You probably need to get more familiar with the benefits of geolocation apps like Google Maps if you have ever been lost or need to go back. Uber and other ride sharing apps use apps to find out the exact addresses of their clients so that they can pick up and drop off their customers at their desired locations. Location is important for everything! It is not surprising that the demand to hire remote mobile app developers to create a location based app is becoming more popular. Statista estimates that the navigation market in 2022 will reach $1.08 billion thanks to apps that offer real-time directions and those that let users book transportation services. Geofencing is a technology that retailers are already using to send people messages when they are near. Users can tag their location when posting pictures, videos, or text on social networking apps. Apps that send weather alerts use the user's current location. Location-based mobile applications have many uses. This blog will look at how to create a location based app, their key features, and the ideas for 2023.
What Is Geolocation in Apps For?
Global mobile app market to reach $653.91 Billion in 2025. The demand to create a location based app is becoming more popular as companies seek to meet the growing demand for quick and accurate services. Location-based services are credited with increasing customer engagement and client base for more than eight out of ten marketers. Discuss why businesses are planning to create a location based app.
- Marketing Function Geolocation can be used to target specific audiences and provide additional ways for clients to interact with you.
- Information Function. The function provides users with real-time data about nearby places or objects.
- Communication feature. Companies are able to place places on a map for customers to provide feedback on certain services. They can also allow users to add their content to the map (photos or text messages) and read reviews from other people. You'll then be able to adapt to changing audience preferences.
- Social Function This app helps you to find the location of the users and will strengthen your brand's presence in the media.
Location-Based App Development is Need of the Hour: Know How?
The geolocation mobile app development services will help your users locate a particular place at the right time. Users can identify and share nearby places of interest, map routes in unfamiliar areas, track running, and be alerted about sales. Research and Markets estimates that the location-based service industry will reach $1553 billion in 2026. Location-based services are everywhere, from booking sites like Expedia to delivery apps like UberEats. To stay competitive, businesses must build a location-based app that is completely customized to meet their needs and increase their profits.
Types Of Location-Based Apps
What kinds of apps make use of location-based technologies? Many of them. There are many.
Delivery and Navigation Apps
The most obvious location-based app is delivery apps. Taxi booking apps, for example, use geolocation to locate the nearest driver. When the car arrives, users can also see the location of the vehicle and the route taken during the journey. Examples: Uber and Lyft.
Social Networks
Social media apps are a less obvious location-based example. When you sign into your Instagram account and receive a notification asking whether the app can use your location, do you remember that moment? It is based on location. Geolocation is not mandatory when developing social apps. The app can still recommend content based on location data. TikTok decides, for example, whether or not to display a video based on a user's geolocation. Imagine a situation where a user uploads a video to Spain but wishes users could see it in the US. This video must first be at the top of the list of most popular videos in Spain in order to be seen in the US. Examples: TikTok (Twitter),Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat (Snapchat),Foursquare
Marketplaces
Users always want to know the estimated delivery time in marketplace apps. Marketplace apps track the geolocation of the buyer and the user to calculate the estimated delivery time. Aside from that, marketplaces are able to adapt search results according to the location of users. In Ukraine, for example, the search engine may give different shoes than those in the US. Examples: Amazon, eBay.
Dating apps
Apps should be able to identify the city in which the user is located. This will help them find potential matches. Dating apps usually ask users to provide their geolocation and then indicate the area where they can find their potential partner. Examples: Tinder app, Bumble app, Hinge app, Pure.
Fitness Apps
Geolocation can be an excellent feature to add to fitness apps that will help users improve their jogging. Location-based fitness applications are often synced to fitness trackers. This allows joggers to monitor their routes using mobile apps. Satellites provide the map data used in such apps. Examples: Nike Run Club, Map My Run.
How does a Geolocation Application Work?
Geolocation is an interface technology that is built into every smartphone.
The Global Positioning System is a network consisting of approximately 30 satellites that orbit the Earth regularly. Anyone with a GPS (either a mobile phone or a handheld GPS) can currently receive radio signals. No matter where you are, four GPS satellites will always be visible. They transmit signals regularly about their location. Your smartphone's GPS chip intercepts these signals. It then calculates the distance between your current location and at least three satellites. Your GPS chip uses this information to calculate your exact location using a technique called 'trilateration.'
