How to Create An App Like Zomato: Cost And Time

Food unites people and serves as a cultural and social melting pot. Many distinct cuisines are becoming more and more well-liked as distances throughout the world increase shorter. Even while the majority of us enjoy trying new foods, not everyone can prepare them all at home.

This is the point at which Zomato-like apps gain popularity. In its category, it is among the top applications for meal delivery. Online meal ordering combines two of the customer’s interests: convenience and food.

In 2020, the revenue from food delivery amounted to an astounding $26 billion. In comparison to the $8.7 billion recorded in 2015, this amount has more than tripled. Forecasts indicate that the growing trend will continue, with revenue estimated to reach $43 billion by 2025.

For food entrepreneurs and restaurant owners, this revenue spike is welcome news. If you’re considering developing an app similar to Zomato, these numbers offer great motivation. However, due to a lack of resources (money, time, and skills), many of these bright minds were stuck and hesitated to enter the app development field.

How Does Zomato Operate, And What Is It?

Zomato is a global meal delivery business and a restaurant aggregator. It operates using the on-demand delivery service concept. Users may quickly find new restaurants by using the app. They have the option to look for eateries according to their tastes. Users can also write and read feedback regarding their dining experiences. They can also browse through images of various dishes.

Let’s now examine how Zomato operates. Three major parties are involved in the process: the owners of the restaurants, the owners of the platforms, and the delivery workers. The restaurant, the delivery person, and the app owner are notified as soon as an app user places an order via Zomato. Then, these three organizations collaborate to prepare the meal and deliver it to the customer on schedule. 

Top Features You Must Add To A Food Delivery App Like Zomato

Every week, Zomato provides delivery services to 25 million clients and successfully creates 0.5 million employment, both directly and indirectly. Only Zomato’s and similar apps’ high-value features allow them to accomplish such remarkable accomplishments.

1. Sign-up and login

Include a registration feature that requires people to register on your app before they can use it. Simplify the registration process and provide quick registration options, such as email and social network login. 

2. Restaurant Listing

Permit the proprietors of the restaurants to make their own listings, complete with images, menus, addresses, phone numbers, locations, delivery schedules, and more. The ratings and reviews that customers leave for these listings may also be shown. They will surely receive more interest and orders if they have a strong restaurant listing. 

3. User Listing

The ability to build a user profile should be available to both app users and delivery personnel. Users of the app can add information about their payment methods, delivery addresses, preferred foods, and more. Their profile also shows the reviews they have left for the delivery services and eateries. The delivery person’s profile allows them to post information about themselves, and reviews will also be shown there. 

4. Reviews & Ratings

Through the app, customers may assess restaurants and their delivery experiences for public viewing. They may also post elaborate reviews for the restaurants so that they can enjoy the meal or leave comments on where they need to improve. These reviews can help other platform users understand what kind of experience to expect from the business.

5. Chart & Directions

Customers may find it useful to know the location of the restaurant, but maps and navigation are more crucial than that. The delivery person will be able to locate the precise spot where they need to deliver the food they just picked up if a map and navigation are added. 

6. Menu

To allow app users to explore the types of cuisine that restaurants serve and then place orders for the meals they prefer by adding them to their carts, eateries can publish their menus on the listing. Restaurants may showcase the variety of cuisine they serve by uploading their menus on the platform.

7. Making Reservations and Place Orders

Make sure to include a booking and ordering feature in your Zomato clone software so that customers can reserve a seat at their preferred restaurant without actually making a phone call! The most popular aspect of the platform is the ordering section, where users may select the items they wish to order, add them to their carts, and complete the payment process.

8. Payment

The payment option allows restaurants to get paid for the orders they deliver. The majority of customers have a preferred gateway or payment option that they have come to rely on. To ensure that more customers are motivated to finish a purchase, provide as many payment methods as you can.

9. Push Alerts

Effective communication is essential to your food delivery app’s success. Using push notifications to deliver customized messages to every user of your app is a great strategy. 

You may notify app users about impending specials or discounts by sending them tailored push notifications. It works well for bringing back people who haven’t used your software in a while. Push notifications can serve as gentle reminders, bringing attention to offers they might have missed. 

10. History of Orders

Add this function to your Zomato clone app and let your app users view the list of orders they have placed in the past. You can easily use this feature to track all your past orders. It lets you quickly refer to previous purchases whenever needed. 

