How to create an app like Uber? (Taxi-booking app)
Taxi!
Now that is one word that brings us back to the days we stood in the roadsides in scorching heat, drenching rain and cold winds, just the same; praying for a taxi to stop.
But that has changed over time; Uber revolutionized the taxi service. We have gone from waiting for a taxi, to a taxi waiting for us whenever needed.
Cabs have now become an integral part of our lives, thanks to taxi booking applications. And the different features that they provide the user with, makes it almost impossible for the consumers to fall back to the traditional ways of hailing a cab.
Although Uber has made our lives easier, when it comes to using these applications for booking a cab, there is a whole bunch of problems that still stand. Sometimes the cab takes too long to reach the pick-up destination, sometimes the driver cancels the booking for some reason and sometimes the driver isn’t the best person to travel with.
All these situations, combined with the stress of coping with the new updates that developers keep rolling out, surely make you wish that you had some control over things, wish that you had your own app that could overcome these problems at a much personal level.
However, to create an application that can fulfil the desires of the client, a clear vision is required at the client’s end. A self-aware client with proper communication is the dream of every company. If the client knows what they want, then half of the company’s work is done right there.
So, read ahead and educate yourself on how to create an app like Uber; to decide what you need, corroborate the work of the developer and to get your money’s worth.
A taxi-booking app generally stands upon three pillars.
· Passenger App
· Driver App
· Admin App
These three applications run simultaneously to provide the user with the application (Uber, Ola, Lyft, etc) that allows them to book the cab of their needs.
These mobile applications are coded and run on languages like Java, Kotlin, Swift, React Native, etc. The developer will code the three aforementioned applications according to the required features and interface.
Passenger App
As the name suggests this is the app that will interact with the user (who wishes to book a cab). The user interface of this application presents features like cab type, fare calculator, etc to the user. This is the application that gets used most as the number of passengers is far more than that of the cabs.
This is the application that generates revenue for the owners.
FEATURES
Sign up/ login: This feature allows the passengers to register on the application or log in (if already registered) to use the application for bookings. Email and/or social media login option can be used for this purpose. Without this feature, it will be impossible to sue the app.
Tracking: This feature allows the passenger to track the whereabouts of the taxi en route. This gives assurance to the passenger that the cab is on its way and the time left till it reaches to the pick-up spot.
Fare calculator: To calculate the cost of a ride from pickup location to the desired destination this feature is essential. It calculates the fare that is to be charged on the basis of distance, type of ride and the type of car. The fare calculated may differ at the time of booking when compared to booking the cab in advance for the same route, depending upon the traffic.
Payment: Payment of fare may be induced via app wallet (A wallet within the application), automatically via connected credit card, cash, etc. The passenger may receive the receipt of payment on their phone via text message or even via email. The payment can either be done at the end of the ride or at the start, as desired by the traveler.
This feature is where the main revenue is generated. Hence, a lot of thought should be put in making this feature seamless.
Rating and Review: This feature shall enable the user to rate and review the travel and the driver. The reviews help in improving the service and determining the performance of the drivers as well. The ratings may be referenced in deciding the commission of the drivers so as to facilitate a cost efficient business.
Booking history: The passengers may wish to keep a track of the rides taken by them over the time. Hence a feature that can store the details of all the transactions of the past might prove to be useful.
Driver App
This app is for the drivers that are connected with the network of the application. This application is only for the use of these drivers and isn’t even available to the general users. It works in sync with the passenger application as to inform the driver about the booking details in real time, so that the driver may adjust his schedule accordingly.
FEATURES
Register: This feature is more or less same as that in passenger app. It allows the drivers to register on the application with their profile. The profile may consist- the years of experience, driving license, their desired schedule for work (if any), etc., apart from basic requirements like name, age and phone number.
Booking: The driver may accept or deny the incoming booking as per the convenience on the basis of the customer location, destination or their previous history with the rider.
Confirmation: The safety of the passenger is of utmost importance and to ensure the highest degree of safety, a thorough research shall be conducted before selecting the drivers.
These drivers shall be verified by the administration on their skills, the status of any prior criminal records, driving license, taxi number, etc. Once a driver is cleared of all the requirements, they may receive the confirmation via text, call or on the app itself.
