How to Make a Taxi App Like Uber?

Huge traffic!! Busy schedules!! Lack of parking space!! Spike in fuel prices!!!

All such issues are the day-to-day point of concern people experience in their lives. Such issues raise a huge demand for online taxi booking services and thus to meet that demand, businesses are keen to know how to create an app like Uber. It is not only beneficial for the users but also for the businesses as it helps them to earn huge revenues. Taxi booking apps are the need of the hour as there are billions of people who are using these services, and many are about to use them in the coming time.

In the past few years, the market of mobile app development has seen massive growth and success because of continuous digital transformation. Businesses are moving to digital platforms for better reach and increased market share. Enterprises are earning great profits from these mobile app development services. Similarly, the online taxi booking sector has also realized a sudden increase in demand. Thus, to meet this growing demand, numerous businesses are looking to hire mobile app developers for proficient solutions.

Before we commence with the various aspect of on-demand taxi app development, let’s understand how Uber has become one of the leading taxi service providers. Uber provides 24*7 services to its users and has been worldwide successful in capturing a great market share. In this guide, you will get insights about the various aspects needed for how to make the Uber app, data for panel-wise features, monetization model, ways to get rapid success in the taxi booking industry, global stats of online taxi booking apps revenue, development process, and taxi booking app development cost.

How Does Uber App Work?

Businesses cannot win against the competition just by availing of the taxi app development services to get a top-notch mobile app. Rather, to stand out and earn a competitive edge, the businesses are required to attain seamless business operations. For this, enterprises need to improvise their working models for an extended customer base and rapid growth.

Let’s have a brief discussion about Uber’s working model to understand its core competencies:

1. Ride Request from Customers

From the app, the rider places a request for a taxi service. A particular location is selected for pickup and the destination. The drivers in the nearby locations are notified about the request.

2. Looking for a Match

The driver who is matched for the ride has an option where he can either cancel or accept the request. If for any reason the driver rejects the request placed, the same is transferred to another nearby driver available.

3. Take a Ride

When the driver accepts the request for the ride, the rider gets a confirmation of the booking. The rider is notified with ETA i.e., Estimated Time of Arrival. Also, riders have an option to track the live location of the driver so that they can know the waiting time.

4. Making Payment

The estimated fare is shared with the rider before the taxi booking. There are different payment methods available for the rider to make payments. It includes both cash and cashless payments.

5. Giving Reviews & Ratings

The business model of Uber-like taxi apps has their key emphasis on making a long-term association with the clients. So, they provide an option to the users to rate and review the trips taken.

Read Also: Profitable Taxi App Business Ideas to Follow in 2022

Global Stats of Online Taxi Booking Apps Revenue

As per the data, it is forecasted that the ride-hailing and taxi industry revenue will be experiencing an annual growth of 5.30%. It is also projected to reach $386.30bn by the year 2026.

Looking over the continuous increase in the demand and revenue of the taxi booking industry, several companies are looking forward to knowing how to make an app like Uber and earn such great revenues in a short period.

Basic Features in a Taxi Booking App Like Uber

The most important factor that makes an app worth using is its features. So, while you are planning how to build an app like Uber, you must have a proper understanding of the crucial features of the application. The taxi booking application is solely dependent upon two major aspects i.e., a rider panel and a driver panel.

Therefore, it is needed to put potential efforts into the features of these panels. There is also an admin panel that should also have some features for adequate functioning of the application. Let’s discuss the key features based on three different panels:

Rider Panel Features

This rider panel comprises features that online cab and taxi businesses can consider while developing a taxi app based on the users’ or the riders’ requirements.

• Registration

The primary feature is for the users to register and sign into the application. For this, they can use their email address, social media account details, or contact number.

• Book a Ride

Once the user has done with the registration, this feature helps them to book a ride. A request needs to be placed for booking a ride or scheduling a ride for the future. Here, the rider needs to select the pick-up location and the destination. If there is any stop in-between, then they can also enter the same while booking a ride.

• Message or Calling

This feature allows the riders to call or message the drivers for any update needed. They can call them to help them understand the pick-up location or to know the waiting time.

• Fare Estimation

While selecting the vehicle for the ride, there are approx. fare estimations as per the vehicle type. The rider can select the vehicle as per their requirement. The fare for all the vehicles is different depending upon the vehicle size and capacity.

• Location

The taxi app is integrated with GPS so that the riders can check the location of the assigned drivers and can know how much time the driver will take to reach the location. Also, this feature helps in taking care of the route while taking the trip to ensure a correct route is being taken by the driver.

• Payment Gateway

The cash payment is one of the most acceptable and common ways of making payments for the rides. Other different digital payment methods such as digital wallets, credit, debit cards, etc. are also available to make it easy for the users.

• Push Notifications

There are notifications that are received by the users related to the ride-booking, arrival time, cost estimation, acceptance of rides, vehicle details, driver details, and driver details.

