How to Make a Live Streaming Website: Features and Estimate

Live streaming goes mainstream. Users want to be more open and share their experiences with people from all over the world. Live streaming is expected to be a $119.10 billion worth industry by 2025. So, the question arises — how to make a live streaming website and not to fail?

Keep reading to learn what it costs to build a live streaming website and how you can generate money while streaming.

Note: We’ve updated the article to align with up-to-date insights as of July 2024.

Before diving into how to build a live streaming website, let’s start by determining what live streaming over the web is. A live stream refers to the process of transmitting an event as it’s running in real-time to any compatible smartphone, tablet, TV, or computer over the Internet.

A live video streaming website is a streaming software that hosts live streams. Broadcasters embed their video players to make the media content available to viewers, enabling streaming on your website. Any website can be transformed into a live streaming platform with a professional video player and HTML access.

The act of streaming begins with raw information — the visual data captured by a device’s camera.Next, the digital data is compressed and encoded. Data compression implies deleting redundant visual details. "Encoding" entails the process of modifying data to be interpreted by different devices.

Video contains a lot of digital data. Therefore, the streaming video is split into segments (a few seconds in length) to make it faster to download the video files.

Once the live stream has passed all previous manipulations, it needs to be supplied to multiple viewers. This is where the CDN (content delivery network) comes into play. CDN platform enables high-quality content delivery to large audiences anytime without stream interruptions.

The CDN broadcasts the live-streaming video to all viewers who are watching the stream. Next, each user's device obtains, decodes, and decompresses the segmented video details.

Finally, a media player on the viewer's device (whether it's a dedicated app or video player within the web browser) translates the information as visual data and the video plays.

If you think that it’s impossible to outrun giant live streaming platforms like YouTube or Twitch, one particular company’s experience can prove you wrong. The new platform Kick, which launched in early 2023, garnered one million users within its first few months and had 296.84 million watched hours by Q3 2023. So it’s definitely your sign to consider creating your own live-streaming platform.

Now, it’s time to discover 9 essential steps to make your own live-stream website:

• Step 1. Define your Unique Selling Proposition
• Step 2. Set requirements for live streaming website
• Step 3. Choose business model
• Step 4. Look for reliable streaming software developers
• Step 5. Decide on tech stack for live streaming website
• Step 6. Come with live streaming website MVP
• Step 7. Test and launch your live-streaming site
• Step 8. Improve your streaming website
• Step 9. Grow your live-streaming video website

Now let’s unpack what exactly each of these steps implies.

First of all, what is USP? USP or Unique Selling Proposition, refers to the distinct feature or benefit that sets your streaming platform apart from competitors. For example, your USP could be offering ultra-low latency streaming for real-time interactions, providing exclusive content, or having a user-friendly interface that enhances the viewing experience.

Do your best to create your site project idea. Beforehand, decide what group of streamers you want to reach and engage. This will be your starting point for further development. For example, Twitch provides top-notch web sources for gamers. Don't hurry; consider your project carefully — modifying it drastically afterward will be challenging.

Making and launching a streaming platform is one thing, but how to build a live streaming app or website that succeeds requires a lot of scrutiny and preparation. Assessing the following questions allows you to create a video streaming platforms like Youtube or Twitch:

• What type of content will you be streaming? For instance, the process of streaming Q&As with domain experts will differ from streaming college basketball games.
• Do you know your end users? Setting up live streams will vary according to the target audience’s size, language(s), and locations. You should be able to reach your viewers where they are at.
• How critical is the streaming quality? Some livestream platforms require better video quality than others. HD quality for product demos is essential, while SD is preferable for streaming live lectures.
• Who’ll have access to the stream? Live stream setting will be different if, for instance, you want to give paying users exclusive access to your live events or make streams free for everyone.
• What are your objectives? In most cases, entrepreneurs want to make a streaming website to acquire more leads.

Once you work out these questions, including considerations for your streaming server’s bandwidth, you can start to prepare a list of desired functionality for your future streaming software. We'll discuss the features required in the section below: keep reading.

If you’re going to capitalize on your streaming platform, there are multiple ways to do so: ads, subscriptions, etc. (monetization models will be described in detail below). Each of the business models has its own pros and cons. Still, the best way is to combine the few ones. For instance, you can start offering free use of the service, but premium features are paid.

Once you’ve finished planning, you can start looking for an experienced IT partner to create your own live stream website. Livestream website creation is a tricky process that should be taken professionally. So you need to hire dedicated developers with proven expertise in the media industry.

It’s more beneficial to look for a tech partner abroad rather than in the city (or even country) of residence. Outsourcing web development brings a lot of gains in terms of price, quality, broad skill set, and unique expertise. In addition, outsourcing agencies already have all the required specialists to create a website for live streaming under approved demands.

