Geolocation app development is becoming very important. Not only for wayfinding apps but for any company that uses geolocation for home delivery or social media. In this article, we’ll show you how to make a GPS app from scratch (follow the link to read how Topflight Apps recommends creating such applications).
What is GPS?
GPS or Global Positioning Systems are advanced tools used for processing navigation and locations around the world. You can synchronize people and objects at a single point. GPS uses satellites and works in all weather conditions. The global GPS app market is worth more than $1 billion, and it will grow to $1.5 billion by 2025, driven by the Internet of Things, AI, and Augmented Reality.
GPS is used for a number of applications, including:
- On-demand services, like Uber, Uber Eats, or Zomato, that links passengers or customers to drivers and delivery staff;
- Automotive and logistics companies like Onfleet and Moovit;
- Retail and eCommerce stores like IKEA, Target, and Walmart use GPS to extend in-store basis for delivery or in-store pickup;
- Tourism and hospitality, including walking tour apps, AirBNB and Booking.com hotel and home stays, and others;
- Construction companies that use geolocation to check progress on job sites.
With all of these applications, you can see why it would really pay to make a geolocation app of your own.
The geolocation app development process in a nutshell
If you want to make a GPS-based app, you’ll need to hire a team to lead your mobile product with the right tech stack. If you want to make an Android app that uses GPS, you need a team with the right experience in that area. Let’s take a look at how it works:
1. Market Research
Before you can make a location-based map app, you have to start with market exploration. You need to find the tasks needed to put into action and set the scope of the project so you can get the budget finalized.
2. Choose a Tech Stack
You’ll need to choose between Android and iOS for app development. This combines OS, frameworks, libraries, and programming languages.
3. MVP as a First Real Check
An MVP is a basic version of your project. Its features are enough to provide functionality and meet the needs of your audience. You’ll use the MVP to get feedback from your target customers and add features to the app. You’ll focus on the core functions of the product and test the core concepts so you can launch with confidence.
4. QA Testing
You have to make sure your app is working like it should before you launch – customers aren’t going to be forgiving if it’s not. QA testing will determine whether the features are responsive, works under a specific workload, and is user-friendly and intuitive. Testing GPS can be complicated, and it’s affected by a bunch of factors, including cloud cover and travel speed.
5. System polishing
After testing the app from all sides, the team will have to modify functions and eradicate bugs to make the app more intuitive. The scope will depend on the results of the tests.
6. Launch and Release
When the app is more polished, you can release it in mobile app stores like Google Play or Apple App. A beta version can be released first to test it.
7. Post-Release Maintenance
Apps will require regular updates as SDKs change, and OS updates break functionality. Always make sure that you budget and plan for regular maintenance.
Challenges of building a GPS app
Bear in mind that there are a few challenges you’ll need to account for during this process. Some users may not be comfortable with companies tracking their location; others may download the app and won’t use it after installing it. You need to plan for these eventualities by ensuring that users feel safe when they log in and use push notifications and incentives to ensure they keep using them. Testing will help refine these issues.
Conclusion
When we consider all of the factors at play, we can clearly see that geolocation app development is a challenging but potentially lucrative field. Make sure you do your due diligence and research if you want to succeed.