How to build a music streaming app
There are usually so many things to consider before getting to music streaming app development. First of all, the type of application you are going to create. It's obvious, you may say, -- Music streaming app. However, there are a few types of streaming music services:
Music Library. Simply put, you can create a server-based music library and provide your customers with access to it under your conditions -- flat rate, free or partially free access.
Cloud Storage. You let the users store their songs and stream them anywhere and anytime they like.
Theme Radio Stations. This kind of apps is for drawing Radio Stations together and arranging them by certain themes, which can be streamed to PC, home audio or any mobile device.
The process and strategy of how to create a streaming service directly depend on which type of streaming app you want to have. Another significant factor is the set of features your application is going to have. As usual, there is a required feature set and some additional features to make your app stand out.
Data Storage Principles
To start with, before you build a music streaming app, you have to take care of data storage, where music files will be held. Of course, you need a backend server that supports streaming. So, you can consider using such services as AWS.
Another option is to stream from Spotify or SoundCloud catalogs using SDK and API provided by them. However, you should keep in mind the restrictions listed in Terms of Use for developer tools.
Actually, if you wish, you can do without third-party streaming APIs and create a data storage based app on a self-hosted server. In this case, you upload your songs into a readable directory on your server. Of course don't forget that when you create a music streaming app, you have to deal with licensing, but we will talk about that later.
What features music streaming app should have
Whatever the app you are about to start on your phone, there is always a set of features you expect it to have. Music streaming app is not an exception. The following features you are more likely to have in your streaming application.
Registration and authentication
Does a music streaming app actually need registration? Well, by all means, it wouldn't be right to say that any streaming app needs user registration. It usually depends. You can let anyone use your service without creating an account. However, if you are going to gain some profit by providing premium features or want to let users create their playlists, you have to think of registration and signing-in features when you build music streaming app. You have many options -- to implement social network authentication, like via Facebook or Twitter or to use email or mobile numbers as a registration method.
Discovery and search
Users are going to use your app not only to listen to their favorite tracks but also to discover new ones. Besides, you shouldn't rule out communication. Let users meet like-minded people in your app and they will stay there longer. Users can search for the music by artist, title, album, recording studio, or genre. Or you can offer them alternative options as well. When you create streaming app, think of providing your streaming app users with recommendations based on their previous choice or creating something similar to the user's preferences playlists. And playlists are what our next feature is about.
Adding to the libraries and playlists
You cannot deny that the opportunity to create playlists wouldn't be a bad idea in a music streaming app. What's more, your app users would be grateful if you give them a chance to store their songs, playlists, and albums in a library.
Social sharing
Do you know the best way how to make a streaming app popular fast? Use social media! It's no secret that mobile users are deeply involved in social networks. So chances are high that they would love to share tracks or playlists, especially if you choose Facebook or other social network authentication. Also, it's a golden opportunity for you to attract more users.
Online and offline access
Let me put it simply. When users can get seamless access to the Internet, they are likely to turn on the online mode. In case your user can't go online that easily, offline mode lets them store a local copy of the song in their library. This feature is also useful if they want to minimize bandwidth usage. So, it's worth implementing when you create a streaming service.
Optional features of a music streaming app
Your app is like a blank canvas which has yet to be painted on. You can add any features you want when you build a music app to make things work. We just want to suggest a few to you.
Event Calendar
A great feature that would be appreciated by concert-goers. You help them track down tour dates and upcoming concerts or fan club meetups -- whatever you wish.
Personalization
Who doesn't like to be special? Having an app that recognizes you as a unique individual, is so flattering. The choice of songs can be based on the user's mood, time of the day, weather, place, and anything you can think of. All you have to do is integrate the right controllers when you create your own music streaming service.
