Essential Features to Include in Your Dunzo Like App
On-demand delivery apps have become increasingly popular over the past few years. Services like Dunzo have seen rapid growth by allowing users to get nearly anything delivered quickly from restaurants, grocery stores, pharmacies and more.
While the basic functionality of ordering deliveries on-demand is clearly important, there are a number of key features beyond the basics that can really help a Dunzo clone app stand out in this competitive market and gain loyal, happy customers.
In this in-depth guide, we’ll walk through the essential features to include in your on-demand delivery app, covering both basic must-haves as well as advanced functionality. Follow along step-by-step as we outline both customer-facing features as well as tech capabilities you need to delight users!
Start Your Entrepreneurial Journey Today With Zipprr
Zipprr is the online marketplace to buy, sell, and exchange websites, online stores, app, clone scripts, digital assets and more!
Basic Must-Have Features in an App Like Dunzo
Let’s start with the core baseline features you need in your on-demand delivery app:
User Profiles and Accounts
Naturally, you’ll need users to be able to sign up and create accounts on your platform. Collect basic information like name, contact info, address etc. and have them create a password to log in.
Allowing customers to create accounts makes the ordering experience much more seamless. You can store their data, order history, preferences and other details to provide a personalized experience. Integrate with social platforms like Facebook or Google to give users signup/login options.
Once signed up, users should be able to easily update their profiles. Having accounts also allows you to identify users and provide support as needed. Enable features like resetting forgotten passwords to help customers manage their accounts.
Restaurant/Store Listings and Management
- Your app obviously needs to list out all the participating restaurants, grocery stores, pharmacies and other outlets that users can order deliveries from. Build a business portal that allows enterprises to sign up and list themselves on your platform.
- Make it easy for businesses to create and manage listings with details like menus/catalogs, photos, contact info, operating hours and other relevant information. Also allow them to update listings whenever required.
- Provide different subscription plans for businesses if you plan on a paid listing model. You can also build analytics so businesses can view insights like number of orders received, customer feedback etc.
Search and Browsing
Once you have businesses listed on the platform, customers need to be able to easily discover and browse what they need.
Implement search filters to find outlets by name, cuisine type, dish names, location and other parameters. Categorize listings by type like restaurants, grocery stores, florists, pharmacies etc.
Allow users to browse by proximity to see options nearby their current location or delivery address. Use location tracking to showcase nearby results first. Implement autocomplete and suggestions as users type into the search bar to improve discovery.
Menus and Inventory Browsing
After discovering outlets, customers need to be able to browse menus and product catalogs to find what they want.
For restaurants, provide full digital menus with dish names, descriptions, photos and pricing. Categorize menu sections like appetizers, mains, desserts etc. to make browsing easier.
For groceries, medicines and other items, build catalog-style listings with product details like weight, quantity, brand etc. Group inventory into relevant categories for easy browsing.
Cart and Ordering
Once users have identified the items they want from browsing menus and catalogs, it should be simple to add selections to a cart and place an order.
Allow customers to add multiple items from the same outlet or across different outlets to a consolidated cart. Provide quantity selectors to pick amounts for each item. Show itemized listing with total order value on cart page.
Before placing the order, prompt users to specify a delivery date/time and address. Give option for ASAP delivery or scheduled later. Allow users to apply any promo codes or discounts.
Finally, enable orders to be placed seamlessly with one click. Notify businesses immediately about new orders received. Send order confirmation to customers along with order ID and delivery timeframe.
Live Order Tracking
Order tracking is a must-have feature for on-demand delivery apps. After placing an order, users want full transparency into its status – from preparation to pickup to enroute to delivered.
Build native apps with location tracking capabilities to follow drivers in real-time after pickup. Integrate a map view to see driver location with route overlay and estimated time remaining.
Display constantly updated order status timeline showing each stage. Send push notifications as the order moves from “Preparing” to “Picked Up” to “Enroute” to “Delivered”. Enable easy contacting of driver during transit if required.
Real-time ETAs and tracking maps give customers comfort and eliminate anxiety. It adds tremendous value beyond just placing an order.
Delivery Address and Mapping
Since deliveries are so location dependent, your app obviously needs to collect delivery addresses and provide drivers with mapping capabilities.
