How do I build a real-time app like Uber?
While on-demand culture has been part of our lives for several years now, ride-sharing apps such as Uber truly brought it to the forefront of our consciousness. By simply pressing a button in an app, a car will appear in front of you in a matter of minutes. At least, that’s the way it seems.
The fact is that there is a lot of technology working behind the scenes, and information being shared instantaneously. What, then, does it take to build an app like this?
Becoming a User
An app can be the first of its kind, but if the signup process is difficult, users will abandon it before they ever get started. Using an OpenAM platform, which allows for integration with social media platforms, can make importing user information extremely simple. With this method, there are no forms to fill out, a profile photo is automatically imported, all identities have already been verified and the opportunity to share activity on social media is an easy bonus.
A UX That Keeps Users Interested
Once a user is signed up, the app needs to have an intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface. Making descriptions and photos easy to add is a must. Once published, these descriptions and photos should show up on easy-to-find pages or screens. Equal to these features is the ability to see the services, or other users, around them and quickly see or calculate prices.
Geo-Locational Tracking
For a user to see the people, goods or services around them, geo-locational tracking is key. Users must be prompted to turn on their device’s GPS if it is off. Keeping this feature on will allow users to track their on-demand delivery in real time. From a supplier’s perspective, exactly where the client is located is hugely important.
Data and Analytics
Taking a Uber ride seems to be a no-brainer: just open the app, tap a couple of times and voila, your ride is here. But behind this smooth interaction, there’s is a large layer of data analytics, which collects and crunches passenger and driver data. Moreover, Uber has to leverage data on problems with infrastructure, traffic jams, uncooperative drives, and things like that.
Reams of data, which is processed and analyzed to make predictions from passenger wait time to driver recommendations on how to place their vehicle most efficiently. The aggregated data is used for predicting supply and demand, as well as setting fares.
To boost your app’s performance, you need to analyze and compare your data. Soon it will be the backbone of your future application updates and marketing strategies.
Making Payments
Unless these connections are being made free of charge, there must be a way for users to exchange money. Just as user creation is simplified by importing information from social media, payment information can be linked to PayPal or Venmo. If credit card information will need to be stored, security must be tight.
Communication and Feedback
While in transit, there will need to be a way for communication to occur. If all is well, push notifications provide simple yet effective updates. If something happens to change, parties will need to get in contact, so an in-app messaging service will be required. Once the transaction is final and the service has been completed, communicating with other users via ratings and feedback will ensure the quality of the app and services stay high.
Features
Uber is constantly adding more features, which are designed to benefit both drivers and passengers. Here’s a list of features that might spice up your app.
Cost components
- Backend development
- Web development
- Native app development (Android/iOS)
- Design
- Management and quality assurance
For more information on what all goes into building successful real-time applications and the technology behind them, contact AppClues Infotech today! Our team of experts can assist and walk you through the development of any app.
