As more businesses have adopted remote operation, video conferencing has become a crucial element in maintaining seamless business operation. Meetings with clients and employees has become really easy with the implementation of such video conferencing apps. While Whatsapp video calls are more informal in nature and allow only a few people to make a call together, robust conferencing applications like Zoom, Google Meet, Webex, Slack, Skype etc. are more reliable for team chat.

Quick fact: A survey by Techcrunch reveals that video conferencing apps have been downloaded over 62 million times in only one week as of March 2020. It points to the increasing demands of video chat applications in the industry.

If you are looking to leverage the potential of a video conferencing app, you are in the right place. Today, we will explore some handpicked strategies recommend and practised by professional app developers to craft a user-friendly video-conferencing application.

Steps to developing a video conferencing app

#1 Conduct market analysis

Before turning your ideas into reality, we recommend that you conduct a thorough market analysis. With a thorough understanding of your competitors’ analysis, you can improve the features of your video conferencing app. However, make sure not to copy what your competitors are doing. Your aim should be to offer better functionalities than they do.

While conducting market research, you must take your target audience’s interests into account. Analyse which features are the most beneficial for them. If you want to create an app for official purpose, it’s better not to clutter it with irrelevant features and functionalities.

#2 Expressive UX / UI design

Once you have a substantial idea of which features to include, focus on creating a user engaging UI/UX in your video conferencing app. Use a proper colour scheme and symbols to attract the millennials. Make sure to use a bright colour scheme as a dull one will not appeal to them. However, when we say bright, we don’t mean extremely blinding or dazzling colours as these might repulse many. Instead, keep it subtle and create a matte outlook.

Make sure to keep the interface intuitive enough for the users to easily engage with your app. Too much complicacy will lead them to uninstall your app and use your competitors’. An efficiently designed simple and intuitive interface with attractive features will enhance user experience.

#3 Robust backend

A powerful backend is a must-have for a video conferencing app. Make sure to use the right tech stack for your mobile app. If you want to create a hybrid app, we recommend using Ionic or Flutter as they can power a highly functional application. On the other hand, should you seek to create an Android or iOS application, use a relevant tech stack. Make sure to keep provision for scalability and flexibility.

#4 Testing & maintenance

Before deploying the application in the app store, make sure to conduct a minute QA testing. Eliminate any bugs or errors once found to ensure your app functions correctly. Also, you should avail regular or on-demand maintenance service to keep your app functional at all time.

Essential features to incorporate into your video conferencing app

#1 User profile

• A user profile is a crucial feature in your app interface. Keep the following things in mind while creating a user profile:
• Allow privacy settings
• Don’t overload the profile with irrelevant features
• Allow the users to edit their profile
• Keep it intuitive

#2 Video and voice calls

Along with video calls, it’s always recommended to set up a voice calling feature. You need a publisher-subscriber pattern to set up these features. You can use a technology called WebRTC. Make sure that you the users can see high-quality videos while using the app and the sound is crystal clear. We recommend you to facilitate strong connectivity in your app so that it can perform even in poor network places.

#3 Noise block

It is a cool feature to integrate into your app. It can identify and remove distracting noises like papers shuffling, keyboard typing, etc. Also, it will allow users to mute the microphone when they are not talking. This is a significant feature in a conference call.

#4 Text chat

If you want to expand your audience base and engage people with your application, integrate text chat feature into it. There are various third-party tools like Twilio or Firebase for integrating the feature into your app.

You can also integrate other features like emoticons, stickers, gifs, etc to offer an exciting chatting experience to the users.

#5 End-to-end encryption

Security is a crucial element in any chatting application. Use end-to-end encryption technology to encrypt the message on the users’ device and decrypt the same on the receivers’ device. It protects users’ privacy. This single factor can enhance the demand for your app among the audience.

#6 Push notification

Do your users have a missed a call? Is an upcoming meeting scheduled? Is there an advanced feature integrated into the app? Has someone texted them? Keep your people engaged with push notifications.

However, make sure not to flood your users’ smartphones with irrelevant push notifications. It will only lead them to uninstall the app. Show them only relevant push notifications that keep them in the know and make them return to the app again and again.

#7 In-app purchases

If you want to monetize your app, you may try this monetization model. These days, none really pays to purchase an app while installing it from the app store. However, you may allure your existing users to unlock exciting features in your app.

Conclusion

You can create a user-friendly and robust video conferencing app by following these steps. Not sure how much do you have to pay to create such an app? The linked blog may help you to find out the answer.