When customers place an order, prompt them to enter the delivery address if not already saved in their profile. Autofill addresses from profile to make reordering faster. Allow adding new locations easily.
For drivers, build advanced navigation and mapping features into the delivery partner app. Turn-by-turn directions, route optimization and traffic data enable accurate ETAs. Training delivery partners on using maps can help minimize errors.
Mapping combined with live tracking provides end-to-end visibility into each order. It can also help optimize routes for delivery partners to service multiple orders faster.
Call Support and Chat
- Despite building intuitive apps, issues will inevitably come up that require users to get in touch with support staff. Setting up call centers and help lines is crucial.
- Display customer care contact information clearly in the app interface. Have toll-free numbers manned 24/7 by knowledgeable agents prepared to troubleshoot any problems during order placement or transit.
- In addition to call support, also offer live chat functionality through messaging or bots to provide assistance. Response time SLAs for support queries can ensure prompt resolution.
Ratings and Reviews
Reviews and ratings are a pivotal part of the on-demand delivery experience. They build trust and transparency between customers, delivery partners and platforms.
Allow customers to rate each order on multiple parameters like delivery time, order accuracy, driver courtesy etc. on a 1-5 star scale. Prompt for ratings shortly after completing delivery.
In addition to ratings, enable customers to leave more detailed feedback and reviews about the overall experience. Reviews help identify issues and training opportunities.
Platforms should monitor reviews to track customer sentiment across stores/drivers. Enable businesses and drivers to respond to reviews as well. This level of engagement breeds loyalty.
Advanced Features to Delight Customers
Those nine features cover the baseline functionality required in an on-demand delivery app. Let’s look at some more advanced capabilities that can take your platform to the next level.
Multiple Payment Options
Enabling flexible payment methods tailored to your target markets is key. Support credit cards, debit cards, digital wallets, gift cards, PayPal, and any other popular payment modes.
Integrate with payment gateways like Stripe for a seamless checkout experience. Provide option for customers to store cards for faster future checkouts.
Allow cash on delivery payment in regions where digital payments have slower adoption. Just ensure safety processes for handling cash.
The more payment options you support, the more customers you can service. Offering convenience and flexibility is what on-demand delivery is all about.
Scheduled and Recurring Orders
While instant delivery is great, also give users the ability to schedule orders for later. This allows customers to place non-urgent orders at their convenience without waiting around.
Build a delivery calendar that users can browse and select future date/time slots for orders. Sync this with store operating hours and driver availability.
Accommodate both one-time scheduled orders as well as recurring orders that repeat periodically. This is particularly useful for grocery top-ups and medication refills.
Scheduled ordering improves predictability for businesses and drivers. Smoothen demand spikes and valleys by load balancing scheduled and ASAP orders.
Push Notifications
Push notifications are a must for on-demand apps to keep customers informed at every step. Send pings like “Order confirmed”, “Out for delivery” “Delivered” to update on key status changes.
When delivery partners are enroute, use geofencing to trigger notifications when they are say 5 or 2 minutes away from drop-off. This ensures customers are available to receive orders.
Besides order status, also leverage push notifications for engagement. Send personalized promos, new feature updates, cart reminders, feedback requests etc. to drive retention.
With permission, push notifications provide timely and relevant information without users having to constantly check the app. But ensure they can be customized or muted to prevent notification fatigue.
Route Optimization Using AI
- Sophisticated mapping and demand prediction algorithms can optimize delivery routes and sequences for partners on the fly. This maximizes efficiency and minimizes delivery times.
- Factors like current location, traffic, order priority and readiness can be input into the route optimization engine. This can help determine optimal sequencing and routing to fulfill multiple orders together.
- Continuously refine the algorithms and machine learning models using data on actual routes and delivery times. Route optimization is key to scaling while providing speedy deliveries and informed ETAs.
Delivery Partner Application
While a consumer app is table stakes, building a well-designed app for your delivery partners is equally critical for operational success. Couriers should be able to efficiently manage all their assignments and tasks digitally.
Partners should be able to indicate availability, accept/decline orders and manage all assignments in one centralized work app. Track order delivery status and customer information. Scan QR codes and capture signatures upon pickup and drop-off.
The app can also facilitate coordination between partners for hand-offs or pairing up. Communication channels enable partners to stay in touch with central operations.
