How To Develop a Food Delivery App And Its Development Cost & Timeline
The food delivery industry has seen a significant shift in recent years due to technological advancements. People now prefer to order food online and get it delivered to their doorstep instead of visiting a restaurant physically. This has created a huge demand for food delivery apps, and if you are thinking of developing one, you need to consider certain factors.
In this article, we will discuss how to develop a food delivery app and its development cost and timeline.
What is a food delivery app?
A food delivery app is a mobile application that allows customers to order food from a variety of restaurants and food outlets through their smartphones. These apps have become increasingly popular in recent years due to the convenience they offer to customers who want to order food without leaving their homes.
Food delivery apps typically feature a user-friendly interface that allows customers to browse menus, select items, and place orders for delivery. Some apps also allow customers to track their orders in real-time, view order history, and save their favorite restaurants and dishes.
Food delivery apps are often designed to work in partnership with restaurants and food outlets. These businesses benefit from increased exposure and sales through the app, while customers benefit from a wider range of food options and the convenience of home delivery.
Examples of popular food delivery apps in the UAE include Uber Eats, Talabat, Deliveroo, Carriage, and Zomato. Etc.
How does a food delivery app work?
A food delivery app typically works in the following way:
The user places an order: The customer uses the app to browse through various restaurants and menus to select the items they want to order.
The restaurant receives the order: Once the customer has placed an order, the restaurant receives the details of the order and begins to prepare the food.
Delivery partner picks up the order: A delivery partner, who may be a driver or a cyclist, is assigned to pick up the order from the restaurant and deliver it to the customer.
Delivery partner delivers the order: The delivery partner then delivers the order to the customer's specified address. Some apps allow customers to track the delivery in real time.
Payment is processed: Once the order has been delivered, the app processes the payment. The customer can either pay through the app using a credit or debit card or in some cases, cash on delivery may be an option.
In addition to the above, food delivery apps may also offer other features such as reviews and ratings of restaurants, special discounts, and loyalty programs. They may also have a system to handle customer support and feedback.
Overall, food delivery apps provide a convenient and efficient way for customers to order food from their favorite restaurants and have it delivered to their doorstep, while also providing restaurants with increased visibility and sales opportunities.
Development steps for a food delivery app
These are the following steps that are involved in our food delivery app development process:
Step 1: We will sit with the client for Initial Consultation to understand the project requirement. After that, we will do the Industry Analysis & Competitive Set to fulfill the requirement.
Step 2: Based on the client’s requirement, we do design the wireframe of the app.
Step 3: Once the wireframe is done we do the design for the project and send the design to the designated contact person for approval (We will use Invision to share the design where the client can comment on each section of the interface through the app).
Step 4: Once the design is approved, we will proceed with the Admin Panel.
Step 5: After completing the admin panel, we will proceed with the app development. First, we will develop the android app, as it is easy to test and deploy.
Step 6: Once the development is finished we present the system to our client and feedback is gathered for further development or change if any.
Step 7: Once the development part is complete we will do the content integration. During the development of the application, the client needs to send us the content for the project.
Step 8: After the content integration, we will do the final testing and another security testing.
Step 9: Once it passes all the testing we will send the APK and prepare design work for APK publishing.
Step 10: Once the Android app is approved we will start working on the iOS app.
Some Popular Food Delivery Apps in Dubai
Food delivery apps are quite popular in Dubai, as the city has a large population of residents and tourists who enjoy the convenience of having food delivered to their doorstep. The use of food delivery apps has increased significantly in recent years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to a surge in demand for online ordering and contactless delivery options.
Some of the most popular food delivery apps in Dubai include:
Talabat
Talabat is a popular online food delivery platform based in Kuwait. It was founded in 2004 and has since expanded to operate in several countries in the Middle East, including Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
Talabat allows users to browse menus and order food from a wide variety of restaurants, cafes, and food outlets, with the option of paying through the platform. The platform also offers a range of features, including live order tracking, customer reviews, and promotions. Talabat has become a widely recognized brand in the Middle East and has played a significant role in the growth of the online food delivery industry in the region.
Talabat charges a commission fee to the restaurants for each order placed through the platform. The delivery fee is typically charged to the customer, although some restaurants offer free delivery for orders above a certain value.
Deliveroo
Deliveroo is a food delivery platform that was founded in 2013 in London and has since expanded to operate in over 200 cities across 12 countries, including the United Arab Emirates. The platform partners with a wide range of restaurants and offers a convenient and quick delivery service to customers.
