Food is the only thing in the world with variety and uniqueness in tastes. The majority of people have a passion for food as they order online to fulfill their cravings. And the real life examples are dishes like; Biryani, Chowmein, Idli, Dhosa, and many more are the most selling items on common delivery platforms like Zomato, Swiggy & Eatsure.
See the food delivery market is booming, with customers increasingly opting for the convenience of ordering foods straight to their doorsteps. This surge in demand has led app development services to the rise of popular food-ordering apps like Zomato, Swiggy, Eatsure, and many more.
Are you a business owner looking to capitalize on this trend? Building your own food-ordering app can be a profitable venture. But where do you begin? This comprehensive guide will walk you through the key steps involved in developing a successful online food delivery app like the ones mentioned above.
Online food delivery apps like Zomato, Swiggy, or Eatsure function as a versatile online marketplace that caters to three key players: restaurant owners, delivery personnel, and of course, hungry customers! Below are the steps on how it works (we are picking Zomato to describe its model):
- Restaurant Onboarding & Management System: Zomato offers restaurants a platform to reach a wider audience. They can showcase their menus, deals, and customer reviews, receive orders, and track performance all in one place. Zomato typically charges a commission on each order placed through its platform, providing a revenue stream for the service.
- Delivery Personnel: Zomato has its own delivery personnel, creating income opportunities by connecting them with customers looking for convenient food delivery. Also, Zomato has the system to optimize routes to ensure timely deliveries, all crucial for customer satisfaction.
- Customers: For customers, Zomato is a one-stop shop for all things food. They can explore a vast selection of restaurants, browse menus, read reviews, and place orders for delivery or pickup.
This three-sided approach creates a win-win situation for everyone involved. Restaurants gain exposure and sales, delivery personnel earn income, and customers enjoy a convenient way to discover and enjoy delicious food.
The Admin Panel: The Engine Behind The Online Food Ordering App
The seamless user experience on Zomato is supported by a powerful admin panel. This panel acts as the control center, allowing a dedicated Zomato team to:
- Manage Restaurant Listings: The team can ensure restaurants meet listing criteria, maintain accurate information, and potentially categorize them for easier browsing.
- Monitor Orders and Deliveries: The admin panel provides a real-time view of ongoing orders, allowing the team to track progress, identify any issues, and ensure smooth delivery experiences.
- Analyze Data: Zomato can leverage data from the platform to understand user behavior, identify trends, and optimize the overall user experience.
- Maintain Platform Functionality: The admin panel allows the team to manage technical aspects, ensuring the platform runs smoothly and offers a seamless experience for all users.
Top Features You Must Add to Your Food Delivery App Like Zomato, Swiggy & Eatsure
Now that we understand how the ecosystem works, let’s go deeper into the essential features you must need on your food-ordering app:
- Seamless User Interface (UI) & User Experience (UX)
This is paramount. Your app’s design should be intuitive and user-friendly for both tech-savvy and less tech-savvy users. Easy navigation, clear menus, and a smooth ordering process are crucial.
- Extensive Restaurant Database
Offer a wide variety of restaurants catering to diverse tastes and dietary needs. Allow users to search and filter by cuisine, location, ratings, budget, and delivery time.
- Real-time Order TrackingÂ
Keep users informed with live updates on order status and estimated delivery times. This transparency builds trust and user satisfaction.
- Secure Payment Options
Integrate secure and convenient payment gateways, including UPI, credit cards, debit cards, digital wallets, and cash on delivery.
- Highly Functional Restaurant Management System
Provide restaurants with a user-friendly platform to manage their profiles, and menus, receive orders, track performance, and communicate with customers.
- Push Notifications
Send timely notifications to users about order confirmations, delivery updates, promotions, and exclusive offers.
- User Reviews & Ratings
Allow users to leave reviews and ratings for restaurants. This social proof helps users make informed decisions and builds trust in your platform.
- Advanced Search & Filtering
Make it easy for users to find exactly what they crave. Allow filtering by cuisine, dietary preferences (vegan, gluten-free, etc.), price range, and delivery time.
- Order History & Reordering
Allow users to easily view their past orders and reorder their favorites with a few clicks. This streamlines the ordering process and encourages repeat business.
- Delivery Management System (Optional)Â
If you plan to manage deliveries in-house, consider features for managing delivery partners, assigning deliveries, optimizing routes, and tracking delivery progress.
- Integrated Loyalty Programs (Optional)
Implement a loyalty program to reward repeat customers and incentivize them to order again. The way Flipkart app offers supercoins to customers for purchasing products and they can redeem their coins on their next orders.
How Much Does it Cost to Make an Online Food Delivery App Like Zomato, Swigy, or Eatsure?
Developing a food delivery app like Zomato or Swiggy requires expertise in various areas, and the cost can vary depending on several factors. Here’s a breakdown of some key considerations:
- App Complexity: The number of features you include significantly impacts the cost. A basic app with core features like restaurant discovery and order placement will be less expensive than a feature-rich app with functionalities like in-app chat, social media integration, or a complex delivery management system.
- Development Platform: There are two main approaches:
- Native Development (Higher Cost): Building separate apps for iOS and Android offers the best performance and user experience but is also the most expensive option.
- Cross-platform Development (Lower Cost): Building a single codebase that runs on both iOS and Android can be more cost-effective. However, there might be limitations in terms of customization and performance compared to native apps.
- Native Development (Higher Cost): Building separate apps for iOS and Android offers the best performance and user experience but is also the most expensive option.
Estimated Cost Range for Building an Online Food Delivery App
It’s not easier to provide an exact quote but after understanding your specific requirements we can give you an accurate pricing. Here’s a general group range to consider your budget after you talk to us. Making an online food delivery app like Zomato, Swiggy or Eatsure requires a budget range of 5000-15000$. Below are the app feature categories:
- Basic App (Core Features)
- Medium Complexity App (Additional Features)
- Feature-Rich App (Advanced Features)
[Remember, this is just an estimate. The final cost of your app will depend on your specific needs and chosen development partner. It’s wise to get quotes from several developers before making a decision.]
Last Words
Zomato and Swiggy are the strong leaders in the market for online food delivery services. However, this doesn’t mean that your unique food delivery app can’t find a market that works for it. Make yourself stand out by adding advanced features that meet the needs of your target audiences.
There’s more to making a great app than just adding features. You might want to work with a trustworthy mobile app development services company that puts the user first, focuses on great design and usability, and has a history of success in the food delivery space. Their knowledge can help you get through the creation process and make sure your app becomes the best on the market.
Are you ready to make your food delivery app idea come true? You can directly contact Web Idea Solution to share your interests and ideas for trustworthy development services. With our help, you can make a food delivery app that stands out in the market to compete with others.
