Location-Based App Development: The Complete Guide

Today’s modern talking point is mobile apps, and you’re probably using a few on your device as you are reading this. Geolocation apps are a subcategory of mobile apps that fill a big gap in the market. In reality, with a new geolocation app being created nearly every day, the geolocation trend has become a vital aspect of application development.

By 2026, the global market for location-based services is estimated to reach $157.34 billion. Undoubtedly, the worldwide location-based market is developing in tandem with the development of smartphone usage and acceptability.                 

Without question, location-based app development is one of the most popular topics right now.         

Businesses are already employing technology such as geofencing to convey notifications to customers who are nearby. Users can tag locations while uploading text, video, or photographs on social networking apps. Weather apps use the user’s current location to give real-time weather alerts.  

Location-based mobile apps have a wide range of applications. In this blog, we’ll look at how to make location-based apps, as well as crucial features and predictions for 2021. So, let’s go!   

What Are Location-Based Mobile Apps and How Do They Work? 

In the corporate sphere, location-based apps are becoming increasingly popular.

Applications for fitness clubs and eateries with route tracking tools, social networking apps with geo-tagged photos, dating apps with location services, and applications with map navigators are all widely accessible to users. 

Applications that provide different services based on the user’s position as determined by GPS or data from cell towers and Wi-Fi are known as location-based services apps/location-aware apps. Other firms could use the same technology to send personalized warnings to their users’ geolocation. Wi-Fi, cell towers, and satellite/GPS are all used to transmit location information.    

Why Go for Location-based App Development Services?  

According to Geomarketing.com, 90% of smartphone and tablet users in the United States have location services turned on. This opens up a new market segment for location-based services. Consider this: if you design a location-based app, 90 out of 100 smartphone users might be your customers.         

The possibilities for location-based apps are endless. This technology can be applied to a variety of situations, including food delivery, emergency medical aid, and the recovery of a stolen vehicle. It’s no surprise that all modern apps, like Airbnb, Uber, Tinder, Google Photos, Nike Running Club, and others use location determination. 

Now, here are some,  

Benefits of Location-based Apps!      

Some of the benefits of location-based app development for businesses are:

• Businesses can provide accurate and timely services to their clients using location-based applications like Uber. GPS technology allows you to pinpoint your customer’s exact location, allowing you to send your products or services with pinpoint accuracy in a short amount of time. As a result, it aids in the development of client trust.    

• Companies can utilize location-based apps to offer relevant promotional deals to their clients at the right time. Such apps can assist businesses in connecting with a specific audience and reaping the benefits of localization. Companies also collect data on their consumers’ activity in order to create a customized marketing strategy.     

• Data on geolocation technology predicts an enormous increase in the future years. Working with the market of location services and including the task as part of the marketing plan is vital for a firm to acquire a competitive edge. Foursquare has lately begun to charge a little fee for verifying points of businesses on the map. This demonstrates how this geolocation technology benefits business units. 

What are the Various Types of Location-based Apps? 

There are many distinct sorts of location-based mobile apps, each with its own set of needs. Because of the unique nature and complexity of location-based apps can provide better services to users with greater ease. It also allows clients to take advantage of services in real-time and share service and location suggestions with their peers. 

Here’s a quick rundown of types of location-based apps:   

#1. Fitness tracking app  

People increasingly embrace fitness applications where the geo-location feature allows them to quickly track distance traveled and sleep time and then create objectives appropriately as their awareness of health and wellbeing grows. In the market, Nike Running Club, Runtastic, and MyFitnessPal with GPS route approach to assessing have excelled.  

#2. E-commerce apps  

Ecommerce apps frequently include location-based capabilities that give customers delivery and shipment information for their goods. It also aids shops in tracking clients’ locations in order to provide them with unrivaled services, as well as all types of apps employing the functionality to dominate their market sector.

#3. Healthcare apps     

Fitness and wellness applications are thriving as individuals throughout the world prioritize their health. These location-based apps could track a variety of outdoor activities, including cycling, running, swimming, and more. They even let users schedule workouts and track their daily fitness routines.

