a social media platform like Meetup. However, to learn more in-depth, you should consult with an on demand app development solutions provider or experts.

The custom software development company can access your software’s complexity, features needed, and other requirements to estimate the cost to make a social meeting app like Meetup accurately. Hence, with their experience in previous app development, they can provide valuable guidance to develop your social media platform at an affordable cost.

 

Know Cost To Maintain Social Media Platform Like Meetup

Once you have developed platforms like Meetup, the process doesn’t continue. To keep your app functional and competitive, you have to update it continuously. It includes identifying and fixing bugs, glitches, and other technical errors. Additionally, to develop a social media platform like Meetup you also need to add new features.

If you find it quite challenging, you can get assistance from an event management app maintenance services provider. The company will provide you with a complete cycle of social media platform development with subsequent maintenance, allowing you to stay ahead of the competition. Hence, you can surprise users with new functionality. 

 

Why Must an Entrepreneur Invest In Building A Social Media Platform Like Meetup?

Developing websites similar to Meetup provides businesses with several benefits. Anyone looking to invest in social media platform or entertainment app development can enjoy the following benefits:

• Network Effects 
• Large Target Market 
• Data Insights 
• Monetization Opportunities
• Community

 

 

1. Network Effects 

Investors can grow their user base by investing in meetup social networking app development. Additionally, it helps create a strong barrier to entry for other competitors, which strengthens your presence. 

 

2. Large Target Market 

Social interaction and dating are significant human needs. Hence, to attract a vast user base and potential business growth, businesses must invest to build a dating app like Tinder or social networking sites like Meetup.

 

3. Data Insights 

By developing meetup alternative sites, you can collect valuable user behavior and preference data. The collected data will help you to improve the platform itself and develop targeted marketing campaigns. 

 

4. Monetization Opportunities

Businesses can generate more revenue through different monetization models by investing in social media platforms or dating apps like Hinge. These models include app purchases, advertising, subscription fees, and more.

 

5. Community 

By investing in developing apps similar to Meetup, businesses can foster a strong sense of community among users, leading to increased user engagement and loyalty. 

 

 

Know How We Can Help!

Social networking app development is more than something entrepreneurs do to stay ahead in the competitive market. It’s a marketing strategy that helps businesses to build connections with their users. These days, developing social media platforms is a worthy investment. However, the path toward it takes much effort, time, and resources that can hold you back from creating a social media platform.

No Worries! You can hire an iPhone or Android app development company per your requirements. Dev Technosys is a professional mobile app development company with over 13+ years of experience. We at Dev Technosys have delivered several custom platform solutions, boosting clients’ overall business performance and user experience.

So, what are you waiting for? Share your project’s requirement to use and obtain a desired outcome. 

 

Frequently Asked Questions On Social Media Platform

 

Q1. What Is a Social Media Platform?

It’s an online platform or tool that allows people to create, share, and exchange content or information with others via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and more. 

 

Q2. How Much Does It Cost to Build Event Management App?

The cost to build event management app ranges from $8000 to $25000. However, it can vary depending on the feature you are going to include, the technology you use, and others. 

 

Q3. How Long Does It Take To Develop A Social Media Platform Like Meetup?

 The time for the Meetup app development can be from 3 to 10 months. However, it also depends on the required features, technology, and more. 

 

Q4. How Can You Reduce The Cost To Develop A Social Media Platform Like Meetup?

To reduce the cost to develop a Social Meeting App like Meetup, you need to be clear about your requirements, select the right tech stack, and so on. You can also collaborate with a mobile app development company to reduce overall development costs.