The digital transformation getting more impulse, especially in online movie streaming websites like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime TV. we have seen the raising of giants in a very less span. So what made Netflix more successful on the market and what are the minimum viable features you need to consider while building video streaming website like this.
MVP for an app like Netflix
A video streaming app like Netflix requires a heavy backend to process streaming data transfer and the cost of building will differ as per the number of features it has. The more the features, the bigger it will cost. At the phase of launching it’s good to focus on the key features in the first version of the app as this straightly decreases the cost. Succeeding on, as the app gets the reputation, more features can be added accordingly.
1. Customer Registration:
This is the first and most important feature without which it is impossible making an app. Many of them left their details with other sites like Google, Facebook so it’s good to have a social registration along with Email that makes the registration process quick and faster.
2. Design:
The design of the basic version of the app must be simple and attractive, retainable. So keeping the design simple is the key, nobody likes to use apps which are hard or confusing. In fact, they do not like to try these apps for the sake in the future as well. So, the app design must be very simple as the users can receive the required information in second’s.
3. Platform:
When it comes to app development for Android or iOS, even though there is no substantial difference, but still prefer to choose just one OS in the beginning for the minimum viable product. You should do research about the Android or IOS users in the market you’re targeting. In case you’re well funded and have sufficient resources and wish to have as many users to board installing your app, then you should go with both the versions of the mobile OS. More platforms assure more users, obviously.
4. Payment gateway:
The app must enable multiple payment methods to make the payment for user membership or subscription. There are various popular third-party payment methods available with excellent customer support. Even, both Android and iOS have their own mobile payment systems which allow users to make payments with just a simple click. And also the app should have the membership cancellation option. It’s good to have credit card payments if the app has recurring memberships. However, there are various payment gateways that app must have like Braintree, PayPal, Amazon Pay, and Stripe.
5. User Profile:
The quite interesting section that allows users to add their “much-liked” movies or they can add to the Watch later list. It will allow multiple users to save or add the movies, shows to the “Add to watch later” list.
6. Block screenshots:
Copyright protection should be integrated as this way users won’t be able to take images from any content.
7. Push-notifications:
Users receive a notification, every time a new series, Movie, Episode is released.
8. Multiple language support:
Supporting customers in multiple languages is a great feature that allows users to watch other language movies, shows, and etc. Multiple language support is a big task for the app in the initial stage, you plan for at least 2nd or 3rd update, so it will the search statistics to know which language is more demanding and according to that you can plan.
9. Content search:
The user reviews and ratings become a key consideration for any purchase online. So while it comes to the video streaming the user’s search for the IMDB ratings to view or watch the movie or web show. So other user reviews will help the users what are they looking for.
10. Settings:
The app will have settings to select subtitles in available languages, audio tracks, play/pause, control volume, rewind, etc.
Additional Features
So you can find the above-mentioned MVP features in any video streaming app in the market. But somehow you need to show your app uniqueness. So while developing the new app, you should include additional features into the app that makes your app more interesting and unique.
1. Social sign-in:
As mentioned above the social login will reduce the login time and easily allows the users to access their accounts. And also it facilitates the options to share news & reviews via social media.
2. Video Streaming:
Along with Movies, Videos, the app should have a live video streaming of sports events, shows, and TV programs.
3. Ratings & Reviews:
Users should be enabled to rate movies and television programs, thus they can form their own rating as per other portal user’s opinions.
4. Offline Download feature:
Allow users to download content on the Smartphone’s or tablets that allows them to watch the videos without an internet connection.
5. Video quality:
The app must have a setting to choose the resolution of the app according to the speed of the internet.
6. Geo-blocking:
Some regions across the world have strict rules for the internet, So you need to be careful about the services in those regions. some of your app’s content can be restricted to those regions. Hence, you must keep this in mind if you desire your app to be available to as many people.
7. Content recommendation algorithm:
The app should suggest the videos, movies, shows based on the user watch history. The app should suggest interesting content to them, you can integrate something on the same lines into other services.
8. Robust Analytics:
Drop the elaborate waits. Now, get alerts on viewers’ watching history, engagement timings, and contact views with a craftily designed dashboard that reflects user insights.
Points to keep in mind while developing a video streaming app
Before starting the development process, the development team needs to understand the complexity of the app in different aspects. The team needs to understand the simple fact that they can’t just quickly build or create this kind of complex app. So, here we will discuss a few additional things that are needed to be taken care of at the time of the development process:
- The team must execute thorough research to reveal the various factors, and interviewing potential users will provide a conclusion on what they are looking for in the app functions and features and what the existing apps lack.
- The team must get a list of unique functionalities. Once you have gathered a list of necessary functions, you can have an approximate estimate of how much it is going to cost to develop this kind of app.
- UX requirement should be formulated on the basis of results attained after the target audience study and with the help of a UX designer and project manager.
- Take care of Wireframing by building a clickable prototype and then test it on your target audience.
- Create user stories.
- Note the kind of app you will be working on, like its specific features & purposes.
