Every business in the quest to become successful has started using digital means. After all, digitalization is a step towards a better future for the company; but we have to stress that one could face many challenges by creating an app. In the past decade, we have seen a surge in apps usage, as it provides a better scope for expanding businesses, but one has to note that the competition in the market has increased. Using the right approach would make a big difference to avoid competition and take a step towards a promising digital future.
This article would explain how we developed a ride-sharing app using the right tools and approaches to compete in the already heavily invested platform.
The purpose
The purpose of this case study is to highlight the problems and provide app development solutions. We'll look through planning strategies and features to stand out from your competitors.
Personalization
It is crucial to acknowledge that personalization is the key that enables more people to use the app—creating an app based on simplicity and providing the customers with a preferred interface in both the Android and iOS devices. We relied heavily on those two aspects while we created a ride-sharing app platform.
Project Background
We are an America-based software development company; our previous ventures made us who we are today. Clients from all over the world approach us, so when a client bought us an idea to create a ride-sharing app, we knew there would be many challenges to compete with the already existing and very successful businesses. But, we wanted to add something new, and with meetings with our team, we agreed that we could come up with something that can challenge the market today.
Our team considered the new business and fully designed the app covering the iOS and the Android platforms.
Overview
Our client requested a ride-sharing application. Our preliminary ideas were the riders searching for a nearby driver, based on the vehicle and the destination, and pay using the app and the driver to see the ride demand.
We discussed applying two variants- one for the riders (passengers) the other for the driver.
The passenger can search for a nearby driver in the rider app, send ride requests, book a ride, and pay using it.
The driver app would enable drivers to see ride demand, navigate, accept a ride request and complete the requested ride.
Building our team
• 2 Back-end developers
• 2 Android developers (senior & junior)
• 1 UI/UX designer
• 1 Project Manager
• 1 iOS developers
• 1 Developer engineer (testing)
Challenge
- Complete redesign to aid growth
We know that we needed to redesign the app to compete; our team worked to lay the groundwork. We had a goal to capture the magic of the early phases of Uber. Yet, our plan was simple: to get a ride with a tap of a button. We had the ambition to create a strong foundation that embraced the rapidly evolving business.
To put in points, our goals were
- To make the app fast and simple for everyone to use and everywhere.
- To create a platform for innovation and greater engagement.
We laid the following groundwork for our project
- Conducting business model research
- Elaborate user flow
- Modernize the core functions
- Introduce new commute options for users
- Automate driver interactions with passengers
- Driver loyalty and new customer growth
An increasing number of drivers were working for multiple companies, and fewer new customers were subscribing. Our research team wasn't surprised by this data because we had existing doubts about the potential rising cost and declining sales growth.
Identified problems and their solutions
Almost the entire existing ride-sharing platforms frequently have this issue. And even though it might seem a small or avoidable problem, problematic pickups wasted over $1 million per week, renowned research submitted.
No pickup specified
Many riders rely on the default device location of the app, which is almost 100m inaccurate.
Some pickups didn't make sense
Many of the trips requested, for example, within a building, can result in different pickup locations. Also, riders were requesting rides from places where drivers had no access to go with their vehicles.
Frequent contact to confirm the location
Riders were very much bothered when they were contacted frequently by their driver to confirm the location. We worked to eliminate the problem with an accurate location mark so that riders didn't feel the need to reiterate.
Solution
In this case, we developed a system accurate to the device. For example, if a passenger has ordered a ride from a place where vehicles aren't allowed to pass or say they called it from the middle of a road, where cars aren't permitted to stop. In that case, our app would read the situation and then suggest the passengers move ahead to the marked feasible point, which would make it assessable or convenient for both parties to get along with the trip.
Must-Have Features
- Registration & Profile
- Push Notifications and Chats
- Book a Ride
- My Rides (Passenger)
- Offer a Ride (Driver)
- GPS Location
- Admin Panel
Admin Panel
The platform should have an admin panel that manages or monitors the entire ride-sharing platform work. Admins manage users (search, block, checkup an ID card), payments, reviews, reports, view statistics, etc.
Admin is typically web-based, so you'll need to make sure your tech vendor provides web development services.
Ideal Features of the App
The app has the following ideal features to serve the customers its best.
Simple Login: The app has a simple, easy login for both the riders and the drivers. They can log in to their account by entering their mail id or through their social media account. If new, they can sign up via the same process.
Create Profiles: After registration or login, the users need to set up their profile by adding their name, photo, mobile number, mail id, and at least one verified government-approved id.
Account Details: In the profile section, the passenger can link their wallet accounts with the app to make the payment for the ride or choose a suitable payment method.
Search a Ride: Passengers who want a ride can find it by entering 'Leaving from' to 'Where To' details. Therefore, the app will display the list of rides scheduled or drivers available for a particular passage. Also, the passenger can apply multiple filters to sort the best fair ride (Time and Cost).
Offer A Ride: If you're traveling in your vehicle, you can share a ride by mentioning the details to respond from the other passengers.
Cancel Ride: If any inconvenience or change in the plan, the passenger can cancel the booking as soon as they can.
Trip Information: The riders can view the trip information by going through the ride details.
Calculate Time And Fare: Riders can calculate time and fare with ease; the app will help riders and drivers estimate how much they will spend or earn on a trip.
In-app Messaging: Easily communicate through the in-app messaging feature.
Intuitive Notifications: Sending notifications for the ride, the arrival time, and many more to make the ride more assessable and transparent. Also, informing the company's announcements concerning the new updates and offers to the riders and car owners.
Live Tracking & Easy Navigation: Live tracking will locate your ride-sharing partner's live location, whereas easy navigation will keep you updated with your destination. For security concerns, riders can share their live site with their family and friends.
Rating & Feedback System: Rating is based on both sides of the party to determine an individual's merit points or the passengers depending on their riding skills or behaviors. The driver can also rate the riders based on their nature or behavior.
Payments Process: This section features an in-app wallet for payment.
Generate Invoices: Get past and ongoing invoices of rides taken.
Incentives & Referral Program: To motivate both the drivers and the riders, the company provides offers and referral programs. This section includes discounts for rides and other beneficial terms.
Driver-Rider Interaction Model
Rider
Riders/passengers use the app to choose the ride, set pickup and drop-off, register for the ride, and receive boarding pin codes that they enter on the driver's tablet.
Driver
Drivers use the app to see registered riders for the ride, track their routes and allow the passenger to check-in using their unique pin codes.
Passengers User flows
Realized simple driver app flow
We expect our app for drivers held mounted on the driver's vehicle. Our primary goal in designing the driver app's flow is to make it straightforward, functional, and uncomplicated.
Technology used
Back-end
Django - Framework
Postgresql with PostGIS (a geospatial extension for PostgreSQL)
RestFul API to connect backend and frontend
Firebase cloud messaging for Notification and ride cycle synchronization
Frontend
Native android application with JAVA
Native IOS application with Swift
Google services here
- Google Cloud Platform (Required for Google Maps Platform, also used to run some cloud functions on Google Cloud Functions)
- Google Maps Platform
- Google Places SDK
- Google Directions API
- Google Routes API
- Google Geocoding API
- Google Maps SDK
- Google Firebase
- Firebase Phone Authentication (used for account registration using OTP code)
- Firebase Crashlytics (to detect app crashes in real-time)
The target audience
>People with disabilities
>People needing medical needs
>Passengers with large luggage's
>Regular clients
>People who don't owe vehicles
