Social media channels have taken over various aspects of life today. From learning about the news or shopping for essentials to understanding complex concepts or keeping in touch with their loved ones — social media helps people do just about everything. It also plays a crucial role in helping existing and potential customers connect with brands across borders.
Studies have shown that over 20% of consumers prefer to make purchases from brands with an active social media presence. And over 70% of consumers who have had good experiences with a brand on social media channels are likely to recommend it to other people.
So, no matter what industry you operate in, your brand can benefit greatly by tapping into the power of social media. And while it can be convenient to rely on popular channels like Facebook or Instagram, having your very own social media app can give you an edge over your competition. But many brands — particularly those belonging to young entrepreneurs and startups — may not be clear about how to make a social media app that effectively attracts and retains customers.
The secret to doing this effectively is to include the right features in your app.
7 Must-have features in your brand’s social media app
One of the most important aspects of learning how to make a social media app for your brand is to identify the essential features needed. Some features are non-negotiable, while others may be more innovative and discretionary.
Here’s a closer look at 7 must-have features in your brand’s social media app — no matter which industry you operate in.
Customizable user profiles
This feature allows users to personalize their profiles with unique display pictures, cover photos, taglines and bio information. As a result, the members of your community who use your social media app can express their individuality and engage with other members on a more personal level. This eventually fosters a sense of belonging among your target users.
News feed
The news feed is another important must-have feature in every social media app. It helps keep your app’s users updated about the latest content on the platform, the new posts shared by their friends and accounts they follow, and other news pertaining to their interests. This sets up a continuous stream of interesting and relevant content, thus increasing user engagement.
A search bar
As content and engagement within your brand’s social media app grow, it may become difficult for people to find the information they are looking for. Here’s where a search bar can help. It facilitates easy exploration and discovery across all pages in your app, so users can find other people, look for specific posts, or even discover trending topics.
Notifications
Notifications help your users as well as your brand. They help increase engagement by letting users know when they receive a friend request, a message or a response to their comments or posts. This, in turn, makes users open your brand’s app and engage with other account holders for a few additional minutes each day.
Privacy options
Your brand’s social media app also needs to provide users with a range of customizable privacy settings, so they can control the visibility of their personal information. These must-have privacy options should empower users to manage who can see their posts, profile information and other account details.
Adding friends or followers
The most effective way to build a community for your app’s users is to allow them to network and build connections easily. To this end, it is essential to have a feature that makes it easy for your social media app users to add friends, follow other people and build their own community within the platform.
Direct messaging or private communication
Adding friends and followers helps expand an individual user’s network on your app, but private communication facilitates one-on-one interaction — which is also an essential component in building your brand’s community. Direct messaging options can foster personal connection and facilitate private discussions within your app’s ecosystem.
5 Innovative features to include in your brand’s social media app
Beyond the basic features outlined above, your brand’s social media app can also benefit from some innovative additions. If you are wondering how to make a social media app that makes the leap from the basic to the unique, here are some innovative features you can consider including.
Cross-platform compatibility
To make your app stand out from the competition, it helps if you can ensure cross-platform compatibility. This essentially means that your social media app is accessible across various platforms like mobile phones, tablets, desktops and laptops, so users can stay connected regardless of their preferred device.
Easy content sharing
Like cross-platform compatibility, the content on your social media app should also support cross-platform sharing. This will allow users to effortlessly share photos, videos and links via other apps with friends and family. By supporting easy content sharing, you can even add more users to your social media network.
Easy login options
You also need to offer quick and convenient login methods to improve the comfort factor for your users. Consider login options like social media account integration, biometric authentication and saved credentials. This minimizes the barriers to opening and entering the app and allows users to log in with just a click or two.
Clear UI/UX
To attract and retain users, create a visually appealing user interface that prioritizes simplicity and intuitiveness. This will help users navigate the app effortlessly, locate desired features and functions without any hassle, and have a more engaging experience overall. Clunky user interfaces can get in the way of using the app, leading to reduced engagement.
Multi-language support
If your business involves diverse target users across borders and states, you may want to include multi-language support for a more inclusive user experience. By allowing users to interact and engage in their preferred language, you can enable effective communication and idea-sharing across cultures and regions.
Conclusion
If you are in the process of understanding how to make a social media app for your brand, the list of features explored in this article can be a good place to begin. However, keep in mind that the exact app design, features and UI/UX will depend entirely on your target audience and what they expect.
The best way to give them what they are looking for is to interact with your target users, conduct polls and surveys and be open to feedback. By taking constructive criticism and using it to your advantage, you can ensure that your brand’s social media app evolves into a channel that is loved by your target audience.
