“Allow App to access device’s location” You have probably come across this statement in your course of interacting with mobile apps. Once you click on Allow or Enable, the geolocation feature is implemented.
One of the most dominant features of modern mobile applications is geolocation. The geolocation feature improves app productivity and performance. Popular companies that benefit immensely from the geolocation feature include Foursquare, Airbnb, and Uber Eats. Dating apps also use the geolocation feature to match close people. The geolocation feature can also benefit from applications that focus on logistics and transportation services.
The geolocation features in applications continue to gain much popularity day after day. A ResearchandMarkets report projects the location-based services market to hit $155.13 billion by 2026. Perhaps this explains the dominance of location-based apps. But what infrastructure, tools, and techniques are used to create location-based apps? What steps should you follow when creating a high-quality location-based mobile app? In this guide, we will break everything down for you.
Why Do Companies Need Location-Based Apps?
Businesses benefit immensely from geolocation apps. A Location Based Marketing Association (LBMA) report shows that 95% of global businesses use geolocation features on their apps to reach more customers. The following are some of the reasons why most eCommerce businesses prefer location-based apps.
- Location-based apps are a great marketing tool for reaching out to new customers.
- The apps help users to get real-time information about places and objects within a specific geographical location.
- The app will help you know where most of your users are located. It is then easy to strengthen your brand’s position in media.
- Since you know where your users are located, you can formulate business strategies that target such users.
Making A Location-based Mobile App
Knowing that you need a geolocation app and making one for your company are two different things. Most eCommerce business owners who desire to implement the geolocation feature in their app have asked about the best guide to making a location-based app. If you have had similar questions, worry no more. Here is a step-by-step guide to making a location-based app.
Step 1- Researching The Idea
Any successful app development project must start with researching the idea. For instance, you need clear insights into the current consumer trends that should be incorporated into your mobile application. Moreover, you also need to research the competition to understand what your competitors are doing. Researching the competition will help you establish a competitive advantage to help you outshine your competitors.
You need to know which location-based service is in demand. Researching will help you establish this and know how best the app can deal with customer requests. In a nutshell, researching will help you understand different market elements, users’ needs and the nature of competition. Such elements will help you create a better location-based app that addresses all users’ needs.
Step 2- Creating Wireframe for the Geolocation App
Among the essential elements of geolocation, apps are user experience and wireframing. You must always picture the functionality of your app on a screen. Doing so will help you fix critical functionality issues before the app’s development phase. The best strategy is to have your app development team have a sketch of the mobile application on paper. From there, you can develop a storyboard and wireframes. The storyboard and wireframes will help determine your geolocation mobile application’s potency and market performance.
Step 3- Proof of GPS App Concept
Proof of concept is one of the most vital elements in developing a location-based app. The proof of concept shows that your app stands a chance to become a viable product. Creating a minimum viable product for your business idea would be best. From there, you can easily target a potential source of investment. Additionally, the public gets a chance to have a clear view of the end product and the functions the app will serve.
Step 4- Develop A Feature-Rich App
After getting feedback from potential app users, you can begin the second app development phase. As you do so, ensure you incorporate all concerns and feedback your potential app users give. For geolocation mobile apps, the main features should provide products, advice, or suggestions within a given geographical radius. You could also include other features that address various app aspects, such as sales, marketing, and others.
The most important is to have security features on your app. Malicious people can use location-based mobile apps to track down users. They hold sensitive user data such as location, name, email address, etc.
Integrating such an application with an SSL certificate is one of the most critical features of securing such an application. The certificate will ensure code security, protecting the data from attackers. Another critical security certificate to use is the code signing certificate. Geolocation apps need EV Code Signing Certificate for utmost security and the highest validation level. With such certificates, it is not easy for an attacker to alter the code or app resources. Software publishers could identify if the code has been tampered with since its publishing.
Step 5- Testing
You now have a feature-rich location-based app. It is now time to test the application for any flaws. Detected flaws should be dealt with as soon as possible.
Launching The ApplicationThe job is now done. It is now time to avail the app in the app store or website for public use.
Summing It Up
You now understand what a location-based app is. You also understand the procedure to follow to create the app. It is time to immediately implement the app to enhance interactions with your clients and help with information delivery to the right venue and time. If you are unsure where to start, you can reach out to an app development company to do the work for you.