Steps to Build a Ride-Hailing App Like Careem

For the people of the UAE, convenience is not just a luxury; it is a bridge that fulfills their expectations.

With the introduction of the super app Careem, the tech-savvy population of the UAE can enjoy a seamless digital experience in their everyday routine. Started as a simple ride-hailing app, Careem has taken the chance to fulfill the vast demand of the audience by presenting a wide range of services in its single app.

From small businesses to big entrepreneurs in the UAE are now taking advantage of the powerful growth opportunity by developing a super app like Careem. Are you one of those who wish to develop an app like Careem to tap into the thriving on-demand economy? That’s an excellent idea.

In this blog, you will get to explore everything that tells you about the development of the super app Careem.

Let’s get into the details of the app.

A Know-How of the Careem App

Careem Now is the popular super app of the UAE, which was originally launched as a ride-hailing app that used to offer only car booking services.

But, with time, this app has expanded its wings and started offering multiple services under one roof. Now, Careem is famous for offering services like grocery delivery, ride hailing, food delivery, bike rentals, and digital payments.

The users of the app Careem can book on-demand rides or can also schedule in advance as per their needs. The app offers users the ability to track their ride or food & grocery delivery in real time and link their credit cards or digital wallets to make payments without leaving the app.

The app caters to a wide range of transportation, from economic rides to luxury cars and more. This app offers an excellent opportunity for drivers to make a flexible income by accepting rides.

Thus, the app Careem has become another name for convenience for the population of the UAE by simplifying commuting, shopping, and making payments.

Understanding of the Careem Super App

As we defined above, Careem is a super app; let’s understand this term in a little detail. So, a super app is a digital application popular for offering a wide variety of services within one app.

Super apps eliminate the need to download various types of apps for various needs. These super apps can allow users to access several services, from transportation to ticket booking and more.

The super apps carry the whole digital ecosystem within a single app, which can manage the daily needs of its users in a seamless way.

So, without switching the app, users can order groceries, order food, book a movie ticket, or a transportation ticket, book a ride, pay bills, and more from a single app.

Market Overview of the Careem App and Super Apps

If you have any doubt whether you should develop an app like Careem or not, we have brought a UAE market overview of the Careem app and super app. These statistics surely encourage you. Let’s get to the numbers that we have gathered for you.

Careem App:

• As per the reports of 2023, the Careem app has more than 48 million registered users.
• In the same year, i.e., in 2023, the Careem app had generated more than $500 million in revenue, and the number is not going down.

Super Apps:

• In the UAE, 64% of consumers preferred to use a single super app that offers services offered by different apps.
• In the year 2023, the MEA super apps market generated a revenue of $5,335.9 million.

• By the year 2030, it is expected that the same market will generate a revenue of $30,587.2 million.
• Thus, from 2024 to 2030, during the forecast period, the MEA super apps market will grow at a CAGR of 28.3%.

All these statistics clearly say that if you have mobile app ideas like the super app Careem, then turn them into reality with the help of the right app development partner.

Core Features of the Careem App

Features are the showstoppers for the Careem taxi app, which makes it the top choice of the audience. Since you are planning to create a similar kind of super app, you must have a good knowledge of its winning features.

So, we have planned to spill the features of the Careem app before we jump into its development process. Thus, to create an app like Careem, here are a few of the core features listed below that need your attention.

1] Seamless Onboarding

To use the app, users need to enter the app. For this, you should create a seamless onboarding process, i.e., users must be able to sign in to the app through various mediums like contact number, social media, email, and more.

Don’t go for any kind of lengthy process for singing in the app, which can easily overwhelm users.

2] Profile Management

After onboarding, users must be able to manage their profiles easily. The users must be able to enter all the required information, set a profile picture, link their bank accounts, view ride history, and more.

It is important that users can keep all the information from personal to banking updated on the app accordingly, and without any issues.

3] Multi-Service Benefits

Careem Now is a super app, and you will be creating something similar, so don’t forget about this one feature. The super app you will be creating, like Careem, must have the benefit of multiple services in just one single app, which lets users stick to a single app.

The Careem food app has several services to offer, from mobility services to healthcare and others.

4] Multi-Payment Options

Like Careem payments, your app should also provide users with multiple payment options. Thus, you must integrate multiple methods to let users complete their payments with ease.

Users must be able to make payments via eWallets, credit cards, and can also pay in cash. So, this will make it easy for you to make the app available to a vast users.

5] AI Personalization

To build an app like Careem, make sure to integrate the power of AI technology. This will be a game-changer for your app since it can personalize the app’s actions according to the user’s preferences, behavior, and location information.

The benefits users can enjoy because of this smart addition consist of smart recommendations, dynamic pricing, and predictive analysis.

