How to Build a Location Based App for Android and iPhone – TRooTech

In the world, 2 billion smartphone users linked and since this is probable to keep growing, the mobile apps do so much and dominate our lives completely.

Since the advent of Google maps, the location-based apps have come a long way, and have accomplished a lot. From just serving you with the proper directions to actually integrating various aspects of the service with GEO location, the apps have evolved to exceed customer expectations with best-in-class user experience. The location-based apps now aim to solve potential issues and close gaps that might exist in the target markets. Remember the app Ushahidi that aimed to rescue survivors of the earthquake that hit Haiti? It helped children stuck under the debris send SMS and ask for help.

There have been many such examples where location-based apps have managed to offer unique solutions to problems that have been persisting for a while.

Currently, the apps have moved from suggesting the direction from point A to point B to actually offering help locating newer places and exploring a city. Want to know which new restaurant has opened up in the city? Want to know the ATM that is closest to where you are located? There’s a location-based app that serves all these purposes.

So, how does a location-based app collect this information and serve it immediately to the person seeking it? Here, we will take you through the whole process on how a location-based app works, and the functionality and technology it uses to deliver the services as expected.

Features Location-based App Should Have

What is so special about around-me that people want a look-alike? It is a location-based discovery app that offers instant information on things that are present in your surroundings. From the points of interest in your vicinity to restaurants, cafes and hospitals, the app includes all the necessary details similar travel guide apps.  It comes with important information to the place such as opening hours, website, contact details and other details important for the viewer.

The integration of maps to these apps makes finding direction to the place easy and instantaneous. These are some of the features that you simply cannot miss out in a location-based app that you are planning to create. Some of the additional features that need to be present in these apps include local places that you should explore and the general walking routes to these places. Suggest some of the best eateries in town as well as the nightlife that the city caters to.

There are apps that incorporate location tracking as a functionality. App development like Uber, Pokemon Go etc. are some of the examples. Social and location combined apps are also rowing popular in today’s time. Want to watch content from different parts of the world, and view live streams, and then geo social app is what you should be planning next.

The main thing is that using a lot of features, you can create real interesting and unique app solutions incorporating the location-based functionality.

APIs and Augmented Reality for Location-based Apps

GPS based apps have become quite common, as it helps locate the end user. This location acquisition enhances user experience with Wi-Fi and mobile network inclusion. While GPS is good for outdoors, you need something that can work indoors and around the tall buildings. With iBeacon technology, you can enable Bluetooth-based data sharing as well as location tracking.

What APIs should you be planning for your location-based app? If you are planning to integrate navigation to the app instead of simple direction, then you should go for an iBeacon- enabled app instead of the GPS enabled one. GPS is better when you are working with apps that involve offering directions and routing options. This is the hardware aspect of the app. Let’s have a quick look at how the APIs should be chosen for the app solution.

The Apple Map Kit API should be integrated for iOS apps while the Android API for Google Maps works best for the Android based app solutions. Google Maps has enhanced its indoor navigation feature, which is yet to be done by Apple Maps API. The Google Places API, Foursquare API and other travel apps APIs can be integrated based on what you aim to achieve from your app solution.

Taking it further is the inclusion of Augmented Reality in location-based apps is the next big thing. This was introduced by Pokemon Go, which pulled in AR in the best possible way. There are quite a lot of AR tools and platforms that can be initiated into the apps for an incredible solution.

Choose the tools that have perfected security and tracking for the app solution.

So, here we end the discussion on how to build a location-based app like around-me. Take cues from here, and build on your idea to create the unique solution.

6 Secrets to Programming a Successful App - TRooTech

As a business the one task that truly reflects your personality online is how you view yourself and what image have you drawn for your business? When you are developing an app for your business, you need to be aware of all the ingredients you want in the app that will stir to make the perfectly devised app.

What you need to work on when developing your enterprise solution of mobile app designing and development agency in Australia is creating your personality, defining your tone, selecting the type of app you want to roll out, the user you want your app to be used by, and finally the end result you wish to achieve through your app. It is said that your app is the way to reach out to your customers, and increase your profitability. For this purpose, you may need to invest slightly more in terms of understanding customer insights, planning the app type using these insights, and finally rolling out the app.

There are some secret ingredients that help you define the app type, and help you build your app as you want to. You should be thorough on how these ingredients can be used, and how you want your app to look after they are incorporated.

Let’s have a look at the six things that will make your app better and interesting.

Simple is the Key

As simple as your idea is, ensure your execution is also simple and easy to adopt. When you try to add on too many features just to make your app look extremely interesting and awe-inspiring is when you start getting things completely wrong. You need to ensure you don’t deepen your simple idea into a complex execution while working on mobile app development. The plan should be in place which calls for being simple and clear about how you want to develop the app.

Why simple is the way to go? If you include complexities in the app, it could frustrate your users as they would not be able to use it as they want to. They efficiency with which they would be able to use an app would not be possible with a complex app. Of course there are too many possibilities and opportunities for the app, but include only those that relate to your users.

Work on App Aesthetics

The look and feel of your app is as important as the functionality. If you are planning app development, and do not cater to the aesthetic needs of your target audience, then you are definitely missing out on the user experience you have promised. When you have good design, you might be able to attract your target audience to have a look at your app, and use it. Combining good looks with good design will help you build the effective app solution.

Cross-Platform Development

Your target may or may not be present on the platform that you are planning to launch your app on. When you are thinking from your target’s perspective, you need to think of the platform that they are most likely to be present on. If you have a diverse target then chances are they are present on all the possible platforms. This is why you should think of developing your app for more than one platform. Always go for cross-platform development which will help you reach more people, and achieve your goals. 

Get your Footprints Global

If you concentrate on a single market when planning to build mobile app, you may not get the reach you desire. For example, most often people close their options and concentrate on a single market. That should not be the case. Go global with your app so that you have a better reach and the chances of improving your visibility are higher. Always plan for global sales!

Woo your Users

If you are an Apple iPhone, you might not need to woo your users. You are already established, and users would await your launch. But, in case you are not the iPhone, then you definitely need to woo your users to use your app, and make it seem helpful to them.

Before you start your campaigns that reach out to your users, and make them believe in your app, try to figure out who you want to reach and what you want to achieve through them. Is it conversion or just an increase in the user base? This answer will help you devise strategies to attract people to your app.

Go for Quality Development

If you don’t have the right team on-board, you won’t be able to achieve the quality you desire for your app. That is one of the most important ingredients of a successful app- a quality development team that can translate your desires into reality. If that team is available, and works for you, app success is obvious for your business.

Translate your insights and idea into app reality with these six interesting and incredible ingredients that are bound to work for you.