People in today's fast-paced world rely heavily on technology for almost everything they do. New technologies simplify our lives by delivering a wide range of useful services directly to our door. This includes everything from ordering takeout to shopping online, and it's all accessible through our smartphones.
One such service that has been added to our devices is taxi booking. On-demand taxi booking apps are all the rage nowadays, especially in the Middle East and Saudi Arabia. The world is changing quickly, and starting a profitable taxi business is now simpler than ever thanks to technology and leading mobile app development companies.
In this article, we'll guide you through everything you need to know about taxi apps in Saudi Arabia and their development. We will cover the must-have features, benefits, guide to creating one, and even the cost of taxi app development in 2024.
Let’s dig down & find out further details.
The Must-Have Features in a Taxi Application!
BUser Registration and Profiles: User registration and profile characteristics enable customers to create accounts, which is the initial phase of using the taxi app. The registration process should be simple and require minimal information to get started.
Ride Booking Interface: A positive user experience is largely dependent on having an easy-to-use ride-booking interface. The app's user-friendly design should allow consumers to easily enter their pickup and drop-off locations, choose their preferred car type, and define preferences such as ride-sharing or premium services.
Real-Time Tracking: Real-time tracking improves safety and transparency for both drivers and passengers by enabling users to track the whereabouts of their designated driver, see estimated arrival times, and make additional plans following those findings.
Reviews and Ratings: A rating and review system is required to establish trust in the platform. With the help of this system, passengers should be able to rate drivers and drivers should be able to rate passengers. This two-way feedback mechanism is integrated into the platform so that it can continuously deliver high-quality service.
Push Alerts: Push notifications are extremely useful for keeping users updated on the status of their trips, discounts, and other important updates. Notifications may include information about the assigned driver, estimated time of arrival, pricing, and payment confirmations.
Multiple payment options: Previously, customers had to pay with cash for cab and transportation services, but now they can pay with their convenient payment method. Having multiple methods of payment enhances the app's excellence and makes it more convenient for users.
Fare, Route, and Duration Calculator: Users can better plan their rides and know how much they will have to pay for each one by using the app to figure out the approximate cost, route, and length of each ride.
The Step-by-Step Guide to developing a Taxi booking app in 2024
Step 1: Understand your competition
The taxi app market is fiercely competitive in Saudi Arabia and rapidly evolving, with numerous players competing for market share and customer loyalty. To gain more insight into it, read about the experiences of major aggregators like Uber, Careem, Gett, and Lyft, as well as federal and local market players.
Step 2: Creating Your Special Value Proposition
Creating a distinctive value proposition is a crucial step in figuring out how to create a taxi app and stand out from the competition. Learn what services they provide to travelers, how they handle orders during rush hour, and about any current specials or discounts.
Make a separate table with all of your competitors' advantages and disadvantages. Put your thoughts on each point down next to it.
In this manner, your strengths will be readily apparent to you. Now make use of these advantages to create a special value offer. This could be a better price, a flat rate, bonuses for orders, or your loyalty program.
Step 3: Selecting the right tech stack & revenue model
Finding the tech stack for your app is the next step. It is now necessary to discuss with your development partner the databases, payment methods, and backend and mobile services that will be utilized in the development of your app.
An additional crucial element that you should establish early on is the monetization strategy your app will employ. You must carefully examine each of the numerous revenue models available to determine which one will be most effective for you.
Step 4: Design an Appealing Interface
Keep in mind the following when designing the user interface of your mobile taxi app to stand out in Saudi Arabia's competitive market:
It should be easy to use and intuitive; rapid; straightforward;
The majority of users are accustomed to finding the map at the top, the call or payment buttons at the bottom, and their personal information and profile in the upper left corner of their mobile screen.
Don't alter the recognizable interface elements. Maintain all functionality; however, unused buttons, extraneous animations, and superfluous design elements should be eliminated.
Step 5: Taxi App Development
The taxi app booking development phase of the project is the most difficult and time-consuming. Collaborate with a skilled mobile app development company comprised of developers and designers to begin the coding process according to the capabilities and layout you've defined. The committed development team will take your concepts and turn them into a working, high-caliber taxi app for you.