Note: Check out Cleveroad’s Clutch and see how we help businesses create software solutions for digital entertainment and more.

There are various tools and technologies on the modern IT market. It’s possible to use different programming languages during web development.

To give you a hint, we listed the tech stack our developers would use to create a streaming website with the features outlined in the article. Please note, that when choosing the tech stack to build a streaming website, you need to consult with professionals. The final toolset always depends on your technical needs and project requirements.

MVP development services imply creating a version of your streaming website with functionality enough for initial testing and gathering user feedback. It's a great way to validate the business idea and short time to market without investing a pretty penny in building a full-fledged platform. After testing your product on a real audience, you can reinvest in adding more sophisticated functionality.

When the live streaming website development team makes an MVP, pay close attention to the UI/UX design. Consumers want video streaming services that are user-friendly and intuitive. Don’t overload their attention with a bunch of interactive elements and bright colors. They must focus on making key actions, not striving to comprehend how to navigate and use your platform. In addition, the design is connected with website usability, so consider an excellent UI to deliver a smooth user experience.

At this stage, your vendor acts to guarantee that your streaming platform works flawlessly without interruptions. QA engineers conduct manual and automated tests to validate functional requirements and mitigate the functioning flaw. Before the final client review, the testing team checks all the functionality (including integrations, usability, and security) to ensure the streaming service performs as expected and meets project demands.

After you create a website with live streaming and release it, the process never stops. Next, you need to understand how to make it better to grow and reach your goals. One way to enhance your website involves collecting user feedback. This can be done by tracking real-time comments or passing surveys afterward for feedback.

Another way to ensure your platform works well is to investigate the analytics. Built-in analytics features make it possible to scrutinize the stream in real-time. For example, you'll be able to review the live viewer count, what devices they’re applying, users’ locations, and much more. The received insights will allow you to streamline your next live streaming session for better results.

Besides considering how to make a live streaming website or platform, pay special attention to its promotion. This will allow you to attract a wider audience, which in turn will positively affect your profits. You can use the following tools to market your streaming website or platform successfully:

• Google Ads. Set up advertising in the search engine to ensure your website is always at the top.
• Social networks. Many businesses use promotion in social networks with targeted advertising today because it brings good results.
• Influencers. Influencer marketing is now more popular than ever - most social media users tend to trust the recommendations of bloggers and celebrities.
• Forums. Another effective way to attract a target audience is to post ads on thematic forums.

Use SEO optimization or ask your software provider for help promoting your live-streaming website.

We wouldn't be talking about how to create a website for live streaming if the live streaming industry wasn't flourishing and promising, right? So we’ve gathered some promising statistics to strengthen your decision to enter this niche:

• The live-streaming market is forecasted to reach $534.37 billion by 2030.
• 28,5% of internet users worldwide watch live streaming content on weekly basis as of Q4 of 2023
• The number of users for live video content is predicted to increase to 164.6 million viewers by 2024.
• Over 85% of marketers use video content to drive more traffic to their site
• Live content holds viewers’ attention 8x longer than on-demand video content

The main factors that have contributed to the rise of the live streaming market across the globe are:

• The increasing customer preference for live streaming over conventional television channels.
• A way to promote the product over interactive advertising using a streaming platform.
• Increasing adoption of smartphones along with faster internet
• Ability to reach the largest audience possible.
• Wide AI and blockchain implementation.

As you can see, the potential to create a live-streaming website is enormous. Despite the competitive intensity, you have the opportunity to enter the market with minimum effort and generate income in a short period. In addition, the increasing adoption of online learning, remote patient monitoring, e-commerce, and work from home has raised the demand for streaming services.

Remember: Collaborating with an experienced IT provider ensures your live streaming website is built with high-end expertise, leading to a reliable, scalable, and high-quality platform. Your project will significantly benefit from the development team's tech and industry knowledge, as well as from post-launch maintenance. Such partnership enhances the likelihood of your streaming solution's success, offering seamless user experiences and robust functionality.

