Using the power of geolocation provides tremendous opportunities to create unique and useful applications for your users. In addition, geolocation provides many features that make the user experience better. For example, users can find their favorite restaurants on the map, mark routes they have traveled, track bike rides, track public transport in real-time, and much more.
Recent studies and analysts’ calculations say that by 2026 the market for geolocation services will surpass $150 billion, and this is a completely natural result. Today it is difficult to imagine our modern life without geolocation features since they are in many applications that we use every day. For example, geolocation can be found in the UberEats app, Tinder, Airbnb, and many others.
However, what is needed to create such applications and correctly integrate geolocation into their functionality. In this article, we will talk in more detail about geolocation, the possibilities of using it, and how to make such an application. So, without further ado, let’s get started.
Why Use Geolocation Applications?
Before delving into the topic, it is worth understanding why the geolocation capabilities in applications are mainly used and what benefits these features can bring to a business. First, it should be said that the popularity of such applications is due to marketing reasons. According to surveys, 8 out of 10 marketers say that geolocation and precise location services have significantly expanded their customer base and improved customer communication.
However, in what specific functions can geolocation applications be of significant benefit? There are four main areas:
- Marketing. The ability to utilize geolocation technology significantly streamlines the process of connecting with the intended audience and gathering insights into the various modes of engaging with them.
- Information. Geolocation is a source of valuable information, as users receive real-time information about various places and objects on the map.
- Communication. Businesses have another way of communicating with their customers, as they can mark their businesses on the map to collect feedback on services.
- Social function. Geolocation is a great way to find out the current location of a business audience, which can become the basis for strengthening your position in the media space.
Main Technologies of Geolocation Applications
Since geolocation in applications is a unique and difficult feature to implement, it requires separate technologies that allow you to implement the main functionality. All technologies can be divided into two types: outdoor geolocation and indoor geolocation. We’ll take a quick look at the most basic technologies of each type.
Outdoor Geolocation
These technologies play a major role in positioning the user on the street using satellite navigation.
- GPS. Today you will no longer find mobile devices that are not equipped with GPS geolocation technology, and today it is the most popular way to implement geolocation features in mobile applications. This is all thanks to pretty good accuracy and no need for an internet connection.
- A-GPS. This technology integrates Cell ID capabilities with GPS, resulting in a superior positioning accuracy. The system leverages data from both a satellite and a server, and communicates the location information to the device through either Wi-Fi or cellular connection.
- Cell ID. This tool helps you to establish a location using cell towers that are near your device.
- Wi-Fi positioning. This technology collects data from the Internet and, based on it, gives the user’s location with fairly high accuracy. However, this technology is useless without a permanent connection to the network.
Geolocation App Development: What Type to Choose?
So we have listed the most basic technologies between which you will have to choose when developing your own geolocation application. However, this is not the only choice you have to make. You also need to determine the type of application you want to develop that will benefit your business.
Geosocial
This type of application is often the first to come to mind regarding geolocation in applications. Many applications of this type allow you to leave different marks on the map or use the user’s location to improve their experience.
Maps and Navigation
The main purpose of this type of application is to help navigate unfamiliar places and find the desired places and ways to them on the map. In addition, such applications are extremely useful for motorists, carriers since they can build routes and notify about traffic jams and other information useful for traveling by car.
On-Demand Services
The location feature is also extremely useful if your business provides various on-demand services. For example, if you are engaged in on demand delivery app development, you simply cannot do without geolocation capabilities. This feature helps to establish the exact location of the customer and deliver the order more quickly.
Fitness
It would seem that how can you compare the capabilities of geolocation and fitness? However, the answer is extremely simple. Many users who want to keep themselves in shape by active sports are eager to know the distance they walked during the workout, the number of steps, the calories burned, and much more. All this is possible thanks to geolocation features.
AR Technology In Games
Geolocation capabilities are not limited to sports and social media. These features are actively used in the creation of entertaining content such as mobile games. For example, the Pokemon Go that conquered the world is based on geolocation technology since users have to walk around their city in real-time and find virtual Pokemon on real streets.
Travel Apps
The next type of geolocation applications are various applications that make travel more convenient. For example, geolocation can recommend nearby hotels or hostels, provide brief information about attractions, help plan excursion routes, and much more.
E-commerce
The last type of geolocation applications are various applications that affect the user’s shopping experience. For example, in such applications, geolocation can provide the user with information about the location of his order, which is delivered by a courier service.
Needed Steps to Create a Location-Based App
Before you get a full-fledged geolocation application that will benefit your business, you must go through several mandatory steps that will help you create a working product without mistakes.
Market Research
The initial phase of developing a geolocation application involves determining the type of application you require and conducting a thorough market analysis of existing applications. Neglecting to undertake a thoughtful assessment of your competitors and target audience increases the likelihood of creating an application that may not be viable.
Choose a Tech Vendor
When selecting a team to build your application, it is advisable to weigh the cost against the value delivered. You may find that offshore outsourcing teams offer a better value proposition compared to their counterparts in your home country, particularly in Eastern Europe or India where the cost of development is often significantly lower.
Nobody forbids you to create your own team. This will give you maximum control over development, but it will also add a lot of additional costs and headaches. For example, you will need to recruit specialists yourself, rent an office, purchase equipment, pay salaries and sick leave. Meanwhile, outsource mobile app development is much more convenient since vendors are already staffed with all the necessary specialists, and you only pay for the development of a digital product.
Single out a List of Features
After defining the purpose of your application, the next step is to identify the essential features required to fulfill its intended functions. Every digital product typically has a set of minimum viable product (MVP) features that are necessary to perform the core tasks of the application. For instance, if you are developing a geolocation app, the following features should be covered:
- Map integration
- Location tracking
- GPS tracking
- Voice guide
- Notifications
- Suggestions
Develop a Unique Design
The design of the application can both attract customers and scare them away. This is why it is important for you to think about an intuitive yet attractive design for your geolocation application. The design should be based on a unique concept that will be supported by beautiful interface elements that catch the user’s eye. Choose the right color palette, fonts, transition styles and combine these to represent your brand and business idea.
Start Development
The development of any software product is a rather complicated and long process. The development process is divided into sprints, each of which takes two weeks. During this time, developers must implement a certain part of the application’s functionality and, in the end, demonstrate it to you. This happens until all the functionality of the application is developed.
Release Your Application
The release phase of a project is a crucial stage that carries equal weight to its development. The application undergoes a rigorous certification process for iOS and Android platforms to meet the criteria for store submission. Typically, this certification process takes 2-3 weeks, and in case of any assistance required during the release, the development team can offer support.
Geolocation applications are a highly effective solution that can drive the growth of your business and take it to the next level with their diverse range of features. These technologies empower you to offer distinctive services and integrate them with a carefully crafted marketing strategy aimed at broadening your user base and enhancing its loyalty.
About the Author: Yuliya Melnik
Yuliya Melnik is a writer for Cleveroad. It’s a web and mobile app development company with headquarters in Ukraine. She enjoys writing about technology and digital marketing.
