How to Develop a Lifestyle App like Smiles

Are you tired of carrying around multiple loyalty cards and missing out on deals and rewards? You're not alone. With the rise of e-commerce and mobile technology, consumers are constantly looking for ways to save money and make their shopping experience more convenient. In fact, according to a recent survey, 81% of consumers report that loyalty programs increase their likelihood of remaining a customer, while 72% state that they would be more inclined to participate in a loyalty program if it were accessible on their mobile device. Future projections suggest that mobile app usage will continue to rise, with an estimated CAGR of 20% and over 350 billion app downloads by 2024.

With such a rapidly growing market, it's no surprise that businesses are looking to develop their apps to tap into this lucrative industry. In particular, lifestyle apps like Smiles have gained immense popularity in recent years, providing users with exclusive offers, discounts, and rewards for their loyalty. So, how exactly does one go about developing a successful deals and rewards app like Smiles? In this article, we will delve into the key factors and considerations that go into creating a successful deal and rewards app, and how you can make your app stand out in this competitive market.

What is Smiles App?

Smiles by Etisalat is a lifestyle app designed to enhance the overall experience of its users. It offers a variety of services such as online food delivery, grocery shopping, discounts, and cash vouchers. With over 10,000 restaurants and cuisines to choose from, users can easily order their favorite dishes and enjoy exclusive in-app offers for even more savings. The app also rewards users with Smiles Points for every purchase, which can be redeemed for discounts on future orders or other offers within the app. With Smiles, you can have delicious food delivered to your doorstep while saving money and earning rewards. 

Smiles as a popular lifestyle app has gained traction in the UAE market with over 1.6 million downloads, and 6,500 participating brands and over 13,000 partner outlet establishments. This shows the growing demand for such apps among consumers. With Smiles, users can collect points for their purchases and redeem them for discounts, vouchers, or exclusive offers from a diverse array of partnered brands and service providers. Not only does this create a sense of loyalty towards the brand, but it also encourages repeat purchases. Now, if you are interested in tapping into this market and creating a deal and rewards app similar to Smiles for your own business, it is crucial to collaborate with a reputable mobile app development company in Dubai like Royex Technologies. This will ensure the development of a high-performing and user-friendly deals and rewards app to meet the growing demand.

Features of Smiles

Here are a few features of lifestyle app like Smiles

• Mobile Services Integration: Smiles seamlessly integrates with mobile services, enabling users to recharge their mobile credit, pay bills, and manage subscriptions within a single application.

• Loyalty and Rewards Program: The app incorporates a robust loyalty program, rewarding users with points for various activities. These points can be redeemed for discounts, vouchers, or exclusive offers.

• Personalized Experiences: Smiles leverages user data to provide personalized recommendations, offers, and content, ensuring a tailored and enjoyable experience for each user.

• Multi-Service Platform: Beyond telecommunications, Smiles extends its services to include lifestyle categories such as shopping, dining, travel, and entertainment, creating a holistic lifestyle app.

• In-App Marketplace: The app may feature an in-app marketplace where users can explore and purchase products, services, or experiences, further enhancing the lifestyle offerings.

• Notifications and Alerts: Users receive real-time notifications and alerts about promotions, new services, and personalized offers, ensuring they stay engaged with the app.

Business Model of Smiles App

Smiles operates on a multifaceted business model that integrates several revenue streams:

• Transaction Fees: The app earns revenue through transaction fees associated with mobile recharges, bill payments, and other services provided through the platform.

• Subscription Model: Smiles may offer premium subscription plans that unlock additional features, exclusive rewards, and an enhanced user experience for subscribers who opt for a premium membership.

• Partnership Collaborations: Collaboration with various lifestyle brands, retailers, and service providers enables Smiles to earn revenue through partnership commissions and featured promotions within the app.

• Data Monetization: Aggregated user data may be utilized for targeted advertising and collaborations with third-party advertisers, contributing to additional revenue streams.

Steps to Develop a Lifestyle App Like Smiles

Here are several steps involved in creating a lifestyle app like Smiles

• Market Research: Conduct thorough market research to identify lifestyle trends, user preferences, and potential competitors.

• Define App Features: Clearly define the features and functionalities of the lifestyle app, ensuring it addresses user needs across various lifestyle categories.

• Technology Stack: Select a suitable technology stack that supports scalability, security, and seamless integration with third-party services.

• User Interface and Experience Design: Craft an intuitive and visually appealing user interface, focusing on user experience to ensure easy navigation and engagement.

• Development: Assemble a skilled development team to bring the app to life, incorporating the defined features and ensuring optimal performance.

• Integration with Services: Integrate the app with mobile services, payment gateways, and third-party APIs to offer a seamless user experience across multiple lifestyle categories.

• Loyalty and Rewards Program: Develop a robust loyalty program that incentivizes user engagement and rewards users for their activities within the app.

• Personalization Algorithms: Implement personalized recommendation algorithms based on user behavior, ensuring a tailored experience for each user.

• Testing: Conduct thorough testing to identify and resolve bugs, ensuring the app is stable and reliable.

• Launch and Marketing: Strategically launch your app, and invest in marketing to create awareness. Utilize social media, online advertising, and other channels to promote your platform.

How Much Would It Cost to Develop an App Like Smiles?

The cost of developing an app like Smiles with Royex Technologies can be around 40000 AED-50000 AED, however, it can vary widely based on factors such as features, platform (iOS and Android), the complexity of the design, and location. Also, keep in mind that ongoing maintenance and updates will also require additional investments.

How Long Will It Take to Develop an App Like Smiles?

It can take anywhere around 3 months to build a feature-rich and stable app like Smiles. This timeframe includes the design, development, testing, and launch phases. Complex features, such as AI-driven recommendations or advanced social integration, may extend the development time.

Why Choose Royex Technologies For Mobile App Development in Dubai?

Established in 2013, Royex Technologies is a leading app development company in Dubai, that provides innovative solutions for small, medium, and large-scale companies. We specialize in responsive web development, mobile app development, CRM integration, AI solutions for website & mobile applications, and many more. Our extensive experience in mobile app development will help you to take your business to a high level.

Check our portfolio to see our previous works. Contact us via email at info@royex.net or call us at +971566027916. To get started with us.