Video streaming apps like Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, and Disney+ have grown exponentially in the past few years. They have replaced old-school television for good among Gen Z and the millennial population. Accessibility and a wider range of content are the primary reasons for this change.
WDI will explain to you the step-by-step process of video-streaming app development. So, let’s jump right into it.
Key Features of Video Streaming Apps
To develop a successful video streaming app, you need to implement the right features to make it stand out. Here’s what you’ll need to implement:
User-Friendly Interface
You’ll need a UI that’s both attractive and easy to navigate. Secondly, you’ll have to tailor content recommendations according to user preferences to keep them captivated.
Content Library
The content your app has is going to be the primary reason for people to download it, and we are sure you already have an amazing one.
Search and Recommendation Algorithms
Having good content is half the equation. You need a personalized search and recommendations to help people access it.
Offline Viewing
Allowing users to access your app without a network connection ensures that they are connected with your brand all the time.
Cross-Platform Compatibility
As people use multiple devices for multimedia consumption, ensure that the app is compatible with a variety of devices. This includes phones, tablets, and smart TVs.
High-Quality Streaming
Invest in robust streaming technology to deliver high-quality video content without buffering issues.
Challenges in Developing a Video Streaming App
While the rewards of creating an Amazon Prime-like app are immense, it’s not void of challenges. Here are some of the challenges you might face:
Licensing and Content Acquisition:
Acquiring licenses for popular content can be a complex and expensive process. You must plan strategically to negotiate with content providers and distributors.
Streaming Technology
You’ll need a large server size to provide a seamless streaming experience, especially during peak hours.
Competition
Along with the ton of opportunities, there are a lot of competitors in this niche. You’ll need to put a heavy emphasis on marketing to stand out in the saturated market.
What Makes Amazon Prime Special?
Amazon Prime is a great example for businesses to understand the strategies to stand out in the market. Let’s understand the several key factors contributing to its success:
Diverse Content Library
Amazon Prime Video offers a vast and diverse content library, including exclusive Amazon Originals. This allows them to cater to a wider range of audiences.
Bundle Services
A superb marketing tactic used by Amazon is bundling its video streaming service with other services like free shipping and access to eBooks.
Global Reach
Amazon Prime Video is available globally, contributing a lot to its wider reach.
Cross-platform Compatibility
The app is available on a variety of devices, ensuring that no user is left out.
Innovative Features
Amazon Prime Video continually introduces innovative features, such as X-Ray, which provides additional information about the content being watched. It also has support for HDR and Dolby-Vision, enhancing the content quality.
How to Get Started With Amazon Prime Video-Like App Development
Before you approach a mobile app development company, you need to get certain things cleared out from your end. Here’s how you can get started:
Decide Your Niche
A video streaming app category has multiple niches within itself. They all depend on the content you provide. Just saying it’s an entertainment app is not enough. Even the type of films or web series you provide can differentiate its niche.
For example, even though Amazon Prime Video and MUBI both stream movies, they’re quite different from each other. Amazon Prime Video is catered to a general audience, while MUBI is for cinephiles and Art House film lovers.
Narrowing down your niche will help you refine your app for the target audience.
Get Required Licenses
If you’re producing content in-house, it’s well and good. However, things get complicated when you’re providing third-party content. Reach out to media houses and ensure that you’ve got the licenses in place before starting with the development process.
Create a Monetization Strategy
There are many monetization methods you can go with for your video streaming app. All of them come with their advantages and disadvantages, which you must weigh to make a decision. Here are some of them:
Subscription
This is the primary way most streaming platforms, like Amazon Prime Video, generate revenue. They offer multiple levels of subscription that users can choose from based on their preferences.
Advertisements
Advertisements are a great monetization pathway as they allow revenue generation from users who don’t pay. Some streaming platforms offer a free subscription that runs ads.
Pay Per View
Some users may just want to watch one or two videos from your app. Providing a pay-per-view model allows them to pay for only those videos they wish to watch.
Get Hosting
A large-scale hosting server is required for a video streaming app, considering the number of videos it has and the traffic it’ll handle. Whether you’re building your own server or seeking out a third-party service, ensure that everything is in place.
Payment Gateway
There are multiple payment gateways available, such as Stripe and Paypal. Research and decide the best one for you beforehand so that there’s no delay in the development phase.
Approach a Mobile App Development Company
Once you have the above-mentioned points in place, it’s time to approach a mobile app development company like WDI. We have the necessary technologies and resources for video streaming app development. With multiple video streaming apps under our belt, we know what it takes to stand out in this competitive landscape.
For example, one of our apps, SattvaConnect, allows people to watch yoga tutorials and attend live yoga classes. GSF, another fitness app we developed, offers similar features.
Contact us today to learn how we can develop a standout video streaming app for you.
