Urban Company (formerly UrbanClap) has emerged as a leading platform for local services, connecting users with professionals for home cleaning, beauty services, repair work, and more.
The app’s simplicity, reliability, and easy-to-use interface have made it a hit among users.
But how does one go about developing a similar app? What are the features, processes, and costs involved in building an app like Urban Company? This article breaks it down for you.
Before diving into development, it’s essential to understand the service marketplace model that apps like Urban Company use.
These platforms connect service providers (e.g., plumbers, beauticians, cleaners) with users who need their services.
The app acts as a bridge between demand and supply, earning revenue by charging commissions or subscription fees.
What is Urban Company / UrbanClap App?
Urban Company, previously known as UrbanClap, is an Indian on-demand service platform that connects users with a variety of professionals who provide home services. These services include beauty and wellness, cleaning, repairs, plumbing, carpentry, electrical work, and more.
Key features of the Urban Company app:
- Service Variety: It offers a wide range of home and personal services.
- Professional Verification: The platform ensures that service providers are verified and trained.
- Ease of Use: Users can book services through the app by selecting a time slot and choosing the required service.
- Rating System: Customers can rate and review service providers to ensure quality.
How much does it cost to develop an app like Urban Company / UrbanClap?
Developing an app like Urban Company / UrbanClap can vary significantly in cost depending on various factors such as features, complexity, technology stack, and development team location.
Here’s a rough breakdown:
1. App Complexity
- Basic Version: Basic features like user profiles, service listings, booking functionality, and simple UI.
- Advanced Version: More complex features like in-app payments, real-time tracking, reviews and ratings, admin panel, and notifications.
- Enterprise Version: Full-fledged app with advanced features like AI-based recommendations, multi-language support, real-time analytics, geo-fencing, and more.
2. Key Factors Influencing the Cost
- Platform: Developing for Android, iOS, or both (cross-platform vs. native apps).
- Features: Complex features like real-time chat, video calling, and payment gateways increase the cost.
- UI/UX Design: A more sophisticated design and user experience will require more resources.
- Backend Infrastructure: For scalable apps, a robust backend with cloud services, databases, and APIs is necessary.
- Third-party Integration: Payment gateways, real-time tracking, and SMS/Email services require additional costs.
- Team Composition: Hiring an experienced development team, including project managers, developers, testers, and designers, impacts the total cost.
3. Development Time
- Basic App: 3 to 6 months.
- Advanced App: 6 to 12 months.
- Enterprise App: 12+ months.
Cost Breakdown by Region
- USA/Canada: $100 – $250 per hour
- Western Europe: $80 – $200 per hour
- Eastern Europe: $50 – $100 per hour
- India: $20 – $50 per hour
Maintenance and Updates
Ongoing maintenance, updates, and feature additions can cost an additional 15-20% of the initial development cost annually.
UrbanClap App Business & Revenue Model
UrbanClap (now Urban Company) follows a robust business and revenue model that focuses on connecting service professionals with customers for various home services. Here’s a detailed look at their business and revenue model:
1. Business Model: Two-Sided Marketplace
Urban Company operates as a two-sided marketplace, connecting:
- Service Providers: Professionals in categories like beauty, cleaning, repairs, fitness, etc.
- Customers: Urban dwellers seeking on-demand services at their convenience.
How It Works:
- Service Listing: Service providers register on the platform and list their services.
- Customer Booking: Customers browse the app or website, select services, and book appointments based on their availability and preferences.
- Matchmaking: The platform matches customers with suitable service professionals in their area, based on skill, availability, and customer ratings.
- Service Delivery: The professional delivers the service at the customer’s home or location.