• Trip History

There is a feature of ride history where the riders can view all their past trip details. Information related to date, day, time, and the fare is also shown in the history. To check upon the past rides data, users can check the trip history anytime.

• Ratings & Reviews

This feature allows the riders to give ratings to the drivers about their trip experience. Riders can also complain about the issues they have faced during the ride and can get assistance from the support team. It helps to build trust for the business.

Driver Panel Features

This driver panel includes features that online taxi businesses can consider while developing an on-demand uber-like app based on the drivers’ requirements.

• Creating a Profile

The primary aspect is to create a profile to access the app. For this, the drivers can use their email addresses for signing up for the application. Also, they need to upload all the required documents for verification purposes.

• Notifications & Alerts

There are notifications received by the drivers when any rider is searching for a taxi in the nearby area. Also, there are notifications regarding the route details and the payment status.

• Accepting/Rejecting a Ride

The riders have an option to accept or reject a ride. There is a certain number of rides the driver can decline in a day as per their availability or active time.

• GPS & Navigation

There are times when new drivers are being employed and they do not have much knowledge about the locations. So, this feature basically helps guide the drivers to reach the location. It helps to choose a route i.e., the shortest and the one with low traffic.

•  Select Language

This feature allows the drivers to select the language they are comfortable with. They get the instructions in the chosen language only.

• Reports

This feature allows drivers to check the record of their past trips comprising the canceled, completed, as well as ongoing trips. Also, they can check their total earnings with the ‘Report’ feature.

• Calling & Messaging  

This feature allows the drivers to call or message the riders if required in any circumstance such as for queries related to location, waiting time, etc.

Admin Panel Features

Below we have mentioned some features that will help the admin to manage and control the working and functions of the taxi booking application.

• Dashboard

The dashboard helps to give a complete overview of all the business functions. The business can evaluate the dashboard to further develop strategies for improved results.

• User Management

With this feature, the admin can manage the rider activities such as their bookings, cancellation, waiting time, complaints, promotions, etc. It is a core feature as it helps to improve the user experience and build chances of higher customer loyalty.

• Driver Management

This feature helps to monitor the day-to-day activities of the drivers such as ride acceptance, ride rejection, time taken to reach the destination, etc. The enterprises pay huge attention to the management of the drivers as it has a direct impact on the reputation and goodwill of the business.

• Fleet Management

The next feature is the management of the fleet. The admin also needs to manage the vehicles and payouts.

• Analytic Report

With this feature, the admin can check the overall progress of the business. With this, the admin can manage driver wallets, discount coupons, trip payments, etc.

• Heat Map

This feature is there to check the demand for taxi services. By analyzing it, businesses can check those areas and can increase the fare prices because of upsurge demand.

Ways to Get Rapid Success in the Taxi Booking Industry

Taxi booking is a highly lucrative sector in terms of growth and revenue generation. But there are already various existing players that are leading the market. Therefore, whenever you hire a taxi booking app development company, it is essential to know how it will bring a competitive edge to your business.

There are some key-value propositions because of which users get attracted to a new product or service. But the businesses need to understand what are those aspects that can bring those potential results. Following are some of the tips that can help you build a highly responsive app and gain an extended market share:

• Developing a Unique Value Proposition

For the success and growth of any application, the users must have a great and satisfying experience in using that particular app. The first thing a taxi app development company should consider is to add a unique value proposition to the application. Businesses need to make sure that the users are highly satisfied with the app. There are multiple ways by which the company can create an app like Uber with valuable and unique features to help gain a competitive edge.

For drivers, there can be options like flexible working schedules, access to an increased number of passengers, and adding more earning opportunities to earn. For riders, there can be reduced waiting time, lower transportation costs, improve security & safety, and cashless ride options.  

• Expand Globally

Many businesses have a perception that they must operate locally and on a small scale to get success by remaining at the domestic level. But it is suggested that if you are looking to build an app like Uber, then you can think of going global in the taxi business. There is a universal demand for such services, thus, you can expand business in international roots for fast and rapid success. Even major players in the taxi booking industry haven’t touched many areas, thus, it offers an opportunity to attain success in the global market. With this global expansion, businesses can earn a first-mover advantage by making available taxi booking services to areas that are still not equipped with such necessary services.

For this, businesses should hire taxi app developers that can help build solutions that are integrated with features that have unique value propositions as well as are capable of meeting the global demands for taxi booking services.

Monetization Model: How to Earn Revenue From A Taxi App Like Uber?

When businesses invest in Uber-like app development, they check upon the ways by which the app can help monetize. Following are the ways by which an on-demand taxi app solution can generate revenue:

1. Advertisements

In-app advertising is one of the key ways by which apps can earn revenue. Several other businesses make use of app platforms for the marketing of their products and services. Thus, apps can charge a fee for the advertising of these products and earn money.

