A plethora of apps flood the online app stores daily, making it hard for the average user to keep up. There are close to 8 million mobile apps available on the app stores globally, and new ones are added daily.
We are now at a stage where there is an app for everything. But there are not many apps that offer the user everything (many services). App fatigue is a common issue among mobile user juggling several apps to get their work done. A large percentage of users like their phones more organized.
The natural evolution is a multi-service app that allows users access to many services using a single account. The rise in demand for online on-demand services is exponential; hence, an app that combines some of the most popular on-demand services like food delivery, ride-hailing, and parcel delivery would be highly beneficial.
This article is a comprehensive guide to the multi-service super app development.
What is a Super App?
This is a single app that allows users to access multiple services and administrators to manage all their service verticals using a common dashboard. This is a single app with a single codebase, and users access it with a single account.
The basic components during super app development include the user app, driver & service provider app, store & restaurant apps, website & admin web panel, and supporting & management panels.
Some of the main service categories of this app include taxi booking, food, grocery & medicine delivery, plumber, babysitter, and car rentals.
This is an all-in-one platform that offers users a unified experience. It is a multi-vendor architecture with scalable management, centralized management, and cross-service integration.
Besides the basic features, it also includes several advanced features like AI Voice booking, AI WhatsApp booking, AI dispatch, dynamic pricing, and fraud detection.
Example of Super App
There are already several super apps globally. One of the most popular super apps is the Gojek app from Indonesia, which is popular all over Southeast Asia. Some of the others include Grab in Singapore and Careem in the Middle East, and Rappi in Latin America. Africa, Europe, and North America also have multi-service apps like Yassir, Bolt, and Uber, respectively.
Common Monetization Strategies
All the common monetization strategies of a mobile application apply to a super app as well. This includes commission, payment processing, in-app advertising, and more.
However, since this is a super app that offers several services, it opens the door to several other possibilities.
The key monetization strategies include:
- Commissions: The platform charges a commission for each service the service providers offer.
- In-app Advertising: The business owner also earns from advertisements within the app itself.
- Subscription Program: A subscription that provides access to several additional features keeps revenue assured and ensures the platform has sufficient drivers and service providers.
- Platform Fee: A business can charge a fee to access the platform as well.
Additionally, several AI features help boost revenue, like AI Dynamic pricing, which calculates the price on the basis of a wide range of real-time parameters.
Benefits of Multi-Service Super App Development
Super apps have revolutionized the user experience to provide them with a large ecosystem to access multiple apps.
1. Multiple Revenue Streams:
Unlike an app that provides a single service and opportunity to earn from just that service, a multi-service app allows one to earn from multiple services. It multiplies the revenue streams and also allows the business to implement multiple types of monetization strategies. It is the ideal method to diversify their income and reduce the dependence on a single service.
2. Higher Customer Retention:
When users in need of several on-demand services are able to find all in a single app, they will have few reasons to switch to other apps. Administrators can also implement smart notifications that use AI predictive analysis to proactively push notifications about other services in a timely manner. Customers using several services from a single app will help increase the customer base.
3. Faster Market Expansion:
For a firm planning to expand into other business categories, it does not mean they have to build a new app. Instead, they can simply introduce a new service in their existing multi-service app. Their existing customer base will gain access to a new service, thus saving them the effort to market their app once again. This helps accelerate growth.
4. Improved Customer Experience:
A super app reduces the cognitive load for the customer and offers them a better experience. They gain access to a wide range of services using a single login. They need to maintain a single digital wallet for payments as well. The system will issue personalized promo offers based on their profile and preferences. The smart system can also offer them smart recommendations, thus boosting their overall experience.
5. Lower Customer Acquisition Costs:
One of the biggest benefits of investing in a super app is the common customer base. Irrespective of the number of services the business is offering, the customer base remains the same, unlike when you are managing several independent apps for each service.
This increases the customer’s lifetime value. A good example is a customer who has downloaded the app for a taxi service may also return to order food.
6. Increased Operational Efficiency:
Managing multiple services via a centralized platform with a dashboard that offers real-time updates of each service reduces the effort tenfold. The administrator can monitor the service providers, payment processes, promotions, and more from a single dashboard.
7. Greater Scalability:
Scaling your business with a multi-service app is a breeze, and it can be done alongside the business. Expanding to new cities, adding new services, languages, or payment methods is not a big ordeal. Neither does it require modification to the code.
8. Stronger Brand Recognition:
With one brand and one app offering a wide range of services that users require, it will boost the brand’s image and visibility, and help build trust.
9. Data-Driven Business Insights:
Analysing data from several services helps businesses better understand customer behavior and preferences. The AI-Powered system can use such data to offer a better and more personalised service.
FAQ
1. What is a multi-service super app?
As the name suggests, this is a single app that combines multiple on-demand services. This type of app may offer services like taxi booking, food delivery, plumber, grocery shopping, electrician, and babysitter. It allows the user to access all the services using a single account. The business owner will have access to the entire platform with the flexibility to pick and choose which services to offer.
2. What is the cost to develop a multi-service super app?
The cost to build this app can vary depending on the Multi-service app development method. A custom super app built from scratch can cost between $30,000 and $150,000+. However, if you buy a white-label Clone solution, the cost drops drastically. This costs substantially less than a custom solution.
3. What features should a super app have?
Some of the common features of a super app include real-time tracking, secure payment, AI-Powered dispatch, voice booking, predictive analytics, loyalty programs, advanced admin dashboard, platform monitoring, and much more.
4. Where are multi-service apps popular?
Multi-service apps are very popular in Southeast Asia. They are also popular in other regions like the Middle East, South America, and Africa. Additionally, regions like Europe and North America are also taking a liking to this type of app.
5. How does a multi-service app generate revenue?
There are several monetization strategies one can implement for a multi-service app. Some of the common methods to generate revenue include commissions, delivery charges, subscription plans, feature listings, in-app advertisements, convenience fees, surge pricing, and premium memberships.
Trends in Multi-Service Super App Development
The future of multi-service super apps is bright with an increase in adoption globally. Implementing AI tools is no longer optional or something that one can implement in the future.
V3Cube has over two decades of experience delivering top-notch solutions and has successfully launched over 1900 apps. Users expect more from their apps now.
Order your Gojek Clone app today to launch your multi-service app within two weeks.