Let’s roll our first blog of 2019, shall we?
Shared economy, asset light business model and on-demand service provision joined hands with mobile apps, giving us Uber, the most popular on-demand cab service. Since then, many entrepreneurs have realized the potential of this business model. Global ride hailing industry generated a massive revenue worth $61.56 billion in 2018.
Online taxi booking paved a prolific path for many Uber for X business models, giving us brands like Foodpanda (online food ordering and delivery), UrbanClap (on demand local services) and many other. While almost every aspiring entrepreneur who wants to go asset light chooses to launch a taxi app, there’s one important factor he needs to consider:
Features Every Top-Notch Taxi App Must Have
Your app will only be as efficient and successful as the features it packs, so let’s dive in and start exploring…
Easy Signup
A complicated design structure in the name of creativity will prove counterproductive. Sign up forms are no exception to this. As a matter of fact, your app’s signup form should be simple and only ask for the critical information such as a new customer’s name, contact number, email-id, and phone number.
A simple and short signup form gets your customers registered quickly and easily. This is from where the user experience starts in real-time. A signup form that sets a high user experience often helps in improving customer loyalty.
Easy Booking
A search bar that your customers can sue to choose the pickup location and the drop point, a scheduler to help them select a desired pickup date and time. Integrate a map on the home screen to help them pinpoint a location or choose a landmark.
That’s what your taxi app needs the most to deliver an amazing user experience. Nothing should feel like solving a puzzle.
Automated GPS Tracking
GPS helps pinpointing the exact location of the customer. The designated driver will know from where to pick the customer up. GPS facilitates a hassle free cab booking, and also becomes beneficial for customers in an unknown city/location.
With the need to enter exact address details thrown out the window, cab booking becomes a quick and effortless feat.
Cab Status
A real-time cab tracking system will keep the customer in the loop. Knowing driver’s exact location and estimated time of arrival allows customers to wait comfortably. Nobody wants to feel like stranded on a road, waiting for a cab, wondering when it will arrive.
The cab status that also tells the cab’s number, driver’s name and their phone number further allows the customers to coordinate more efficiently. As we said, it’s all about enhancing user experience.
Favorite Locations
We all have certain places that we like to frequent, don’t we? Many people prefer a cab to commute from home to office, and back. Marking these two locations as favorites will take away the needless effort of putting these locations every time a customer wants to commute.
Similarly, letting the customers create a list of favorite locations facilitates faster bookings. It also helps in improving brand loyalty, something every entrepreneur strives for.
Hassle Free Payment Options
From the good old cash payments to credit/debit cards to mobile payment gateways, give your customers plenty of options to pay for the ride. Make sure your app creates an automated invoice, educating the customer about the payment details such as gross amount, taxes, discounts applied and net payable amount. A transparent payment structure build trust among your customers. The more your customers trust you, the more they’ll like to use your services in future.
Customizations For Special Needs
Apart from letting a customer choose a vehicle of their choice, taxi app owners can, and should, also include options to select special vehicles. We are talking about cars with child safety gears, wheelchair accessible vehicles, and so on. Talk to a mobile app development company to include this feature in your app, we’re sure they’ll be happy to do it.
Addressing these special needs will make a lasting impact on our customers. When you not only claim, but also show them that your business truly cares for your customers, you’ll be able to leverage on the most powerful marketing method: word of mouth. Which brings us to our next point…
User Reviews
No app is complete without a review and rating system. Reviews help your customers make a more informed decision. Rating your cab service on the basis of driver’s behavior, ride quality, vehicle condition and overall traveling experience improves credibility. What customers have to say about you holds more weightage than what you claim, and you already know that.
Emergency Number
You taxi booking app should be equipped with an emergency number that a customer can call on should the need arise. From security point of view to sudden vehicle breakdown, there are many reasons why a customer will need to contact you. And make sure your emergency helpline is prompt.
Order History
Order history allows customers to keep a track of their travelling expenses incurred while suing your taxi app. It also helps them track a vehicle in case of any belonging left behind in a cab. Order history is a very important feature that must be included in your app.
Conclusion
The 10-point checklist we discussed above packs all the necessary points your taxi app must have. Apart from them, you can also include an FAQ section where you can answer the general queries of your customers. You can also include a navigational tutorial for first time users, the customer on-boarding process can enhance UX by a great deal.
Before we sum this blog up, we would like to wish all our readers a very happy new year. May your dream ventures set in motion and bring you all the success you aspire for.
