Have you ever used an app for tracking a location? If YES, then you might know about the GPS apps. Is there an app for everything in this almost automated data-driven world? Need a recipe? There's an app for that. Need to check the weather before heading out? There's an app for that also. I Have some challenges scheduling your monthly payments and need some assistance? There's an app for that too.
The correct data at the right time gives access to live technological solutions using these apps. So, it is little wonder then that there would be an app for finding the location of people, places, and things worldwide! Enter the location-based apps, also known as GPS apps. This guide compromises all the GPS app development processes and examples.
What is GPS in Mobile App Development World?
GPS is Geolocation or Global Positioning Systems, is a location-based radio navigation system that is integral to its users for location, timing, and positioning. GPS location-based apps can be found in almost every type of digital maps data system and utilize an application programming interface (API) essential in facilitating communication between the technology systems.
Essentially, GPS, which utilizes an API with geolocation technology and maps data system, is the way we find our way around the world in the 21st century, and for many users who need to access real-time data from geolocation technology and navigation services, a GPS app, are apps they can't do without! These numerous geolocation map services are useful in a variety of ways for GPS users worldwide and are most exemplified by the popular Google Maps GPS app.
What is the Best GPS App for Android?
Tech Giant, Google, has created Google Maps in its suite of app solutions, and it is now easily one of the most popular apps among Android users as it provides real-time location-based maps and data for its users. The Google Maps API interface is also seamless, easy to use, and very interactive, making it one of the most preferred geolocation apps available.
In addition to its suite of services, Google Maps is free to use and seamlessly integrates its advanced API on various platforms! In addition to location services, Google Maps is an excellent tool for business owners in driving persons to their place of business, as not only does Google Maps provide the geolocation technology, it also displays relevant information at a glance, such as the business website, number, photos, and customer reviews.
The Google Maps API also provides relevant data on the additional locations or branches of your business place in various regions, which is helpful for franchisees or entrepreneurs with multiple business establishments across a geographic area.
Uses of GPS mobile geolocation apps
To Find Locations
The most common functionality feature of a GPS app is to access locations, addresses, or maps for its user. Many users simply cannot do without location-based app services and geolocation technology of data-driven apps such as the very popular Google Maps app. These location-based navigation services and mobile apps are extremely helpful for finding locations of addresses, help to track a more efficient and timesaving route, and also prevent a user from getting lost.
The Google Maps app is one of the most useful location-based app services that a user can install on their phone when going to strange locations for the first time. It can prevent the GPS maps user from getting into dangerous or embarrassing situations by showing them the accurate maps and routes to arrive safely and on time.
On a larger scale, access to location-based data maps from the API for geolocation app systems is crucial for certain areas of business. These include restaurant services, the advanced automotive industry, Google services (such as the API for Google Driverless cars and Google Maps app for Android users), and even the maritime, military, and aviation industry. In these instances, access to accurate location-based data maps from the API system utilized by a geolocation app may be the difference between not only finding the right locations at the right time but also of life and death.
To Find and Track Property
A mobile GPS geolocation app is also useful in locating and tracking the position of a person or property. If there has been a theft of a vehicle, a previously installed location-based GPS app system has intricate API geolocation features and functionality that allow it to track the movements of the automotive in real-time.
This API-based geolocation user feature has been integral to this type of location-based app being used by security companies, insurance agencies, and car rental services worldwide for the recovery of stolen possessions. Geolocation technology API is also useful for tracking movements and fleet management in areas such as postal services, courtesy shuttles, and large fleets of vehicles in many industries that depend on location-based data.
To Find and Track People
The API for navigation services of GPS geolocation apps such as Google Maps "find my phone" have location-based functionality and features which access data to detect user location. They thus allow easy recovery in the event of theft and assist law enforcement in tracking the movements of criminals in the event of kidnappings or other major crimes. Location-based GPS app services have even been used in some cases to detect user location and track the locations of many irresponsible teens or wayward spouses!