Other than GPS, there are several ways to determine the location of a smartphone:
- Signals from the base stations of cellular networks where a smartphone has been connected (the 'CellID');
- Signals from Wi-Fi Access Points
- A-GPS technology combines satellite and cell base station information;
- Indoor geolocation technology is a great way to find your location.
GPS coordinates, location tracking, and map integration are the main features of all geolocation apps.
Geolocation apps are classified as real-time' or 'non-real-time.' Geolocation apps that track a user in real-time are called 'real-time.' Uber, TripAdvisor, and Pokemon GO are the most popular geolocation apps. GPS apps that are 'non-real time,' on the other hand, don't require constant tracking of the user's position. Geolocation apps are further divided into two categories: map-based and location-based.' Map-based apps, such as OpenStreetMap and Google Maps, are linked to specific maps. Location-based apps are different. They do not require maps. All they need is the user's current location.
Key Features of Location-Based Apps
Imagine you're building a treasure-hunting map for your users. You need to guide them to X and help them discover what is hidden there. But how? You need to have a few features and tools in order to guide your users through a digital wilderness. These features include authorizations, notifications, information filters, and others that we will cover now.
Authorization
It allows users to share notes and reviews. This is like giving users a secret key that allows them to access a treasure chest of location-based interaction. Users can share their maps' secrets by leaving tips and notes for others.
Notifications
A location-based application must also have the capability to whisper in users' ears about special deals and hidden gems. Your app should include a notification system. Personalize your messages so that every client receives a unique notification based on their journey as a customer and their needs.
Information Filter
The information filter allows users to sift and sort through large amounts of data in order to find the exact information they are looking for. Users can sort information using various filters and reduce the time it takes to search.
Suggestions
This feature leads users to uncharted territory and undiscovered treasures. Users receive customized recommendations based on current location and past travels, finding interesting new places to visit.
Reward Program
A reward program can help you grow your business and retain your existing customers. Customers can earn rewards for visiting your business or using the app. It encourages the user to keep exploring and continue their adventure.
Analytics
Apps that are location-based analyze and process huge amounts of data from customers, including their preferences and behaviors. This feature gives you insights into your customers' likes, dislikes, and needs, allowing you to refine their experience and offer more customized solutions. You can add more features to your application. There are also other features, such as rating, voice assistant, weather forecasts, location sharing, and setting the radius. Your budget and the type of platform (Android or iOS app development) will determine the features that are included.
How to Create a Location Based App
You need to know the steps you should take to make sure that you arrive at your destination safely and successfully. Here the steps answering “how to create a location based app:”
Gather Your Requirements
It is the ideal time to discover your target audience and what they need and want. You can then provide these solutions. Research the market and determine if there is a niche market for your service or product. Then, you should determine if your idea is even needed and if it's worth it to create a location based app. This step involves creating a list of your requirements. You should consider what you are trying to achieve, the features you would like it to have, and how quickly you'd like the app developed. You must clearly define all of your requirements because they will affect the android app development process and final product.
Find a Tech Partner
You should now find a tech partner who can help you achieve your goal. Finding a tech partner can be a difficult task when you consider the many providers on the market. You should know what to search for. You should:
- Select a partner who has the expertise and portfolio you need in the area of work.
- Ask your potential tech partner for examples of previous location-based applications they've developed. The apps should be tested for usability and functionality.
- If the team of your tech partner speaks English well, this can have a positive impact on your collaboration.
- Check if your workplace cultures are aligned.
- Compare the price and quality of products.
Define Critical Features
Next, you need to define the MVP features for your location-based app. Only add some features at a time. Focus on the most important ones.
Map Integration:
Your geolocation app should include a map, no matter the type. This is a key feature of any location-based application, as it allows users to create routes, locate places on a map, learn about them, etc. Remember to enable offline mode so that users can access maps downloaded without an internet connection.
Location Tracking:
Usually used in logistics apps and ecommerce apps, such as delivery apps or taxi services. This feature determines the user's exact location in order to improve the accuracy of the delivery. You can also add this feature to an app for travelers to help them find the places they've visited abroad.
GPS Tracking for Health Apps:
This feature allows health and fitness app users to track the distance, intensity, and speed of activities such as running, swimming, and walking. You can also take a picture of the location as you are doing the activity, and the app will locate it on a map.
Voice Guide:
Apps used by drivers should include this feature. This feature helps drivers navigate without having to look at a map. It will inform them of traffic jams and tell them how to turn.
