In 2019, TikTok garnered over, a vast, 500 million monthly users, and was named the most downloaded app (2019) with 1.5 billion downloads on the App Store and Google Play combined. So, it’s safe to say this social media platform, which seemingly came out of nowhere, has taken the world by storm. Social media experts all around the world have been astounded by the rate at which TikTok has escalated to the top of the social charts.

Its unprecedented rise has been pinned to its dedicated fan base, 41% of which are aged between 16 and 24. It is this fan base that has enabled TikTok to grow so fast, and it is a platform that looks set to continue to grow into 2020. So what’s helped TikTok to become so popular, how can you do the same, and how much would this set you back?

1. Why has TikTok become so Popular?

Firstly, there is a staggering amount of young users on the platform which is probably a key element to their success. As mentioned above, 41% of TikTok’s regular monthly users are between the ages of 16 to 24. TikTok’s unique approach to marketing this app, specifically at the under-18 markets, certainly has paid off. There’s the psychology behind this.

If one young person is sharing a video on the app, other young people will want to be part of the action. This will ultimately lead to a higher number of downloads and an increase in the name of monthly users.

Because it is specifically designed to allow young people to express themselves creatively, be that by lip-syncing, or dancing to a funny video, TikTok has soared in popularity amongst teens and made it the must-have app for many.

On top of this, with demand in any demographic, other demographics will get curious. This is certainly what we are seeing more of with TikTok currently. Now the app has conquered Generation Z, TikTok is slowly seeping into the lives of older millennials. If it succeeded in capturing this demographic, TikTok might outshine other social media platforms such as Instagram or Snapchat.

In less than 18 months and the number of adults using TikTok grew an impressive 5.5 times, rising from 2.6 million users in October 2017 to 14.3 million users in March 2019. Talk show hosts such as Jimmy Fallon have been actively encouraging parents to get on board with the TikTok hype by featuring it in shows, and he may have even convinced adults to enjoy using the app on a more regular basis.

2. How do users get the most out of TikTok?

A key element to enjoying and getting the ultimate experience on TikTok is gaining followers. There are several ways you can do this. For example, by posting original content, responding to current trends, or featuring popular music in the videos you upload.

Gaining followers on TikTok can be a time-consuming task, and some users can find this element of the app frustrating. If you are looking for a rapid fast solution to experience TikTok to its fullest, try this service.

3. So how can you develop an app like TikTok?

Succeeding in developing an app like TikTok won’t be an easy feat, but we do have some tips.

a. Cooperate with Team Members

We couldn’t bore you with the details, but it is relatively well-known that working well with your team and partners is the key to success. Have a solid, tangible goal, and hopefully share mutual dreams of the project. The creators of TikTok always met together to discuss progress and worked together to find solutions to any problems.

b. Research Your Target Market

This is something TikTok massively excelled at, so you should do the same. You need to understand your target market impeccably to be able to make an app that they will love. This might come in the testing stage of initial apps, but it also starts right at the beginning – finding out what is making your target click right now and predicting what will in the future – is key to successful app creation. Adding to this, there is an active target market. Trying to appeal to everyone probably won’t work! Take a leaf out of LinkedIn’s book!

c. Choose the Monetisation Model

Cost per click, cost per mile, or cost per action? Lay this out for your advertisers and align it to your app and target market. It’ll make a world of difference.

d. Work towards a Minimum Viable Product

Creating an app is a super long process and one that may seem never-ending once the project has started. The key to keeping momentum up is to work towards a minimum viable product or an MVP in other words. This will also mean you can test to see how the basics of your app are fitting with your target market, and make improvements accordingly.

4. So how much will this all cost?

Is it expensive to develop an app like TikTok? It is thought to create an app that includes all the features that TikTok has would set you back in the region of $150,000 to $250,000. This accounts for the technology behind such features, and the development team you would need to create the app itself. This is only the basic rate, and any additional features you may add (to trump TikTok and smash those download figures out of the park) will need to be costed in. Happy developing!