The fast-paced life had left no time for us to even think about dating. The traditional dating scenario demands time and effort.
To add fuel to this was the COVID pandemic and lockdowns. People were locked in their homes and the feelings of extreme loneliness hit us harder than ever.
It was then that online dating app Tinder became insanely popular. With time other dating apps like Bumble and OkCupid also picked up the pace.
Now finding a companion has become easier and more fun. You can scroll through a variety of profiles and sort out the best one as per your liking. The best thing is that their smart algorithm filters profiles for you with the same interest.
This enables you to find the right one quickly and hop on a date. And that’s not all! You can chat with people, and get to know their hobbies and interests before planning a date.
The younger generation finds online dating culture more appealing. It gives them flexibility, fun, and experience. Be it casual dating, committed relationships or just looking for someone to talk to, you will find your right match on these apps.
As per the market survey, over 300 million people use dating apps globally. Further, the online dating app market will grow at a CAGR of 6% hitting $12.65 billion in revenue by 2030.
If you want to capitalize on this opportunity and build a dating app like Tinder or Bumble, this guide is for you.
What is a dating app?
A dating app is a mobile-based application integrated with location APIs and other features that help you find your romantic partner online.
The dating apps have millions of profiles of men and women who are looking for suitable partners. As a user, you will have to sign up and make a profile to use the app. You can upload your pictures and describe your interests in the profile for like-minded people to match with you.
Please note that algorithms of dating apps work according to your interests. You will get profiles in your feed based on your preferences and interests. This ensures that you view people with the same interests and don’t waste your time on irrelevant profiles.
What’s impressive is that these apps come with smart features that make online dating smooth sailing. With features like smart matching, geolocation, behavior, and content-based filter search and chatting, you can find the partner of your dreams in just a few clicks.
What do you need for a dating app like Tinder or Bumble for your business?
Let’s face it, online dating is the hottest trend right now. The increasing number of users and equally promising ROI make it an ideal business opportunity.
A trend equals high revenue. The same stands for dating apps where the revenue has hit billions and it doesn’t seem to stop.
Do you know that dating apps will generate a revenue of $1.47 billion by 2027?
Also, the report says that revenue from dating apps will grow at a CAGR of 7.13%. So, at this rate, it will reach $4744 million by 2025. The most important data to note is the number of dating app users which will cross 489.9 million by 2025.
To miss out on such an opportunity will be a huge miss. The best time to start something is right now. Similarly, the right time to build a dating app is now.
Here are some reasons why you should consider developing a dating app for your business.
1. Accessibility and convenience
Dating apps make it easy for people to access a wide pool of potential partners from the comfort of their own homes or while on the go. This convenience is a significant selling point, particularly for busy individuals.
2. Wider reach
Dating apps can potentially reach a global audience. This expanded reach allows you to connect people from various locations, increasing the chances of finding compatible matches.
3. User engagement
Apps can provide a more engaging and interactive experience compared to websites. Features like swiping, instant messaging, and notifications keep users more engaged.
4. Monetization opportunities
Having built a dating app for your business can offer various ways to generate revenue. You can charge for premium features, run advertisements, or offer subscription models, which can lead to a steady income stream.
5. Personalization
Apps can use algorithms and user data to personalize the user experience. This leads to more accurate match suggestions, increasing user satisfaction.
6. Better user experience
Dating apps are designed with mobile devices in mind, leading to a better user experience on smartphones and tablets. Users can easily access your service without the need for a web browser.
7. Data analytics
Apps provide valuable data on user behavior, which you can use to improve your service. Analyzing this data can help you understand what works and what doesn’t, leading to better decisions for your business.
8. Competitive advantage
In a crowded dating market, having a well-designed and feature-rich app can give you a competitive edge. Users often prefer apps over websites, which can help attract and retain users.
9. Brand recognition
A well-designed app can contribute to brand recognition and loyalty. Users are more likely to remember and trust a dating service with a professional, easy-to-use app.
10. Feedback and updates
Apps make it easier to gather user feedback and release updates. This allows you to adapt to changing user needs and stay relevant in the dating industry.
What are the key features of a dating app?
Similar to other apps, it is the features that make a dating app successful. Before you start your dating app development, ensure that you have decided on the features you want in it.
Your dating app features should be user-friendly, creative, and useful for people. Additionally, it would be best if you considered including unique features that will be your USP to give you an edge over others.
For your convenience here are some must-have features that you should take care of while developing your dating app.
1. Sign in via social networks
A complex and time-consuming sign-up or sign-in process is a pain for users.
The majority of the users will leave your app halfway if the signup process takes too long.