How Is Zomato Different From Other Food Ordering Apps?

Zomato recorded a noteworthy volume of orders throughout the fiscal year 2023. In fact, over 647 million orders were placed. This was a 21 percent increase over the previous year when Zomato got over 535 million orders.

If you’re considering creating a food delivery service like Zomato, there are a few essential characteristics that set it apart from other apps:

1. Restaurant Specifications

Customers should be able to use mobile meal delivery apps like Zomato to get pertinent restaurant information. Restaurants and their rates ought to be listed in a smartphone app for food ordering. The app should also feature the restaurant’s signature dishes to entice users.

Additionally, the restaurant’s address, delivery time, and photos must be made available to users. Thanks to these specifics, the user can offer information when searching for the best restaurant that serves delicious meals. 

2. The user listing

User profiles are one crucial component that Zomato clone apps must have. Ordering delectable meals from their favorite restaurants is something that customers enjoy. This saves the user time when searching for the next order. Still, restaurant owners need to know this user profile data. This helps them collect data regarding the inclinations of their customer base. With this feature, restaurants may notify customers via push notifications about deals and promotions.

3. Reviews and Ratings

One crucial consideration while developing the online meal delivery app is whether or not to include the reviews and rating feature. Because they enable customers to leave feedback on the food, delivery, or eating experience, these are crucial.

With the help of reviews and ratings, new customers may select meals and restaurants easily so that they can find the best restaurants and food users who can utilize the program.

How Much Does It Cost To Develop An App Like Zomato?

Take into account important factors when estimating the Food App Development Cost. These factors can significantly impact the final price. These are:

• The UX is where the complexity lies (more expenses for sophisticated plans)
• App testing and release (such as debugging and bug hunting)
• Adding up new features (including the additional costs associated with each feature add-on)
• Advanced technological integration (e.g., adding voice control, such as Alexa, will increase Food App Development Costs)
• Fees for updates and maintenance (Higher fees will be required for ongoing maintenance and recurring updates)
• The predicted cost of a food delivery app such as Zomato might be affected by these factors. The extra features and functionalities an app has determine how much it costs to develop it. 

The development of an online food delivery service such as Uber Eats, Zomato, or GrubHub might run you anywhere from $30,000 to $40,000. This estimate covers basic features. However, the price will increase if more features are required. The price of a web application might potentially rise to $50,000–60,000,000. The more features you add, the higher the development cost.

Building a personalized food ordering app involves several steps. First, the app needs to be designed for mobile platforms. Then, separate versions for both Android and iOS are developed. After that, thorough testing ensures the app runs smoothly. Finally, the app is prepared for launch on platforms like the App Store or Google Play Store.

The Business Model Of The Zomato App

Zomato’s business model determines its potential for success.

As part of its business model, Zomato is simply an app that provides user ratings, information, meal delivery, and menus from linked restaurants.

The following constitute the essential components of Zomato’s business plan:

• Customers place orders in real-time through the app.
• Customers have access to a big fleet of delivery partners who can help deliver food faster than expected, as well as a wide variety of restaurants and menu alternatives.

The revenue model of Zomato

Zomato began as a listing and directory for restaurants. As a result, restaurants that registered on the site were able to make money from advertising. Food delivery and restaurant bookings are being expanded by Zomato, in addition to charging eateries a fee to be prominently shown on the screen. By using Zomato’s main banner to promote upcoming events and special deals, restaurants may boost their visibility and conversion rates. Zomato has created multiple new revenue streams and increased its culinary reach globally. Zomato generates massive revenues through diversification and business style.

• Proprietors Of Eateries/ Restaurants
• Retail supermarkets 
• Delivery Service Providers 

The QAAA approach, which provides partners and customers with quality, accessibility, affordability, and assortments, is the foundation of Zomato’s value proposition. Zomato’s values—which include the following—make it special and admirable:

Users can see the expected time of arrival and follow their orders in real-time after ordering them. Customers may easily make purchases because there are several search and filter options available. In order to help businesses grow their customer base and foster loyalty, Zomato also offers Gold Membership. Zomato Gold service users get additional benefits including big savings on food and drink orders.

Requirements for Building a Similar App like Zomato

This section will outline the essential features and functionalities that must be present in each module for the construction of the Zomato clone app.

The Admin Module’s Primary Features

1. Real-time tracking and monitoring

Across the network, the owners have the ability to follow and keep an eye on the delivery personnel as well as the complete fleet. As the firm grows, the level of functionality and coding required would also increase.