Deliveroo's platform operates on a similar model to other food delivery apps. Customers can access the platform via the website or mobile app and browse menus from a variety of restaurants. Once they have selected their desired items, they can place the order through the platform and choose the delivery location.
Deliveroo's delivery fleet consists of a combination of employed and self-employed riders, who use bicycles, motorcycles, or cars to deliver orders. The riders use the Deliveroo app to accept orders, navigate to the delivery location, and update the status of the order.
In addition to its core food delivery service, Deliveroo also offers several features to enhance the customer experience. These include live order tracking, customer support, and multiple payment options.
Deliveroo also partners with restaurants to offer additional services such as virtual kitchens, which are delivery-only concepts that allow restaurants to expand their offerings without the cost of opening a physical location. Deliveroo Editions, for example, is a program that offers kitchen space to restaurants to create delivery-only concepts.
Overall, Deliveroo has become a popular food delivery platform in the UAE due to its range of restaurant options, convenient delivery service, and additional features.
Zomato
Zomato is a food delivery and restaurant discovery platform that was founded in 2008 and is based in India. The platform has since expanded globally and operates in several countries, including the United Arab Emirates. Zomato offers a variety of features to help users discover restaurants, order food, and track their orders.
The platform allows users to search for restaurants based on several criteria, such as cuisine, location, and ratings. Users can also view menus, photos, and reviews from other customers to help them make informed decisions about where to eat.
Once a user has selected a restaurant, they can place an order through the platform and choose from various payment options, including cash on delivery or online payment. Zomato offers a real-time order tracking feature, which allows users to track the status of their order from the restaurant to their doorstep.
In addition to food delivery, Zomato also offers several other features, such as table booking and online ordering for pickup. The platform also offers a loyalty program called Zomato Pro, which offers discounts and other benefits to users who subscribe to the program.
Zomato has become a popular food delivery and restaurant discovery platform in the UAE due to its user-friendly interface, comprehensive restaurant database, and additional features. It has played a significant role in the growth of the food delivery industry in the region.
Careem Now
Careem Now is a food delivery platform that was launched in 2018 by Careem, a ride-hailing service that operates in several countries in the Middle East, including the United Arab Emirates. Careem Now offers a wide range of restaurants and cuisines to choose from and provides a convenient and reliable food delivery service to customers.
The platform operates on a similar model to other food delivery apps, allowing users to browse menus and place orders through the website or mobile app. Careem Now also offers features such as live order tracking and multiple payment options, including cash on delivery and online payment.
In addition to food delivery, Careem Now offers several other features to enhance the customer experience. For example, it offers a rewards program called Careem Rewards, which allows users to earn and redeem points for free rides or other discounts. The platform also offers a subscription service called Careem Plus, which provides users with discounts and other benefits.
Careem Now operates in several cities across the UAE, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah. The platform has become a popular food delivery service in the region due to its wide variety of restaurant options, reliable delivery service, and additional features.
Uber Eats
Uber Eats is a food delivery platform operated by Uber, a ride-hailing company that operates globally, including in the United Arab Emirates. Uber Eats allows users to browse menus, order food, and track their deliveries through the website or mobile app.
Users can search for restaurants based on several criteria, including cuisine type, location, and rating. Once they have selected a restaurant and placed an order, they can track the status of their order in real time through the app.
Uber Eats operates with a network of drivers who use their own vehicles to make deliveries. The platform partners with a wide range of restaurants, from fast-food chains to high-end restaurants, to offer a diverse range of options to customers.
Uber Eats offers several features to enhance the customer experience, such as in-app promotions, multiple payment options, and customer support. The platform also offers a rewards program called Uber Rewards, which allows users to earn points for each order they make and redeem them for discounts or free meals.
Overall, Uber Eats has become a popular food delivery platform in the UAE due to its wide range of restaurant options, reliable delivery service, and additional features. The platform has played a significant role in the growth of the food delivery industry in the region.
Additional requirements for developing the app
For developing a food delivery app, there are some crucial requirements that are required for the app to function properly and serve certain purposes. We will discuss those requirements here:
Cloud hosting
Cloud hosting is a type of hosting that uses a network of virtual servers to store and deliver data, applications, and services over the internet. Unlike traditional hosting, where a website or application is hosted on a single physical server, cloud hosting utilizes a network of interconnected virtual servers that work together to deliver resources on demand.