That is why, you should keep your sign-up process as simple as possible. One of the ways to do it is to offer a single-step sign-in with social accounts or email/phone numbers.
In this way, users don’t have to manually enter every detail which also saves time.
2. Geolocation
The geolocation feature is the secret sauce for Tinder’s success. The app matches people not only based on their interests but also on location. This enables people in the same vicinity to connect with each other.
So, the distance factor no longer remains a barrier to your dating life. If you get matched with someone nearby, you can meet and socialize as well.
Ask your app development team to include Geolocation API and core location code in your dating app. We also recommend you have GPS in your app for faster and more accurate location tracking.
3. Smart matching
In the age of AI, you can leverage its benefits in your dating app.
Bumble has an AI-based algorithm that enables smart matches based on your age, preferences, location, gender and interests.
The profiles the algorithm suggests are highly relevant to your liking. What’s impressive is that over time the AI algorithm learns more about your preferences and behaviour based on your swipes and other app activities. The algorithm then uses this data to suggest profiles that you will surely like.
All these add to excellent user experience and app efficiency compelling users to keep coming back to your app.
4. Chat feature
Chat feature plays a vital role in dating apps. How will you know someone unless you talk with them? Also, not everyone feels safe sharing their contact number.
So, a chat feature offers the safest alternative for people to communicate and date.
You can also consider adding a video call feature in the app. This will elevate the user dating experience.
5. Push notifications
You receive a push notification every time you are matched with someone. Plus, you also receive notifications when someone messages you or in case of profile changes.
These notifications keep you updated with the app activity even when you are not active.
6. Security features
No matter how enticing online dating sounds, you need to keep your app and user security tight. These security features ensure that the dating app doesn’t become a source of harassment for users.
Some of the security features that you should consider are:
- Photo verification
- Profile report and block
- Panic button
- Criminal background check
These app features keep users out of trouble and offer a safe dating experience.
7. Swipe and matchmaking
One of the unique features of Tinder and Bumble is the swipes. You can swipe left or right on your prospective profiles. If both parties swipe right, you are a match.
Tinder offers a limited swiping per month in the free version. While paid subscribers enjoy unlimited swiping.
On the other hand, Bumble offers unlimited swiping to all its users.
As a differentiator factor, you can replace the swiping with more creative features like adding favorites.
Are you brainstorming ideas to build a dating app? Have you decided on the USP and features? Wondering how you can start developing a Tinder-like dating app?
If you are one of these, then consider hiring a mobile app development company like us. Our team excels in building robust apps with additive features that will keep your users hooked.
How to build a dating app like Tinder or Bumble?
Here is a step-by-step process to build a dating app like Tinder or Bumble in 2023.
1. Market research
Before you start your dating app projects, you must understand the market.
Unless you understand what’s trending, your target audience, and what they prefer, you cannot plan a product.
So, market research is the first step of the project. When doing market research consider:
- Analysing what’s hot in the market
- Who are your competitors?
- Who are your target audience?
- What are their pain points?
- Which features are a hit in the market?
- What more your target audience is looking for in the app?
These points will help you find the market gap left by your competitors. This market gap will help you come up with your own USP.
Building a similar app to your competitors won’t give you the edge. It’s the differentiating factor that makes you successful.
For example, Bumble introduced Bumble BFF and Bumble Bizz. These features are the USP for this app which is different from Tinder. Bumble BFF is for finding friends and the latter is for networking.
2. Find your niche
The next step is to decide the niche for your dating app. While Tinder and Bumble target a larger audience, you can always niche down on a specific group.
You can go for something like a vegan people dating app, travelers dating app, or take any other preferences.
For example, there is a dating app for gluten-free people, Gluten Free Singles. The website has people who are vegetarians, and vegans and prefer gluten-free diets.
3. Decide about the features
Once you decide on the niche, you can start selecting the best features for your app. For this, you can refer to your research analysis to decide which features suit your target audience best.
Please note that the features should be user-friendly, viable, and creative.
4. Select your business model
The business model defines the basic functioning and workflow of your app. Additionally, it also finds a way for revenue generation.
Tinder and Bumble-like apps have similar business models. Most of the dating apps offer free and premium services. There may be some minor differences in what they offer in the free and paid version. But usually, the revenue and business model is similar.
- In the free model, the app offers basic services like a limited number of likes, swiping, and profile visibility.
- In the premium model, the dating apps offer unlimited swiping, profile viewing, and chat.
- You can also offer users to increase their profile visibility in the premium model.
- Some apps allow users to view unlimited profile photos in the paid version.
