LinkedIn is a social media platform unlike any other. Since there are not too many apps like LinkedIn, this might be a good time to build an app like LinkedIn.
The first thing that comes to most people’s minds on hearing social media is either Facebook or Twitter. LinkedIn is quite different from platforms such as those as it is more targeted towards businesses and professionals.
This app created by Reed Hoffman has over 600 million registered users, all of whom are using it to find jobs, opportunities, or even communicate for business purposes.
How to develop a similar app
Building an app requires some software expertise. The same is also applicable if you wish to build an app like LinkedIn.
You can take help from an custom mobile app development company that can do the job for you. Here are some tips regarding the development of your app.
#1. The idea behind it
In your mind, you might be thinking that coding is the most important aspect to open a LinkedIn app. However, that is not at all true and it is not the reason that the app was successful.
Every successful thing starts with an idea. Everything else is built over and around the idea.
You also have to have an idea based on which you will make the app. The idea has to be unique and innovative in order to set it out from the competition.
This idea will be reflected in the design and functionality of the app. With the idea in your mind, jot down the plan of action to work systematically.
#2. Functionality
The main function of the app is what people will be asking for when they use the app.
You are going to build a social networking app at the very foundation. This means you have to provide a platform where people can communicate and interact with each other.
Users should face no compromises, difficulties, or obstacles when they are doing this basic function. For example, if they know how to post on a LinkedIn app then they should have no problems when they do the same on your app.
#3. Competitive Features and Capabilities
In order to stand against an already established app, you must offer something more to the users.
The normal mindset of people is that if there is already a good app and they are registered to it; they will not bother switching to a different app.
For that, you have to offer everything that LinkedIn app developers have offered in the app they have already made.
Detailed account creation can help users shortlist offers based on their skills and requirements. An inbuilt search engine is a must-have these days.
There should be news and activity feeds to keep users alert about what is happening around them. Groups and private messaging are also expected.
There should be an admin control panel regulating the various activities of the app.
However, it does not end there. You can innovate and add even more features that add functionality to the app.
#4. App Designing and User Interface
Presentation matters a lot these days. You can have a highly functional app but people may not use it still. Why so? It is because they do not like the looks or design of the app.
Their first impression will withhold them from switching over to your app. Thus, you have to design it in such a way that it looks attractive.
Another aspect is the user interface. Users should be able to navigate through your app without any difficulty.
They must find all the tools and pages with minimum clicks.
#5. Build an app in different phases
The LinkedIn app doppelganger needs to be built in phases in order to effectively divide the workload. Development must be done in the backend first and then on the front end.
The basic foundation of the app will be developed in the backend. This includes storage and retrieval of data, API creation, and setting app rules.
The front end of the app is what users will get to see. This is including app designs, features, and functionality.
#6. Optimization
Optimization is basically doing the same thing in an effective manner in order to minimize time and resources.
The apps that you make will be running on various devices, and many of them are low-budget phones.
The app will also need to use internet data in order to perform its functions. An un-optimized app will lag and crash on low and midrange devices.
It might take a lot of time to open a LinkedIn app clone resulting in high data consumption. These things will limit users from actively using your app.
You should make sure the app consumes an optimal amount of device storage. It should work smoothly irrespective of the device it is running on.
#7. Wide compatibility
Presently most devices run on two major platforms. iOS and Android. You need to make apps for all devices that run on either of these platforms.
To develop an app like the LinkedIn app for android, you can take help from the android app development services.
On the other hand, you need to hire an ios app development company to develop the same app on iOS. Though the objective is the same, the path taken is quite different.
Thus, you need different teams working with different resources to get this part of the job done.
#8. Analyzing How much does LinkedIn cost?
The answer to this is not as simple as it seems. Producing an app of such caliber requires the expenditure of both time and money.
In terms of time, in order to build an app like LinkedIn, it takes around 1500 hours. Most of the time is spent on basic or backend development.
It is then followed by testing the app by simulating it to work in real-life situations in order to encounter errors and bugs. A whole team with hours of time is necessary for the testing part.
The cost varies from place to place and developer to developer. The more reputed the developer, the higher their rates. With so many teams involved, expect an expenditure of around $100,000 for the app.
#9. Bug fixes and improvements
Even after hours and hours of testing, many errors and bugs creep into the final build.
These are mostly hard to find and thus, can only be reported when millions of users across the world start using them in different ways and different scenarios.
Users usually report the bugs promptly when they find them as it hampers their usage.
As for your part, you need to have developers contracted in such a manner that they take care of these things when reported
They should roll out updates regularly to take care of these issues and improve the experience. The updates should also introduce new features and update designs so that people always get something new from the app.
#10. Feedback and support
Users can find various issues while using your app. At times they might feel some things are missing, some information may be incorrect or they can simply dislike something about the app.
When you build an app like LinkedIn, you should add a space where people can provide their feedback.
A team should be there to analyze it and will further communicate it with the coders who are responsible for making changes. This way users will feel they are being heard and they will more likely use your app.
#11. Platform security
Cybersecurity is very much needed these days. Hackers and cybercriminals take advantage of all the loopholes they can find to compromise and steal user data.
This can be risky as the personal information and passwords of the users of your app will be visible to them.
In order to prevent this, you must invest in proper cybersecurity. It should be able to withstand data breaches. That way users will feel safe using their confidential data in the app.
#12. Premium subscriptions and advertisements
Revenue is definitely an important aspect of building an app. With all that investment you would want something in return.
Two ways to monetize it are providing paid subscriptions with premium features, and showing in-app advertisements.
In order to beat your competition, you must keep your paid subscription plans priced aggressively. People always compare prices and will definitely choose the one they feel will give the best value for their money.
You can also keep advertisements in the app. Just make sure it does not get too intrusive making it uneasy for users with free plans.
Conclusion
Opportunity rarely comes knocking at the door. Presently LinkedIn app has very few competitors, giving ample space for a new app to come in its place.
If you want to get in that space then you can build an app like LinkedIn, providing users an alternative to the apps. Make it in such a way that it attracts users and you too will have many users registered on your app.
Take help from the right app developers who can understand this project and get it done for you.
Follow the tips and points mentioned in this article as they will guide you to success.
