How To Develop a Video Streaming Website Like Netflix 2023?

Suganya Mathivanan
11 min readAug 22, 2023

“Do you know how many people watched films online last year?”

Approximately 467 million people watched films online, while about 1.5 billion individuals streamed videos on various video streaming websites. As a wise person once said, ‘You stream it like you mean it.’ Video streaming has evolved from a luxury to an essential part of households, thanks to major players like Netflix, Hotstar, YouTube, and others.

For context, Netflix generated a whopping $31.6 billion in revenue in 2022, with a net income of $4.4 billion. The streaming giant’s net worth has soared from $3.58 billion in 2010 to $140.36 billion as of March 2023. YouTube, dominating the AVOD market, is valued between $140 and $300 billion in 2023, according to Business of Apps.

Industry reports project that the OTT universe, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.2%, will expand from $149.34 billion in 2022 to $171.99 billion in 2023. Clearly, OTT platforms have been a major trend in recent years.

So, if you’re a content owner or producer, considering the creation of your own online video streaming platform similar to Netflix could yield substantial returns. However, before delving into the Netflix business strategy, it’s crucial to understand the business model Netflix follows.

What led to the remarkable success of Netflix’s business model?

The immense success of Netflix’s business model in generating billions of dollars in revenue? There are two key factors at play.

Firstly, it’s the quality and diversity of digital assets in Netflix’s possession. It’s widely recognized that Netflix boasts the most comprehensive and versatile video library among all OTT platforms. Netflix disrupted the online streaming industry by taking the initiative to create its own content, rather than relying solely on external content. As a result, Netflix’s original shows have gained global popularity and garnered a dedicated fan base.

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Secondly, Netflix’s straightforward yet highly effective video subscription plans, including basic, standard, and premium options, cater to various consumer segments, enabling them to generate consistent and recurring revenue.

What is the monthly subscription fee for Netflix?

  1. The Basic plan with ads costs $6.99 per month and offers streaming quality of up to 720p (HD). It allows access for one simultaneous stream, but due to licensing restrictions, some titles may be inaccessible.
  2. The Basic plan without ads is priced at $9.99 per month, providing up to 720p (HD) streaming quality. It also allows for one simultaneous stream and offers access to all Netflix titles.
  3. The Standard plan costs $15.99 per month and offers full high-definition (1080p) streaming. It allows two simultaneous streams and grants access to all Netflix titles.
  4. The Premium plan, priced at $19.99 per month, offers the streaming quality of 1080p Full High Definition (FHD) and 4K Ultra HD. It allows up to four simultaneous streams and provides access to all Netflix titles.

The value proposition of Netflix comprises essential components, including:

Accessibility: Netflix’s core strategy for expanding its subscriber base revolves around delivering video content across various devices and operating systems, making it accessible to millions of users. Being an early adopter of cross-platform accessibility has significantly enhanced the user experience, allowing individuals to access their watchlists seamlessly from devices like browsers, smart TVs (e.g., Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV), tablets, mobile browsers, and mobile applications.

Original Content: Netflix’s offering of exclusive programs, award-winning shows, and original content not available on other video-on-demand (VOD) platforms encourages users to subscribe. Beyond third-party content, Netflix’s in-house productions contribute significantly to its credibility and growth.

No Advertising: Netflix provides a premium ad-free experience for its subscribers. While it generates a substantial portion of its revenue from subscriptions, advertising accounts for only 10% of its total revenue. This business model contributes to Netflix’s profitability.

Read also this: How OTT Platforms Earn Money

Unmatched Customer Experience: Netflix offers multiple channels for customer support, including email, real-time chats, social media, and telephony, with a short average response time compared to its competitors.

One Platform, Worldwide: With availability in over 190 countries and content in more than 20 global languages, Netflix transcends language and regional barriers, providing a truly global platform.

Relatively Affordable Pricing: Netflix adopts a strategy of low pricing and high revenue. Its affordability attracts a wide range of audiences, particularly those in the middle to upper-middle-class segments. By keeping package prices as low as possible, Netflix continues to grow its subscriber base.

With these essential components, Netflix has achieved tremendous success. Now, let’s explore what it takes to create a video streaming website like Netflix.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Video Streaming Website Similar to Netflix

Creating a video streaming website similar to Netflix involves a series of steps, and we’ll delve into each of them in detail.

