How to Develop An App Like Seamless: Food Delivery App

Are you looking to develop an app like Seamless? If yes, then you must read this blog. In the dynamic landscape of modern convenience, food delivery apps have revolutionized the way we experience dining. Among the pioneers, Seamless stands out as a paragon of efficiency and user-friendly service.     

However, if you’ve ever wondered about the intricate process behind developing a seamless food delivery app, you’re in the right place. In this blog post, we will delve into the essential steps and key considerations to guide you on the journey of creating an app that mirrors the success of Seamless. 

This blog will discuss the steps to develop an app like Seamless. From conceptualization to implementation, we will unravel the intricacies of user experience, technical architecture, and market strategy.  

So, let’s begin. 

What is a Seamless App?

Seamless has been powered by GrubHub since 2013, when the two platforms that allow online food ordering as well as delivery merged. Since then, the company has operated under the GrubHub name. Seamless has been a success for many years, and is still looked upon by entrepreneurs. 

Seamless has been a successful business for many years. Many online food-ordering startups are still using Seamless models. They also look for iOS/ Android app developers that offer app development to develop an app like Seamless.    

Market Stats of Food Delivery Industry

• In 2017, the production of seamless intimate clothing worldwide reached 4.68 billion pieces. In 2017, global retail sales of intimate apparel totaled 172.6 billion U.S. dollars.
• The Online Food Delivery Market is anticipated to earn $1.02 trillion by 2023.
• The market is expected to increase at a CAGR of 12.78% between 2023 and 2027, resulting in a volume of US$1.65 trillion.
• Market analysts expect a growth in revenue of 22,2% by 2024.
• In 2023, the market for Grocery Delivery will be worth US$0.63tn.

• With an expected US$395,900.00m in sales in 2023, China will produce the most.
• The Grocery Delivered Market’s average revenue per customer (ARPU) is estimated to reach US$449.00 in 2023. 
• By 2027, it is estimated that the market for meal delivery will reach 2.5 billion users.
• In 2023, the user penetration rate in the Meal Delivery Market will be around 25.2%.

Steps to Develop An App Like Seamless

To ensure the success of an app such as Seamless, several steps must be taken. Seamless, which is now part of Grubhub, is a prominent meal delivery platform. So, below are the essential steps to develop an app like Seamless with the assistance of iPhone app developers.  

1. Stay up-to-date with Market Trends

Food delivery app development is heavily dependent on trends. People are drawn to apps that have popular features. You will lose clients if you do not keep up with these features. What is the consumer looking for? What do today’s customers expect from meal delivery services? Consider the convergence of social media, virtual assistants, and smartwatches. 

2. Research Your Target Market

Understanding your audience’s wants is critical to develop an app like Seamless that will suit their needs. Document your target audience’s demographics, emphasizing characteristics like age and gender. 

3. Identify Critical App Features

Registration and login are critical components of any successful meal delivery program. Can consumers, for example, use social media to log in? Another critical factor to consider is search. Ordering, payment alerts, and order monitoring are all useful services.

4. Start the App Development 

You’ll require different technologies to develop different features for a food-delivery app. If you wish to list restaurants in your app, you’ll need the FourSquare API or the Grubhub API.

Ask the mobile app development company, which may create food delivery apps that also accept and process payments using popular payment gateways such as Square API, Braintree Stripe, and PayPal. 

5. Quality Assurance and Testing

Before launching an application, it is important to test and maintain the app. This ensures that no defects or problems exist. Test your app for security, functionality, and usability. You can also conduct beta tests with users to get feedback and further improve the app.

Keep your app up-to-date with the latest improvements, features, and security enhancements. To stay competitive and to ensure a positive experience for users, consider offering regular app updates.

6. Final Launch

Launch the app onto major platforms like the App Store or Google Play once development and testing is complete. Implement a strong marketing strategy to attract users and create awareness. Use social media, influencer marketing, and partnerships to increase visibility.

Key Features to Develop An App Like Seamless

Food delivery apps make ordering from local restaurants convenient and easy. These apps include a variety of features to improve the user experience, streamline ordering, and provide useful data.

To integrate such features when you develop an app like Seamless, it is essential to hire offshore developers. But first, have a look at the below features that food delivery apps typically include.   

1. User Panel

I. Registration

You must allow customers to quickly log into their account, retaining all of the customizations they may have made since they last logged in. You should give them access to their social media accounts, such as Facebook or Twitter.

ii. Finding a restaurant    

List all restaurants and eateries that you offer to your customers. They can easily access menus, discounts, reviews, and offers. Your app should have an advanced search feature that allows users to search for a restaurant, a place, or if they are looking for a specific dish.

iii. Place an Order

You must allow your customer to easily add, delete, or modify their orders. Before the final order is sent out, the client must have the option to evaluate it. 

iv. Payment Options

Ensure that you offer your customers multiple payment options to help them complete any transaction safely and quickly. So, if you want to integrate a payment gateway, then you must hire dedicated developers. 

v. Setting up a precise drop-off location    

It’s important that your users can find the correct drop location so they can enjoy your meal whether they are at work, home, or anywhere else.

vi. Rating and review 

Customers must be able to rate the restaurant out of five stars and provide a detailed review. Allow customers to tell the restaurant exactly what’s wrong, whether it is the food, the delivery staff, the app, or something else.