Revenue Model: Multiple Revenue Streams
Urban Company generates revenue through several methods:
a. Commission-Based Model
Urban Company charges a commission from service providers for every successful service completed through the platform. The commission percentage can vary depending on the service category but typically ranges from 15% to 25%.
b. Lead Generation
In some cases, service providers may pay for leads. Urban Company generates leads and matches them to service providers, charging a fee for each lead. This is especially applicable for high-value services like interior design or home renovations.
c. Subscription Model
Service providers can also subscribe to a premium plan, where they pay a fixed monthly fee to get more visibility, higher-quality leads, and preferred placement in customer searches.
d. In-App Purchases
For some services, such as beauty and wellness, Urban Company offers products that customers can purchase through the app. This helps create an additional revenue stream from product sales.
e. Service Bundles and Packages
Urban Company offers service bundles and subscription packages for regular maintenance or grooming, such as monthly home cleaning or grooming services, which provide discounted rates for customers while locking in repeat business.
Cost to Develop an App Like Urban Company
The cost to develop an app like Urban Company depends on various factors, including the features, platform, and development team.
Here’s a breakdown:
The cost of developing an app like UrbanClap varies based on the size and expertise of the development company you choose, along with other factors.
- Small Company: $10 – $40 / Hour
- Mid-sized Company: $40 – $100 / Hour
- Enterprise-level Company: $100 – $250 / Hour
If you’re interested in developing a similar application, feel free to contact us. Our experienced developers have successfully built apps like UrbanClap, TaskRabbit, Helpbit, MrUsta, Mplus, Bro4u, Sulekha, Helpr, Handy, and Housejoy. We offer complete solutions, including user interface, local vendor integration, and admin panel development.
How to Monetize an App Like Urban Company?
1. Commission-Based Model
A common revenue model is charging a commission on each service booking made through the app.
2. Subscription Plans for Service Providers
Offering subscription plans for service providers, where they pay a monthly or yearly fee for premium features, can also be lucrative.
3. In-App Advertisements
Running ads within the app can generate additional income. However, it’s essential to balance user experience with monetization.
Challenges in Developing an App Like Urban Company
Some of the major challenges include user retention, managing a large database of service providers, and ensuring timely and secure payments. Overcoming these challenges requires careful planning and a focus on customer satisfaction.
Best Practices for Success
To succeed, focus on user experience, maintain regular updates, and invest in customer support. It’s also essential to constantly gather user feedback and implement new features to stay competitive.
Key Features of App like UrbanClap / Urban Company
1. Service Categories and Listings
- Wide Range of Services: The app should offer a variety of categories such as beauty, home cleaning, repairs, electrical work, plumbing, fitness, and more.
- Detailed Service Listings: Each service should have detailed descriptions, pricing, and estimated time to complete the task, helping customers make informed decisions.
2. Professional Profiles with Ratings & Reviews
- Verified Professional Profiles: Service providers should have comprehensive profiles with their expertise, qualifications, and background checks.
- Ratings & Reviews: Customers can leave feedback based on their service experience, helping others choose the best professionals.
3. Seamless Booking and Scheduling
- Easy Booking Process: Customers should be able to book services with just a few clicks, selecting from available time slots that fit their schedule.
- Real-Time Scheduling: The app should display real-time availability of service providers and allow scheduling for immediate or future services.
4. In-App Payments and Invoice Generation
- Secure Payments: The app should integrate multiple payment options such as credit/debit cards, UPI, e-wallets, and net banking.
- Invoice and Receipts: Upon completion of the service, the app should automatically generate invoices and receipts for the customer’s records.
5. Real-Time Tracking and Notifications
- Track Service Provider: Once a booking is confirmed, users should be able to track the service provider’s location in real-time.
- Push Notifications: The app should send timely notifications about appointment reminders, service updates, and promotional offers.
Must-Have Features in an App Like UrbanClap
1. Customer App Features
The customer app is the primary interface for users to book and manage services.
- User Registration and Login: Simple signup options using phone numbers, email, or social media accounts.
- Browse Services by Category: Users can explore a wide range of services organized into categories such as beauty, home cleaning, repairs, etc.
- Advanced Search & Filters: Allows users to search for services and apply filters like location, price, ratings, and availability.
- Service Details: Comprehensive service descriptions, pricing, time estimates, and ratings to inform users.
- Real-Time Booking & Scheduling: Users can book services instantly or schedule them for a later time.
