How to Create Location-based Mobile Apps

Mobile apps have become an indispensable part of our lives and imagining a day without them seems far-fetched. There is an app for everything, from buying groceries to travel tickets. As many competitors are in the segment, your app must stand out to get leads and conversions. 

In this blog, we will discuss in detail a specific type of app called a location-based mobile app. For the uninitiated, a location-based mobile app is a mobile solution that pings and uses the device's location. These can be done using GPS, mobile network data, or WiFi. 

Let’s walk through the steps to building a location-based mobile app. First, let's see why location-based apps are required.  

Why Create Location Based Mobile Apps?

As the number of smartphone users increases yearly, so does the number of apps available for download. Businesses use these apps to target and engage potential customers in 

different ways. Let’s look at some of those ways.

Real time Offers

Businesses can use location-based apps to provide customers with relevant promotional 

offers at the appropriate time.

They can also collect data about their customers behavior and create customized marketing plans. 

Quick Services

For apps providing cab services, knowing the accurate location of their customers is necessary. This is needed to provide prompt services on demand with minimal time delays. 

GPS technology is used in the apps to find the real-time location of app users and provide products/services. This helps build rapport with customers.

Targeted Advertising

Location based apps automatically define the whereabouts of users, in order to display specific ads. For example, an app user who is close to a popular food chain outlet, gets a message, informing about the latest offers and discounts available at the nearby outlet.

Step by Step process of Creating Location Based Apps

Step #1 : Market Research

You need to make sure that building a location-based app is worth the effort. So, start with defining the type of app you want to build and start researching about the market and competitors. 

Identify your users, problems they are facing and how you would be able to solve their problem. 

Next, study already existing solutions, what they are offering and what they are lacking. This will give you an idea about the features and functionalities you should include. 

Step #2: Pick Your Tech Stack

Map integration is the main characteristic of any location based app. The mapping functionality helps in building routes, find destination points, calculate traveling time etc. 

However, you need not build everything from scratch and can add an existing mapping template from a map provider. 

Let’s have a look at some of popular map providers:

Google Maps

You must have used Google maps many times and would be familiar with it. Google Maps are easy to integrate and are reliable. The other advantage it provides is that you get all Google APIs combined in Maps. However, as the number of customers grows, the price of Google Maps services can rise significantly.

Mapbox

This map provider depends on OpenStreetMaps and crowd-sourced geographical data. OpenStreetMaps is an adjustable system that allows developers to edit and add new markers and lines. It is used extensively by logistics service providers like Grubhub, Instacart, and DHL.

Step#3 Decide Key Features of Your Location-based App

The most important aspect of any mobile app are the features and functionalities it provides. It is better to create a Minimum Viable Product(MVP) before adding all the features you want. MVP consists of the basic features you want in your location-based app. Later on, add other additional features.

Map integration, location tracking, GPS coordinates, voice guide, notifications, and suggestions are must-have features for any location-based app.

Map integration is needed to mark places on the map, get information about specific places, and plan travel. It should also work in the offline mode for convenience. Location tracking is primarily needed for eCommerce maps and logistics providers to know the location of customers or goods under transit.

GPS tracking is a must for fitness and health monitoring apps to determine the distance and intensity of the user's activities. Voice Guidance is needed to prevent the vehicle driver from looking at the mobile screen for too long, as this can lead to accidents. 

Push notifications are important for any app, as they can inform the user about offers or promotions provided by nearby outlets. They need to be customized according to the user's preferences. Suggestions can also be sent based on the user’s activity, location, and preferences.

Step #4: Design the UI/UX

Once the App idea has been finalized and the tech stack determined, it’s time to start development. You must keep in mind that a location-based app is still a mobile app which must have a user-friendly interface and a robust back-end database.

As the data privacy laws become stricter across the globe, you must take into account legal regulations of all the countries where your app will be used. 

Create an unique user interface using buttons, tabs and flash elements to catch users attention. Choose the most appropriate colors and fonts for your location based app. However, the app has to be simple and easy to use. 
 

Step #5: Develop & Test

Complete the back-end coding and rigorously test the app to ensure quality of code, eliminating the bugs. 

Once you are done with testing, it is time to deploy your location-based app.

Suggested Reading: What’s new in Android and iOS App Development?
 

Step #6 Launch & Maintain

So, it's time to launch your location-based app, but that's not the end of the story. Quite often, you will have to update the app based on user feedback and new requirements. You will also have to continuously monitor the app and fix bugs as and when they crop up. 
 

Google and Apple may announce new requirements for iOS and Android apps, respectively. As a result, you will have to make the required changes to keep the apps running.

Popular Use Cases of Location Based Apps

Fitness & Health Tracking Apps

As people become more health conscious, the use of fitness apps is only going to increase. With the help of live location, these apps calculate the pace and movement of users with good accuracy. 

These apps also enable users to communicate with their friends, family and colleagues by

sharing live background, routine and lifestyle. It also stores data about the physical activities, which can be used for analysis and making changes to daily routine. 
 

Ecommerce

Ecommerce businesses require location data to calculate shipping times and customize suggestions. Location-based eCommerce mobile apps can recommend products which are available nearby or can be delivered in a reasonable time frame. 

The app can also inform the buyers the location of goods in transit and when they can expect delivery. The app also helps personnel involved in sorting and delivery of purchased items to plan, schedule their work.

Suggested Reading: How to make E-commerce Development Effective

Social Networking 

Location-based social networking apps have further augmented the popularity of social media. These apps use geolocation and geofencing technology to provide relevant feeds to their subscribers. 

Geolocation features enable users to check in, attend virtual tours and events, and increase engagement rates. For example, TikTok uses this technology to decide which users will see a particular video.

 

Gaming 

Pokemon Go is a popular game which makes use of location technology. It is based on Augmented Reality, GPS and Google maps functionalities. The game has a social focus and unites players into teams. 

Another popular geolocation based mobile game is Ingress Prime, which revolves around conflict between two factions, the Enlightened and the Resistance. You can explore real-world locations to capture portals and engage in strategic battles with the opposition.

Suggested Reading: Why Mobile App Developers Must Embrace Game Development

Food Delivery Apps

You must have used food delivery apps based on cloud kitchen restaurant service. They rely heavily on location-based features of mobile apps. They make use of integrated map services to pinpoint subscribers as well as restaurant location.

You also get to know the estimated delivery time and real-time location of delivery partners handling your orders. Geolocation technology makes all this possible.

Wrapping Up the App Development…

So, now we have seen what location-based mobile apps are and how they can be created 

from scratch. Our lives have been made much simpler because of mobile apps and location-based services have further augmented their utility.

The location-based services market is growing exponentially and is expected to grow by 24% by 2028. Geo-location features in new apps are becoming a must to stand out from the crowd. However, there are concerns regarding the security and privacy of user data generated while using these apps. 

However, data encryption and adding an extra layer of protection to the servers will ensure all-round security. So, go ahead and create your own location based mobile apps with all the necessary features and if you are looking for top mobile app developers in UK, you can find them on GoodTal.