2. Delivery Agent Panel

i. Registration

Drivers can register on social media, or enter data like their name, car identification number, and address to access the app. The platform can conduct background checks to verify that drivers have a good driving record and no criminal history. The platform can conduct background checks to ensure drivers have a good driving record and no criminal history.

ii. Dashboard

Dashboards will allow admins and drivers access to summary and data for awaiting, successful, and rejected orders. With the help of an android app development company, you must add features for food delivery applications.

Drivers can see incoming food orders including details about the order, customer information, and delivery addresses. Drivers can accept or reject delivery requests depending on the availability of drivers and their proximity to a restaurant or customer.

iii. Status of Order

Drivers will be able to access order status and the status of any orders they have received for delivery. It is important to provide the option to update the status of orders for food that are available to the delivery executive.

The driver will be able to view all the important details of the order, including the name of the customer, their contact information, the delivery address, and any special instructions provided by either the restaurant or the customer.

iv. GPS-Navigation

Implementing GPS navigation in your app will help drivers deliver orders quickly and conveniently. This function allows you to precisely track the position of your delivery driver.

It also lets your customers see a live map showing their delivery progress. The GPS navigation tool helps drivers to find the fastest route between the restaurant and the customer location. This ensures timely deliveries.

3. Admin Panel

i. Registration

The standard functionality is also available for models that are used by delivery and customer personnel. To be featured, the restaurant must first create an account with an email address and a unique password. You should consult with a company that can easily incorporate features in your food delivery app.  

ii. Updating contact details    

The app must be updated by all partner restaurants with their contact details, names, hours of operation, addresses, and other information. They must have the ability to upload information, images, and menus, and adjust prices, details, and improvements to delivery, etc.

iii. Order Management

The restaurant should have a system in place to manage the orders once the order is placed. The restaurant must-have features like a clear order description, the ability to track the status of an order, and the ability to send updates both to the delivery agent and the customer once the order has been approved. 

iv. Push Notification

Admins can send updates in real-time to their customers and drivers. The admin can notify the customer when an order has been confirmed, is being prepared, sent out for delivery, or delivered. They can also update drivers on new orders, addresses for delivery, and changes to the delivery route.

Most Popular Food Delivery Apps 

1. DoorDash

A food delivery service launched by an American company in 2013 connects restaurants to offer food delivery. Local community-driven delivery is the driving force behind this company. DoorDash, a food delivery app worth USD 16 billion, was overtaken by UberEats in 2019.

DoorDash’s most profitable food delivery service in the USA is available in more than 800 cities. The platform also introduced ‘contactless delivery’ during the COVID-19 pandemic to encourage safe deliveries.

2. Uber Eats

Uber Eats, another American food-ordering app, allows users to get food delivered to their door by providing them with a full menu from local restaurants and food outlets. The platform is available in 24+ countries and more than 6,000 locations.

The platform is accessible in over 6,000 cities across 24 nations. So, if you want to build a food delivery app like Uber Eats, then you must consult with a food delivery app development company. 

3. GrubHub

Google Play has more than 10 million installs of this well-known platform that offers pick-up-and-delivery services. It is used by nearly 20,000,000 active users, 115,000 restaurants, and over 20,000,000 active users. This platform allows for both pick-ups and deliveries of food orders. The app also offers corporate plans to cater to the needs of corporate users.

4. Postmates

Food delivery platform was launched to provide on-demand and logistics services. Postmates is active in over 4,000 US cities. Uber acquired Postmates in 2020 for USD 2,65 billion. In 2023, Postmates will have 10 million users on Google Play and 5 million users on Apple iOS.

5. Deliveroo

Deliveroo was founded in 2013 by Greg Orlowski and Will Shu. It allows users to connect with restaurants to order food, which is then delivered to their location. The company charges a commission to restaurants and also charges customers a fee per order for delivery. This generates significant revenue for the business.

Final Thoughts!

The rise of food delivery apps on demand is undoubtedly encouraging entrepreneurs to invest. To develop an app like Seamless, you need to hire on demand app developers who have the experience, expertise, and skills to manage the complexity.

It is important to choose the right app development company that will allow you to develop a food delivery app like Seamless that will survive and surpass the competition.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How Much Does it Cost to Develop An App Like Seamless?  

Costs to build food delivery apps like Seamless vary greatly depending on features, complexity, and resources. Basic versions can cost between $10,000 and $15,000 while more advanced apps with more features may range from $20,000 or $25,000 or even more.

2. How Long Does it Take to Develop An App Like Seamless?   

It takes a long time to develop seamlessly. It is determined by a variety of criteria, including the app’s complexity, features, and the efficiency of your hire mobile app developers. It can take anywhere from 2-3 months up to 5-6 or more months. Planning, design, development, and testing are the critical steps. The actual timing might vary, and it is critical to consider the project’s requirements.

3. What Are the Benefits of Creating An App Like Seamless?   

A Seamless-like app offers many benefits, including increased convenience and customer reach for users, enhanced efficiency for food delivery services, as well as potential revenue growth via partnerships. It improves the user experience, encourages business partnerships and taps into growing demand for food delivery on-demand.

4. Why Should You Invest In Food Delivery App Development?  

The growing demand for quick and convenient food services can make it profitable to invest in the development of food delivery apps. A well-designed mobile app may assist restaurants in increasing their reach and income.