Creating a custom navigation app is one of the most exciting things you can do for your business. You’ll be able to customize every element of your app’s user experience, including:
- how to navigate through your app;
- what sections and buttons will be offered at each step;
- what information should the user see when they’re on a specific page;
- how information should be displayed;
- and even what sort of sounds should play as users move through different sections of your app (so they know where they are and what’s coming up next).
But you need to make sure that your app is easy to use and intuitive. Users should be able to find their way around without having to spend a lot of time trying to figure out how the app works.
In this article, we’ll explore the technologies used to make a custom navigation app, list the most important features that may be included, discuss application architecture aspects, and give an overview of costs.
At Volpis, we specialize in creating custom navigation apps. We have worked with many thriving brands, including Fleetsu, Road Hunter, and FlowMSP. If you have any questions after reading this blog post, we’d be happy to discuss them with you during the free consultation.
Technologies used to build a GPS app
With the increasing demand for location-based services, it is important for startups to understand the technologies available to them and how they can use these tools to build a GPS app. There are several technologies that can be used to build such an app:
- GPS: Global Positioning System sources info from currently visible satellites to accurately calculate your location. The proliferation of satellites has led to the ability to locate a person no matter where he or she is: on an island or deep in the woods.
- Cell-ID: This technology allows the app to obtain location information from cell towers. The mobile operator is responsible for providing a reliable radio signal, thereby ensuring the excellent performance of the app. This technology is less reliable outside of densely populated areas.
- A-GPS: It integrates GPS and cell-phone signals to provide accurate location information. A-GPS helps users navigate with confidence, , even in areas with low or no cell phone coverage.
- Geofencing: This technology uses GPS to determine the closeness of a user to a particular location. For example, when you travel abroad, as soon as you switch on your cellular data, you get the ads of that country. Geofencing is used primarily in the advertising industry to show users local-service and product ads.
- Geocoding: Address geocoding is the process of taking a text-based description of a location and returning geographic coordinates.
- iBeacon and Eddystone: These technologies use Bluetooth Low Energy signals. Beacon and Eddystone offer highly accurate indoor navigation, however, they can only be used in conjunction with the core functionality.
With the right tools, you can build your custom app that is responsive, secure, and scalable to meet your needs. Our map developers have worked with a wide range of technologies and have found that there are many ways to approach this process. We’re happy to share our experience with you, so that you can save money down the road.
Features for your future navigation app
GPS tracking apps for Android and iOS should focus on offering features that are both easy to use and intuitive. Let’s take a look at some of the functionality that might be included when you build a custom navigation app.
Map integration
This is one of the crucial features of a GPS tracking app. This means that the location of your customers will be displayed on a map, as well as any other information that you might need. We recommend using Mapbox or Google Maps API, both of which offer powerful capabilities.
User profiles
When you build a custom navigation app, consider accounts. Your customers should be able to access the same data across multiple devices, take notes, chat with other people, and make purchases.
Location tracking
Location tracking is one of the most frequently used features you’ll find in GPS tracking apps. It’s often used to track cab arrival, monitor order shipping status, and identify the GPS coordinates for delivery of goods. You can see what’s going on with your assets in real-time, so you know when they’re arriving, where they’ve been, and how far away they are from their destination.
GPS coordinates
GPS coordinates are the exact geo-location of a person or object. For example, in fitness applications, this feature can be used to track the distance between points on a map as well as to give users information about their current speed and locations.
Voice commands
This feature is useful for drivers to track their route without the need to look at their phones. The navigator can inform the driver on upcoming turns, indicate the distance to the next turn, and warn of accidents ahead.
Payment
Payments are a critical part of any custom navigation tracking app. They allow you to keep track of your customer’s payment information, and also allow you to process payments more quickly. This section includes things like credit card details and bank account information.
Integration with social media
Another feature to look out for in a custom navigation tracking app is integration with social media. You can make authorization easier for your users and mitigate security risks as many problems are already addressed by these social platforms.