2. Application Data

Based on facts and figures, analyses are customized to satisfy corporate needs. You can strategize your activities with the aid of an extensive range of analytical operations.

3. The administrative dashboard

The app’s admin panel will provide a number of functions pertaining to Food App Development Company. Route management, delivery and driver data, restaurant profiles, marketing, and campaigns are just a few of the examples provided.

The User Module’s Primary Features: 

1. The Search Option

This feature allows users to search for restaurants, cities, food items, etc. The results are shown on the screen, and the user has options.

2. Making a Call

The user might want to give the restaurant and delivery person a call if they need to confirm an order or receive deliveries that are delayed. This turns into one of the most important characteristics. 

3. Incorporation of Social Media

Rather than encountering registration issues, customers are eager to utilize the software by logging into their social network accounts. Users can modify app options and permissions at any moment through the user interface.

4. Various Payment Methods

Several payment options, such as cash, cards, mobile banking, and UPI, must be supported by the app.

5. Notifications and Alerts

Alerts and notifications can be sent via emails, texts, and in-app notifications. Several scenarios may be covered, including order status, delivery rating, restaurant rating, ordering experience or app, and acquiring the latest specials.

6. Order tracking in real time

The user must be able to view an order’s real-time animation on their digital devices. Maintaining the user’s interest in the app throughout its delivery helps to maintain that interest. It also fights the waiting blues and maintains a high sense of anticipation.

7. Certificates of Achievement/Rewards

This section contains information on the vouchers and prizes that users have. Here is where you may also share information about premium perks.

Primary Purpose of Delivery Module 

1. Navigation

A navigation element is necessary in order to be aware of the real-time tracking of orders and restaurant locations. It serves other purposes connected to location. 

2. Travel Records and Information

The administrator verifies delivery confirmations and counts labor hours by reviewing trip logs and information to compute performance using many KPIs.

3. Optimization of Routes

This function allows the delivery person to select the most efficient path for delivery.

4. Begin/End Journey

Delivery personnel can enter details about the start and end timings of their journeys using this module. Traveling in the car for leisure or regular purposes keeps it apart from travel for orders.

A feature overload might be bothersome. You can just choose to design a prototype app first to avoid it. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is it feasible to make money with an app that delivers food?

Just Eat, Delivery Hero, and Deliveroo are facing challenges in expanding and turning a profit. Despite their efforts, growth seems to be a struggle for these companies In the industry of meal delivery services, competition is growing. There may be an impending round of consolidation. We have compiled data and statistics on the food delivery app market.

2. What is the typical timeframe for creating an app similar to Zomato that delivers food?

An app like Zomato requires a certain amount of time to develop depending on a few variables. These include the development team’s size, experience, and the software’s complexity.  The development methodology used also plays a significant role in the timeline. Generally, building a tech stack for such apps can take months. In some cases, it may even extend to a year or more.

3. What is the cost of a delivery for Zomato?

You can earn anything from ₹40 to ₹80 for each delivery, as was previously stated. Suppose that you labor four or six hours a day and complete eight deliveries. At that point, you can just make ₹480–₹520. These figures indicate that a part-time Zomato delivery boy position should pay you approximately ₹12,000 a year.

4. How much does the meal delivery application currently bring in?

The money that food delivery apps make is probably going to increase from its current level of around $14,000 given the circumstances in which we find ourselves. 

5. Are there any unstated expenses in the food delivery business?

The problem is that nothing is more profitable than a food delivery service, despite the fact that everyone has been receiving disheartening news as a result of the shutdown. One method to deal with this is to come up with inventive ways to bill your clients and recover your costs. This activity is being carried out by the big platforms, so you may be able to watch and learn from them as well.  

Conclusion

If you want to create a meal delivery business similar to Zomato, you need to start with a really good, feasible concept. When it comes to the features you wish to include in your application, clarity is essential. You also have the option of hiring a mobile app developer because this is a crucial and financially driven success component. They will work directly with you to develop an app that ensures an excellent user experience and perfectly encapsulates the spirit of your company.

Therefore, whether you have a great idea to start from scratch and create an app comparable to Zomato or you need to upgrade the existing app, all you need is the right selection of qualified developers. Even if you haven’t thought to Hire Food App Developers yet, you can still contact us to discuss your requirements and obtain solutions of the greatest quality.