  1. Plan Your Content for Your Target Audience: Your first step is to determine how to engage and entertain users within your specific niche using a Video-On-Demand (VOD) platform. Your content creation strategy should revolve around your target audience’s expectations, considering factors like whether you’ll partner with third-party publishers or produce original content, the format of your videos (series or one-off episodes), your chosen business model, content accessibility (free or subscription-based), and subscription methods.
  2. Define Your Unique Selling Proposition (USP): Your Unique Selling Proposition is a critical factor in building a video streaming platform. Clearly define your USP and communicate it effectively to your audience. A well-defined USP gives you a competitive edge. For instance, Netflix’s USP is its technology, enabling subscribers to access content anytime and anywhere across various devices.
  3. Choosing the Right Platform Provider: It’s beneficial to entrust the technical aspects to a professional Over-The-Top (OTT) platform provider. However, there are numerous options in this industry. To make the right choice, focus on features such as cross-platform accessibility, content delivery quality, live streaming support, Video-On-Demand (VOD) hosting capabilities, security tools, and more. Select the platform that aligns with your requirements.
  4. Features Required for the Video Streaming Platform: The necessary functionalities for a streaming website, like Netflix, may vary depending on your brand objectives. Strive to develop essential features minimally to ensure optimal customer satisfaction while achieving your objectives.
  5. Reliable Video Hosting: Scalability is crucial for a video streaming business. Decide whether to host on the cloud or on-premises, considering the security of your valuable video assets. Cloud hosting relies on third-party services, while on-premises hosting offers greater control.
  6. Content Availability: Determine whether you’ll stream content from other distributors/providers or create and stream your own. Both options require legitimate licensing for public streaming, so make this decision based on your business’s demands and goals.
  7. Choosing the Right Monetization Model: Explore various monetization options for your on-demand video streaming business, such as subscription plans, ad embedding, rental or lifetime access, one-time payments, hybrid models, catch-up TV, SSAI, and CSAI, to maximize your return on investment.
  8. Addressing Security Concerns: Security is paramount in the world of video streaming. Ensure that your platform prioritizes content security. Implement measures like 24/7 monitoring, domain restrictions, geo-region restrictions, watermarking for live streams, and multi-DRM support to combat piracy and protect your content.

Flicknexs: A Leading Player in the Video Streaming Solution Market

Flicknexs provides a comprehensive package of hosting options customization capabilities, unlimited video uploads, a dependable video content management system, impressive features, and multiple video monetization models. Let’s explore what Flicknexs offers to determine if it’s the right fit for your business.

Key Features of the Online Video Streaming Platform

Creating a Netflix-style platform is more achievable than it may seem. To do so, follow the steps outlined below:

Video Content Management: Flicknexs simplifies video uploads with an intuitive drag-and-drop method. You can effortlessly upload and manage any number of videos and schedule them for seamless delivery.

Video Distribution: Flicknexs excels as the best video CDN provider, equipped with an exceptional content delivery network (CDN) that ensures effective video content delivery to the right audience across various platforms, all while adhering to broadcast licensing requirements.

Transcoding: The video transcoding feature reduces costs by converting media files from the source format to the user-demanded format, ensuring subscribers enjoy the highest quality playback without interruptions.

User Profile Management: Full access to user accounts allows for personalized user profiles tailored to individual preferences and functionality.

Playlist: Create, customize, and schedule playlists for easy access to favorite content, offering a personalized viewing and listening experience on the go.

Subscription and Payment Gateway: After the free trial, users can select from various membership plans and make payments through secure methods.

White Labeling Support: Establish a branded video streaming website with white-labeled services, ensuring long-term accessibility and increased revenue opportunities.

Video Streaming Analytics: Gain complete control of streaming applications or platforms, similar to Netflix, with comprehensive analytics that includes insights from each streaming session, individual viewing experiences, real-time actionable data, and more.

Subtitle and Closed Caption Support: Enable audiences to relate to content by offering subtitles and closed captions, enhancing the user experience, and making content more accessible.

How to Generate Revenue from Your Video Streaming Website or App (with the Potential for Up to 4X Return on Investment)

The most pivotal aspect of the Video-On-Demand (VOD) business revolves around monetizing your videos. After all, businesses are profit-oriented, and the allure of generating additional revenue is universally appealing. Therefore, it’s essential to grasp the fundamentals — understanding your target audience, assessing the market, and recognizing your content genre — and then align the most appropriate monetization model accordingly. Here are some of the widely adopted monetization models with high revenue potential for a VOD platform:

  1. Subscription Video on Demand (SVoD): Monetize your content by offering monthly, quarterly, half-yearly, and annual subscriptions through an SVOD platform. It’s a highly lucrative model, favored by industry giants like Netflix and Disney+.
  2. Pay-Per-View (TVoD): Every penny counts in business, and that’s precisely the concept behind the ‘pay-per-view’ or Transactional Video on Demand (TVOD) monetization model. Rent your videos for a limited time or provide lifetime access to subscribers, allowing you to monetize videos in a single transaction.
  3. Advertising Video on Demand (AVoD): AVOD, as the name implies, relies heavily on advertising revenue. Advertisements appear in pre- mid, and post-rolls during video playback, and you can incorporate overlay ads on banners and scrollbars to boost revenue. YouTube is a prominent example of the AVOD model.
  4. Catch-Up TV: Enable users to stream missed episodes of TV shows, serials, and videos based on their preferences, with a flexible fee assigned for a specific period. This approach can garner extensive engagement, particularly when users miss previous seasons in traditional box sets.
  5. Coupons and Promotions: In a world brimming with offers, coupons, and promo codes, this monetization model capitalizes on them for revenue generation. Make exclusive videos available to targeted audiences on special occasions, incentivizing opportunities beyond the ordinary to maximize returns.
  6. Third-Party Ad Integration: Host content related to ads and deliver them directly to your user base through mobile apps and websites. This approach enables you to optimize ad campaigns and gather detailed reports on traceable ad-serving activity, fostering collaborations to enhance your platform’s performance and efficiency.
  7. Hybrid Models: Hybrid monetization models are gaining popularity in the video streaming business landscape. Combining pay-per-view models with enticing sponsorships can add value to your existing business model. Additionally, offering premium content with interactive features for users can enhance revenue streams.

These monetization strategies should be carefully considered and tailored to your specific business objectives before finalization.

8 Essential Security Features for a Video Streaming Website

From piracy concerns to security threats, the video streaming industry grapples with its fair share of vulnerabilities. Therefore, it’s crucial to tackle these security challenges, which are increasingly prevalent in our technology-driven economy. Here are some indispensable safeguards to fortify your streaming infrastructure:

  1. IP-Based Access Control: Grant access to viewers based on their geographical location to ensure content is experienced by the intended audience while preventing unauthorized entry.
  2. Multi-DRM Platform: Implementing a Multi-Digital Rights Management (DRM) platform allows you to control your videos using DRM systems, safeguard your premium content with key copyright protections, and block unauthorized access.
  3. Token Security: Ensure access to the video streaming website is granted through a physical or electronic key, accompanied by an enabling password for added security.
  4. AES Encryption: Among a range of multi-tier security protocols, employing AES encryption with 128/256-bit cryptographic keys helps keep your data secure and shields it from prying eyes.
  5. Watermarking: Safeguard your video content against redistribution on other platforms by employing advanced watermarking technology.
  6. Payment Security: VPlayed integrates with the world’s most secure payment gateways, ensuring seamless and secure payment transactions on the video streaming website.
  7. Screenshot Prevention: Prevent unauthorized capture of images through screenshots and screen recordings by applying techniques that blur or disable such actions, effectively countering data leaks, video piracy, and infringement.
  8. Restrict Simultaneous Logins: Control accessibility by limiting concurrent logins based on monitored login credentials. This allows you to manage views in concurrent streams at the asset level effectively.

What Sets Flicknexs Apart From the Competition?

There are numerous reasons to consider. For instance, in a market where personalization is key, every brand aims to cultivate a dedicated audience. Flicknexs addresses this by providing a wide array of customization options, ranging from user experiences to comprehensive analytical dashboards for monitoring performance, all conveniently accessible in one place.

Furthermore, Flicknexs offers an enterprise-grade application through its White Label OTT platform, allowing you to create video streaming websites like Netflix or YouTube, all branded with your own name.

How Much Does Cost to Develop a Video Streaming Website?

Typically, the expense associated with building a video streaming website resembling Netflix is contingent on various factors. These include the extent of customization required, the specific features you desire, and the level of security features incorporated into the platform.

Key considerations encompass development costs, online video hosting expenses, addressing device fragmentation, design elements, and the integration of a video player.

As a leading provider in the Video-On-Demand (VOD) streaming industry, VPlayed offers a cost structure where you make a one-time payment for the entire video streaming platform. This approach alleviates concerns related to ongoing subscription-based video streaming costs.

Conclusion

As internet access becomes more widespread, the demand for distinctive content continues to rise. The remarkable market capitalization of companies like Netflix ($140 billion) and YouTube ($180 billion) serves as live evidence of the substantial profits attainable through the distribution of unique content, provided the right approach is taken.

It’s essential to remember that Netflix didn’t achieve its current status overnight. It entailed years of methodical planning and diligent execution to reach its current position. Nevertheless, the market remains far from saturated, with a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 15%.

This presents ample opportunities for newcomers like you to enter the industry and establish a profitable streaming venture. What you need is a meticulously devised business strategy, precise execution, and access to a world-class provider of the best online video platforms.

So, why wait? Start your journey here.

If you already have an idea for creating a video streaming website, book a free demo, and we’ll set you on the path to achieving success in the world of video streaming.

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