Location-based app development is amongst the leading trends right now. According to ALLIED MARKET RESEARCH, the location-based service market size was valued at $28.95 billion in 2019 and is projected to reach $183.81 billion by 2027, growing at a compound annual growth (CGRA) of 26.3% from 2020 to 2027.
Location-based apps have changed the way people used to operate. They have made activities like traveling, tracking, and logistics management more advanced and hassle-free. Furthermore, incorporating geolocation software has enabled businesses to create new revenue growth opportunities and interact with consumers in real-time.
If you plan to build a location-based app, this blog can help you understand the benefits and types of location-based apps and the steps and tech stack required to create them.
Let’s dig in.
Benefits of location-based apps
Before getting to the development stage, let’s go through the various advantages that location-based apps have to offer:
Travel and tourism
Geolocation apps have completely changed the way people used to travel. They allowed users to get a fair amount of information about their travel destinations while sitting comfortably on their couches. Location-based mobile apps can easily figure out:
- User’s current location.
- Fastest routes and the total traveling time.
- Weather report of travel destination.
- The popular visits across the location.
- The festivals and shows around the area.
- The historical and popular destinations to visit.
Product tracking
With GPS technology, location-based apps allow users to track their orders and get notified of new updates.
Cab booking
Geolocations apps make the process of cab booking easy and fast. It allows cab drivers to locate the rider and helps in generating the total fare by calculating the distance traveled.
Virtual tour
A virtual tour is amongst the most impressive and interesting uses of geolocation apps. Businesses can utilize the Augmented Reality (AR) concept by integrating it with location mobile apps and giving their customers a more interactive and lifelike experience.
Community building
Nowadays, people prefer digital meetings over physical meetings. Geolocation is the reason for various social networking app’s popularity in the market. Through location-based social media apps, users can connect with other users, in addition to creating, sharing, and discussing.
Business growth
Location-based apps can help businesses to understand the needs and wants of their targeted audiences. It can be done by:
- Understanding the geographical requirements of the target customers.
- Offering great deals to prospective customers according to their geographical requirements.
- Offering deals and discounts as per the locality for attracting more customers.
Types of location-based apps
There are various kinds and types of location-based apps available in the market, and here are the most popular ones:
Map and navigation apps
These apps help users navigate long and shorter routes. Using technologies like GPS and Cell ID, these apps locate user’s current positions, show genuine routes, and help reach destinations without any trouble.
Maps and navigation apps also come in handy when searching for shops at larger facilities like airports and shopping malls, using indoor navigation technologies like Geofencing, iBeacon, and Eddystone.
Example: Google Maps
Tracking apps
Tracking apps offer delivery and shipping information to customers on their orders. It also helps retailers track the location of customers to provide them with better services.
Some of the benefits that apps with location tracking services offer are:
- Customer service commitment
- Accounting for expenses
- Increased customer confidence
- Transparency in shipping and delivery process
Example: Amazon
Travel apps
These apps help users choose between the places they want to visit while providing them guidance for the route and recommendations for nearby must-visit destinations and other services like ticket and hotel booking.
Example: Tripadvisor, Hopper, Skyscanner
Dating apps
Dating apps use location-based services to find potential dates for their users. Users can set their search radius and meet new people with similar interests.
Example: Tinder
Social networking apps
Social media users can use location tags on videos and photos to share their activities with friends. The location-related tags may include the address of a hotel, restaurant, gym, among others.
Example: Instagram, Facebook
On-demand apps
All on-demand apps come with location features, whether they are for taxi booking or food order delivery. Businesses can offer effective on-demand services to increase customer engagement.
Example: Uber, Uber Eats, Postmates
Steps to create a location-based app
Once you decide what type of location-based app you want to build, it’s time to develop the app.
Step 1: Explore the market
Before starting the development process, you need to explore all market opportunities. This will help you understand the current market situation, what is required to remain ahead of others, what is missing in the already existing apps, and what all features customers are looking for in a location-based app.
Step 2: Plan
Now you need to decide the features you want your app to have, such as:
- Map view
- User location detection
- Route mapping
- Places near me finder
- Location-based notifications
- Location history
Step 3: Design
In this step, you need to decide whether you want to develop android users or iOS users. To gain more popularity, you need to develop the app for both platforms. Once you have decided on your chosen platform, it’s time to finalize UI/UX design. Remember, investing in good UI/UX design service is the key to every app’s success.
Step 4: Test
It’s time to test the app. Make sure the app checks all the boxes. Once done, it’s time to deploy the app to app stores.
Step 5: Feedback
Analyze how your app is performing and keep track of the engagement rate. Keep updating your app based on customers’ feedback and the latest market trends.
Tech Stack required to create a location-based app:
The technology stack required to create the location-based app may include:
Step 1: Explore the market
Before starting the development process, you need to explore all market opportunities. This will help you understand the current market situation, what is required to remain ahead of others, what is missing in the already existing apps, and what all features customers are looking for in a location-based app.
Android development:
- Google Geolocation API
- Google Maps API
- Google Maps Directions API
- Google Distance Matrix API
iOS development:
- Google Maps API
- Core Location API
- Google Maps SDK
- Apple MapKit
To add more location-based features to your iOS/Android app you can use the following APIs:
- MapBox
- Google Places API
- Foursquare API
- Facebook Places, Yelp API, and TripAdvisor API
Conclusion
According to FORTUNE BUSINESS INSIGHTS, the global location-based services (LBS) market size was USD 16.14 billion in 2018 and is projected to reach USD 66.61 billion by 2026, exhibiting a CAGR of 20.0% during the forecast period.
Location-based services are gaining popularity with every passing minute. They have transformed the way brands interact with their customers offline and online. With such advancement in technologies, you too can create a location-based app for your business and benefit your audience with information in real-time.
Are you looking to find a trusted tech partner?
Jellyfish Technologies is a reliable mobile app development company. It provides both native and hybrid mobile app development services for Android and iOS.
Jellyfish Technologies’ team comprises highly experienced native and hybrid mobile app developers and has delivered numerous mobile apps so far.
