Beyond Webcams and OnlyFans: Designing an App

We were inspired by dating sites and online chat models, and ultimately launched an AI messenger with virtual companions. In our app, AI girls reach out first, send photos, and voice messages, and users can customize them to their liking 😈.

Hello! I'm Daler, co-founder of ByteTown. We design cool products for AI, crypto, and web3 companies. We also create websites, apps, and digital products of any complexity—from promo landing pages to aggregators and portals. Last spring, we started working on a messenger that mimics a relationship with a real girlfriend. Spoiler: sometimes, there’s more than one.

Here’s a look at how we were among the first to bring the concept of virtual AI companions to life, creating a unique UX/UI design for this messenger. I’ll also explain what the online girlfriend can do and why, in some ways, she's even more interesting and convenient than a real person.

The Client: An Entrepreneur Looking for a Romantic AI Messenger

An overseas client approached us with an idea for a product allowing users to chat with a virtual girlfriend. The startup concept emerged during the AI hype. The hypothesis was simple: people are busy, and meeting someone in real life can be challenging, but there are plenty of popular online services where men interact with women. What if, instead of a real person, users interacted with a virtual one?

According to the client’s idea, the AI girlfriend would initiate the conversation, send photos, support interesting dialogues, and not get upset over minor issues. She would be an ideal partner, possibly even rivaling real-life companions.

The client initially wanted to test how people in the U.S., the Middle East, and North Africa would react to virtual girlfriends. We agreed that if the concept gained traction, we would proceed with developing the full AI messenger.

Testing the Market and Announcing the Chat

For audience testing, we decided to create a landing page—a simpler and cheaper alternative to building an app from scratch. But to attract people and drive good conversions, we went all out to make the landing page impressive.

While we didn't yet have the actual messenger, we brainstormed and came up with ideas that would later shape the product. For example, we generated images of beautiful girls using Midjourney and highlighted the benefits of a virtual companion. We also emphasized that an online girlfriend wouldn’t complain about nights out with friends and could be customized to fit any preference.

The client promoted the landing page on social media and through Google Ads. We collected audience sign-ups on a waitlist and monitored feedback, testing various starting prices, like $99, to see how many people would be willing to pay. We achieved strong user interest and a high conversion rate—25–30%. Plus, the site won multiple awards, including Design Awards.

Launching the MVP: Initial Chat and Messages from the Girlfriend

When we confirmed solid demand for the virtual girlfriend, we quickly moved on to the MVP phase. One drawback was the lack of existing references, as products like this were unheard of in 2023, so we had to look for inspiration in less obvious niches. For instance, the client was heavily inspired by Telegram’s layout and features during development.

We decided to build the product using UX best practices. Reinventing the wheel is costly and time-consuming, so we used familiar messaging app patterns. The MVP included only two screens: one for messages from the girl and another for the chat. Users could select multiple characters and chat with each simultaneously—none of them took offense 😏.

Our client handled the backend, while we took care of the frontend and design.

Designing the Full Messenger: Inspired by Tinder and TikTok

When the MVP delivered initial results, we and the client worked on scaling the product. To make the messenger more engaging, we searched for fresh ideas and drew inspiration from various sources. Since the product is primarily romantic, it was essential to explore not only the AI market but also dating apps and popular social networks. We incorporated the best patterns from industry giants, like Instagram (Meta, banned in Russia), TikTok, and Tinder.

To add value, we created an interactive onboarding experience where users could customize their AI girlfriend's characteristics, such as:

• Appearance: eye color, body type, and nationality. Users could even upload a photo, which the AI would then resemble.
• Communication style: relaxed, romantic, or bold.
• Conversation topics: options included science, sports, cars, cinema, art, music, travel, and more.

Inside the chat, we added features to enhance the experience:

• Voice messages, to make interactions feel more realistic (inspired by Telegram).
• Stories from the girls to spark curiosity and keep users engaged, similar to Instagram stories (Meta, banned in Russia).

Monetizing the Product: Ideas Borrowed from Online Model Chats

We opted for a subscription-based monetization model with a PRO version. Without it, users could chat with a limited number of girls, but for some, that’s enough. We wanted to incorporate triggers for upselling.

Drawing from online model chats, we included several premium features. For instance, viewing a girl’s story or chatting with a new character required a paid subscription.

We also implemented a virtual wallet in the app. Users received a small balance to start with, which they could spend on chatting with girls. Once they ran out, they could purchase more coins.

Additional paid features inspired by online chats included:

• Voice messages: girls could read any text aloud.
• Video loops: live video snippets are more captivating than photos.
• Virtual dates: users could invite a girl to a "date" through messages, discussing a virtual dinner or picnic.

Adding Gamification and Characters

To keep interactions interesting, we introduced a few more features for user retention. In the app, users can chat with anime characters or game heroines, such as Zaira from League of Legends. If they prefer to focus on one companion, they can even change her personality—for example, transitioning from a friendly tone to a more playful style, where she might occasionally get “upset” 🙃.

We also added gamification elements:

• Fortune wheel: users could win a 50% discount on the PRO version or virtual coins to spend on gifts or photos.
• Memories: photos, voice messages, and topics from past conversations are highlighted for users, such as beach trips or park walks, or other memorable dialogues.

What’s Next: Monitoring Stats and Evolving the Product

With over 600,000 downloads, we're not planning to stop there. Currently, the PRO subscription costs $16.99 per month, but we’re exploring more flexible options for users.

We also aim to add more characters, as well as options for camera-based or audio-only calls. Recent releases have already introduced a psychologist, fitness trainer, and even a fortune teller, but the girls remain the most popular choice.

The Bottom Line: A Virtual Girlfriend for Real Life

We believe this messenger with virtual girlfriends is a great product with its own audience. It’s an excellent solution for people who may lack time or feel shy about meeting new people. Online interactions can even serve as practice for real-life relationships. We also offer male characters like a friend, bartender, or fitness instructor.

Digital relationships are becoming less rare. In May 2024, a Chinese woman named Lisa Li decided to marry a version of ChatGPT. She even introduced her AI boyfriend to her parents and is considering a wedding.