In cloud hosting, the resources such as processing power, memory, and storage are distributed among multiple servers, which enables the system to be highly scalable, reliable, and flexible. This means that the hosting provider can easily allocate more resources to an application or website as needed, depending on the demand or traffic.
Cloud hosting is a great option for a food delivery mobile app as it provides the scalability, reliability, and flexibility required to handle the variable demand and traffic associated with the food delivery industry.
Here are some of the key benefits of using cloud hosting for a food delivery app:
Scalability: Food delivery apps often experience sudden spikes in demand during peak hours or special events. With cloud hosting, the app can easily scale up or down its computing resources to handle the traffic as needed.
Reliability: A food delivery app needs to be available to customers at all times to ensure timely delivery. Cloud hosting provides greater reliability and uptime due to the distributed nature of resources.
Speed: Cloud hosting enables faster load times and response times, which is essential for a seamless user experience.
Security: Cloud hosting providers typically offer advanced security features and protection against cyber threats, which is essential for protecting sensitive customer information such as payment details.
Cost-effectiveness: With cloud hosting, food delivery apps only pay for the resources they use, making it more cost-effective than traditional hosting.
When choosing a cloud hosting provider for a food delivery app, it is important to consider factors such as the provider's reliability, scalability, security, and support. Popular cloud hosting providers for mobile apps include Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform (GCP), and Microsoft Azure. We can help you choose the best package for the best price
SMS Gateway
An SMS gateway is a service that enables businesses to send and receive SMS messages to and from mobile devices, typically via an API or web interface. For a food delivery app, an SMS gateway can be used to send order updates, delivery confirmations, and promotional messages to customers.
When choosing an SMS gateway provider for a food delivery app, here are some factors to consider:
Integration: The SMS gateway provider should be compatible with the technology stack used by the app.
Cost: The cost of sending SMS messages can vary significantly depending on the provider and the volume of messages sent.
Reliability: The SMS gateway provider should have a reliable service with high uptime to ensure that messages are delivered promptly.
Support: The provider should offer support and assistance in case of any issues or questions.
Security: The SMS gateway provider should have measures in place to protect customer data and ensure that messages are sent securely.
We can use any sms gateway that you provide us or we can assist you in getting one like SMS country, Etisalat, ClickSend, etc.
Payment Gateway
A payment gateway is an essential component of a food delivery app, as it enables customers to pay for their orders securely and conveniently. When choosing a payment gateway for a food delivery app, there are several factors to consider:
Integration: The payment gateway should be compatible with the technology stack used by the app.
Security: The payment gateway should be PCI-DSS compliant and offer secure payment processing to protect customer payment information.
Cost: The cost of using the payment gateway can vary significantly depending on the provider and the volume of transactions processed.
Supported payment methods: The payment gateway should support the payment methods preferred by the app's target customers, such as credit cards, debit cards, e-wallets, and bank transfers.
Customer support: The payment gateway provider should offer reliable customer support to assist with any issues or questions.
We have vast experience in integrating popular payment gateways such as Stripe, Checkout, Network International, Telr, Paytabs, Payfort, CC Avenue, or any other local bank gateways. Either you can approach us directly, or we can assist you with the same.
Delivery API integration
Apps require External delivery partners if you don't have your own delivery team.
Integrating a Delivery API into a food delivery app is a critical step in enabling delivery functionality. A Delivery API allows businesses to access delivery networks to manage and track deliveries, obtain delivery quotes, and provide customers with real-time delivery updates.
When integrating a Delivery API into a food delivery app, here are some key factors to consider:
Integration ease: The Delivery API should be easy to integrate with the app's existing technology stack, programming language, and tools.
Delivery options: The Delivery API should support the delivery options preferred by the app's target customers, such as same-day delivery, next-day delivery, and scheduled deliveries.
Tracking and notifications: The Delivery API should provide real-time tracking and delivery notifications to enable customers to track their orders and receive updates.
Support and reliability: The Delivery API provider should offer reliable support and uptime to ensure that the delivery network is always available and functioning correctly.
We can integrate popular payment gateways such as DHL, Aramex, Jeebly, Zoom, and Carriage into your food delivery app.
Development Cost of a Food Delivery App
Development costs to make a food delivery app in Dubai lie between AED 40,000 to AED 60,000. We can make your app at a very much affordable price adjusting your budget. Of course, the exact cost of development will vary depending on the features and functionalities of your app.
