It can be a challenge to launch a video streaming platform that caters to the needs of the customers. Broadcasters often don’t know where to start for developing a video streaming solution. Broadcasters need to analyse their streaming needs and then develop a streaming platform accordingly. There are already many streaming platforms in the market and, it can be a challenge to stand out. Your streaming platform should have a USP (Unique Selling Point) that can separate it from the rest.
Broadcasters often do not rely on in-house streaming platform development. Instead, they prefer a white-label streaming platform provider. A reliable platform provider can help you in developing a branded streaming solution. When it comes to choosing a platform provider, you need to consider numerous features like revenue options, security standards, storage, and many more. It is necessary to choose the tech stack according to your video streaming needs. A reliable platform provider will aid in choosing the right tech stack for your streaming platform.
Why there is a need to launch an online streaming platform? Well, video is the most consumed content on the internet with immense traffic. Due to the recent COVID pandemic, the latest movies could not be launched in the theatres. However, publishers chose OTT platforms for releasing first-run movies during the pandemic so that they could more subscribers. Viewers are satisfied with the flexible viewing experience provided by online streaming platforms.
Streaming platforms like Netflix and Hulu have already gathered a vast user base around the globe. In 2020 (Quarter 4), Netflix gained more than 200 million paid subscribers around the world. The streaming industry has proved fruitful for many broadcasters over the years.
Do you want to launch an online video streaming platform? Well, you have to select a reliable platform provider by comparing the key streaming features. Read on to know about features that should be considered while choosing a streaming platform provider.
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What Do Users Look for in a Video Streaming Platform?
The features preferred by users that should be included in your video streaming solution are:
Customisability
Your streaming solution should be 100% customisable to add branded features. If your streaming platform is not customisable, you cannot add new features or updates to it in the future. While choosing a platform provider, you need to make sure it lets you add branded features. You will have to add your brand name, logo, and banner to your video streaming solution. Your streaming interface should also be configured for a better user experience. Your audio/files should be classified on your streaming platform so that they can be easily searched by users. All of this can happen only when your online video platform is customisable.
Creation of Progressive Web Applications
A progressive web application runs on an internet browser but provides the experience of a mobile application to the users. Progressive web applications are widely used by broadcasters for providing a better user experience. Progressive web applications can load on a desktop or a mobile device. They are compatible with numerous operating systems. It is also easy to provide new updates on progressive web applications. You need to choose a platform provider that lets you create progressive web applications that are accessible everywhere.
White-label Features
How to build a video streaming website with branded features like a brand logo? Well, you need to choose a white-label platform provider for that. A white-label platform will let you add branded features like a brand logo, company banners, etc. The major benefit of a white-label streaming platform is that you will get lifetime ownership. You just have to pay the development cost once and customise your streaming platform based on your business needs.
Social Media Login Feature
How to make a streaming website that allows easy login for users? Well, you can choose to provide a social media login feature for your streaming platform. The top streaming platforms allow users to log in/sign-up using their social media credentials. You can allow login via credentials of popular social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Simplifying the user onboarding system can aid in increasing your user base.
Offline Viewing Features
Broadcasters should build a video streaming website that allows viewers to watch video content offline. You can allow users to download video content from your streaming platform to view it later without the internet. Including an offline viewing feature in your streaming platform can help in targeting those areas where the speed of the internet is not optimal. Due to weaker internet connectivity, customers cannot enjoy a better live streaming experience. Offline viewing will help them in downloading the video content for a better viewing experience.
Payment Gateway Integration Feature
Broadcasters should create a video streaming website that accepts payments from multiple sources. For accepting payments from customers, you have to integrate payment gateways for your streaming platform. The top streaming platforms accept payment from multiple modes like credit/debit cards, internet banking, and e-wallet. You need to choose a platform provider that allows you to integrate multiple payment gateways.
Video Search Features
You need to build a video streaming website that allows users to search for their desired video content. More than 70% of OTT users prefer a video platform that offers improved searchability. Studies have shown that 50% of OTT users will cancel their subscription if a video platform has an ineffective content discovery system. You should allow users to search for video content across metadata such as actor name, genre, director, and many others.
Watch History Feature
It is ideal to develop a video streaming website that collects the watch history of users. The watching history of users can be used to provide better content recommendations. You can also allow users to view their watch history for backtracking any video content. The watching history of users can also be used to analyse the trending videos and screen time of customers.
Watchlist Creation Features
Your OVP platform should allow users to create their personalised watchlists. Users can bookmark and save their favourite TV shows/movies in a personal watchlist. You can also provide watchlists based on genre or country to users for better content segmentation. A white-label platform provider can help in adding such customised features to your streaming platform.
In a Nutshell
The number of OTT platforms in the market is continuously growing. You require a customised video streaming solution that can address the pain points of customers. A customised/branded video streaming platform will help you in making your market share amidst the high competition and to stay ahead among them. A reliable white-label platform provider will aid in developing a streaming platform with unique features.
A professional service provider will analyse your streaming needs, audience size, and streaming niche for suggesting an appropriate streaming solution. You need a secure video streaming platform to provide a seamless viewing experience to users. Users will not use a streaming platform that is prone to hackers/attackers. You can add as many security features to a white-label streaming platform.
It was a list of all the features that broadcasters should consider before developing an OTT solution. With customized features, you can provide a personalised experience to your subscribers which will benefit them. Make a video streaming website now!