#4. Weather forecasting apps                   

Back in the days when people were dependent on the media for weather forecast information. People can track the weather conditions in real-time using their mobile phones. The weather widget is typically associated with a smartphone that displays the weather report, but weather apps that use AR/VR technology to display meteorological conditions are also gaining favor.

#5. Travel apps                                                                        

By sensing the user’s position and offering recommendations for nearby locations with relevant information, applications like Airbnb, Cleartrip, and Expedia make travel simple and pleasant. The journey is made easier by the search option, automatic suggestions, payment integration, quick comparison, and 24/7 assistance. 

#6. Food delivery apps

Geolocation technology is used by apps like Uber Eats to identify the user’s location and map the nearest eateries to the device. At the same moment, they estimate how long it will take to order and deliver food to the user’s specific address.

Food delivery mobile apps additionally enable users to remember their favorite addresses, reducing the quantity of data handled by the geolocation server during each session. Users can also rate all restaurants they visit, giving other users access to the same information. 

#7. On-demand doctor apps  

The user’s location is detected by doctor-on-demand apps, which then recommend the nearest certified doctor. Calmerry, for example, collects patient location and personal information and uses it to maximize doctor suggestions depending on proximity. 

#8. Daily news app    

Readers receive articles via news apps that use location monitoring technology. These apps analyze your preferences and suggest news stories you might enjoy reading. They also allow you to customize the location of ‘Breaking News’ push notifications on your smartphone. 

Moving on, now let’s discuss, 

How to Build Location-based Apps? 

The steps outlined below outline how you should go about developing a location-based app. 

#1. Start with the research   

The first step in developing a successful location-based app is to research the market. It’s critical to start by looking into identical geolocation apps currently on the market and their distinct characteristics. You have the choice of doing it yourself or hiring a professional company to assist you. It is well worth the money. The idea is to prevent you from wasting money on a pointless endeavor. 

#2. Create Mockups

Location-based app development necessitates UX app design and wireframing. Before the application enters the development stage, you should constantly envision it on a screen and correct any potential functioning difficulties.

To make your vision a reality, you and your app development team will need to write it down and create a storyboard. The storyboard, wireframes, and mockups will then be used to assess the geolocation app’s effectiveness and market performance. 

#3. Decide the application’s functionalities

Make sure to keep the amount of functionality in your app’s initial edition to a bare minimum. Building an MVP initially is a good idea because it’s a low-risk way to test your concept. Below are some key features you can consider:

#4. To secure your app 

With stronger data security rules, it is advised that the app’s security be prioritized. Your application will be tested for security and data privacy conformity at this step.

Users’ data is the most precious asset you may have, so make sure you have the right systems in place to gather, store, and handle any security threats. 

#5. Start the development and test the app 

In the development phase, the coding is completed. The back-end coding takes place here. The necessity of app testing should never be underestimated. Testing thoroughly aids in the removal of defects and the assurance of code quality.

Your app is ready to launch once it has completed all of the stages listed above.

Okay, but!

What is the Final Cost to Build a Location-based App?

The type of locating technology used will be determined by the function of the mobile app. The important parameters for identifying the optimal technique to integrate a geolocation function are speed, reliability, precision, range, usability, and battery consumption. The final quote to build a custom location-based apps depends on various factors, including: 

• Application complexity
• Features
• Region of a top mobile app development company
• Platform etc..

You can hire a top mobile app development company to get an ideal quotation of location-based app development quoted by top app developers.

Conclusion 

Now that you’ve learned the complexities of creating a location-based app, you can start using it right away to increase consumer engagement and deliver information at the appropriate right time in the right place.

We believe that this post has clarified the concept of developing a location-based app for you. These location-based apps have helped people alter their lives and would attract more users if adopted. Location-based apps are a huge part of the mobile development industry. It is still possible, to begin with, a game-changing idea and become a major player in this field. 

Maintain your enthusiasm for your project. If you sincerely believe in your concept, it will come to fruition.     

Still, stumped as to where to begin? Don’t worry! Contact us, and we will assist you.