Finding love has been an eternal quest for us human beings. With so many books, movies, and stories all revolving around finding The One, it’s not a wonder that even today we are in one way or another fixated on finding our one true love.

But we are living in 2019. It seems everything can be solved if you know how to make an app! Ain’t it?

Fortunately for the hopeless romantics, today we have a better chance of finding love, thanks to applications like Tinder. By assessing how to create a dating app, startups are making it easy and simple to find the right match anytime anywhere. To make it easy for your business idea as well, this article focuses on how to make a dating app.

So, How to Create a Dating App?

Let’s talk about the steps now… 

1. Competition Study – Analyze your Rivals

The market is flooded with dating apps and you want your application to be the best of them. Which is why it’s important for you to study your competition well.

With a thorough study of your competition, you’d be able to understand what is the reason for their success or failure. You can use that understanding in your own venture and build an app like Tinder successfully.

Take a close look at their features, and figure out what they are doing differently. They are all more or less the same, with minor differences. And these minor differences are what sets them apart. With this study of their unique features, you’ll make sure that you don’t end up accidentally repeating any on your platform. So how to make an online dating app? First, validate your idea.

2. Validate Your Idea to Create a Dating App – Is It Worth It?

Even when 60% male and 70% female population of the US admit that they have never tried online dating, the rising popularity tells a different tale. In the US alone, the revenue churned out by these apps is near about $1667 million.

Source: Statista

So what is the reason for this amount of popularity? What makes these apps so lovable to the users? Does the market still have takers? There are some solid reasons for that!

a. Desire To Connect Meets Desire To Simplify

As human beings, we are supposed to want to meet and connect with other human beings. 

And that’s how we got dating apps.

b. Internet Popularity

Previously there may have been a stigma about looking for people to date online. People thought only losers signed up on such platforms.

From paying bills to ordering groceries, everything is online now. So it is obvious that even dating is going to become online. 

c. Tailor-Made For Your Preferences

It is not easy to find a ‘tall blonde partner with brown eyes who is an astronomy enthusiast’ and also speaks five languages.

Apps and websites like Jdate, Christian Mingle have made it easy for people to find matches based on their religion. 

d. Less Intimacy, Easy To Find

People don’t have time to sit down and write long romantic love letters, or sit down and chat to find out more about one another. Even if they do, and it doesn’t work out, it’ll be a waste of time and energy. 

3. Know the Matching Algorithm to Make a Dating App

Most of the dating app builder believe that at the end of the day it’s the algorithm voodoo that brings people together. But that’s not the case all the time.

According to the study, 64% of people said that they look for people based on common interest, and 49% of people said they look for people who they find attractive. So at the end of the day, there is not much math involved in here.

Dating app developers today are experimenting with Artificial Intelligence and dating apps. With the application of AI in such apps, things are bound to change in the online matchmaking market scenario in the next twenty years.

So when you are thinking about how to develop a dating app like Tinder consider how you are going to match people with each other. You need to create your application to caters to the user’s preferences. This can easily be done with the help of a simple questionnaire at the beginning of the signup process. 

a. ‘Locating’ The Perfect Person

It’s all in the location. It is always easier for your user to be matched and go on dates with someone close to them. So you can apply a GPS based location system if you want to build a dating app to find potential matches for the user.

This way they can easily find a list of all the people who can be the potential match, and all of these people on the list will be from the same city.

You can add a special monetization feature with this, where the users will pay to expand their search and match radius. This is not only going to increase their chances of romance but generates revenue for you as well.

b. Understand the Math Of Love to Create a Dating App

You can implement a math-based system to match the users with each other. It is based on the questionnaire, which the users need to fill up when they sign up for the service. Once they have filled out the forms, it’s time for math to do its magic. To know how to make a mobile dating app, understand the math of love.

This technique is used to assess the compatibility level of two users based on the answers they have given to the questions. When the compatibility level is higher than a certain number, they are matched with each other.

c. Match According To Behaviour

The sad thing about any kind of online platform is that people tend to lie about many things. Which is why you should go with the behavior-based matching technique. This is basically a Big-Data based approach to match the users on a dating app.

