10 Steps To Create An App Like Uber Eats, GrubHub, And DoorDash

The on-demand food delivery industry has been rapidly growing over the past decade. Apps like Uber Eats, GrubHub, and DoorDash have revolutionized the food industry by providing customers with easy and convenient food delivery options.

Startups and even food industry entrepreneurs entering the on-demand food delivery app space look forward to building solutions like these top players. This industry is expected to grow to $320 billion by 2029.

If you are looking for answers to “How do I create a service like DoorDash, Uber Eats, or GrubHub,” this blog will explain it in detail.

Cost and time required for food delivery app development

Developing a food delivery app requires significant time and financial investment. The cost of a food delivery app varies based on the complexity of the application, the number of features and functionalities, and the platform chosen for development. Typically, building a food delivery app for a single platform, such as iOS or Android, can cost anywhere from $15,000 to $60,000. The table below shows the approximate cost and time.

The development process involves multiple stages: ideation, planning, designing, development, testing, and deployment. Therefore, it is essential to clearly understand your requirements and goals before embarking on the development process to ensure that the app is delivered within the expected timeline and budget.

A step-by-step guide to building the food delivery app

• Define your target audience.

The first step in creating an app like Uber Eats is to define your target audience. Determine who your app is intended for and what their needs are. Understanding your target audience will help you develop features that will be useful to them. Discover their demographics, age, preferences, and what attracts them the most.

• Research the market thoroughly.

Before you start building your app, it’s essential to research the market to understand your competition and identify opportunities. Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of your opponents and identify gaps in the market that you can fill. This research will help you develop your app’s unique selling proposition (USP).

• Create an effective business plan.

Once you have clarity of your target audience and the market, it’s time to create a business plan. A business plan will help you define your goals, strategies, and financial projections. It will also help you identify potential investors or partners. The blueprint of your business plan will act as a roadmap for your food app idea and answer necessary questions during development.

• Choose a monetization method.

There are different business models you can use for your on-demand food delivery app. You can charge a commission fee for every order or a flat delivery fee. You can also charge a subscription fee or offer promotions and discounts to attract users and encourage repeat business. Choose a business model that will be profitable for your app.

• Pick the technology stack.

You need to choose a technology stack to build an app like Uber Eats, GrubHub, or DoorDash. It includes the programming languages, frameworks, and libraries you will use to develop your app. You can choose from various technology stacks like React Native, Swift, Kotlin, or Java. Understanding the technology stack will help you calculate the estimated cost of the app development. It will also make it easier to look for a team with skills in that specific tech.

Areas of development

Technology needed

Frontend development

• HTML/CSS: For building the layout and styling the app.
• JavaScript: For implementing dynamic behavior and interactivity.
• React or Angular: For building a robust, scalable, and efficient UI.

Backend development

• Node.js or Ruby on Rails: As a server-side scripting language for building scalable web applications.
• Express.js: A Node.js framework for building RESTful APIs.
• PostgreSQL or MongoDB: As a database management system for storing data related to users, orders, menu items, etc.

Mobile app development

• Swift or Kotlin: For building native iOS and Android mobile applications.
• React Native: For building cross-platform mobile applications using JavaScript and React.

Payment gateway

• Stripe, PayPal, or Braintree: for implementing secure and efficient payment processing.

Cloud infrastructure

• Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform (GCP), or Microsoft Azure: for hosting the app on a scalable cloud infrastructure.

Mapping and location

• Google Maps or Mapbox: for integrating real-time location tracking and mapping features.

Push notifications

• Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) or Apple Push Notification Service (APNs): for sending push notifications to users regarding orders, updates, and offers.
• Plan the UI/UX

The design of your app is crucial to its success. The design should be user-friendly and visually appealing. Ensure your app has a consistent color scheme, typography, and layout. Use icons and graphics that are easy to understand and navigate. The simpler the app is to navigate, the better customer satisfaction and retention rate will be.

• Develop the app.

Once you have chosen your technology stack, it’s time to develop your app. You need to create three separate apps — for customers, restaurants, and delivery drivers. The customer app should have features such as a search bar, a menu, a shopping cart, and a payment gateway. A restaurant application should allow owners to upload menus, images, offers and accept orders. While the driver app should have features such as a map, delivery instructions, and a payment system.

• Integrate payment and delivery systems.

You need to integrate payment and delivery systems to make your app functional. Your app should be able to accept multiple payment methods, like credit cards, debit cards, and online wallets. You must also integrate with a delivery partner to ensure your food deliveries are seamless.

• Test and improve your app.

Once you have developed your app, it’s essential to test it thoroughly. Ensure all the features are working as expected and there are no bugs or glitches. Test your app on different devices and platforms to ensure it’s compatible with other operating systems. The testing phase will help you discover the areas of improvement by gaining the users’ feedback.

• Launch your app.

Once you have tested your app and are satisfied with its performance, it’s time to launch it. You can start with a soft launch in a small market to test your app’s reception. Then, gradually expand to other markets as you build your brand and customer base.

Final thoughts

In conclusion, creating an app like Uber Eats, GrubHub, or DoorDash is not an easy task. It needs a lot of planning, research, and development with the latest technology. However, with the right strategy and execution, you can create a successful food app. With the help of an experienced food delivery app development company, you can build the application cost-effectively and with the necessary features and technology. Look for a team that has vast experience, excellent soft skills, and understands your business requirements thoroughly.