There are several factors that can influence the development cost of a food delivery app. Some of the most significant factors include:
Platform and Technology: The cost of development may vary depending on the platform on which the app is built and the technology used. For example, building an app for iOS and Android may cost more than building an app for a single platform.
Features and Functionality: The cost of development will increase as more features and functionality are added to the app. This can include things like real-time order tracking, push notifications, loyalty programs, and more.
Design and User Experience: The cost of development will also be influenced by the design and user experience of the app. If the app requires a complex and sophisticated design, the development cost may be higher.
Integration with Third-Party Services: The app may require integration with third-party services like payment gateways, GPS services, and more. This can increase the development cost of the app.
Size and Complexity of the App: The size and complexity of the app will also determine the cost of development. For example, if the app has multiple user roles (customer, driver, restaurant owner), the cost of development may be higher.
Testing and Maintenance: The cost of development will also include testing and maintenance of the app. This is an ongoing cost that needs to be factored in.
Overall, the development cost of a food delivery app will depend on the scope of the project, the desired features, and the complexity of the app. So if you have detailed requirements for your app, we can give you the exact figure for the app’s cost. Our expert mobile app developers in Dubai are committed to providing cost-effective mobile app solutions that generate more revenue for our clients.
How Long Will It Take To Develop A Food Delivery App
The development time for a food delivery app can vary widely depending on the complexity of the features you want to include and the resources you have available.
Here are some factors that can impact the development time:
Features: The more features you want to include in your app, the longer it will take to develop. Basic features might include user registration, menu display, order placement, and payment processing. More advanced features could include real-time order tracking, personalized recommendations, and integration with other apps and services.
Platform: Developing an app for both iOS and Android will take longer than developing an app for just one platform. Additionally, a food delivery app will have 2 separate apps for the admin and the users, which will increase the development time.
Design: The design process can also impact the development time. If you need custom graphics, animations, or other design elements, it will take longer to create them.
Testing: A thorough testing phase is important to ensure your app is reliable and user-friendly. Testing can take several weeks or even months.
Client feedback: Clients making changes after the initial development phase will also add up the development time of the app.
Third-party integration: Integrating third-party services such as payment gateways, location services, and restaurant ordering systems can add complexity to the app development process. The time required for integrating third-party services can vary depending on the availability and documentation of the API (application programming interface) provided by the service.
Overall, the development time for a food delivery app will depend on the specific requirements of your project. Working with an experienced development team can help ensure that your app is developed efficiently and effectively. Based on the factors stated above, we can estimate 6-12 weeks to complete the development of a food delivery app.
Why Choose Royex Technologies for Food Delivery App Development
Royex Technologies has been in the business since 2013 and has competent team members who have been developing projects for more than 300 clients to date, all over the world. We’re one of the best mobile app developers in Dubai, you can check our website and portfolio to see our previous works.
Our team of developers has years of experience in mobile app development. We have worked on a variety of projects and know what it takes to build successful apps. We stay up-to-date with the latest technologies and trends in the industry to deliver the best results.
We understand that each client has unique needs and requirements. That's why we offer customized mobile app development services to cater to your specific needs. We work closely with you to understand your goals and provide solutions that fit your requirements.
We have some unique offerings that make us stand out among our competitors:
Dedicated support team in Dubai: Our support team in Dubai will provide round-the-clock trackable support to our clients.
Post-delivery maintenance: We offer post-delivery maintenance to ensure that the app functions correctly, is secure, and provides a good user experience.
Annual Maintenance Contract: Our (AMC) outlines the terms of ongoing maintenance and support for the app. This contract is usually signed after the initial development of the app is complete and the app is launched.
Additional value that you will get from Royex to make your app a success:
Investors Club: Royex Investors Club provides a platform for investors to connect, and create investment propositions with emerging and prospective tech startups.
Apps Marketing: Our marketing agency can help you get the required engagement and reach for your mobile app
Business Strategies: We will provide support to collab with 3rd party companies to provide business strategies that will support your app’s growth and success.
Intellectual property & patent services: Intellectual property (IP) and patents are essential for protecting the rights of creators and inventors. IP rights provide legal protection for various forms of creative and innovative works, including inventions, designs, literary and artistic works, and symbols, names, and images used in commerce. We can help with acquiring IPs for your app.
Attractive discounts: We actively collaborate with several delivery companies, payment gateways, and hosting services. So you can avail discounts for these services when working with us.
Contact us via email at info@royex.net or call us at +971566027916 with your requirements. Let’s make it happen.