Do you remember the time when people used maps to get to the desired destination? With the emergence of GPS technology, this method has become obsolete. There are hundreds of GPS-based navigation apps that make routing quick and simple. However, high competition in this sphere is a challenge for app developers, as they need to come up with innovative solutions to present products that stand out. This article explains how to develop a GPS navigation app that will boast high usability and functionality.
What Is a Custom App?
If you know very little about app development, you probably wonder what a custom app is. Simply speaking, it is a product that meets specific business needs. The following are the most typical characteristics of a custom app:
- Targeted at specific users
- Integrated into the company’s infrastructure
- Aligns with business goals
- Has advanced features
When it comes to navigation, a custom app refers to an application that utilizes GPS technology to meet the client’s specific business goals. It provides navigation directions in real-time and may contain additional functions, such as location sharing or voice navigation. The complexity of an app ultimately depends on the budget, clients’ preferences, and target customers.
Why Develop a Custom Navigation Application?
With many great navigation apps available online, it may seem that launching another product is simply unnecessary. However, this market is currently booming, as an increasing number of smartphone users download navigation apps for traveling, uncovering new places, and pinning the most notable locations.
Owning such an app may be extremely profitable because businesses will pay you for advertisements and branded pins. It’s a win-win situation for everyone:
- You increase revenues by getting money from businesses
- Businesses can promote their services to a wider audience
- App users can discover new places
Thus, navigation apps can serve business purposes while also performing their main function -showing the way.
The Development Process
Developing an app is not a problem these days if you know the procedure. Let’s outline the main steps of application development.
Choose a Developer
The first and most responsible task is to find a company that will create an app. With thousands of app developers available on the market, this task may be frustrating. Follow these tips to make it less stressful:
- Find ratings of the best app developers
- Narrow down the search to those working with navigation apps
- Look through portfolios and client lists
- Compare pricing policies
- Get in touch for more information
The golden rule is not to trust anyone who promises to create the best app at a suspiciously low cost. High-quality app development services cannot be cheap, so stay away from offerings that look too good to be true.
Determine the Focus
Navigation apps normally have a specific focus. Some serve for simplifying traveling, while others offer navigation services for city dwellers. There are also apps that people utilize in vehicles or even indoors. Choose the type of app depending on your business goals before placing an order.
Narrow Down the Feature List
Then, you need to determine the set of basic features that your navigation app should contain. These may include the following:
- Voice navigation
- Combined GPS and Cell ID systems for accurate geolocation
- User profiles
- Notifications
- Sharing option
- Social media integration
It’s also possible to start with the most basic navigation functions and add new features after the product launch.
However, don’t try to squeeze in as many features as possible into your app. More does not mean better, especially money-wise. Your customers may not even need some of the features, meaning that you will spend your time and money in vain. The best strategy would be to conduct user research to get to know your potential customers and add features they truly need.
UI/UX Design
A team of UI/UX designers determines how an app will look and work. This is where the most important work begins. It involves both back-end and front-end aspects of product development, determining its usability, functionality, relevance, and visual appeal.
The greatest challenge at this stage is to find unique design solutions that would not copy your competitors. The product should have a fresh touch – something that will grab people’s attention and increase competitiveness.
Coding, Building, Testing
The product development team creates the magic and makes your ideas come true at this stage. They build the app from scratch and test it to remove bugs. Users may also be involved to understand how the app works in a real-life context. This procedure is known as beta testing, and it helps eliminate the remaining issues before the final launch.
Launch
App improvement does not end here. When the app is ready, it is released to the wider public through App Store, Google Play Store, and other platforms. You will need to collect metrics to see how users respond to the product, what challenges they face, and their suggestions for improvement. In other words, ongoing maintenance and updating are a must.
How Much Time and Money Do I Need?
Building a custom navigation application is not cheap. The ultimate cost of work will depend on many factors, such as:
- App complexity, including the number of features
- Deadlines
- Selected development company
- Business goals
The minimum work cost is about $40,000, but this price is usually higher if you seek to develop a highly competitive, functional app.
Conclusion
Navigation app development does not differ much from any other app creation. You need to find the development team, define goals, narrow down the scope of the services, etc. Your success in this sphere will ultimately depend on how well you know the market and can predict what users need. However, if you conduct thorough research and find a reputable app developer, you will be able to build a profitable business.