Ride-hailing apps like Uber and Lyft are here to stay, effectively replacing traditional taxi services.
Smartphone apps are a must for both established taxi companies and new businesses looking to offer taxi booking services.
Unfortunately, the development of the application alone will not be enough to win the competition.
You have to understand that there is a lot of rivalry in the taxi sector. Giving your customers a compelling reason to stay is the only way to stay ahead of the game. You need a solid and well-known brand with a compelling value proposition for your taxi booking services.
A trusted technology partner is another factor that contributes to the success of a taxi service solution. A software development company must know about taxi app development and related technologies.
There are several ways to compete with Uber as a taxi service, including revenue methods and features. One important thing to keep in mind is that your app should be able to differentiate itself from the competition.
In addition, we will provide a detailed analysis of what it cost us and the challenges we faced while building the ride-hailing app.
Let’s first look at the taxi booking app development process.
What is a taxi booking app?
There are many new methods for booking a taxi. Many on-demand taxi apps have been advertised in app stores to encourage people to book cabs.
Users need a mobile device to use the taxi booking app. These applications must be downloaded and installed on the mobile device.
Many circumstances can affect the application’s capabilities. After installing the software, users must register and save addresses. Then they can book a taxi with just one click. If you are the last person to book a cab, you will be given an estimated wait time.
Many circumstances can affect the application’s capabilities. After installing the software, users must register and save addresses. Then they can book a taxi with just one click. If you are the last person to book a cab, you will be given an estimated wait time.
How does a taxi app like Uber work?
If you want to know how your target audience is receiving your on-demand app, you need to know much more than just its statistical performance.
Before starting the process of developing a taxi app, you need to be sure about the workflow of the app and how it will affect the perception of your company by customers.
In the taxi app, the user enters their pick-up and drop-off location and the app connects them with a driver. The driver will then pick them up and drop them off at their destination.
In the taxi app, the user enters their pick-up and drop-off location and the app connects them with a driver. The driver will then pick them up and drop them off at their destination.
Find out how the taxi business works and how it makes money
Before moving forward, the entrepreneur in you needs to consider the taxi business strategy.
The business and revenue model defines a company’s unique value and revenue model.
Startups use it to attract investors and convince them to invest in them.
Basic features of the taxi booking application
The best online taxi booking software should offer a wide range of features to make transportation as smooth as possible for passengers and drivers alike.
The below taxi booking app features must be incorporated into the app development.
Payment options
Making it easy for users to pay will give you an edge. Offer a wide range of payment options such as mobile wallets, mobile banking, credit cards and cash. The more alternatives your customers have, the more they will prefer your brand.
Geolocation
Customers and drivers can use the geolocation function to determine the location of the submitted request. Riders can then select the pickup and drop-off locations.
On the other hand, drivers are notified of pick-up requests using geolocation, which they can accept or decline at their discretion. Drivers and riders can use this feature to connect with any party near them.
Registration
The application should allow easy login for both riders and drivers. You can have them register or log in via email, social media profiles, or OTP. Enabling this feature will significantly increase your user base and eliminate registration friction.
Reservation
Allow users to book a taxi by swiping a button or slider. With this feature, users should be able to book appointments with a single swipe. This contributes to a frictionless application experience.
Also, allow the driver to respond to a trip request with a single touch by providing them with a similar feature.
Route tracking
This feature allows the user to check the route they are on while driving in the cab. Users can track where their taxis are at any time, offering them the peace of mind that comes with knowing they are traveling safely.
With the map, you can use route tracking to get to your destination. Drivers will like it too. Cancel or notify the app manager if they see their taxi is on an alternate route.
Timetable
This feature allows customers to book taxis in advance. Once you choose a time and location, a driver will be assigned to that location. Once the ride is scheduled, a confirmation email will be sent to the user. A calendar and timetable plugin is required for this feature.
Push notifications
Push notifications are available in CRM. Users, potential customers and drivers can be reached through messages and notifications.
In addition, they allow the control panel administrator to send messages to customers about special discounts, programs or customer retention. As a result, customers are more likely to stay loyal to your brand.
Saved destinations
This feature allows users to save places they visit frequently. If they travel a lot, it could be anywhere from their workplace to their home address.
A person’s recent or frequent search history can also be used to verify this information.
Safety
Everyone considers reliability when booking a taxi. When you book a taxi using the taxi booking solution, you can see the driver’s name, phone number and taxi number. This helps ensure that the correct driver arrives when the taxi arrives.
With the help of the above safety measures, you will be protected from various dangers when traveling with a stranger.
Rating
Both passengers and drivers can benefit from this feature. Passengers can use this section to express their satisfaction with the taxi ride and the driver who brought it.
Customers can also be graded according to the behavior of the driver.
You can give comments verbally or in writing, and ratings can take any form.
Detailed instructions for creating a taxi booking application
Step 1: Offer unique value
Your taxi booking app needs a strong value proposition to create a distinct brand and stand out from the competition.
The value proposition serves another purpose by increasing the desirability of an Uber-like taxi service from the perspective of both riders and drivers. You should look at what your competitors are offering to discover your value proposition.
If you want to keep your brand reputation intact, avoid copying the exact features of other taxi apps.
Instead, think about what makes your taxi app stand out from the crowd and put your thoughts into words. This is how you create a new value proposition.
Step 2: Find your place
Narrowing in on a niche will help you grow as a brand faster than you think.
For example, you might consider creating an all-electric taxi booking app instead of a regular app. As more and more people are moving towards green living, they will prefer your taxi app.
For example, in New Zealand, one of the most popular ways to hire a taxi is through Green Cabs Taxis. The company is so popular among environmentalists because they use electric vehicles and include tree planting donations in their tariffs.
Step 3: Expansion to other countries
Don’t limit yourself to the borders of your nation when developing a taxi app.
Why?
It is good that there are countries where Uber does not exist or is somehow limited. Some examples are Canada, Denmark, Hungary, Thailand, etc. You can launch your app in these countries to get more exposure.
Step 4: Monetize the taxi booking app
You can use the following strategies to transform your taxi booking software into a profitable business:
- Passenger fees are your main source of income. Passengers may be charged a service commission of 20 to 25% of the total fare.
- Service Fees: In addition to booking costs, you may charge passengers other service fees, such as security and service fees and payment processing fees.
- Fees for changing plans: If the passenger cancels the ride after it has been confirmed, you can charge them a part of the payment as a cancellation fee or penalty
- Third-party promotions: Brands pay Uber to promote their products, but consumers receive incentives, gifts and other benefits through these campaigns. By partnering with well-known companies to market their products, Uber makes money (Hilton, Pepsi and Spotify).
- Advertising: You can charge cost-per-click or cost-per-impression to advertise in your taxi booking solution.
Cost of taxi booking application development
When developing a taxi booking platform, you need a powerful application that works well across all platforms and devices.
To avoid losses and rejection of your application, you need to be extremely careful when setting your application budget. Several elements contribute to the cost of app development.
- The exact cost of developing a taxi booking app cannot be ascertained. Different app sizes, functionality, and other variables come into play when deciding on a price.
- The location of the development team determines the taxi developer’s hourly rate.
- The more features you want in your app, the more money you will have to spend developing it.
Take away
The number of taxi booking apps is increasing day by day. Your potential customers have many options to choose from. Your taxi booking app development can make an impact if you offer enhanced services that differentiate you from your competitors.
Building a profitable taxi booking app will be much easier if you have a reliable technology partner like Moon Technolabs by your side to help you with everything from choosing the right framework to designing app launch strategies.