To Provide Customer Tracking Data for Businesses
Mobile apps with API featuring location-based GPS functionality, and geolocation technology, such as the Groupon Shopping app, have proved helpful in providing relevant location-based data that provides important insight into shopping behavior and location-based activity of its users. Mobile apps for shopping and geolocation can access data on the user location of the majority of a store's shoppers and what items they are most prone to purchasing at certain locations.
The income bracket of app users from a specific location, services utilized by those users, and even how often they have visited these locations! This helps entrepreneurs to use the data to make relevant location-based business management decisions with respect to the pricing, customer demographic, loyalty programs, and marketing.
To Estimate Arrival Time
In a world where time and accurate data are money, location-based apps are here to stay as their data-driven API features make them quite useful for time-sensitive business models. These include delivery services that detect user location and depend on the accurate estimated arrival time (ETA) of the delivery personnel to keep their business model reliable and trustworthy.
Such geolocation data access is also essential in the international shipping and logistics models as the eager user tracks their parcels online until time to pick them up. Not to be forgotten is the API for location-based rideshare and transportation services such as Uber or the state-owned fleet of buses or subway transportation that move thousands of busy users from one place to another, and for whom location-based access to accurate ETA data on their commute, is essential!
Service Providers
The API features of app geolocation rely on data to give information on available providers of essential location-based services. They utilize location-based data from advanced API systems that enable their users to select providers of these services nearest their location. These include services such as Task Rabbit and Angie's List that allow you to check on the app, not only for the contractor services you wish to engage but also for their user location data, to find a service provider, be it a babysitter, plumber or personal assistant nearest you.
Recreation & Entertainment
GPS location-based apps have a place in the entertainment world of social networks. These social apps embed API within their platforms which use GPS technology to provide access to information for social networks such as Tinder. The API for location-based apps for dating and gaming access the extensive data and geolocation services to find available persons nearby for recreational meetups. Such mobile GPS apps tell the location and have advanced location-based API features that access and cross-reference data from social networks, dating demographics, and interests of the potential users.
These API systems are integral in allowing these apps to operate seamlessly, thus putting users in contact with the persons most suited to their preferences. For gamers, app geolocation API systems maps are so advanced that they can help them when doing real-time quest challenges (i.e., Pokémon Go, Dungeons & Dragons, etc.) and locate team members across the globe in real-time. These include location-based, first-person shooter games or fantasy games such as The World of Warcraft, wherein one can recruit team members through a GPS app based on locations, language, and skills, among other relevant map data, embedded in its API.
How Do You Make GPS Application?
There are 5 phases involved in the development process for making a GPS app.
Now that we have identified some of the numerous uses of a location-based GPS mobile app, we need to consider: What goes into creating a GPS application with geolocation services? How does one create a GPS App? What are the 5 phases of the App Development Process?
GPS App Project Design
To develop location-based GPS app services using the appropriate API system, one has to consider the app's most important features to potential users of the app. Based on the app project details, you would decide the type of API based on the scale and scope of the project setup. Also, you would need to assemble the relevant location-based data maps and resources in advance of starting the development of this GPS app system.
These resources include what type of geolocation app technologies would be employed, what platforms will this GPS app be optimized for (i.e., android, web, or iOS), the availability of supportive API technological frameworks (such as cell towers, etc.), and also what type of GPS app development team you would need. Of course, location-based data, distance matrix API functionality, and features incorporated into this GPS app service would heavily depend on the budget allocated for this project.
GPS App Specifications
Now that one has determined the relevant location-based app functionality features concerning the available resources, technological framework, budget, and GPS app development team, you would need to fine-tune the app specifications based on the target user for this service. Will this location-based GPS app embed the most functional API for the restaurant industry? Will it use a static API geolocation framework?
In GPS apps, geolocation data and location-based time tracking app features from the API design will be of utmost importance. This way, the user can get relevant data maps on the location of a delivery driver with their purchase or be able to track their ETA using the geolocation app. Is the location-based GPS app service to be used for a ride-sharing company? In that case, the distance matrix API features should incorporate location-based ETA time tracking capabilities and a user reporting system that allows users to send reports to the app by way of a service review, real-time location, and other helpful data.
