Don’t you have a bunch of on-demand apps installed on your phone?
We all must have at least a couple of such apps that we use on a daily basis…
Think of one of it from food delivery to grocery shopping, and of course, ride-hailing or taxi booking apps… These platforms have become an essential part of our daily lives.
And let’s be honest, when it comes to ride-hailing apps, Uber is the name that’s most likely sitting on your home screen. Its unmatched success has made it the go-to choice for millions worldwide.
According to Statista, in the last 4 months of 2024 alone, 161 million people used this app at least once per month. That’s some massive numbers!
But the real question arises what exactly makes Uber the top pick?
More importantly, how can you create an Uber like app that turns into a profitable business?
This is what we’re about to discuss in detail. Because there are so many naive entrepreneurs and even big companies planning to build uber like apps. All they need to understand is the actual insights and steps to create uber like app from an experienced mobile app development company in Dubai.
Let’s get into the details of why to make app like Uber and what it actually requires.
What Makes Uber the Top Pick?
As we discussed, there are a bunch of different on-demand mobile apps on your phone already, but why does Uber stand out? The main reason behind it is the brilliant minds behind Uber. They understood their target audience, put their innovation, and then developed this app to deliver exceptional user experience.
Uber’s success doesn’t lie in its rides offering capabilities, it’s because of the convenience it provides to both riders and drivers. Here are some standout features that set it apart:
User-Friendly Interface:
One of the main attractions of any on-demand mobile app is its convenient and intuitive user journey. No one would want to get stuck with hard-to-navigate mobile applications that do complex things instead of making them easier. Uber tapped into this physiological impact on the human mind and designed to make booking a ride as easy as tapping a few buttons. The whole ride-hailing journey is sleek – from choosing a pickup location to selecting a ride type, everything is as easy as a breeze.
Real-Time GPS Tracking:
There was a time when passengers use to visit bus and taxi stations to catch their rides, which is a thing of the past. Today? Everything is in your palm, yes! With a few clicks on your smartphone. Once you’ve booked your ride on Uber, you can easily trace where your driver is and the estimated time of their arrival. Once they arrive, and start the ride, you can still monitor the route during the trip. A professional on-demand app development company in Dubai can even make app like Uber that allows users to share their live location with their friends and family.
Multiple Payment Options:
Carrying cash is somehow considered a hassle nowadays, people prefer cashless transactions now. Considering this user’s demand, Uber offers flexible payment methods, from credit cards to digital wallets, catering to diverse user preferences.
Dynamic Pricing:
There was a time when bargaining for your taxi fare was another battle itself. Those who tend to be good at bargaining get reasonable fare, but most of them (with bad bargaining skills) end up overpaying. Uber’s pricing algorithm put this uncertainty to an end. It adjusts fares based on demand and supply, maximizing earnings while meeting user expectations. Once you’ve added your pick-up and destination, you can select from different ride categories, based on your liking and the fare they offer.
Driver and Rider Ratings:
Uber has put its customer security as the top priority. Its mutual review system fosters trust and promotes accountability. This system helps the team to make changes in their offerings based on user feedback.
These are some of the features you need to add to your Uber-like mobile application. Don’t just copy them, make sure to add uniqueness to come up with something that stands out.
Key Steps to Build an Uber-Like App
1. Understand the On-Demand Business Model
Uber is about connecting demand (riders) with supply (drivers) through a real-time platform. If you’re thinking of developing something similar, make sure to conduct extensive research on consumer behavior related to these on-demand mobile apps.
2. Research What Others Are Doing
You can’t just wake up in the morning and start building a business out of a sudden. You must understand the fact that there are already established Uber-like companies offering similar services and having a great clientele. How can you compete with them? First, outline your app’s unique selling proposition (USP) and target audience. You must have something unique to offer that your already successful competitors don’t have. This could be something so small, for instance, you can just add a bonus system into your app. Based on the number of rides a user books, you reward them accordingly with some extra bonus points. They can then redeem these points in their next rides as compensation for their fare. It’s all about getting your competitive edge that makes users choose you over others.
3. Focus on Essential Features
Don’t just get carried away into making your app fancy. Make app like Uber with seamless yet enjoyable basic features. There must be three main components: the rider app, the driver app, and the admin panel. This is what these features will actually do:
- Rider App Features:
- Ride booking
- Real-time tracking
- Fare estimation
- Multiple payment options
- Ratings and reviews
- Driver App Features:
- Ride requests
- Route optimization
- Earnings dashboard
- In-app chat
- Driver ratings
- Admin Panel Features:
- User and driver management
- Payment management
- Analytics and reporting
- Customer support tools
4. Using Advanced Tech Stack
Uber’s success lies in its robust technology stack. Their expert app developers in Dubai keep the app sleek and feature-rich by using state-of-the-art design and development technologies. And if you want to know how to develop an app like uber then you must consider these 4 technical aspects, you’ll need:
- Backend Development: Ensure seamless communication between users, drivers, and servers using frameworks like Node.js or Python.
- Real-Time GPS Integration: Use APIs like Google Maps or Mapbox for accurate navigation.
- Payment Gateway Integration: Secure and efficient payment processing methods with options like Stripe or PayPal.
- Scalability: Use cloud platforms like AWS or Azure to handle traffic spikes.
5. Partner with the Right Development Team
Serious about turning your idea into a high-functioning app? You need skilled professionals. Hiring an experienced team for mobile app development in Dubai like the ones from Techigatior AE can help you come up with an uber like app that’s built with local and global market trends in mind.
How Much Does It Cost to Build an App Like Uber?
In order to calculate the exact cost, you must first need to finalize your app’s features, platform choice, and development team location. But, for an estimated cost, here’s what you can expect:
- Basic App: $50,000 to $80,000
- Mid-Range App with Advanced Features: $80,000 to $150,000
- High-End App with Custom Features: $150,000+
By collaborating with a reliable mobile app development company in Dubai, you can optimize costs without compromising quality.
Conclusion:
The on-demand market is experiencing its golden era, and apps like Uber have proven to be recession-proof. Whether it’s convenience, time-saving, or job creation, these apps cater to universal needs. You can get a fair share of this booming market by building a similar app. Keep in consideration that you’re not just creating a service, you’re establishing a business with unlimited growth potential.
FAQs
1- Which taxi service is best in Dubai?
There are so many options when it comes to ride-healing apps, like Uber, Hala, and Careem. Uber ranks top out of these because of its user-centric user interface and competitive fares.
2- Is Uber allowed in Dubai?
Yes, uber is completely safe and legal to use in Dubai. It’s even registered with the RTA.
3- Is it profitable to create an app like Uber in Dubai?
A big yes, because the popularity of on-demand apps is increasing day by day. These applications, especially Uber, hold great potential to establish a long-term business. Talking about Dubai specifically, the demand is not going to witness any decrease, considering its comfort-seeking audience.