It is a bit more complicated than location-based or simple question-answer based solution, but it is more accurate. With this, you are going to analyze the data of the users collected from different sources such as social media accounts, groups they are part of, their profile, etc.

With this approach, there will be less catfishing on your platform.

d. Bonus: Advanced Techniques For Making A Match

Along with our watches and phones, dating apps too are getting smarter.

With advanced techniques like Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, VR and AR are revolutionizing the online match finding scene. This way you can provide more accurate matches for the users. The popular machine learning technology used in Netflix is being used in dating applications today.

There are plenty of matching techniques you can add to your app. Whichever you choose to go with, make sure that the matches made between the users are good. Otherwise, people will use your platform less and less.

4. Keep the Security Top-notch While Making Your Dating App

For all its good uses, online dating also comes with its downsides. Without proper security, such online platforms can easily become the playground for creeps and frauds. So if you want to know how to make a dating app for Android or iOS, you need to make sure that your app is safe for people to use.

You need to follow a thorough app security checklist to ensure the security of your users.  Use a profile verification method to verify the profile of those who are joining the platform. With the help of social media and phone number verification, you can make sure that the people who are joining your app are legit and are not pretending to be someone else. It will also help in improving the user experience of your app as they can trust it easily.

Source: nymag

Dating app Bumble has gone another step ahead and added photo verification to their app. With this, the user needs to upload a selfie in a specific pose, like flashing a peace sign on the app to get verified. And that is how Bumble has stopped catfishing on their app.

5. Important Features To Implement in Your Dating App

To make a dating platform like Tinder, you need to incorporate some features in your application. So what are these basic yet important features?

a. A Thorough Verification System

This one is without a question the most important one. Without a thorough verification system, your platform is going to become a wonderland for creeps and frauds. So adding a good and secure verification system is important to secure the experience of your users.

Source: TechCrunch

Add a social media verification system to make sure the person is who they are saying they are. You can also add a phone number verification system and a photo verification system. In brief, you have to implement a strong and secure verification system for the safety of your users. This will answer your question about how to make a great dating app profile that is secured.

b. Matching With Your Objective

The users should have an option to express their objective o their profile. An online dating app user can have many reasons for using the service. It can be for a long term relationship or a quick and casual affair. Whatever it is, they should have an option to state that on their profile.

Along with that, they should also get matches with similar objectives. It’s no use for someone who is looking for a serious relationship to be matched with those who are looking for a casual hook up.

c. In-app Messaging

There is no point in having a dating app and not having a messaging feature. With this feature, users can connect with each other and talk to each other, planning dates and meetings. This will help them not only in getting closer but also in understanding whether this match is worth investing their time on or not.

d. Giving You The Perfect First Date Idea

This is a fun feature for you to add to your app. Most of the time people are stumbling with the perfect first date idea. They don’t know whether they should go for a formal dinner or a casual coffee.

Profile creating by Unified Infotech

With this feature, you can make sure that they have the perfect first date. By giving them quirky and fun first date ideas that they would remember forever, you will make sure your dating application becomes the apple of their eye.

e. Undoing The Mistaken Swipe Or Like

Many times we have mistakenly swiped right when really, we wanted to swipe left.

Give people a chance to undo their mistake when you are planning on how to create your own dating platform. They might have accidentally tapped on like for someone’s profile when they didn’t want to. Give them a small window of opportunity to undo their choices. This will increase their chances of ending up with someone they actually like.

f. See The Preference – Do They Like The Same Thing As You?

For a lot of people, not liking the same movie or tv series is a deal-breaker.

So it makes sense if they can see the basic preferences for their matches on your application. Let them dedicate a small portion of their profile to their favorite music, shows, and tv series. This is going to help them create that perfect ice-breaking conversation.

g. Push Notification

Got new matches? Show it on your push notification feature! Though it might annoy sometimes, if done right, it can actually increase the app usage and engagement. The trick is to keep the notifications relevant and less frequent. Try out this feature as you go deeper into the development.

