How to Build a Networking App: Complete Guide for 2025
- Leanware Editorial Team
- 3 days ago
- 7 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
TL;DR: There’s more opportunity than ever to build a networking app using AI to connect users better. Develop a clear strategy, assemble your team, and focus on features that meet real user needs.
A networking app connects people through shared interests, goals, or communities - social or professional. In 2025, demand for these platforms remains strong. Over 5.24 billion people now use social media, making up nearly 64% of the global population.
The commercial side is growing just as fast. Social media ad spending is projected to reach $276 billion this year, with 83% coming from mobile. As digital identity and remote collaboration become more common, building a networking app is both timely and scalable.
Let’s look at how you can build a networking app from scratch, covering the essential features, development phases, monetization strategies, and trends shaping the space in 2025.
Why Build a Networking App?
Networking and community platforms are growing consistently in both professional settings and niche interest groups. People rely on these apps for peer learning, collaboration, and more focused social interaction. Networking has an important role in career growth - about 85% of jobs are filled through personal or professional connections.
You can see this shift in how people use mobile apps. Consumer spending on apps reached $36.2 billion in Q2 2024, up 12% from the previous year. Messaging and networking apps regularly rank among the top downloads. In the U.S., users spend over 400 minutes monthly on apps like TikTok, while Facebook Messenger remains widely used across demographics.
From a product perspective, networking apps with engaged communities show high retention. Recurring revenue through freemium or subscription models is common. Mobile-first habits support frequent use. If you’re targeting a specific professional or interest group, there’s still an opportunity to create an app people come back to.
Is a Social Media App Profitable?
It can be - if the business model fits the product and audience. Social media apps typically monetize in two ways: by selling to businesses (ads, sponsorships, B2B features) or selling directly to users (subscriptions, memberships, one-time purchases).
LinkedIn, for example, brought in over $16.37 billion in revenue in fiscal year 2024, largely from advertising and premium subscriptions. Discord relies on a freemium model, with paid Nitro plans contributing significantly to its earnings. Clubhouse has experimented with letting users pay creators directly.
Newer platforms are moving beyond traditional ad models. Some combine monthly subscriptions with pay-per-use features. VSCO is one such case - it operates on a membership model and is reportedly profitable. Others, like 222 and The Lo, charge for access to in-person events or community perks, aligning their revenue with how people actually use the app.
Advertising still matters, especially at scale. But if your app delivers enough value to a niche audience, direct payments from users can be a more reliable path to profitability.
Benefits of Networking Apps
Networking apps help users grow and connect, while giving businesses better ways to engage and retain audiences.
For Users:
Connect with people who share your goals or interests.
Join communities and join relevant discussions.
Access mentorship, jobs, freelance gigs, and collaborations.
Get personalized content and industry updates.
Build your personal brand through regular engagement.
Network anytime, anywhere via mobile.
For Businesses:
Build and manage customer communities.
Boost retention with personalized content and features.
Generate leads and drive conversions in-app.
Collect first-party data (with consent) to improve services.
Monitor engagement and growth with analytics.
Cut costs compared to traditional networking efforts.
Essential Features of a Networking App
Networking apps require certain features to work well and meet user needs. Each feature plays a role in guiding users from signing up to engaging regularly in the community.
1. Creating Posts and Content Sharing
Users should be able to share text, images, videos, polls, and links. A well-organized feed - whether chronological or algorithm-based - helps keep content relevant and easy to browse.
Features like comments, likes, and sharing encourage interaction. Support for multimedia uploads with compression and format conversion ensures smooth performance across devices.
2. Chat and Messaging
Real-time communication is an essential feature of a networking app. This includes direct messaging, group chats with moderation tools, voice messages, typing indicators, and read receipts.
Use technologies like WebSockets or Firebase Cloud Messaging to deliver live updates efficiently while minimizing resource use.
3. Profiles and User Management
Profiles help users present themselves and connect with others. Include:
Profile photo and bio
Interests and tags
User roles or access permissions for community-based apps
4. Notifications and Alerts
Push notifications keep users engaged. In-app alerts for messages, content likes, or new followers help maintain retention. Let users manage notification preferences.
5. Privacy and Security Measures
Security must be a top priority. Ensure:
End-to-end encryption for private conversations.
Two-factor authentication (2FA) for login.
GDPR/CCPA compliance for data handling.
Regular security audits and penetration testing.
User trust starts with how securely their data is managed.