- Service Provider Profiles: Access to professional profiles, including experience, qualifications, ratings, and reviews.
- In-App Payments: Secure and multiple payment options (credit/debit cards, UPI, e-wallets) with invoicing.
- Real-Time Tracking: Track the service provider’s location and arrival in real-time.
- Push Notifications: Updates on bookings, reminders, service status, promotions, and offers.
- Reviews & Ratings: After service completion, users can rate professionals and leave feedback.
- Support & Help Desk: 24/7 customer support with live chat, email, or call options.
- Service History: A log of previous services booked with details for easy repeat bookings.
2. Service Provider App Features
The service provider app is essential for managing bookings, tracking tasks, and growing the business.
- Service Provider Registration: Simple onboarding process with document upload for verification and profile creation.
- Service Listings & Packages: Providers can list their services, set prices, and create custom service packages.
- Booking Management: A dashboard to view, accept, or decline bookings, with the ability to manage availability.
- Push Notifications: Instant notifications about new booking requests, cancellations, reminders, and updates.
- Real-Time Navigation & Tracking: Integration with maps for real-time directions to customer locations.
- Earnings Dashboard: Track income, view completed jobs, and see payouts with detailed analytics.
- Availability Settings: Providers can manage their working hours, days off, and breaks.
- Ratings & Reviews: Providers can see customer reviews and ratings to improve service quality.
- In-App Chat/Call: Direct communication with customers to clarify details or confirm bookings.
- Profile & Certification Management: Manage professional certifications, update skills, and enhance profile visibility.
3. Admin App Features
The admin panel is critical for overseeing the entire platform, managing users, services, payments, and analytics.
- Dashboard Overview: A comprehensive view of all ongoing activities, including bookings, revenue, active users, and service providers.
- User & Service Provider Management: Admins can add, remove, or modify customer and service provider accounts.
- Service Category Management: Create, update, or remove service categories based on market trends and user demand.
- Booking Management: Monitor all bookings, cancellations, disputes, and ensure timely service delivery.
- Analytics & Reporting: Detailed reports on user activity, revenue, growth trends, service demand, and provider performance.
- Payment Management: Monitor transactions, process payments to service providers, handle refunds, and manage invoicing.
- Ratings & Feedback Monitoring: Oversee customer reviews and feedback, take action on low-rated professionals, and ensure service quality.
- Promotion & Offers Management: Create and manage discount codes, promotions, and seasonal offers to drive user engagement.
- Customer Support Management: Handle customer complaints, disputes, and inquiries via an integrated support system.
- Content Management: Admins can manage app content like terms and conditions, privacy policies, FAQs, and more.
- Push Notifications Management: Send promotional or transactional push notifications to customers and providers.
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Frequently Asked Question
1. How do I book a service on the app?
You can book a service by selecting the service category, choosing the specific service you need, entering your location, and scheduling a time slot that works for you. Payment can be made via the app using secure options like credit/debit cards or mobile wallets.
2. Are the service providers verified?
Yes, all service providers on the platform are verified. They undergo a background check, skill assessment, and training to ensure high-quality service.
3. What if I need to cancel or reschedule my booking?
You can easily cancel or reschedule a booking via the app. Navigate to the “My Bookings” section, select the service, and choose to cancel or reschedule based on your convenience. Please note that cancellation fees may apply depending on the timing.
4. How do I pay for the service?
You can pay securely through the app using multiple payment methods such as credit/debit cards, mobile wallets, UPI, or net banking. The payment is only processed after the service is completed.
5. What happens if I’m not satisfied with the service?
If you are not satisfied with the service, you can raise a complaint through the app’s customer support. The platform has a robust resolution process to address issues, including refunds or service redelivery.
Conclusion
Developing an app like Urban Company requires careful planning, a solid tech stack, and a customer-centric approach. By focusing on the right features, choosing the appropriate technology, and continuously improving your app, you can build a successful platform that stands out in the crowded service marketplace.
Read More: How To Develop A Chat App Like WhatsApp
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