All-in-one social media platform: a discovery phase
SumatoSoft helped shape the initial vision for an app – an all-encompassing social media platform designed to rival Facebook. Through our dedicated Discovery phase, we transformed a budding idea into a solid, investor-ready prototype.
Business challenge
Our Client is a US-based company that aimed to disrupt the social media industry. The company approached us with a novel idea – a social media network with the potential to rival giants like Facebook. They envisioned an all-in-one platform, uniting the functionalities of Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok.
Our solution
Our approach to the solution began by meticulously researching the market, the target audience, and competitors. The SumatoSoft team gathered valuable insights on emerging networks, user acquisition statistics, age focus, preferred phone models, and social media trends. We reviewed detailed reports on platforms like TikTok to inform our approach.
We carried out the discovery phase by developing designs, business documentation, and high-level requirements. The platform was to cater to diverse user roles, such as photographers and bloggers, and to offer separate, parentally-controlled accounts for children under 13. Additionally, a gaming platform was to be integrated, where users could engage in interactive play.
We also created a clickable prototype and defined an MVP scope. Our technical team designed a system architecture, using technologies like RoR, React, React Native, AWS, and PostgreSQL.
An integral part of our process was engaging the Client through regular prototype demos, conducted once or twice a week. These sessions allowed us to showcase our progress and gather early feedback, ensuring that the Client’s product vision was being accurately represented and that our team was on the right path.
Result
Our collaborative work with the Client culminated in a clear and detailed project vision. The Client, initially presenting us with a half-baked idea, left with well-defined project schematics and tangible artifacts that would appeal to potential investors.
Before:
- The Client had an ambitious idea for a social media platform but no concrete vision, documentation, or product architecture
- Feature scope was undefined, making development planning and cost estimation impossible
- No structured market research existed on target demographics, competitor positioning, or user acquisition patterns
- Investor conversations relied on verbal descriptions with no tangible product artifact to demonstrate
After:
- A vision and scope document and system architecture gave the Client a concrete, developer-ready product definition
- An MVP scope was defined and out-of-scope features removed, giving the development team a clear starting point
- Market research covering user demographics, competitor analysis, and social media trends informed both product scope and investor narrative
- A 25-screen clickable prototype delivered in 1 month gave investors a tangible product experience and advanced the fundraising process
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