Step 6: Testing & Deployment
Following the taxi app development, the next steps will be testing and deployment. To verify the dependability and stability of your taxi mobile app, our team will conduct extensive testing. Tests should be conducted under various conditions, including different network configurations, device kinds, and user interactions.
Once testing is finished, you have to deploy your taxi app to app stores. To ensure a smooth and seamless deployment process, follow the submission requirements for platforms such as the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
How do the Taxi apps work?
To create a taxi app like Careem in Saudi Arabia, you'll need two separate apps: one for the passengers and one for the drivers to process requests and monitor rides. In addition to these two apps, there is an admin app that oversees and manages them both.
Apps for Users
Users must first register for an account by giving a working phone number and email address, choosing a password, and accepting the terms and conditions. Users who complete the registration form will get an SMS asking them to verify their phone number. After verification, users can sign in to their account and view the application's dashboard.
How does the process work?
- When a rider demands a trip with a particular location in mind, they will see the upfront fare.
- The customer double-checks the pickup location and details after confirming the trip.
- The procedure to locate an available driver nearby includes the driver accepting or rejecting an order.
- After the ride, the payment the app will show the fare which is automatically processed through the app through the customer's preferred payment method.
Drivers' application
Drivers accept and manage trip requests using a separate application, similar to how passengers do. The driver must open the app, create an account, and provide their correct phone number and personal details to continue.
The driver is then asked to upload every necessary file to complete the verification process. After the manager reviews the driver's referral and completes the screening procedure, the driver's account is approved.
How does the process work?
- The driver can access the application, log in, and start receiving trip requests from customers as soon as the admin authorizes the account.
- Once the passenger enters the taxi, the driver will begin the journey offering a map to direct them to their destination.
- As soon as the trip comes to an end, the driver will halt it, verify the fare, assign a rating to each passenger, and quickly conclude the travel procedure.
How much does it cost to create a taxi app in 2024?
The mobile app development cost in Saudi Arabia varies greatly depending on several factors, including the app's complexity, the taxi booking app development platform, the region in which the app is being developed, and the development team.
Creating a simple taxi app can cost anywhere between $25,000 and $50,000 on average for a single platform. Creating an app for both iOS and Android can run you anywhere from $50,000 to $100,000.
Furthermore, the incorporation of sophisticated functions such as real-time ride updates, in-app communication, fare calculation, and various methods of payment can have an impact on the total cost.
It is crucial to remember that these are only approximate costs, and the final amount may differ significantly based on the particular requirements of your project. If you are looking to get an accurate estimate, then you can reach out to us and hire dedicated developers to look after your needs and offer a quote accordingly.
End Note
Here’s a wrap on everything you need to know about developing a feature-rich and cost-effective taxi app in Saudi Arabia. We hope this guide has helped you in getting to know about the must-have features needed in your taxi along with the step-by-step guide and cost for taxi booking app development.
However, developing the best-in-class taxi booking app is not a piece of cake. It can be very time-consuming and taxing to go through the planning, research, designing, and other phases of the process. However, with a dependable partner like Sufalam Technologies and our extensive experience, it becomes much simpler. And the outcome will be worth every bit of work.
So, if you are ready to create your own taxi app and compete with market leaders like Uber and Lyft, Sufalam Technologies is here to help! Our engagement models are flexible and can be tailored to meet the different needs of your company regardless of its size or budget.
With a variety of technical skills among the developers in our pool, you can quickly put together an outstanding team for your project.
You can get in touch with our mobile app development right away for more details!
Frequently Asked Questions
How much time does it take to build a taxi app?
A taxi app’s development time is dependent upon several factors, such as the app’s difficulty, the size and experience of the development team, and other factors. A simple taxi app may take four to six months to develop. This covers the essential features; if the app needs more features, it may take longer to finish.
Which are some popular ride-hailing apps in the Middle East?
In the Middle East, several popular on-demand taxi apps have gained popularity. Careem, remains a prominent choice, operating in multiple countries across the region, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. Uber itself is also widely used, providing seamless services in various Middle Eastern cities. Another notable player is Hala(Dubai Taxi), particularly recognized in Dubai for its taxi and ride-hailing services.
