7 Tips to Build an Astounding Location-Based App
Turning a dream to reality may be a lifetime challenge.
Turning an idea to an app may be a fascinating journey. Of course, if you use the actionable methods and have a reliable engineering partner by your side.
Fortunately, in this article, you can find both.
A location-aware app is a source of profit, a great way to upgrade an existing business, a powerful way to cater to users’ needs in a defined location. Keeping an eye on the popularity and success of location-based apps, we’ve decided to inspire you to create one. Besides, we’ve collected the best tips on how to launch a striking geolocation app. Make yourself comfortable, and let’s start your great business journey.
Tips to build a geolocation app
Take a look at powerful tips to start an app for millions of users:
First, there must be an idea
You may already have one, or you may not. If you haven’t built a clear vision of your startup app, take a look at the most promising geolocation app ideas you can bring to life. Analyze local market needs and dedicate some time to brainstorming: can you see the way to satisfy users’ demands with a geolocation app in your region? Is there an unoccupied niche your future app may fit in?
Most of the startups die because the market doesn’t need a solution they offer. Avoid this pitfall at the very beginning, and make sure potential users need and look forward to your solution.
Get acquainted with basics
There is an entire technical galaxy behind each location-aware app. And if you build basic awareness about these technologies and how they work, you may discover more ways to cater to users’ needs.
There are 2 types of geo detection:
- Outdoor geo detection
One of the most common technologies here is a GPS or Global Positioning System. Also, A-GPS and CellID technologies are used to detect the smartphone’s position outdoors. - Indoor geo detection
If you plan to build an app for navigating inside a building or a complex, Bluetooth low energy technologies play an essential role.
WiFi and Geofencing technologies are useful in both above-mentioned cases.
Enhance your knowledge in this sphere, and success will get closer.
Each industry has its hero
…or get to know your potential competitors.
Location-aware apps find their application in all industries. The point is to find companies that already succeed with an idea similar to yours.
- If you think about launching a retail location-aware app, take a look at Curbside. This app connects physical stores with online shoppers and cooperates with more than 100 world-known brands;
- In the transportation industry, Uber occupies one of the leading positions. An inspiring example of a startup that changed the transportation industry deserves your attention;
- If you want to spread the awareness about local businesses and let users share their reviews on bars and restaurants nearby, take a look at how Zomato does it. Good old Foursquare is a powerful player in this niche, too.
Try similar apps. Read users’ reviews and find the drawbacks. Each of the competitor’s weakness may become your critical advantage.
- Read also: How to Build a Babysitting App Like Uber?
Decide on key features
Now, it is time to decide what your app will be able to do. Depending on its purpose and industry you plan to enter, the list of features can be huge. However, there are several ones you need to mark as a must-have.
- Real-time location determination
This is the essence of your app. Implement it to measure user’s activity, let people share their locations or provide specific services: on the basis of this feature, your app can do everything. - Map
With a detailed map, location determination makes real sense. Let users navigate outdoors or indoors, find their favorite shops or build hiking trails — with a map, it all becomes possible. - Places
Enhance your map with places. Let it be cafes and restaurants, hotels and museums, parks and other places of interest. Here, everything depends on your app’s specifics and integrated API. Learn which APIs may serve your app’s needs best and use one. - Read also: API for location-based apps
- Navigation
Most of the smartphones’ owners use their devices to easily get the needed directions.
Navigation and routing features provide users with the opportunity to get to defined places in the most convenient way. In your app, you can also calculate routes, show traffic jams, build the most “touristic” routes etc. - Travel time estimation
Upgrade your app with a powerful calculator. Inform your users how much time exactly they need to wait for a cab or a delivery. Tell them how much time they need to get from their current location to Empire State building or any other place of interest.
Once critical functionality is implemented, you can add specific, unique features for your location-aware app.
Start slowly
At the very beginning of your journey, you should validate your location-aware app idea.
- Design a simple prototype to demonstrate the main app’s screens and relations between them. Make sure that forms, colors, fonts and other elements of design are user-oriented.
- Launch an MVP, or a minimum viable product, to attract first users, collect their feedback and raise initial investments.
The software development process is a complex task that may take much time and money. Don’t miss a chance to raise investments at the very beginning and launch a simple but high-quality MVP.
- Read also: How Long It Takes to Build an App
Choose cross-platform development approach
To build a mobile app, you can use one of those ways:
- Native development that requires the participation of 2 separate teams for iOS and Android development.
- Cross-platform development means building an app that looks and works well on any platform.
Native development is nearly twice as expensive as a cross-platform approach. It requires a bigger team and more time contributed to recruitment and hiring.
Cross-platform development is a profitable alternative. It is a faster and easier way to get the expected results. Here, tools like React Native, Ionic, Flutter, Cordova etc may come in handy.
- Read also: Flutter vs React Native: Which One to Choose?
Focus on data security
In a case with geolocation app, privacy is a sharp question. More than 30% of smartphone users don’t trust apps with their personal info. Your app will access sensitive information which is very often stolen. So pay particular attention to data protection tactics and always inform your users about:
- Information your app will access,
- And how this information will be processed.
Always ask users for permission to turn geolocation functionality on. Let your operations be transparent.
And last but not least….
Delegate everything you can. Delegating routine tasks, software design and development, marketing etc will save you a significant amount of time. Instead of deciding on the right technology stack, build your business plan and focus on the app’s growth.
Choose your development partner wisely, and reach the desired goals.
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