Rideshare apps | Mobile apps

» CONVENIENCE IS KEY WHEN IT COMES TO RIDESHARE APPS

Developing a rideshare app

The first rideshare apps – Uber and Lyft – were launched in the USA in the early 2010s. Currently, the global ridesharing market is valued at around 90 billion USD.

Rideshare apps evolved from services designed to facilitate actual ride-sharing. Drivers who were already traveling to a destination could “sell” spare seats to people along the way, who would then travel with them. Ridesharing apps as we know them today operate as an easy, convenient, reliable way for users to hail what are effectively taxis using their phones.

If you’re looking to develop your own rideshare mobile app, you should conduct your market research first. Analyse the competition to find gaps in the market that your app could fill. These gaps could be missing features that you could build into your app or an audience that could be serviced better by a specialised rideshare app.

Features that make Uber so popular

Real-time tracking – Uber offers real-time tracking of your ride once it’s been accepted by the driver. This allows you to see how far away they are from you, track your trip after you’ve been picked up, and share your trip with contacts so that they can see where you are.

Split fares – If you’re riding with friends, Uber offers a way to split the fare between you.

Multiple drop-offs – Another useful feature when traveling with friends, this allows you to set multiple stops during the trip so that passengers can get off at different points.

Book for someone else – Uber allows you to book for another person to take a trip. They will receive an SMS with all the necessary details.

Schedule rides – You can book rides up to 30 days in advance.

Calendar shortcuts – Uber allows you to sync your calendar with the app. Any appointments with addresses will function as shortcuts, opening a trip with the appointment already set as the destination.

Things to consider when developing rideshare apps

Market research – Market research is very important when developing a rideshare app because there are already several big players in the field. Market research can reveal ways you can ensure that your app stands out.

Mobile platform – The platform you will be launching on – Android or iOS – depends on your target demographic. Though it’s easier than ever to develop concurrently for both platforms.

Key features – It’s important that your app has the features that users expect, as well as new features that give it an edge over the competition.

UI/UX design – Your app should be easy to use and intuitive. Users are quick to reject an app that is complicated or sluggish.

Development – The actual time spent developing and building a rideshare app can take between 3 and 6 months. The initial development is likely to start at R500 000 and increase depending on the complexity of the functions and features.

Testing and deployment – Your app should be thoroughly tested to ensure that there are no bugs, that your consumers’ data is secure, and that the app performs well. Stress-testing should also be done to ensure your app can handle large amounts of traffic. An MVP, or minimum viable product, can be a useful tool to test your app’s functionality.

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