Live streaming industry still has an ace up its sleeve to impress viewers in the near future. We went through the latest tendencies and now are ready to present the most vibrant live-streaming trends that were acclaimed by successful live streaming platforms like Switchboard:

• AI algorithms implementation. Artificial Intelligence (AI) burst into the major part of entertainment and started to transform live video streaming too by enhancing content moderation and personalization. According to Grand View Research, the global AI in the media and entertainment market is expected to reach $99.48 billion by 2030, highlighting its growing popularfity. AI-driven moderation tools ensure safer streaming environments by swiftly detecting and removing inappropriate content in real time. Additionally, AI algorithms aid in content recommendation personalization, tailoring streams to individual viewer preferences.
• 5G adoption. 5G technological leap with data transmission rates up to 100 times faster than 4G, viewers can enjoy buffer-free streaming experiences at 4K and 8K resolutions with minimal buffering. As a result, viewers can enjoy crystal-clear, high-definition streams, making live broadcasts more engaging and qualitative
• AR/VR. Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) within live streaming development creates a highly immersive and interactive experiences. This trend is redefining how viewers engage with content, from virtual concerts to live events where audiences can interact in real-time.
• Niche content streaming. Niche streaming platforms are digital spaces where communities with specific interests can enjoy themed content within unified environment. These platforms focus on targeted content like cooking, fashion, knitting, or even equitation, providing a pool of diverse thematic content for dedicated audiences.

There are various types of streaming websites. It’s common to classify them according to their purpose. We describe types of streaming services for you to understand the terms.

We can single out three main groups:

• On-demand streaming services
• Live TV streaming services
• Live streaming services

What’s the difference between them? Let’s find it out.

According to the name, we can say that such platforms offer content on users’ demand. In other words, it’s your demand when you click on a YouTube video or new series on Netflix.

The most widespread types of content are video or audio.

Speaking about video-on-demand services, they offer to watch TV shows, movies, and more without downloading them. All the information is stored on the server. In most cases, users need to pay for a subscription to get access to the content. Still, such services as Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and others offer a free trial period.

Popular services: Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, YouTube

As for audio on-demand streaming services, they work using the same principle. Users can listen to music without downloading. Such services also offer a trial period, so customers could decide whether they like the service or not.

Popular services: Apple Music, YouTube Music, Deezer, Google Play Music

Such services are perfect for users who love watching TV but are fed up with high TV bills. The platforms offer to watch TV shows that are airing at the moment.

Popular services: YouTube TV, Hulu Live TV, Sling TV

This type of streaming service provides video content in real-time mode. Users record and broadcast videos simultaneously. Streamers can talk about various topics, answer questions, or just communicate with viewers. Such platforms gain popularity since viewers see streamers without filters.

Popular services: YouTube Live, Livestream, Twitch

How to start a streaming website and not to fail? The service needs to have a lot of features to make users satisfied. Of course, website functionality affects the final cost.

There are two types of features — essential and advanced. Develop a live streaming website with only essential or MVP features. This stands for functionality needed to satisfy the users’ expectations of the product. It’s common to release an Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and get the customers’ feedback. After that, you can upgrade your live streaming website and add some advanced features.

This process allows saving money during development. Additionally, with an MVP, you have more chances to get investments since stakeholders trust a working product more.

Let’s single out eight must-have features.

It’s required to let users choose among the registration options. For example, you can offer such options as email and password, phone number and password, and signup via social networks like Facebook. Additionally, there should be such a function as ‘Forget password’ to make your own live streaming website more user-friendly.

You’ll have to encourage users to share their personal information, detailing their interests and hobbies to build a more personalized profile. They can also add links to various social networks, enabling better connectivity with their friends and family across multiple platforms. This information helps create a rich and engaging online presence, enabling a deeper connections and more tailored content recommendations based on their preferences and social interactions.

How to make a live streaming website successful? You need to develop a user-friendly opportunity to start and finish streaming. It’s needed to add opportunities to share the streamers’ location, select category, and comment on the broadcast.

While watching the live stream, users need to use a live chat feature to share their thoughts with each other and the streamers. This interaction builds a strong a sense of community and engagement, allowing viewers to connect over shared interests, ask questions, and provide real-time feedback, which enriches the overall live streaming experience. At the same time, streamers can gather users feedback and tailored their content according to users preferences.

Users can search for videos by various categories, streamers, and more. In order to make your own live stream website convinient, including this feature enhances discoverability, allowing viewers to find content that matches their interests effortlessly. Additionally, users can add to a personalized list of recommendations. This curated list dynamically updates based on viewing habits, ensuring that users always have relevant content to explore.

Users need to have an opportunity to follow streamers to get notification about upcoming events and live streams. Also, they should see the list of profiles they follow. This adds convenience into the viewer journey on your live streaming website cutting on the time to find favourite creators’ content.

To make your own live streaming website more personalized and customized for users, you need to integrate the ability to change settings for users. For example, they can set private or public status, block users, turn message alerts on and off.

Except for features, a streaming website requires an admin panel and intuitive live streaming website design. These two factors also affect the final price:

• Admin panel. A live streaming service requires an admin panel to manage users effectively. To create a basic admin panel for a live streaming website, developers need at least 230 hours.
• UI/UX Design. Users are quite demanding these days. They expect to interact with an intuitive and user-friendly design. To create an attractive design for a live streaming website, designers need at least 20 hours. If you want to integrate responsive web design, it’s required 40 hours.

