A comprehensive guide to developing a business listing Application like Yelp

Businesses are turning digital to reach a wider audience. Nowadays, almost everyone owns a smartphone, and for every service or information, the user relies on mobile applications. Whether it is online shopping, ordering food, travel bookings, or listing your business, the applications have streamlined all processes.

One such popular application is Yelp for a business listing that has gained popularity over the years. The application allows the local business owners to list their business online, and the user gets the options to choose from it. The app offers the users detailed information of the destination that includes a map, visiting hours, customer reviews, and more to ease the decision-making process.

The trend of business directory apps has already gained popularity, and the graph continues to rise. If you are an entrepreneur and looking forward to offering the users detailed information in one place, then it is high time to develop a business listing app!

Read the blog and get all the details you would need to develop a Yelp clone.

How does your business benefit from Mobile app

For your business to offer benefits, it is vital to offer a better user experience with ease. The more simple interface and features your app have, the more will be the customer retention. You do not need to begin to get the returns on your investment soon, but in the long term, it is quite beneficial and improves the quality of your business as well.

1. Mobile app offers huge profits

Apart from the monetization opportunities, the mobile applications allow you to earn via ads and other in-app purchases like an option.

2. Reach out to new Customers

The application helps you to widen your user base and reach more audiences. You can go viral with a perfectly developed mobile application.

3. Your app is your advertising object

The mobile application acts as your advertising object, and it will help you initiate more downloads of the app.

What does the business listing app offer?

Everyone is aware of the popular platform Yelp, downloaded by more than 142 million users as per the estimation. It has become one of the most trustworthy apps for users to look for whatever information they need.

A business listing app like Yelp is a mobile and web-based directory that offers complete information to the users such as reviews, photos, contact no, address, and more. The stats depict that 92% of the users purchase after visiting Yelp. Have a look by yourself.

Monetization Strategies of App like Yelp

No matter where your app has reached, earning is the most crucial aspect that lets you know where you stand. Let us discuss all the revenue models that help the business owners to make a decent income:

1. Advertisements

If your app has got a name in the market and attracts the user, you will get many offers for the advertisement space. It allows you to make a good amount of revenue.

2. Membership Plans

These apps have various membership plans for the companies. Different members can avail many benefits, and it becomes the best way to earn revenue with a monthly fixed income.

3. Offers and Promotions

Just like the platform Yelp, the app owner can provide different offers and promotions for the users.

Features that Yelp Clone must have

In the local business directory app like Yelp, there are many crucial features you must include to make your app outstanding:

1. Registration/Account

It is the first step after the user downloads the application. Here the user can register with a personal email ID or social media accounts, such as Facebook and LinkedIn. The step should be simple so that the user can easily register with your app.

2. Admin Panel

Admin panel helps to manage the user and businesses. The admin can add the relevant content, maintain the services, manage the users and view the stats.

3. Geolocation and Maps

With Google Maps, the user can find the location accurately that saves their time as well. It is one of the unique features and a must-have in a successful business listing app.

4. Lists and Filters

Advanced search and filters are the most robust tools that ease the search of the user. It makes the search easier for the users, and they can look out for their items properly.

5. Push Notifications

It is one of the most crucial features that offers personalized communication and is a tool for marketing. It notifies the users with all the information, discounts, coupons, and much more. This feature acts as a goldmine for the app owners.

6. Rating and Feedback

The customers can offer genuine feedback that helps other users to know whether they should avail the services/goods or not.

7. Loyalty Programs

For long-term customers, offering loyalty programs is the key to their retention. The app owner can offer different gifts, bonuses, and more to keep their customers happy.

8. Media Sharing

It helps users to get a personal touch and enhance the overall experience of the users. It provides the users with a photo upload feature that helps with an upward spike in user engagement.

Also Read: Developing A Mobile App For Mood Tracking: Analysis Of Features And Cost

Advanced Features you must have

1. Content Management System

CMS is a system that allows the admin to manage the app content in the text and image form. Its acts as a medium that defines the app information.

2. Cloud Storage Integration

In the local online business, search offers the online data storage service with Amazon and Google cloud storage service to make it secure and reliable.

3. Payment Gateway Integration

In the business listing application, integrating payment gateway offers security and reliability to the users. Various methods include Debit/Credit cards, UPI payments, and more that are secure.

4. Sponsored listing

It is another feature for app owners. The users who want to register their business can sign up for featured placement. If the user visits the app category, their listing gets on the top.

5. Analytics

With real-time reporting, the admin can check the bookings, transactions, and all other things.

How much does it cost to develop a directory app like Yelp?

Several factors are taken into account that calculates the cost of developing a local business directory app:

1. The Platform you choose

The platform for app development is one of the crucial factors that affect its cost. There are two platforms you can choose from Android or iOS. Developing an app for an Android platform is costlier than the iOS.

2. Design

The elegant user interface similar to Yelp is the need of the hour. Also, the app should be user-friendly.

3. Number of features

The more features you add to your app, the more will be the cost of development.

With the complex features, app development price increases.

4. Company’s Location

App development companies in North America and Europe have higher charges, whereas India-based developers are comparatively budget-friendly. They charge $20-$80 per hour for the same level of expertise.

Winding-up!

Business directory applications like Yelp have impacted the market in many ways. They offer a win-win situation to the users, businesses, and entrepreneurs. The application has streamlined travel and has given confidence to the people for visiting new places.

Are you an entrepreneur and want to develop a business directory service app like Yelp? ToXSL is a leading mobile app development company that understands client needs and follows a trending market approach to offer the best. Contact us, and our experts will get back to you with a detailed estimation!

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