With the increase in the use of smartphones, the demand for the online ordering of food through the applications has dramatically increased over the years. In the hectic lifestyle of today, on-demand food applications are making lives easier. The food delivery apps help deliver the piping hot foods right at your doorsteps in much less time. The easy availability of ready-made food items, time-saving options, and cost-effectiveness are the main reasons for the growing popularity of food delivery apps.
The increase in the number of people ordering food online makes more companies think about food delivery application development. The growing market opportunities will enable companies to make more profits in much less time. However, developing a user-friendly and functional food delivery app is important for optimum success. So, if you plan to build a food delivery application, here is a complete step-by-step guide for successful development.
Step 1: Conduct an In-Depth Market Research
Before you start with food delivery app development, it is wise to carry out in-depth market research. This will enable you to gain a better understanding of the market you want to serve. Make sure to analyze your market audience, demand gap, outreach, competition, and different options for revenue generation. Gaining more insights about the pain points of your potential customers with the existing food delivery apps can help you design the application better.
Step 2: Look at the Latest Trends
The food delivery industry is highly competitive. To beat your rivals in the competitive market, you need to be well-versed with the latest trends in the market. Some of the hot trends to be aware of are:
1. Virtual Assistant
The use of chatbots for food ordering is trending in recent times. It enables the users to order their favourite food by using a single word through the messenger. The virtual assistants can also be used in the food delivery apps to inform the customers about the different available vouchers and deals.
2. Social Media
The use of social media for food ordering is yet another latest trend in the market. To allow more customers to use your application, you can consider enabling the placement of food orders through social media accounts.
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3. Smartwatch
Wearable devices are increasingly being used by users. Developing the food delivery applications that can be linked with the smartwatch will help in simplifying the food ordering process for the users.
Step 3: Select the Food Delivery Model
Next, you will have to choose an appropriate food delivery model on the basis of your business goals. The most popularly used food delivery models among businesses are the order-only model as well as the order and delivery model. In the order-only model, you will only be responsible for the ordering process and the management of the orders.
The main benefit of choosing this model is that you don’t have to worry about the preparation and delivery of food. Moreover, the need for limited resources is yet another advantage. In the order and delivery model, you will have to take care of the ordering as well as delivery. One of the best benefits of this model is that as you deal with the delivery process, you can charge higher commissions and enjoy greater profits.
Another latest food delivery model is the cloud restaurant model. In this model, the food is prepared in the cloud kitchens and delivered to the customers. With less investment, this model gives you an opportunity to make more profits.
Another latest food delivery model is the cloud restaurant model. In this model, the food is prepared in the cloud kitchens and delivered to the customers. With less investment, this model gives you an opportunity to make more profits.
Step 4: Choose the Revenue Model
The revenue model is the monetization strategy for your food delivery application. Among the different revenue models available, you can choose the one that suits your business needs. Some of the popular revenue models are:
1. Revenue Sharing
In this model, you connect your app with the restaurants and earn your revenues through the predefined commission rates on each order.
2. Delivery Charges
In this model, you can generate revenues by delivering the foods from different restaurants to the address of the customers.
3. Daily Deals
Your food delivery app will collaborate with the different restaurants by offering exciting deals on the dishes.
4. Promotional and Advertising Services
In this model, your food delivery app will generate revenue by highlighting the advertising restaurant profiles on the top banner of search listing for a fixed duration.
5. Surge Pricing
In this model, your revenue generation approach will be to charge a delivery surcharge during peak hours like lunch or dinner time.
Step 5: Decide the Features
To develop a well-designed food delivery application, make sure to incorporate all the vital features. The different features that must be present on the user panel are restaurant list, food cart, order scheduling, geo-location, delivery location, order history, review and rating, payment mode, push notifications, real-time tracking, multiple filters, promos and coupons, and customer support.
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The admin panel must include a one-click dashboard, campaign management, payment management, order management, reset passwords, reporting and analytics, feedback management, plan discounts and promotions, and much more. The restaurant panel features include restaurant profile, managing orders, accept and reject orders, payment, brand management, special offers, order reports, track payments, order alerts, and more. The delivery personnel panel must include delivery history, call/chat options, registration, managing orders, status update, and online support.
Step 6: Select Technological Stack
Based on your food delivery model, you need to select the appropriate technological stack next. The essential tech stacks that you must add to your food delivery app are payment gateway, registrations, storage, analytics, user location, direction-finding, and push notifications.
Winding Up
Following the step-by-step guide mentioned above can help you in building a perfect food delivery application. While the food delivery market is highly competitive and saturated, you can still gain an edge over your competitors by adopting a unique approach. With the right strategy and advanced techniques, you can develop your food delivery application successfully.
Mobio Solutions is a Business technology Solutions company who will guide you with strategic advice on the technology that fits best to your business solution. You can contact and get a 1-week free consultation service from the best technocrat of the team.