6] Chatbots for Customer Service

A chatbot must be in your app because this is one of the crucial features of the Careem app that offers a good customer experience.

This will help you to provide solutions to your users regarding any of their queries at any time of the day. These chatbots are quite smart to offer quick solutions to problems and can even connect users with human agents.

7] Real-Time Tracking (GPS)

The Careem app has real-time GPS tracking, which is a crucial feature for an app offering delivery services.

You must integrate this feature into your app so that it helps the drivers or the delivery agents on the app to find the exact location easily. On the other hand, this feature will offer users the exact arrival time of their products.

Steps to Build an App Like Careem

Now, for what you are here in this blog, to learn how to build a mobile app in Dubai similar to Careem. There are a few strategic steps that you have to follow thoroughly for its successful creation.

If you feel it will be difficult to create the app all by yourself, then it will be best for you to hire mobile app developers. This will make app development an easy task.

So, here we have shared the strategy that needs to be followed to create an app similar to Careem.

Step 1: Market Research and Planning

Start the development process of an app like the Careem taxi app with proper research and planning. This will help you achieve the objectives for your app.

To learn about the market, you must thoroughly research the competitors, which include Careem, to understand their features and offerings. Then, understand the demand of the audience that your competitors’ apps failed to achieve.

This way, you can make a better plan for your app to fulfill the audience demand and address the gaps.

Step 2: Define Key Features

Features are the core elements of an app, so before starting the development process, be very sure about the features of your app. Also, if you are creating an app similar to Careem Now, then you must know about its features.

The features of Careem are what make it a popular option among the people of the UAE. We have already talked about the core features of the Careem app in the above section, which need your attention.

You can decide on the features for your app by exploring them.

Step 3: Choose the Right Tech Stack

Now, after defining the features of your app, like Careem, you should proceed to choose the right tech stack for your app. Choosing the right tech stack is very crucial because it will decide the quality, performance, and outcomes of your app.

Every section of the app is to be developed using different types of technologies that are required. Since the core functionality of the Careem Now app is focused on on-demand delivery, it needed robust and scalable tech stacks. We have mentioned them in a tabular form below.

Components	Required Technology
Frontend Development	Swift, Kotlin, Flutter, React Native
Backend Development	Node.js, Django, Ruby on Rails
Databases	PostgreSQL, MySQL
Mapping & Geolocation	Google Maps API, Mapbox
Payment Gateways	Stripe, PayPal, Braintree
Cloud Hosting	AWS, Google Cloud Platform, Azure

Step 4: UI/UX Design of the App

Now, get into creating the design of your app, like Careem food. Creating the UI/UX design of an app before starting to develop it is crucial, and it must be created keeping focus on the three types of users: customers, delivery partners, and merchants.

For that, use a wireframe to create the prototype of the app. Make sure you have designed the app interface with the right features, icons, and colour that matches the brand. Maintain an intuitive interface of the app that can be smoothly navigated by users.

Step 5: Develop the App

Now that you are done with the design of the app, it’s time to proceed and start developing the app. The core development process consists of frontend and backend development.

In frontend development, you have to transform the UI/UX design into a functional interface of the app that helps users navigate seamlessly. Then, in backend development, you have to build the backbone of the app correctly to make sure all the features of the app are working in their right state.

Build the database, payment gateways, cloud hosting system, and other systems of the app.

Step 6: QA & Testing

After you’re done with the development process of the app, it’s time to carry out QA and testing of the newly created app. Don’t skip this step if you desire to present your audience with an app that offers them the best experience.

In this step, you have to test the app thoroughly, from every feature to the functionalities of the app. Make sure the app is free from bugs and all potential issues.

The rigorous app testing consists of functional testing, performance testing, usability testing, security testing, compatibility testing, and others.

Step 7: Launch & Market

Now that you are sure that your app is free from potential issues and bugs, it is ready to be deployed on various app download platforms. The app download platform where you will deploy the app consists of Google Play, Apple Store, and others, from where your audience can easily install the app.

Before you deploy the app, it is best to promote the app through various channels, which consist of social media, email, and others. Promoting and marketing the app will gain better attention, and more people will download it.

Step 8: Post Launch

Wait, the work is not over yet, even after the app launch, you have to make sure the app is working in its optimum state. Thus, you have to carry out the post-maintenance activities seriously so that no issues or new bugs can affect the app’s performance.

If your app fails to offer the desired results to the users, then they will quickly shift to other apps. So, keep analyzing the working of the app, and if you find any issues, fix them right away.

Also, with growing cyberattacks, keep the security patch of the app updated, and also keep the app features updated to offer the best user experience.