Navigation app architecture
Navigation application architecture consists of three basic layers: the data layer, the business layer, and the presentation layer.
- The data layer is the part of the application that contains all the data utilities, service agents and data access components.
- The business layer contains the workflows, business entities and components.
- The presentation layer includes the components and processes that make up your app’s user interface.
How much does it cost to develop a navigation app?
The cost to develop a navigation app can vary widely depending on the complexity of the application. You’ll need to take into consideration such factors as:
Project type
If you are developing a simple application that does not require advanced features, then it will be relatively inexpensive to develop. With a complex application, the cost can be higher because of the amount of work required to develop it.
Features
Do you want to include features like AI or VR/AR? This will greatly increase the cost of development. Keep in mind that anything that isn’t essential for your business model should be avoided when budgeting for development projects.
Platforms
What platforms does your app support? Is it Android or iOS only, or does it run on both? If you have multiple platforms in mind and are not sure which one to choose, we can answer any questions you may have.
Design
The more complex an app is, the more resources it will take to design it. This includes things like the number of pages and screens in your app, as well as how many images you need for each screen.
App maintenance
Does your navigation app require regular updates? If so, you should budget for this in your development costs. When you make a custom navigation app, you’ll need to update it frequently to keep up with changes in the platform.
Development time
How long will it take to develop this project from start to finish (including testing)? The more complex the app you’re developing, the more time you’ll need. Everything depends on the quantity of features and the extent of customization that you need.
The average costs of hiring Ukrainian specialists are considerably lower than the average rates in the USA. 100 out of Fortune 500 corporations outsource software development to Ukraine.
If you plan to outsource the development of your app, you can contact our experts.
Volpis experience
Our team of talented developers can help you bring your vision to life by creating an app that fits your needs and helps you meet your goals. We strive to help you get your app up and running quickly, so you can focus on what’s most important: your business.
We work with our clients to identify their business goals and then design a solution that will achieve them while maintaining their brand identity. We offer a range of services, including:
- User research
- Wireframing
- UX/UI design
- Navigation app development
- Testing
Our team of designers will work with you to create a user-friendly interface that is easy on the eyes. We’ll also make sure that your app is fully responsive, so it looks great on all devices.
We know that your app will become an integral part of your business—and that’s why we take the time to get to know our clients’ needs and focus on making sure their app is as useful as possible.
We can help you build an app that customers love and use every day. You can check our portfolio to see some of the apps we’ve built for our clients.
Wrapping up
With the right tools, you can build a custom navigation app like no other. If you’re looking to develop a navigation app, you’ve come to the right place.
Our developers are ready to help you create a custom navigation app that’s tailored to your business, and we’ll assist you with the nitty-gritty details like data visualization.
We’re excited to be a part of this journey with you! If you have any questions about creating custom navigation apps, please fill out the form below. We’re always here to help.
Frequently asked questions
When you plan to create a custom navigation app, your project is going to be high-priority. That means you’ll need to keep track of deadlines and quality metrics, as well as manage your team effectively. To make sure your project stays on track, we’ll provide weekly updates and quarterly reviews by our in-house team of subject matter experts. If you have any questions or concerns about the status of your project, we’ll answer them quickly.
We have experience in creating navigation apps that work across all platforms, and we are happy to show you our portfolio. You’ll see that every project we’ve taken on has been a success, and we’re confident that yours will be too. Our team has worked on projects with clients all over the country, and we’re proud of the applications we developed.
The crucial features of location-based apps are user profiles, a map that you can zoom in, the ability to create custom routes, location tracking, voice instructions, payments, integration with social media, etc.
The cost to create a custom navigation app can vary depending on the complexity of its features. The more complex the app, the higher the price tag. To calculate the costs, you’ll need to consider such factors as project type, platforms, design, and maintenance. You can contact us for a free quote.
