How to Build a Location-Based App from Scratch

Every modern business should keep up with technology trends to remain competitive and profitable. Now that mobile phones and other smart devices continue making massive inroads into people's lives, location-based application are becoming extremely popular worldwide. These apps can also serve your business needs. So, if you haven't with the effective enough advertising techniques and ideas yet, you may want to learn how to create a location-based app. For that, read the article below.

What's the Hype About?

Nowadays, location-based applications are riding the crest of popularity, and for good reason. Users rely on GPS apps to define their geographical location and orient themselves on the unfamiliar terrain, as well as keep track of other people's whereabouts. And though some users still prefer to disable the geolocation feature on their devices in the attempt to protect their privacy, hundreds of millions of people trust positioning systems and find the geolocation feature very convenient and helpful. And business owners are no exception. More and more modern businesses rely on Google Maps API to identify their customers' geolocations. This helps them put out feelers to their potential clients, as well as better understand and meet the specific buyers' needs.

Other business benefits of a location aware app include:

It's obvious that a location-based application can go a long way towards helping you create a clearer and more accurate picture of your customer persona, customizing individual offers, attracting new customers, and thus increasing your profits. If you're struggling to reach the right customers and maximize your current business' potential, you also can benefit from a location-based app. So, let's find out what steps need to be taken to build such an app from scratch.

Basic Steps to Create a Location-Based App

You may be itching to learn how to build a GPS app. But before you dive into it, make sure to thoroughly research the market and test the viability of your business idea. Since designing your application can be a costly undertaking, you may want to make certain that your business will benefit from it. Do you want your app to be real-time or non-real time? Decide who will work on your application. If you're good at web development you may try to create your app yourself. Otherwise, you may call on the services of professional web developers. Finally, you need to muster all your patience, since building an app can take quite some time.

Step 1 - Define the Key Features of Your Location Aware App

First things first, you need to decide on the features to add to your location aware application. Thus, you may allow your users to share your location through various messaging apps. You can implement the feature that makes it possible to measure the distance to your office or store and mark your location on Google Maps. Moreover, you can introduce the feature wherewith your customers can request an Uber ride to your store.

Step 2 – Pick a Technology Stack

Once you decide on the key features your app will boast, you need to set your sights on selecting a proper technology stack. Once again, you want to consult with professional developers at this point to come up with the right solution. If you're developing the mobile app for iOS, you may want to opt for Swift. Most businesses find app development with this language more cost-efficient and functional. Java and Kotlin are the best bets for those who aim to create a location-based app for Android platforms, while React Native, Flutter and Xamarin may come in handy when developing cross-platform apps.

There are lots of other effective technologies on the market that can provide easy use of private APIs and boast expressive code syntax and fault tolerance. Just take your pick.

Step 3 – Come up with Effective Design and User Interface

Any mobile app should not only be functional, but also visually appealing. If you don't have relevant experience or web development skills, opt for something traditional when choosing design patterns and color palette. Still, if you want to impress your users with conspicuous details and sophisticated design, you'll be better off hiring a professional. On the other hand, you don't want to clutter your interface with numerous features and design excesses. Make it as easily-navigable as possible. It's also a good idea to create an animated location-based app prototype and ask your users test it. This will help you identify the key problems and fix them in good time.

Step 4 – Ensure Data Safety

As any mobile app, your geolocation application will hold sensitive data, so the onus is on you to ensure maximum protection for your users. Take legal regulations and users' recommendations into account when designing you app. You may also make use of the latest SHA-3 standard to protect sensitive data and limit the idle session length as required for your application type.

Hopefully, today's article will help you create an effective geolocation app and reach commercial success.