6. Ready To Build An Amazing Dating Experience? Wait. What Is The Tech Stack?

Making a dating application comes with its own responsibilities, like knowing the technology stack. The development of dating app by Unified’s specialists includes the following tools and technologies, but of course, it would vary depending on your requirements.

• Programming tools: Kotlin, Swift, and Java
• Database: MongoDB, SQL, Redis
• Framework: Express.Js, React, Node.Js
• Web Server: Nginx, AWS
• Payment Gateway integration: Stripe, CCAvenue, PayPal

In addition, Google Analytics, Twilio and Google Maps will be needed. Again it can depend on your feature list, functionality, and type of dating app you want to build. Talk to our expert mobile app developers to get a detailed estimation.

7. Cost Of Creating A Dating App

The cost of developing an application depends on the features used in it. Just like that, the cost of dating platform also depends on various aspects of the app.

If you want to know how to make a dating app for the iPhone and the cost, you can shoot us an email with your requirements and we will tell you.

For a detailed cost estimation for creating your dating app, you can look here.

What’s Next? Ways to Earn Money From Your App!

There is no rule saying you can’t make money while helping people find love. But how much money do dating applications make? And what will you do with your mobile dating app?

With the right app monetization strategy, you can make millions with your application. Tinder made roughly $400 million in revenue in the year 2017.

These monetization ideas include-

1. In-app Purchases

Basic and simple, this is a straightforward way of making money with your app. Offer people with the chance of making in-app purchases, like keys and coins to get access to premium features or to look at more choices.

2. In-app Ads

In-app ads are the most well-known monetization strategy for your idea. With relevant ads, you can generate revenue.

3. Premium Access

By offering people subscription-based access to the premium features, you can easily monetize your application. Make sure to offer multiple tiers of subscription plans for all kinds of users.

4. Unique Monetization

Besides the above-mentioned monetization techniques, you can also make a partnership with local cafes and restaurants, gift shops to generate revenue. These establishments can not only advertise themselves on your platform, but your application can also promote them as dating sites, and great gift buying shops.

Lastly, Who are Your Competitors? A Look At Popular Dating Apps

The most popular question when it comes to creating a dating platform is- “how to create a dating app like tinder?” to know the answer, you have to know well about Tinder first.

The app stores are swelling with applications that promise to help you find your match. Each of them is promising different things, from finding your eternal match to a quick hook up. 

Dating App	Details	USPs & Functionality
1.Tinder	57 million users globally, Available in 190 countries in 40 languages, available for both Android and iOS users, matches made 20 billion.	Easy and fun UI, gamified match process, instant messaging with matches, amazing premium subscription plans.
2. Bumble	50 million users globally, available in 160 countries, in both Android and iOS.	The first move is made by women. Matches expire after 24 hours if not responded, not only dating but Bumble BFF and Bumble Biz let users make friends and increase professional network as well.
3. Coffee meets Bagel	Available on both Android and iOS for over 6 million users.	Another women-centric application, they can like or pass on a match based on a detailed profile review.
4. Hily- Hey I like You	Installed by over 1,000,000 users.	Uses AI and machine learning to create perfect matches. Mainly targeted at 18+ crowd.
5. Grindr	Available for 27 million users over 234 countries. App is available for both Android and iOS.	Dating app for the LGBTQ+ community. Instant matches and swipe facility, private chats and photo-sharing features, the ability to block users.
6. Her	With around 4.5 million users, HER is available on both Android and iOS platforms.	Easy sign in and sign up process, an app exclusively created for lesbian women. Includes news feed with relevant articles for women.
7. Match.com	Around 22 million users, available on Android, iOS, and website as well.	Matches based on personality qualities & can display other match.com users nearby

The Bottomline for How to Create A Dating App

Finding love is not easy. But with dating apps, we are getting closer to a future when finding the one won’t be so hard. So if you are planning on making your dating app but still have not given a thought to what kind of app you are going to make, then talk to a trusted dating app development company. 

And if you have already thought and planned about how to create a dating app, then what are you waiting for? Tell us your idea and we can help you create a dating masterpiece!

Who knows, maybe some lonely soul out there is waiting to meet their perfect match on your app!