There is a global shift in the ride-hailing industry as taxi app development makes sense that uplift existing taxi business. Moreover, people have begun to move from personal modes of transportation to taxi service as it is more convenient and comfortable for them to prefer. In 2017, taxi booking apps such as Uber and Lyft completed more than 35 million rides. According to Statista, 19.3% of active users are using the taxi app in 2020 and it is expected to rise to 20.6% by 2024.
As the popularity of taxi apps increases, it is a great choice to develop and launch a taxi booking app like Uber and Lyft. Developing the taxi booking app solution is not rocket science. You have to know some of the key points in the app development process. Let’s give a brief introduction on how to develop taxi booking in this blog.
Market research
The first step in developing the taxi booking app is conducting market research and understanding your competitors. This helps to come up with a business plan and this helps to identify the gaps in the ride-hailing industry. As a result, you have an idea of offering unique features.
Identify expertise
Secondly, you have to identify what taxi service you are going to offer to your target audience. That is, you should decide whether you will cater the carpooling service, outstation app, female-exclusive taxi app, or others.
Select a business model and revenue model
It is a crucial part of the taxi business. It would be best if you had a clear insight into the business model. Choosing the right business model helps to grow your business and run successfully in the long run. Besides, you have to decide on which revenue model to follow. Some of the popular revenue models are commission fee, cancellation fee, third-party promotions, and advertisements. If you plan to have some other new revenue models, you can integrate them into your taxi booking app solution.
Ready for app launch
Get your app designed and developed to speed up the activation process. Make sure to consider integrating the advanced features with the UI/UX design. Also, consider offering discounts, coupons, and offers to stand ahead of the competition. Ensure that the taxi app is free from bugs, glitches, and errors. When it is all set, the taxi booking app is ready to launch.
Regular check on your taxi app
Once you launch the taxi app on the platform you choose, you have to keep an eye on it. Check the reviews, ratings, and feedback posted by the customers. Upon analysing these factors, you can improve the app’s performance by releasing the updated version of the app. Most importantly, it is necessary to get in constant sync with your app development team to resolve the bugs in the app so that your customers can avail of the service with ease.
Challenges faced by the taxi booking industry in the pandemic
During the pandemic, the taxi booking industry is vulnerable as it has experienced both ups and downs. Therefore, it is essential for newbies to aim for betterment. People are more concerned about safety and hygiene during the crisis. Integrating the taxi booking app solution with premium safety measures helps to stand out from the crowd. That is, introduce Covid-19 features that emphasise on wearing gloves, facemask, and sanitizing the vehicle.
The next thing you have to focus on is privacy. It is the essential parameter and so the hidden phone numbers of customers can be a trendsetter in the coming days. In case of any queries, the riders and drivers can communicate via the in-app chat feature. Price aggregation algorithms in the taxi app will allow the users to know the estimated fare before confirming the ride. Whereas, in the future, this algorithm can be improved.
Summing up
According to Statista, it is projected that the net value of the ride-hailing industry will reach $126, 521 million by 2025. It is very clear that the demand for taxi apps is high. With the heavy competition in the market, you have to compete with the existing big players like Uber and Ola. You might think about how to go ahead with this competition. For that, you have to choose the taxi booking app solution with top-notch features and the latest technology. Also, select a reliable mobile app development company. Keep in mind that incorporating the Covid-19 safety features helps gain trust from your target customers and stand apart from the competition.
