Online businesses today are making millions in profits using a Service Provider On Demand App. This niche has been instrumental in the growth of many unicorns worldwide. In this blog, you will understand the importance of these apps in today’s on demand app-based business landscape.
Introduction
Creating robust and scalable apps to step into the online business market has been a game-changer for budding entrepreneurs. It is not the vision or the idea, but the approach and design of the app merging with the branding of your business. A key reason behind this is the abundance of on-demand apps today that offer almost everything you can find at a local convenience store. Let’s understand the Service Provider On Demand App development, workflow, business model, and much more.
What is a Service Provider On Demand App?
If you merge on demand delivery with online video consultation and handyman bidding services, the final product would be a super-app, multi-service, on-demand service provider app.[1] Moreover, the app offers everything from a car wash to a beauty salon, home cleaning, doctor consultations, and much more on one platform.
Understanding the App Development Process
As a business owner starting a service provider business from an app-based perspective, you must have a thorough overview of all the platforms for development. To start, there are four native apps, each developed for two operating systems, i.e., iOS and Android. There would be two native apps for users and for the service providers. The rest of the platforms include two web panels, a website, and an admin panel to launch the business in a highly competitive market. Now, let’s go over the steps of creating such platforms in detail.
Define your Needs and Objectives
Every business starts with an idea! And if you already have one, you’re on the right path. However, you have to know how to take a step back and carefully analyze the reasons why you want to create a Service Provider On Demand App. To do this, you must conduct an important reflection on the objectives of your business. Putting user needs at the heart avoids creating a complex service provider app with unnecessary features for your customers.
Now, a Service Provider On Demand app is made for all types of users of all ages, genders, and occupations. Essentially, it is a super app that aims to be used daily. Hence, it’s best for your business to hold very specific expectations and needs together to create a fundamental brand that stands the test of time. This step is particularly important to offer a rich, relevant user journey and thus guarantee customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Choosing Technology Stack
You should ideally have an application developed for each OS or choose between the two when your application is intended for the general public. There are big differences between devices and their operating systems. Check that your choice is adequate for the objective of your application and its use. An ideal combination of a balanced tech stack includes programming languages for frontend, backend, UI tools, frameworks, and libraries coupled with API integrations.
Your final decision to choose a tech stack will eventually affect the UI/UX, features, and functionality of the Service Provider On Demand App and its sub-components. For instance, with a native approach, you can select Swift and Java for iOS and Android app development, respectively. Since these are OS-specific languages, they will be coded into the app via their respective integrated development environment or IDE, i.e., XCode and Android Studio. Furthermore, for hosting purposes, you can finalize Amazon Web Services or AWS amongst Linux and Apache.
Getting hold of Features and User-Centric Guidelines
By going through the apps of your competitors, you can thoroughly investigate all the features and options to build a blueprint for your Service Provider On Demand App. Moreover, you can calculate the number of screens, in-app messages, overall workflow, and visually attractive design elements as well. Following are some of the features that should be available in your Service Provide app.
● Login and register using Gmail, Facebook, and your number
● Geo-Fencing
● In-App Wallet Integration
● Text Chat between User and Provider
● VoIP-based Call Masking
● Push, In-App, and Email notifications
● Feedback and Rating System
● Real-Time Tracking and Surge Pricing
There are just a handful of the features you can also observe by going through any service provider app. Moreover, integrating all these features along with designing the UI/UX of the app needs a consistent methodology approach.
Choice of Methodology: Traditional vs. Agile
The choice between an agile or traditional methodology depends on the maturity level of your app development project. If you already have a clear idea of an end-to-end schedule, then the traditional method may be more appropriate, where each stage is completed before moving on to the next. This method allows you to develop your project based on validated specifications.
Whereas, an agile method allows you to design a project by prioritizing developments according to objectives. It is a flexible method that allows you to easily adapt to all changes because the needs of your users are not fixed. In other words, by going to the essentials, you can focus more on what is more valuable for the end user. Permanent feedback then becomes the rule and guides the definition of your objectives, allowing more adjustments in real-time and better managing unforeseen events. Once the first objective is achieved, you move on to the next one until the final objective is accomplished.
Development and Testing
The app development phase in itself has seen many different views on driving positive results. There’s the MVP or prototype case, where you can represent a mockup of the app’s interface. Coupled with some basic design elements and features, you can visualize the first version of the app to get feedback from the users.
Afterward, you can move on with the changes to create a dynamic prototype with better tangible ideas and functionalities previously produced during the need identification phase. This is the ideal opportunity to test the fluidity of your application and optimize interfaces and UX (user experience). Moreover, you can take the help of a professional white-label firm to improve and optimize each part of the process using clone app scripts.
However, before putting your Service Provider On Demand app on the market, have it tested! Carrying out a series of tests before final deployment on the stores allows you to check the operation, usability, and intuitiveness of your mobile app.
Store Submission and Guidelines
Before deploying your app to the stores, you must go through the “submission” stage. This involves submitting your application for validation on the distribution platform(s): Google Play Store and the App Store. After this validation, it can be published.
The procedure to follow to publish your mobile application in the Stores is similar. Still, each platform has its requirements, especially since the latest update of the iOS 14 operating system. After the launch, monitoring your mobile application is undoubtedly one of the most important steps. By keeping an eye on your project, you ensure its efficient development!
Conclusion
On Demand Service Provider apps like Thumbtack Clone are the most affordable way to start your business today. All you have to do is contact a professional white-label firm and test the demo before buying out the clone app package for further customization. In just 1-2 weeks, you can launch your business way ahead of your competition to further collect feedback and update your app accordingly.