Who says no to good music? People may have different music preferences, but almost everyone likes listening to music. That is why music streaming app like Spotify has become tremendously popular among people.
How did Spotify become so popular in a relatively short time? Let’s discuss. In reality, Spotify is famous for more than one reason. But, how?
Firstly, it has a simple user interface that anyone can use instantly. Secondly, you can use Spotify on multiple devices, right from computers to mobile phones. Thirdly, it offers personalized music to users by incorporating AI and ML technology. Last but not least, Spotify is more than music. It has stories, podcasts, audiobooks, and diverse content that one could ever imagine.
Now you will agree to the fact that Spotify has enough reasons to be popular. So, are you looking to clone a music app like Spotify? Why not? With innovative ideas and the right strategies, one can clone a similar music app like Spotify and entertain diverse audiences.
Before diving deep into app development, let’s clear our basics. Read on to know more about the Spotify app, how does it work, its features, how to clone the Spotify app, and essential things to consider while developing a music app.
What is the Spotify App?
Spotify is a digital music streaming service that allows you access to millions of songs and other entertaining content from creators worldwide. Thus, one can listen to their favorite music online comfortably without downloading songs to their devices and overloading the memory.
With free Spotify, users can access functions like playing music for free. Also, it offers personalized services like recommending music based on your music history, builds collections of music and podcasts, and so on.
Users can upgrade to Spotify Premium to receive several advanced features like offline music, travel abroad with free music, listening to music without ad interruptions, and more.
Spotify is available across various devices, like computers, phones, tablets, speakers, TVs, cars, and more. Using Spotify Connect, users can sync their music library to the cloud and use any devices to access and control the music.
How does Spotify Work?
Spotify app is compatible with multiple modern devices and runs on several operating systems like Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. Thus, one can enjoy music from any device and anywhere. Plus, users can filter songs according to their favorite artists, albums, playlists, etc. Furthermore, Spotify allows users to create, edit and share their playlists.
So, how can users start using the Spotify app? Let’s dive in.
1. Web-version
- Users can visit the Spotify website and register via Facebook or email.
- Users can choose the service they need. Spotify has one free version, and two paid versions. Paid versions come with advanced features, unlike the free version.
- Users can download Spotify to their computers. Hence, they can access them anytime rather than visiting the Spotify website every time.
2. Spotify App
- Users can download the Spotify app from the application store( iTunes or Play Store).
- Users do not even need to download the app if they have a Wi-Fi connection.
Now, let’s move on to the features of Spotify. However, you can always add extra features and enhance existing features while developing your music app.
Features of Spotify Music App
● Search for music
Users can find music of their choice, like their favorite artists, using the search bar.
● Radio
Choose your preferred music genre. Spotify provides you with a suitable radio station, and you can listen to its songs conveniently by scrolling through tracks, stopping playback, and more. The radio feature of Spotify has received tremendous response from users, and you can have a similar feature in your music app too.
● Share Music through Facebook
Users can follow their favorite artists on Facebook. They can listen to songs from those artists with Spotify.
● Music Search
When users keep listening to specific artists or particular radio stations on Spotify, the app automatically suggests songs similar to their interests.
How to Clone a Music App like Spotify?
Now, let’s get into the details about cloning a music app like Spotify. Below are some essential features that come with music streaming services like Spotify:
1. Registration and Authentication
The first step of any app starts with the registration and authorization process. Make that step as straightforward as possible without any complicated steps or unnecessary clicks. Most apps today allow users to register via social media, and you can follow the same approach.
2. User Account
Upon registering, users can access their page containing essential details like their name, age, gender, location, interests, hobbies, and music preferences.
3. Personalization
Musical apps like Spotify or any other entertainment apps thrive on personalization. These apps use AI and ML algorithms to analyze user behavior and recommend music best suited to their interests.
You should infuse these features in your musical app and play the music the users enjoy most likely. Thus, you can entertain and retain the audiences on your app for long hours.
4. Diverse Music Collections
Spotify is known for its varied music selections and collections. Thus, it quickly gained numerous audiences and music lovers across the world. Your musical app should also include diverse music collections to attract varied audiences.
5. Search Options
Any mobile app cannot function well without a search system. Include search options, enabling users to find the specific music track like favorite artists, genre, etc. The search feature can serve as a handy way for users to filter and find relevant music of their choice.