Cost to Develop an App Like Careem in the UAE

Since you are planning to make an app like Careem, you should make a budget plan for it. Thus, to create a budget plan, you must have an idea of the cost that you need to complete the whole process.

The mobile app development cost to create a similar app like Careem approximately ranges from $30,000 to $250,000 or even more. This range totally depends upon the factors that drive the cost. The factors include feature complexity, tech stack, platform choice, and many others.

So, if you are creating a less complex version of the Careem Dubai app, then it will not cost more than $30,000. On the other hand, if you are planning to create a full-stack app with trending features and smart technology, then it may cost more than $250,000.

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Factors Influencing the Development Cost of the Careem App

As we said above, there are various factors that decide the cost to create a money transfer app similar to Careem. In this section, we are going to tell you about those factors.

You should know about these factors to form a clear understanding of the cost you are investing the app development.

Let’s look into some of the key factors that we have listed below.

➢ The Complexity of Features

The Careem taxi app consists of several advanced features like real-time tracking, AI-driven route optimization, digital payment systems, and more.

To integrate these smart features, it can take more development time than usual, and hence, it affects the development cost directly.

➢ The Choice of Platforms

There are two types of platforms: native and cross-platform. If you want to create an app for both iOS and Android, then cross-platform is best, but if you want to develop the app for either iOS or Android, then the native platform is best.

Creating a cross-platform app will cost you less to hire compared to a native app. But on the native platform, the iOS app development cost will be higher than the Android app development cost.

➢ Development Team’s Location

The location of the development team also decides the development cost of the Careem food app. There are two types of development teams: one onshore and the other offshore.

The former is situated within the country, and the latter is situated outside the country. Choosing the former can be a cost-effective solution compared to the latter.

➢ Third-Party Integration

Since Careem is a super app which offers ride hailing to in-app payment options and others, various third-party integration is required to offer the best user experience.

The third-party integration, like payment systems, mapping services, and others, is a must; this will surely increase the development cost.

Choose the Right Mobile App Development Company in the UAE

You now know the development steps to create a similar app to Careem. However, if you still find it difficult to create one, then you can partner with a development company, which we have already told you about.

But now another concern must be aching you, that is, how to choose the right app development company in UAE. It can be concerning, but we have provided a solution for this problem as well.

We have listed the requirements to make the right choice below. Take a look.

● Define Your Goals

The first thing you need to take care of in the process of choosing the right app development company is that you have a clear understanding of your app goals.

Be very sure about the expected outcomes of the app, the audience, and the needed features. Then you are sure about the platform where you will launch the app, and lastly, the development budget.

● Research and Evaluate Companies

You must research different companies in the UAE, including the mobile app startup, and thoroughly evaluate them. Check the company portfolio and experience.

Look into all the projects on which the company has worked, and check the quality of the finished projects. Verify the technical expertise of the company, and check the reviews of the clients.

● Understanding their Approach

Understanding the approach of the app development company to deal with a project is crucial. Ask the company about their methodology, especially about the Agile methodology.

Make sure the company offers transparency and maintains effective collaboration throughout the project life. Talk with them to evaluate their communication strategy.

● Know About Support & Legal Aspects

Since post-maintenance is an important aspect of the development process, you should make sure the development company you are choosing offers post-maintenance services.

Required and right support from the development company is very important. Further, take care of the legal agreements to clarify ownership, and must sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement to protect your ideas.

● Get Your Quote in Detail

Your chosen app development company must provide you with a detailed quote for the project. The quote is crucial for you to compare the development cost.

After getting the quote, focus on the overall value of the app development project. Don’t just go for the lowest price, because there is a possibility that a high upfront cost can help you save money later.

Develop a Robust Super App Like Careem with Nimble AppGenie

If you are planning to develop an app like Careem, which is popular for being a super app, then you must do strategic planning, user-focused design, scalable architecture, and seamlessly integrate multiple services. All these can be expertly handled by the Nimble AppGenie.

We are the leading mobile app development company in Dubai that specializes in building successful, high-performing multiservice apps like Careem. Our expert team of experienced app developers understands the needs of the clients to ensure the apps are scalable, secure, and work best for their future growth.

Whether it’s a super app or an app from other industries, we will confidently develop a robust app for you that will meet your tailored needs.

Conclusion

So, you understand that to develop an app like Careem, it needs to be scalable and user-focused, offering everyday convenience. You must integrate innovative features and use the right technology that can help your app perform the duties of a super app.

This blog has made it clear to you what exactly you need to do to create a more thriving super app than Careem. The app must go beyond industry trends to redefine mobility and on-demand services.

Building a super app can open the doors to wide opportunities for growth; you just need to turn the vision into reality.

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