Navigation
To help the drivers with the shortest route to the destination, updates on the traffic ahead or to provide a route to a location they’ve never been to, navigation technology is needed. Google maps or Google places may be used for the purpose or you may use your own GPS technology. As per the requirements.
Reports: The drivers turn in their report on the cost incurred during the day, idle time spent, customer experience and other important matters for the administration.
Support: For any queries, the drivers may turn to this feature. They shall be allowed to get in contact with the administration when the situation calls for it.
Admin App
To manage all the processes and the drivers, a team is assembled. This team handles the availability of drivers, payments, queries of both passengers and drivers, analyze the reviews for a better experience and take required actions when the situation calls for it. This team is referred to as administration.
To manage everything from one place, admin panel is required. This is the third application that is required for the completion of your taxi-booking application.
This application allows the administration to manage both the passenger information and that of the drivers.
Following are the features that are generally used for admin panel.
Vehicle management: The admin panel allows the administration to manage the vehicles available for bookings and those that are engaged already.
Complaint management: The complaints admitted by the passengers and the drivers should be addressed as soon as possible. This feature filters out the complaints from both the parties for efficient conduct.
Tracking: The administration tracks the location of all the taxi(s) that are in contract with them. This helps to reduce idle time, unnecessary cost increment (for example, if the driver deliberately chooses the longer route when a shorter route is available, just to increase the cost) and to avoid any mishap with any customer.
Driver’s commission: Drivers get their payment in the form of commission; the rates of this commission are set by the administration on several grounds, one of them being the driver’s ratings.
Admin reports: To check the statistics regarding total trips in a particular period, these reports play a major role. This feature helps to plan for the future by providing the past reports.
All three of the applications run intermittently, so obviously some of the features are going to be interchanged between the applications. They are present in all three apps and serve the same purpose invariably.
After reading all the information, a few questions might be clouding your mind.
a) How much time will it take to complete all the processes?
b) How much is this going to cost me?
c) And who will code all these applications (if you do not know how)?
Do not fret, for we have all the answers for you, starting with the most important one.
Who will do the coding/developing the applications for you?
Here’s the answer, codenicely.in. We provide you with all that you need. Let us do the hard work for you so you may enjoy life without a worry in the world.
CodeNicely provides the platform for you to develop the apps you need without any hassle. Our team has the best people at work.
All you need to do is list what you require in your app and we will deliver.
Just like that!
No need to run to different places or people, when all you need is provided underneath one roof at economical prices and best results.
Coming to the next question- how much time will it take to complete all the processes?
Generally, the process takes between 4 to 6 months to complete, depending upon the complexities of the application.
CodeNicely works to deliver the finished product on the deadline, if not before. Although it’s always for the better if the developers are given significant amount of time to complete the task, we can deliver the product earlier than the standard period; but in that case the cost may differ from the original plan.
And the last question that drives your decisions the most: how much will it cost?
The cost of such an app depends on some factors listed below.
· Web development: Web development refers to creating a website for the application. Although there is a large number of people who operate over the mobile applications, there still remains a significant customer base that still prefer websites. Creating both will ensure a broader target audience than singular choice.
· Back-end development: This is the interface that acts as the foundation of the app like Uber, Ola, etc and connects all the elements with one another. This is the platform with all the features that are chosen by the developer.
· Native app development: The launching platform of the application such as Android/iOS determines the cost as well. Choosing one platform would cost less than choosing to launch on both although the market would be larger if both the platforms are utilised.
· Design (The features that are chosen).
· Management
· Quality
Keeping all the above factors in mind, the general price that may emerge at the end might range anywhere from $100 to $100,000; depending upon the development hours put in by the developers.
CodeNicely is one of the industry’s leading web and app developers. They provide the best experience and meet the client’s expectations. Their experience in creating apps that stand tall on the requirements of the client is exemplary. Furthermore, at CodeNicely, consumer satisfaction is of utmost paramount, making them of the leading IT startups.
Visit us at codenicely and take a step forward in realizing your dream. Let your creativity bring out the best in you! And we’ll bring that to life.
We value your opinions and feedback so please comment below and express your thoughts. Because we strive to improve with every step and if you liked the article then do not forget to tap that clap 👏 button down below, to show your support.
Source: CodeNicely Blog