6. Push Notifications
Push notifications allow you to inform your users about any new tracks that they might be interested in or price discounts on some albums or songs, etc. In short, with push notifications, you can market your music app and attract new audiences.
7. Instant Messaging
Offering instant messaging will make your music app even more attractive to users for sure. Hence, think about providing such communication options.
8. Social Media Integration
Integrating your musical app with social media is a surefire way to attract many audiences and beat your competitors. You can provide various popular social networks like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and more on your music app.
Spotify gained an overwhelming response in 2011 when it allowed audiences to share the app’s news on their Facebook pages. Thus, social media integration is a must-have feature in your music app. Plus, social media integration simplifies the registration process, which we have discussed in the blog earlier.
9. Some Attractive App Features
With many entertainment options over the internet, you have to walk that extra mile to attract and retain audiences for your music app. Hence, one should keep updating the functionality of your app by introducing many new options for users periodically.
Let’s see how Spotify came with new features and kept attracting the audience. It will act as quite an inspiration for your music app.
- Spotify came up with the "following" feature in 2013. It allowed the users to follow other Spotify users. Thus, they can know more about other user activities when they are in the Spotify app.
- Another feature that attracted many audiences is the "browse" feature. It enabled the audiences to find playlists created by other users or even celebrities. Thus, users can add the favorite songs of those celebrities to their music collections.
Essential Things to Consider
1.Come up with an innovative Idea
No one knows about your app idea better than you. So, do your research and learn about various music apps. Analyze those app’s features and make a list of features you want to integrate into your app. Plus, explore the strategies they use and figure out how they are successful from others.
Now, make a rough sketch of your app idea, its essential features, and strategies to execute your app idea into reality. Being clear with your goals will allow you to explain the app requirements precisely to the app development company.
2. Identify your Potential Audience
After finalizing your app idea, you should now identify your target audience for your music app. Learn everything about your potential audience, including age, location, gender, music preferences, and other relevant information. For instance, young audiences will like more peppy and energetic music like rap, jazz, and more.
On the other hand, older audiences may prefer some meaningful and pleasant music. Knowing about their income and social status is also crucial to fix the price range for your music app services.
3. Interactive and User-friendly UI/UX
Any mobile app, especially entertainment apps like Spotify, will need an interactive, appealing, and user-friendly UI/UX. Music apps will have a diverse set of audiences from varied age groups. The app must have an interactive and responsive UI that everyone can handle with ease. So, your app’s UI should be:
- Visually appealing
- User-friendly
- Intuitive
- Stylish and
- Modern
4. Copyright and Legality
Any creative work and innovation deserve appreciation, and no one should misuse them. Music artists do need recognition for their creative work. So, when you create a Spotify-like music app, always make sure the music content you use is legal. You should pay the predetermined share of revenues to the rights holders.
Copyright and legality vary from country to country, and you should read between the lines about the laws in your country. Even Spotify retains around 30% of its revenue and distributes the remaining 70% among the rightsholders. The distribution value varies according to the origin of the track, it is rating, and more.
5. Monetization
When you take the Spotify app, it makes money from two sources. One is the free version, and the other is the premium version. It attracts many audiences by offering a free version. The free version has limited functionalities.
Spotify generates revenue majorly through advertisements with the free version. The premium version has exclusive features that allow audiences to enjoy their favorite music from anywhere and anytime. Spotify makes money from charging extra from the users by offering appealing services. It also uses other monetization strategies like the users can enjoy the first month without payment and has some special offers for students.
You can use various pricing strategies depending on your target audience. Nevertheless, music apps allow app owners to generate revenue through multiple options.
6. Platforms
When you have a limited budget, you can start developing a music app for one specific platform. For instance, you can start with the iOS platform or Android platform. Once it starts generating revenue, you can create apps for other platforms as well.
Even Spotify started its journey with a web platform. Years later, it released its iOS and Android apps. Likewise, you can keep upgrading your services for multiple platforms.
Final Thoughts
After reading everything about Spotify, no wonder you want to get started with your music app development sooner. Of course, there is no limit to generating revenue with an entertainment app like Spotify.
However, with so much competition in the entertainment industry, gaining attention from people for your music streaming app demands fool-proof technologies, tools, strategies, and expertise. Hence, you need to go for a reputed app development company with extensive experience in music streaming app development services.
Cypherox Technologies is a leading mobile app development company that has rendered iconic music streaming apps for various clients. Our team has the potential and expertise to create the best music app incorporating innovative ideas and leveraging the latest technologies.