Ultimately the partner app enables greater transparency and optimizes the entire delivery value chain. Invest in training partners on properly using the app.
Analytics and Reporting
- Robust analytics capabilities provide invaluable data and insights into all aspects of operations. Monitoring key metrics can facilitate continuous improvement.
- Analyze metrics like user signups, order volumes, peak delivery times, average basket size, delivery times, acceptance rates. Breakdown by geography, partner, and other dimensions.
- Establish feedback loop by tracking ratings, reviews, customer satisfaction (CSAT) and net promoter scores (NPS). Identify pain points and enhance training.
- Share performance dashboards and reports with stakeholders. Data-driven approach enables your on-demand delivery platform to evolve and excel.
Promotions and Offerings
Leveraging promotions, discounts and special campaigns helps attract new users and stimulate orders from existing users.
Run seasonal offers around major events or holidays like New Year’s, July 4th, Back to School season etc. Collaborate with businesses to create joint deals and coupon codes.
For loyal customers, implement tiered referral and rewards programs. Special status levels like Gold, Platinum with points, perks and bonuses boost engagement.
Gamify the experience by rewarding activity milestones. Promotions add an element of fun while driving business results.
Referrals and Social Sharing
Encouraging referrals and social sharing is a key growth lever. People trust recommendations from friends and family much more than ads.
Offer incentives for existing users to refer your app to new users. Credit account with cashback or discounts upon successful referral signups.
Make sharing on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter etc. frictionless. These organic social posts can help reach fresh audiences. Hashtags like #doordashdelivery gain traction.
Referral signups have higher activation and retention rates. Enthusiastic customers are one of the cheapest and most effective marketing channels.
To Sum Up
That sums up 17 must-have features we recommend including in your on-demand delivery app, spanning both basic table-stakes functionality as well as advanced capabilities.
The core basics like user accounts, restaurant/store listings, browsing, cart, payments and tracking enable an end-to-end ordering experience.
Advanced features like scheduled ordering, route optimization, partner apps, analytics and gamification take the experience to the next level, as covered in more detail in this guide on how to build an app like Dunzo.
Comprehensive apps that check all the boxes are far better positioned to gain traction and loyalty in the dynamic on-demand space. While more features mean more development effort, they allow your platform to delight both customers and partners.
We hope this detailed guide provides a helpful blueprint as you build out an exceptional on-demand delivery service. Bringing together the right combination of features to solve needs and connect businesses, couriers and users in a win-win manner is the recipe for success.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a delivery app need a native app or can it just be mobile web-based?
While a mobile web app may be easier and cheaper to build initially, a native iOS and Android app tends to provide a much smoother user experience. Animations, gestures, shortcuts, push notifications and overall UI/UX shine best on native mobile apps. Investing in native apps is recommended for long term success.
How do I acquire delivery partners/drivers for my platform?
You can either onboard delivery partners as full-time employees or work with independent contractors. Building supply is critical. Leverage both online channels like job listings as well as offline channels like flyers, events etc. to recruit drivers/riders. Thoroughly vet drivers regarding licenses, insurance, vehicles, background checks before activating them.
What tactics can I use to market and promote my on-demand delivery app?
Some proven tactics include SEO optimization, social media marketing across FB/Instagram/Twitter, influencer campaigns with relevant personalities, paid advertising via Google/FB, affiliate marketing programs, and promotions like referral bonuses and promo codes to attract users. As you scale, branding efforts like outdoor ads, TV, radio etc. also help strengthen awareness.
What companies should I consider as competition when building my on-demand delivery app?
Leading players in the broader space include DoorDash, GrubHub, Uber Eats, Postmates in the US and Swiggy, Zomato, Dunzo, BigBasket in India. Analyze the apps and business models of established competitors to learn from what they do well. See where you may be able to differentiate. Local incumbent delivery services are also competitors.
How much does it cost to build an on-demand delivery app?
The exact cost depends heavily on the complexity of features, number of platforms (iOS, Android, web), design, geography of developers etc. However, building even an MVP version covering the basics can start around $35,000 – $50,000. Elaborate apps with advanced capabilities can cost upwards of $100,000. Plan for ongoing expenses post-launch like marketing, support, operations etc. Work with an experienced developer to refine estimates for your specific concept.
Interested to acquire Business? 😎
let me know about your queries.