Cleveroad’s expert tip: Ensure your live streaming website includes robust analytics tools to monitor viewer behavior, engagement metrics, and performance, allowing for continuous optimization and better content strategy decisions.

As for advanced features, here are some ideas:

• Nearby broadcasters
• Ability to start a chat
• Push notifications
• Share on social media
• Top trending broadcasters

Considering all the factors we’ve already mentioned, let’s single out the final time and live streaming website development cost.

All the estimations below are based on the average rate in Central Europe — $50 per hour.

How to calculate the final cost? You need to multiply the number of hours requires to build a live streaming website by software developers’ hourly rates. We’ve counted the final price of live streaming website development in different regions.

• Central Europe. $74,800 (based on $50/h)
• North America. $149,600 (based on $100/h)
• Western Europe. $134,6400 (based on $90/h)
• Australia. $149,600 (based on $100/h)

Note: These numbers and timeline estimations are approximate and may differ depending on your unique case, particularly live streaming website complexity, functionality, development team selection, and more. Contact us to learn the cost of your live streaming website.

How to make a live streaming website profitable? In addition to good content, you need to consider the business models of your streaming platform and how to monetize it successfully.

There are three primary monetization strategies that you can integrate while you create a video streaming website:

• Ad-Based Video on Demand (AVOD)
• Subscription Video on Demand (SVOD)
• Transactional Video on Demand (TVOD)

Let’s single out the details of each option.

AVOD provides the content to users on a free basis, but advertisements accompany video viewing. Thus, the platform's earnings are generated from advertising. DailyMotion, 4OD, YouTube Live and Facebook Live use this model. By incorporating ads within their video streams, these platforms can offer free access to content while generating revenue from advertisers who wish to reach their large, engaged audiences.

This model is similar to traditional TV packages - the user gets unlimited access to content on the streaming website for a certain monthly fee. You can offer several subscription options - for example, individual and family. Popular streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, and Apple TV are benefiting from this model.

TVOD follows the opposite logic. The user is offered to purchase access to each product item for a fee. This model uses two options - electronic sell-through (EST), which implies purchase for permanent use, and download to rent (DTR), which means renting content for a certain period. The TVOD model is offered by YouTube, Apple's iTunes, and Amazon's video store.

Many live streaming platforms combine all three monetization models to attract more customers and make your own live stream website more profitable. For example, by default, YouTube offers users free content accompanied by ads (AVOD). However, premium content (e.g., movies) is paid using the TVOD model. Users can also purchase a monthly subscription to YouTube Premium (SVOD) to access ad-free content and additional features, such as video playback in the background mode.

Cleveroad is a certified media software development company with headquarters in Estonia (Central/Northern Europe). Our in-depth experience includes providing startups and businesses of all sizes with a wide range of IT-related services since 2011. Our team builds audio and video streaming (OTT, VOD), entertainment, and similar solutions for mobile devices, desktops, and TVs.

By working with us, you’ll be ensured of the following benefits:

• Practical in-depth experience in media software creation across numerous industries
• Hands-on experience working with streaming tools: Wowza, Dacast, Vimeo, Twilio, Agora, etc.
• Full-cycle development: UI/UX design services, app modernization, API integration, cloud-based solutions, and other IT-related services.
• A team of certified experts that constantly develop their competencies in advanced technology, such as IoT, AR, AI, blockchain, etc.
• Adaptable models: fixed price, dedicated teams, time & materials
• We are sure that transparency with customers and partners is a key to creating flawless software products
• A cutting-edge tech stack and innovative creation methods

We’ve been developing software solutions for the Streaming industry for over ten years. Our team is experienced in developing scalable websites and apps that meet tech and business requirements.

To prove our media and entertainment software development expertise, let us show our latest case — video-on-demand platform (Blockbuster).

The main project idea was to develop a streaming service for Nordic viewers. Blockbuster allows watching TV shows and movies via native apps for iOS, Android, Android TV, and tvOS. Additionally, the service has a web version.

Our team was challenged to redesign the UI, create an iOS app from scratch, reengineer Android and Android TV apps, and partially migrate to GraphQL.

As a result, we have created an interface as easy to use as possible, with no unnecessary elements. It encourages users to take purposeful actions. Our team has also created a sophisticated filtering system and added parental control and a list of favorite shows features.

You’re welcomed to check what CTO of Blockbuster Henrick Loop says about collaboration with Cleveroad regarding video on-demands platform development