2. Waiting or Cancellation Charges

There are times when the riders cancel their rides and for the same, a particular cancellation fee is charged. Also, if the drivers wait at the location of the drivers, then a waiting fee is levied and added to their total fare.

3. Commission

This one is the most significant revenue-generating source businesses rely on when they think to create a taxi app like Uber. There is a fixed percentage of commission that the Uber-like taxi app charges from the drivers. Thus, approximately 20%-30% of the fare is charged as a commission by Uber.

4. Price Surge

Whenever the demand for taxi booking is increased, businesses charge a higher fare from the riders to make it a source of earning revenue.

5. Premium Subscription Fee

Other than the various revenue-generating ways discussed above, there is a premium subscription fee that is charged to the users who opt for a premium model. These riders get certain perks and benefits whenever they book a ride for being a member of the premium membership.

Development Process of an App Like Uber

This section holds great significance as it helps you understand the key steps involved in the development of an uber-like application. Let’s check:

Step 1. Research & Analysis

This step needs in-depth research and analysis of market competition, existing players’ strengths and weaknesses, users’ demands, and the unique features that can help add value proposition to the application. The more adequate the research and analysis will be, the better chances the business would have to capture the market and steal the attention of a large base of users.

Step 2. Designing

The design is the most crucial step as it is responsible to make an app user-friendly, interactive, and appealing. For increased user engagement, the app design needs to be effortless and seamless. Creating appropriate prototypes & wireframes will help to design seamless & responsive UI/UX design. An attractive app design is a vital factor that contributes to increasing the audiences’ interest into the app.

Step 3. App Building

It includes defining the tech stack, mentioning the key development milestones, and defining the complete technical architecture. Depending upon the platform chosen for the app development, our experienced developers will write the code. There can be also used latest technologies like AI (Artificial Intelligence) and AR (Augmented Reality) to enable the app facilitating users with advanced functions and a rich user experience.

Step 4. Testing

Going through various quality checks is a must for an application to make it secure and usable. There are defined test cases under which the app needs to pass. It is tested based on experience, functioning, performance, and security. Every app function should work flawless and smooth to provide users never-like before experience. If the test results are clear with no bugs and errors, the app goes for deployment.

Step 5. App Launch

Launching the app on a selected platform is the final step of the app development process. Once the app is launched, there is a need to have adequate maintenance of the app performance to offer a seamless experience to the users. Even after the launch, there might be new updates and feedback from users that must be implemented instantly to maintain the users’ activity on the app.

How Much Does It Cost to Make an App Like Uber?

There is always a tentative budget the businesses finalize while they plan to create a taxi app like Uber. An app with basic features is likely to cost approximately $15,000 to $40,000. With more advanced features and functionalities, the Uber app development cost kept on increasing. The cost is primarily dependent upon the type of customization the client demands in the on-demand application. But the cost is dependent upon several other factors such as discussed below:

1. Integrated Features

The number of features integrated into the application has a direct impact on the cost of taxi booking app development. There can be a huge number of features that can be integrated into the app related to the business model of the on-demand application. With an increase in the functionality and features, there is an increase in the cost. Therefore, it is essential to analyze what all features are necessary to add to your app to make it functional and responsive. This factor is the primary one for cost determination.

2. Platform Selection

For an extended user base, the businesses must choose to develop the application on both the platforms I.e., iOS and Android. But it will impact the cost to build an app like Uber. To keep things within the budget, you can go for native app development where you can select either of the two platforms.

3. Technology Stack

The cost incurred by the technology stack is solely dependent upon the platform you have chosen for the app development. It also varies depending upon the features integration as well as third-party service integration. It plays a vital role in improving the performance of the application. Following are the technologies used for developing an Uber-like application:

Functions	Technology
Database	MongoDB and PostgreSQL
Payment Gateways	Stripe, PayPal, Braintree
Programming languages	Java, Kotlin, Swift, Objective-C, and Python
Clouds	Azure, AWS, and Google
Analytics	BigData, Apache, Hadoop, IBM

4. Geographical Location

It is another significant factor that needs to be analyzed during Uber cost estimation. The location of the mobile app development company acts as a deciding factor while calculating the cost of development varies from location to location. Therefore, the business should select the company depending on the total budget for app development.

In a Nutshell,

At present, users prefer booking taxis from the convenience of their place rather than waiting for the road transport. And the major role in easing things is the online taxi booking applications. Companies like Uber have gained so much popularity in a short span because of their innovative and widely accepted business model. People are choosing online booking over the traditional ways of booking taxis because it saves their time as well as reduces their efforts. Therefore, the online-taxing booking app is an extremely lucrative market for both the existing players as well as the new entrants.

If you are also looking for an experienced mobile app development company for scalable taxi app development solutions, then you must check for SemiDot Infotech services as we possess huge experience in mobile app development. The company has a team of expert developers who deliver top-notch solutions to help businesses grow and attain huge market share.