Uber for X: Let us think of ways in which we avail of a lot of services. We simply take out our mobile phones, launch an app, place a request, input our address, and wait for the service provider to deliver the service at our home. A process that we take for granted today has to be credited to the revolutionary taxi booking service called Uber which was born in San Francisco a little over a decade ago.
The gap between demand and the supply that was so narrow and yet so deep was efficiently bridged by bringing two revolutionary concepts to the service business. The first step was identifying a user by creating a profile. The second was to use the combination of GPS, navigation, and mapping to not only identify the precise location of the user but also help a service provider, or in the case of Uber, the driver in precisely navigating to the location.
Any business is about finding out who needs a service or product and where exactly they need it. Uber had solved the problem more than adequately, and in that process, it had not only revolutionized the transportation industry but the entire service industry at large. Applying this model to the service business has now given rise to a term called Uberization. Any business model that follows this skeletal structure for any service is referred to as Uber for X. The “X” can be replaced by any service.
The covid-19 pandemic has emphasized minimizing human contact, imposing social distancing, and avoiding going out unnecessarily. Given all the circumstances, going for an Uber for X for almost every service could very well be the method of business in the new normal.
How does the Uber business model work?
To unravel the infinite possibilities with an Uber for X business, it is important to understand the underlying mechanism behind the functioning of an app like Uber. There are three entities involved in the functioning of an Uber for X solution.
The user
Users are direct beneficiaries of any app that functions as an Uber for on-demand services. The user downloads the app and registers. They can register by using credentials like email and phone number, or legacy credentials like Google or Facebook. They can open the app and select the service that they want. Once the service is completed, they can make a payment using digital payment methods. Based on the experience and customer satisfaction levels, they can also rate the service provider.
The service provider
The service provider needs to download the app that was specifically designed for them. They should also be able to easily register for the services, but in addition to the usual registration process, they should also have an identification and authentication mechanism in place. When a user raises a request, the request is flashed to all the providers who can provide the selective service in the vicinity of the user. The service providers have the freedom to either accept or reject the request. Once the job is completed, they can also rate the user based on their behavior. The company takes a cut from the fee paid by the user command and rewards the rest to the service provider.
The administrator
The administrator is responsible for keeping the sanity and sanctity of the app. They should have the responsibility of disabling or enabling users and service providers based on their feedback and behavior. At a glance, they should also be able to view the total earnings, the total active users, and the total number of active service providers. They should also have complete control over the contents, the promotions, and the offers on the app. They should also be able to command the commission rates by balancing between the demand and supply of certain services.
The advantages of Uber like apps
If there is no significant business advantage, no new business model will survive only on the basis of its innovation. Apps like Uber bring a lot of advantages for every segment involved in the operation.
- Enhanced availability – The availability of service providers was heavily contingent upon visual and social knowledge. However, with Uber for X on-demand service apps, it becomes possible to find out a service provider for almost every need. It also benefits the service provider because they have an additional opportunity to earn.
- Cost efficiency – It is true that the business that offers Uber like services takes a cut from the payment made. However, for a service provider, it is better to get some profit than no profit at all. For the user, it also presents an easy way to avail of these services. It means that they do not have to invest in some other complicated method or subscription programs, and the service provider does not have to invest in aggressive marketing to enhance visibility.
- Digital payments – It would not be an exaggeration to say that the global economy is going cashless. Instead of convoluting the payment process, apps like Uber introduced digital payment methods for users and easy fulfillment of payment for the service providers. It not only helps service providers keep a track of their earnings but also helps in efficiently managing them by giving analytics on the total number of services, the average earning, and a few other statistics.
The possibilities
As we have seen earlier, almost every service is an ideal candidate for an Uber for X solution. There are, however, a few ideal candidates for the on-demand revolution that can be adequately addressed by Uber for X on-demand apps.
Grocery delivery
Almost every household is a consumer of groceries, and an app like Uber for grocery delivery does not have to essentially look for complicated infrastructure like. Instead, they can consider tying up with nearby stores to deliver grocery to customers either on the same day or the very next day. It also ensures that the business does not jeopardize the existing local businesses.
Plumber, electrician, and handyman services
Very much like grocery, almost every house needs these services. However, finding a service provider can be quite cumbersome and complicated. By introducing an on-demand app for the services, it becomes easy for both households and service providers to avail of services and earn, in that order.
Courier delivery
This segment is an extremely ideal candidate. Almost everyone needs to send a parcel to some location at some point in time, but it is not needed all the time. More often than not, it is quite an inconvenience to take your parcel to the courier office and have it sent to an address of your choice. With an on-demand app, it becomes easy to schedule a pickup and you do not have to go through the hassle of taking the parcel to a courier office that might not be anywhere near you.
Babysitting
In this fast-paced world, it is almost impossible to execute the duties of a parent. The availability of babysitting is a boon for a lot of parents. However, finding a trustworthy babysitter becomes extremely difficult unless and until you have references and contacts. With an app like Uber for babysitting, and it’s inherent review and rating system, it becomes easy for you to find a perfect babysitter.
The basis of the business
Just because our business is an ideal candidate for the on-demand transformation, it doesn’t mean that you can blindly jump on the bandwagon. It is important to analyze the specific pain points that customers experience in that business, and your app needs to adequately solve it. It should be remembered that people do not buy into a piece of technology but a utility with some garnish of emotions.
For your app to find success in the market, it needs to communicate how it is addressing the pain points of customers and how it was not available with any other service provider until now. Above everything, there is also a need to build technology that facilitates these apps.
Conclusion
Building the app from scratch might be quite a cumbersome and complicated process. Instead of hiring your own team or partnering with an app development company, you can consider using white label clones of Uber for X. These white label clones applications are easy to customize, and can also be free of bugs that might interfere with the basic functionality.
All you need to do is get in touch with the company that specializes in the creation and customization of white label clones of Uber for X. They will make sure not only to provide you with the clone app script but also customize it according to your business requirements, so you can launch the product in the shortest possible time.
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