You can choose to have an app with:
- Combination of free and paid models
- Only paid membership
- Subscription-based model
- A free model with in-app purchases to unlock specific features
This decision depends on you and how you want to generate revenue from your dating app.
5. Choose the right tech stack
The stack is the core of your dating app. It is the soul and powerhouse of your app. So, while you build a dating app, it’s important that you choose your tech stack carefully.
The best way to handle this is to ask for suggestions from your development team. They have the expertise in this area and will help you choose the best technologies to develop a dating app that is robust, high-performing, and secure.
6. Outsource the best app development company
It’s always better to leave the task to the experts. While you can have an in-house development team that will be highly expensive.
On the contrary, you can outsource your app development to a company like Netweb Tech.
Our company has the experience, expertise, and resources to turn your dating app vision into reality.
Please note that you should choose your app development company wisely. You don’t only need a company that is technically sound but can understand your vision and offer tailored solutions.
Here are some factors that you should consider while hiring a tech company.
- Company’s portfolio
- The team’s technical experience and knowledge
- Team’s expertise in the latest technologies
- Company’s experience in your industry
- Their app development process
- Pricing
- Contract and NDA
These factors will help you find the right company that will expedite your dating app project.
7. Develop and launch MVP
After you have hired an app development partner, they will start with the initial research, ideation, and inception stage. In this step, you will sit down with the development team to discuss your requirements, ideas, app features, business model, and more in detail.
As per your requirements, the team will start the development process. It includes creating prototypes, frontend & backend development, app testing and finally launching the MVP
Note: Please discuss with your development team about the post-launch maintenance services and their cost.
App development company like ours offers regular maintenance and timely upgrades to ensure the smooth functioning of your app.
How much does it cost to build a dating app?
There is no definitive answer to this question. Prepare yourself for a substantial investment as we delve into the specifics.
Developing a dating app like Hinge or Tinder requires a sophisticated architecture and demands a considerable amount of time and effort.
The cost of dating app development can vary significantly, depending on factors such as
- Complexity
- feature set
- location of your development team.
- App platform
- Third-party integrations
In Eastern Europe, where average hourly rates are in play, it could cost you approximately $50,000 to $55,000. Collaborating with Indian or Asian developers can reduce this cost by around 30% which means the starting amount will be near to $30,000.
If you plan to create separate apps for both iOS and Android platforms, your budget may exceed $100,000.
Top 5 most famous dating apps in India
1. Bumble
Bumble stands out as a prominent online dating app in the contemporary landscape, offering users a streamlined approach to finding compatible matches.
One of its standout features is its commitment to empowering women by allowing them to initiate the first contact. This unique approach not only fosters empowerment but also enhances the overall comfort level of female users.
Additionally, Bumble supports same-sex relationships, enabling users to connect with others of the same gender.
Bumble’s success can be attributed to its intuitive user interface and distinctive features, making it particularly appealing to the younger demographic.
2. Tinder
Launched in 2012, Tinder’s simple and user-friendly interface allows users to browse through a plethora of profiles with a quick swipe, making it incredibly accessible and addictive.
With its location-based matching system and integration of profile pictures and brief bios, it has effectively eliminated the barriers of traditional online dating.
Whether you’re looking for a casual fling or a more serious commitment, Tinder offers a diverse platform for people of all backgrounds and preferences to explore, connect, and potentially find love in a modern world where technology plays a significant role in our social lives.
3. Hinge
Hinge currently stands as the fastest-growing dating application across the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. Since its inception in 2012, the app has placed a firm emphasis on fostering meaningful connections rather than casual encounters or platonic friendships. It boasts an intuitive and elegant UI/UX design.
4. OkCupid
OkCupid, another dating app under the Match Group’s umbrella, has cultivated a burgeoning user base. The app utilizes an algorithm that evaluates responses to over 3,000 questions to match individuals with the highest compatibility.
5. Aisle
Aisle is a unique dating app designed for singles seeking meaningful connections. Unlike conventional swipe-based apps, Aisle focuses on quality over quantity. It curates a select pool of users and promotes thoughtful conversations, making it an ideal platform for those looking for genuine relationships.
With its emphasis on profile authenticity and a more personalized experience, Aisle stands out as a refreshing alternative in online dating, where depth and compatibility take precedence over casual encounters.
Wrapping up
Dating apps mingle in our hectic lives by matching us perfectly with people of the same interests saving our time and efforts on useless prospects.
The online dating industry is on the growth ride right now. There cannot be more preferable time than now to build a dating app with your unique perspective and launch it in the market.
If you are planning to tap into this lucrative business opportunity, get in touch with our experts.
We will be your partner in building the next sensation online dating app.