Push Notifications:
Push notification is an important part of every mobile app. This feature is often used in location-based applications to send users personalized messages. You can, for example, send messages to customers when they visit your shop about special offers or discounts. Suggestions. This tool is great for personalizing the user's experience, recommending places to visit according to their recent activities, and suggesting local events. The system analyzes the user's activity, history, interests, and location and then suggests the most appropriate options.
Choose the Right Tech Stack
Your app's tech stack will be determined by the platform you choose: iOS, Web, or Android. You need first to add a Software Development Kit that is location-based so your app has access to the most accurate location. Google Maps are the best maps to use. Maps SDK is available for Android and iOS. Apple MapKit is the best framework to use when building an iOS app. Other frameworks can be used to add more features, including HERE, Foursquare APIs, OpenStreetMaps, MapBox, and Facebook Places. This is a list that includes the tools used to create a location based app:
#Web
- HTML5 geolocation API
#iOS
- Google Maps API
- Core Location API
- Google Maps SDK
- Apple MapKit
- Google Places API
#Android
- Android.location.package
- Google Location Services API
- Google Maps API
- Google Maps Directions API
- Google Distance Matrix API
- MapView class
- Yandex Maps
- Open Street Map
- Mapbox
Create a Beautiful UI/UX Design
Let's face it, no one wants to download an app that has a poorly designed and unattractive interface. Everyone loves attractive, minimalistic interfaces that are interesting and pleasing. Make sure your app's UI/UX is unique, fresh, intuitive, and user-friendly. Users shouldn't have to spend hours trying to figure out what to click on to get the information they want; everything should be clear at first glance.
Test and Develop MVP
You need to create a proof-of-concept, or MVP, to test your app and gather user feedback. You should only include the core features of your app and make it as simple and functional as possible to show stakeholders and users. It should demonstrate that your idea to create a location based app is worth investing in.
Launch and Deploy
It's now time to refine the MVP and create the final product. This is the step where you code your back end and give your idea its final shape. You should focus not only on launching and deploying the app but also on testing it thoroughly. Check that the code is free of bugs and issues.
The Challenges of Building a Location-Based App
No matter how many advantages an app can offer to a business, it will still have some challenges and pitfalls. You can easily overcome obstacles if you prepare for them and are aware of their existence.
Security
When it comes to create a location based app, security and privacy are the two most important concerns. Users often don't like to allow geolocation or apps to track them because they do not trust them. To make your app the most secure, you should:
- Use multi-factor authentication
- Use a Network Security configuration, SSL certificate, or App Transport Security to encrypt your communications
- Do not store sensitive business data on mobile devices
Ethical Considerations
Apps that use location data collect personal information from users in exchange for discounts or other benefits. It is important to be extremely careful and precise when collecting and handling this data. There are many ethical concerns surrounding the use of private data today, as most people don't even know that their online activity is being tracked. Location-based apps raise even more ethical concerns, as a user's location may be shared with third parties. You should inform your users about the collection of their data and that it will not be shared with third parties unless they consent.
Positioning Accuracy
Inaccurate positioning can result in serious financial losses, among other things. When building a location-based app, make sure that the locations are accurate and perfect. Inaccuracies in the data can be attributed to:
- High urban density
- Unreliable information-obtaining methods
- Moving devices
- Outdated information
- Data interpretation is poor
Cost to Create a Location Based App
It's not possible to set a universal price to create a location based app. Timeline and cost are dependent on features, your development team, and budget. A large development team is required to create a location-based app, which will be the main cost. The location and expertise of the team will determine the cost of outsourcing your project. You can save money by choosing teams from Poland or Ukraine, which have low rates and great expertise. Simple location-based applications can cost between $10,000 and $50,000. More advanced apps, with features like social networking, tracking in real-time, or complex mapping, may range from $50,000 up to $150,000. Working closely with the development team is important in order to create a project plan that aligns your budget with your requirements.
The Key Takeaway
A location-based application is like a digital tour guide that helps users navigate through large cities, forests, and museums, as well as find new theaters and museums to visit. They are the mapmakers of our modern world. However, they can be a maze for those who want to create them. It's now time to turn your idea into a reality. But first, you need to find a trusted GPS tracking app development company. JPLoft has been helping clients navigate the app world for over 15 years. We are experienced guides and know the best places to visit on the map. We will find your location and give you directions.
