Are you aware that there will be a significant rise in downloading travelling apps in 2024?That year there were millions of downloads across iOS as well as Android platforms, where Uber scrolls as second most downloaded apps till far. Crafting a travel app needs a structured planning, which aligns with users needs with upgrading features. Keep reading the blog and witness expertise guidance. Happy reading!
Travelling always comes up with lots of planning from itinerary, booking accommodation, setting up budget, research & plan activities and so on. This includes lots of planning to avoid any unnecessary circumstances. As we are familiar with some of the great apps which include exciting features which make trips easy and enjoyable.
To craft a travel app we need a team of developers, designing, testing who can craft an app which aligns with users desires and modern technology features. Let’s get into depth and know how we can craft a travel app by hiring a team of app developers who guides us throughout the process.
How to build your own travel app?
To craft a successful app like Airbnb you need structural guidelines and a process to be followed. Let’s know the step-by-step process that helps to build an exciting app with the help of project manager, developers, designing, and QA team.
1. Identify the market
To deliver a successful app to the market which competes and stands out with existing apps, you first need to go through a deep market research, know about the users needs, explore trends and explore pain points. This step would help you to make an outline, which defines the app’s features and how it will be different from other existing apps.
2. Determine app features
By identifying the market, deciding app features will be the second step and you need to determine whether the app is going to be a complex feature with integrating modern features like AI or it would be a simple basic app feature.
3. Choose a tech partner
Once you have decided how your app would serve travel enthusiasts, the next step is to hire a tech stack for materializing your idea. Hire an expertise team of developers who have years of experience and are skillful for crafting and successful apps which meet users requirements.
4. MVP Development
When you are crafting new app ideas, it’s wise to invest in MVP development that will help you assess the feasibility of your app. You can additionally add more features to make it more exciting to use.
5. Testing and Launch
Testing stage is an essential part in the developing stage, to ensure its working as per the parameters. On completing the testing stage successfully, the app is launched in the market.
Tech stack to build a Travel Application
The following is the list consisting of technologies used in developing a travel mobile app:
1. Frontend
Frontend developers use technology such as, Java, Swift, Kotlin, React Native, flutter.A front end developers is a type of software developer who creates the user facing side of a website and applications.
2. Backend
Backend developers help build apps by creating and maintaining the server side components that handle data storage, user authentication, business logic and communication between the app server. They use technology such as PHP, Django, Node.Js.
3. UI/UX
A well designed app with an intuitive user interface needs a team of UI/UX designers who helps in improving users satisfaction, more conversion rates, strengthens brand identity and more. They use technology such as Android UI, Figma, SwiftUI.
4. Database
The main purpose of a database is to efficiently order and manage large amounts of information and make it accessible to users in various ways. They use technology such as SQLite, MongoDB, PostgreSQL, Cassandra, Redis, MYSQL.
5. Payment Gateway
Integration of payment gateway apps plays a centric role as users can easily book their flights and hotels. They use technologies such as Skrill, Paypal, Stripe.
6. Maps
Integrating maps in the app can be helpful for users to track the location of visiting areas. These include technologies such as Google Maps, OpenStreetMaps API.
7. Push Notifications
Push notifications alerts the user mind for planning the next trip with the same apps. There are countless benefits of push notifications. They increase open rates, keep users engaged, drive user retention, and ultimately enhance the user experience. These include technology such as OneSignal.
Essential features to build a travel application
Travelling apps come with diverse features depending on the user’s type. Let’s know some of key aspects;
1. Sign Up/ Login
It is an essential feature where users can log in within the app, and they can explore more features by signing up.
2. Search Feature
With this feature users can explore the hotels, flights, fun activities to do and more. This feature makes it simple to identify the best hotels and flights.
3. Booking & Reservations
Booking tickets can be treated as a centric role in app features, where users won’t have any difficulty in booking tickets and hotels from other applications. It reduces the span time of users to scroll for another for booking tickets and flights.
4. Reviews & Ratings
Reviews and ratings can be helpful for users as they can easily make decisions by reviewing the comments and feedback about places, hotels, and booking flights.
5. Push up Notifications
One of the best features which could mark up a presence in users mind is push up alerts or notifications. This feature can alert users about the special offers and important contents.
6. Securable payment integration
Payments gateways integration provides users with a secure, efficient, and convenient way to book accommodations by encrypting payment information, transmitting it to the banks for authorization and conforming the transaction status.
7. Messaging/ Chatting
Integrating a feature chatbox can be very useful for users in numerous ways as they can interact with other users to know about the places more in depth and solve their queries which relate to their problem instantly.
8. Maps/ Navigation
Maps and navigation are other must have features. The feature will enable travelers to navigate and find destinations through mapping services integrated into the app.
9. Rich Listings
This can work as an impactful feature, where users can trust the apps. Add listings with all important info, like the details of the hotel including location, images, cancellation policy, feedbacks and more.
What will be the development cost for a Travel App?
The cost of a travel app can vary from $50,000 to $400,000, it basically depends on the type of feature whether it’s complex with integration of modern AI tools or a basic simple app feature. The location of the development team is also a crucial factor in the cost.
Conclusion
Developing a travel app entails crystal-clear knowledge of the user requirements, a solid grasp of its functionalities, and a thorough analysis of its development costs. One of the initial-stated lists of features include ease of use in navigation, bookings conducted via integrations, and recommendations tailored to individual users. Mind you, the “advanced” list can include features such as AI-generated itineraries within the app to chatbots, and the ability to show live updates- but take into consideration everything above, such as usability and allow the user to have a seamless travel experience.
Ultimately, it is all about the balance in functionality, usability and budget. Therefore, if you start small with the MVP, gain user feedback, time your scaling, you have a travel app that fulfills the market need along with uniqueness is a crowded marketplace.