Other considerations may include whether these mobile location-based apps are to be specifically developed to provide accurate real-time data on potential road conditions. For example, the Google Maps app has an API feature that provides up-to-date, real-time data on unusual traffic within the area. Will this location-based GPS app embed an API that enables users to provide helpful feedback in real-time to other users of the app?
GPS mobile location-based apps, such as Waze, for example, allow users to not only get geolocation services from this app but are also given the ability to report on road conditions that will assist other users with helpful details such as shortcuts, traffic stops, road repair and even potholes!
How user-friendly are the features of the maps system in the GPS app solutions for the average user? For example, an app that has great technological geolocation data features in addition to a user-friendly visual panel with brightly colored app interface, easy-to-read fonts, and seamless functionality, tech platform integrations, and the visual layout is a plus for the app user! A geolocation app that considers these user-friendly features, in addition to the ease of navigation, will be more likely to be the GPS app of choice for many GPS app users.
GPS App Development Team
GPS location-based apps have user features that embed API maps specified in the initial app design concept, and so you would need to contract a capable app solutions project development team to build it. This tech team would provide the necessary geolocation app solutions and project resources and would comprise API maps software engineers, programmers, UI / UX Mobile app designers, QA engineers, end-user experience testers, and capable project managers to keep the geolocation GPS app solutions project on the track up to its rollout or launch.
GPS APP Launch
The final rollout of the geolocation app development will involve the promotion of the geolocation app to the target audience made up of the intended GPS app service users. These geolocation app users include a variety of entrepreneurs in various industries and also end-users of the geolocation app. Promotional activity around the functionality, features, and uses of this mobile location-based apps solutions project would be useful in having users buy into its concept in advance of the actual launch date.
Utilizing an SEO marketing campaign that could even rival Google Maps by extensive promotion of the location-based mobile app would also be integral in ensuring the popularity of the mobile geolocation app. A soft launch of the mobile geolocation app solutions project would be a great way to test user experience and check for any potential errors in the maps of the geolocation app.
GPS App Feedback
Based on the feedback of the users for the mobile geolocation app launch, you will have an idea of the real-world functionality of the app features for the end-users and also have an opportunity to make the necessary API upgrades, app updates, and fix any bugs that may create an issue with your geolocation mobile app functionality features.
Perhaps the app geolocation data within the GPS app needs to be better streamlined, or its API better enhanced to interface with mobile android, IOS, or even web-based platforms (such as Google Maps) without app functionality issues such as flinching or moving too slow. Google Maps is one of the most used geolocation app solutions preferred by users around the world for this reason! The more smoothly your app performs, then the more likely it is that users will want to utilize its geolocation app services as often as possible.
How Much Does It Cost to Create a GPS App?
The development cost of the API for mobile geolocation GPS maps app, with all the relevant data services, features, and functionality that end-users expect a modern GPS app to have, will vary. Geolocation app development depends on the functionality that a user requires from the app features. That means if you prefer to create a geolocation app with the bare minimum variable product or a mobile app with less advanced maps, and static API features, then you would be:
Paying your geolocation app development team at the lower end of the scale begins at approximately USD 28 per hour per person on the app development team.
Bear in mind that if you provide your user with the bare minimum when embarking on a mobile geolocation app solutions project, you may not get as high a return on your investment from users as you would if you integrate app geolocation functionality features.
Investing in a knowledgeable and capable team of GPS geolocation app solutions and project professionals would ensure that you get a great return on your investment in creating a functional maps app with advanced API features and an intuitive user interface. Getting a properly built out geolocation app such as that on the scale of the popular Google Maps app would require a budget that is in keeping with the scale of this project.
At the higher end, developers and project managers will charge a starting rate of up to USD 75 per hour per person on the development team.
However, the investment in a fully built out maps API would be worth it, as your GPS geolocation mobile app would receive a higher return on your investment. With a skilled app development team, a feasible budget, and a great API geolocation mobile app concept, you can find your way into the world of GPS mobile service creation!