6. Integration with Other Platforms
Let users log in using Google, Apple, or Facebook. Consider syncing with calendars, contact lists, or other tools relevant to your audience.
Advanced Features: AI and AR Integration
Networking apps now include AI for recommending content, groups, or connections based on user behavior. They use natural language processing to improve search and filtering.
AR filters can be applied to photos, videos, or profile images. Automated moderation uses image recognition and sentiment analysis to flag inappropriate content.
Step-by-Step Process to Build Your Networking App
When building a networking app, we recommend a hybrid approach combining the waterfall model with iterative sprints. This structure provides clarity in planning while allowing flexibility during execution.
Phase 1: Discovery and Planning
Start by defining what the app should achieve. This includes:
Market research and competitor analysis.
Identifying target users and their pain points.
Aligning stakeholders on goals and budget.
Creating a high-level project roadmap.
A clear vision reduces scope creep and improves team alignment.
Phase 2: Design, Development, and Testing
Break development into sprints, each ending with a review cycle:
Design: UX/UI wireframes and mockups.
Development: Frontend and backend implementation.
Testing: QA, bug fixes, and usability checks.
Review: Stakeholder feedback and iteration.
Test early and often. Use unit tests, integration tests, and automated CI/CD pipelines to maintain code quality.
Collaboration between teams ensures alignment on technical feasibility and design intent.
Phase 3: Release and Deployment
After completing all sprints, prepare for deployment:
Finalize documentation and release notes.
Set up staging environments for pre-launch testing.
Plan rollback procedures in case of failure.
Coordinate marketing and user onboarding strategies before going live. Monitor server health and load times post-launch to catch issues quickly.
Phase 4: Evolution Through Continuous Sprints
After launch, the development team should continue releasing features based on user feedback and analytics. Post-launch sprints often includes:
Performance improvements.
Feature enhancements.
UX refinements.
These sprints are shorter and more focused than pre-launch phases.
Phase 5: Support and Maintenance
Long-term success requires maintenance:
Monitor performance and uptime.
Apply regular security updates.
Provide user support through email, chat, or knowledge base.
Define Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for response times and resolution windows to manage user expectations.
Monetization Strategies for Networking Apps
Common revenue models include:
Freemium: Free basic features with paid premium options.
Subscriptions: Recurring fees for advanced features or ad-free use.
Advertising: Native ads and sponsored posts without disrupting users.
Affiliate Partnerships: Earn commissions by promoting products.
In-app Purchases: Virtual goods or special memberships.
Sponsored Content: Brand collaborations and cross-promotions.
Choose a model based on your audience and app goals. Avoid intrusive monetization tactics that degrade user experience. Always test pricing models with small user segments before full rollout..
Networking App Trends in 2025
If you're building a networking app in 2025, it's worth looking at how user habits are shifting. While platforms like Facebook remain large, growth is now driven by real-time features and mobile-first use.
People expect faster interactions, smarter recommendations, and lighter content formats. Build around how users engage today, not how they used to.
1. AI and Personalization
AI is being used to recommend friends, groups, and content. This makes the app more relevant to each user and increases engagement.
In 2024, downloads of AI chatbot apps grew by over 110% compared to the year before. That shift shows how users now expect real-time, AI-supported features. If you're building a networking app in 2025, it's worth considering generative AI for search, chat, or recommendations.
2. Video and Interactive Content
Video is still the most used content format on mobile. Features like short videos, stories, video chats, and live streaming are now standard in social and networking apps.
TikTok is the most downloaded app on Google Play. Watching videos remains the top activity on smartphones, which shows where user attention is.
If your app supports video and interactive content well, you'll be better aligned with current expectations. Adding AI - for smart video summaries or content suggestions - can improve usability without adding friction.
3. E-commerce Integration
More apps now include shopping-related features like product tags in posts, in-app checkouts, or creator storefronts. These features allow users to buy directly without leaving the app. If your app includes influencers or content creators, commerce tools can support monetization without interrupting the experience.
Moving Forward
Building a networking app means solving actual user problems or offering something different from what’s already out there. Use technology that can grow with your app, keeps data secure, and won’t become outdated quickly. Follow a clear development plan, focus on what users really need, and keep an eye on new trends to stay relevant.
Start with an MVP, get feedback from real users, and improve gradually.
Or, if you have just an idea and strategy and need help with execution, you can also contact our experts for guidance on development, tech stacks, architecture, and APIs.
FAQs
How do I create a network platform?
Start by defining your audience, researching the market, and mapping out features. Use a phased approach: plan, design, develop, test, and iterate.
