How to build a delivery app like UberEats

What makes an app like UberEats successful?

Like with any other app, building a delivery app like Uber Eats involves several pivotal steps, from market research to development and launch. This being said, there are key elements that will make your delivery app extra successful. So, before diving into a more step-by-step guide, let’s look at those key features.

• Intuitive user interface: A simple, user-friendly interface that allows for easy navigation and quick ordering is crucial.

• Smart curation and personalized recommendations: Using AI-driven algorithms to analyze user preferences and provide personalized food choices and restaurant recommendations based on past browsing and purchase history.

• Advanced search and filtering: Allowing users to search by meal, restaurant or food category, with advanced filters to refine results.

• High-quality food photography: Professional, consistent photography of menu items to enhance visual appeal and user experience.

• Real-time order tracking: Enabling customers to track their orders in real-time from preparation to delivery.

• Multiple payment options: Integrating various payment gateways and methods, including cash on delivery, to offer flexibility.

• Scheduled orders: Allowing users to place orders in advance, even up to a week ahead.

• Ratings and reviews: Enabling users to rate restaurants and leave reviews, adding social proof and helping others make informed decisions.

• Push notifications: Keeping users informed about order status, promotions and other relevant information.

• Loyalty programs: Implementing rewards systems to encourage repeat customers.

Food delivery app development: how to

Inspired by our successful project with Humbee, a sustainable online food marketplace that allows users to make reservations and place orders, let’s explore the primary components needed to create a food delivery app that is efficient and user-friendly.

Laying the groundwork

Make sure you have a good grasp of the market before you start developing. Take a close look at the market, find any areas that are lacking and figure out who your target audience is. Understanding your users and their needs will help you make the right design and development decisions, making your app both unique and attractive.

Also, because you will be dealing with the food industry, do your research when it comes to regulatory requirements, permits, licenses and health standards in your region. This applies especially if you decide to go with a food delivery model where your platform handles everything from order processing to food preparation and delivery.

Prioritize user experience

Start the design phase by outlining essential features. In addition to the ones mentioned above, your mobile app should include user registration with easy sign-up options, restaurant listings, simple and intuitive order placement, real-time tracking and payment integration with multiple secure payment methods.

Depending on your chosen food delivery model, you might also need to build a rider app for people to register and manage deliveries.

Overall, prioritize ease of navigation and aesthetic appeal to keep your users engaged. This is exactly what we did when partnering with Humbee. We designed a brand new app with a user-friendly interface and easy-to-use booking widgets to provide a superior user experience.

A strong backend infrastructure

Keeping in mind that a robust backend is the backbone of your app, try to focus on scalability, security and efficiency. No matter the technology you decide to use, your app should include the following backend functionalities: user authentication, order management, payment gateways like Stripe or PayPal, real-time updates and a restaurant management tool.

This last element is crucial for the proper functioning of your platform. Restaurants need to have access to a dedicated tool to update menus and track orders.

Working with Humbee, we built a similar tool, an admin panel that they now can offer to restaurants in their network. This panel ensures that orders and bookings from the Humbee app are managed and processed efficiently.

Support and promote your app

After launching, continuously monitor and update the app to fix bugs, improve functionality and add new features. After working so hard on building it, you naturally want people to know about your new food delivery app and start using it. So, do not forget to promote it throughout the launching process!

Your development options

Building a delivery app is no small challenge, but armed with the right tools and knowledge, it is far from impossible!

Do you currently have a food delivery app development project in mind? You can build it yourself from scratch, use a pre-built solution or hire an app development team. If you decide to go with the latter, our team at Miyagami would love to help you put your project forth and create your dream web and mobile apps for food delivery! So, do not hesitate to reach out!