Most people opt for apps that combine features from multiple different ones into a few applications instead of downloading several individual ones separately. Super apps are collections of integrated applications brought together into one convenient package.
Super apps may still be novel in Europe and North America, but their adoption could proliferate across these regions. A recent survey indicated that at least two activities of American consumers would like to integrate into one app, while 11% wanted one application that managed their digital life more centrally.
Question for companies who work with mobiles: Should We Build A Super App ? This post will explore the advantages of super apps for mobile-first businesses.
How Do Super Apps Work, And What Are They?
Super apps, or mobile applications that combine several separate applications into a unified package, were first coined by Mike Lazaridis of Blackberry in 2010. Their main objective is to offer seamless and efficient user experiences.
An "Uber app", for instance, consolidates the functions of multiple applications into one seamless experience. Instead of needing separate apps for ordering taxis, paying bills and buying movie tickets, a super app may provide all these functions under a single roof. Super apps benefit users because they only need to enter their payment and personal details once. Data breaches are reduced because user information must only be entered into various apps once instead of multiple times.
Mobile companies looking to expand into new verticals while keeping existing customer relations intact can take advantage of super apps as an opportunity. Acquisition costs will likely remain unchanged or decrease; however, lifetime value (LTV) per customer could grow exponentially. Before expanding into additional markets, many super apps begin as niche products like chat or payment systems.
Super apps are currently popularly utilized in Asian nations where mobile communications and commerce is the main form of digital interaction and commerce (this may be related to their slower adoption of landline internet or desktop computers). But they will soon gain popularity throughout America, too - there are currently 173 million Americans interested!
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Successful Super App Examples
Here are some examples of super apps that have been successful. They will help you understand how these apps help mobile companies achieve unprecedented success.
WeChat, the Chinese super-app launched in 2011, began as an instant messaging application but has quickly expanded beyond this role to become an all-inclusive super app that users can utilize to communicate, pay for services (through text messages, videos or social media stories), order food delivery services or hail rides online to schedule appointments or shop.
Reliance Jio now ranks among China's premier apps with 1.26 billion active users in Q1 2022; revenue has skyrocketed from $ 3.6 billion in 2015 to more than $17.5 billion by 2021. Instagram can also be highly addictive; users spend approximately 29 minutes each day using it. WeChat, which continues to dominate Asian markets today and was one of the first super apps ever developed, can often be considered its predecessor.
Grab
Grab was founded in Malaysia in 2012. Like Uber, Grab began offering ride-hailing services before expanding with GrabBike services and logistics/payment capabilities in 2014.
Today, it has established itself as one of the premier ride-hailing services and payment solutions available across Southeast Asia, along with food delivery options. Grab's revenue increased 44% between 2014 and 2021, from $469 million to $675 million.
Grab projects will have around 27.7 million transacting monthly by 2021; most will reside in Singapore and Indonesia. Decacorns were first introduced into Southeast Asian cuisine and continue gaining more acclaim.
AliPay
AliPay was designed by Alibaba Group Holding Ltd of China as an Ecommerce payment app to serve their ecommerce clientele.
Alibaba's Payment App was explicitly created to protect consumers against unscrupulous sellers. As soon as it had launched, CellPay expanded to offer services for paying public utilities such as water, electricity and phone bills directly from cell phones.
AliPay has evolved into an app capable of more than supporting payments; now, with over 120,000 apps supported on its platform. Survey responses conducted in 2021 suggested that 90% of Chinese respondents planned on using Alipay.
Gojek
Gojek, an Indonesian startup founded in 2010, initially served as a customer service centre offering delivery and taxi services. By 2015, they had unveiled their mobile application with four services: GoRide and GoSend. Gojek plans on scaling its app after experiencing initial success.
Today, it provides services across various sectors - food delivery and payment for household goods and business necessities. Gojeck will process over $10 billion annually by 2020, expanding into other countries such as Singapore, Vietnam and Thailand.
Super Apps For Business
Super apps that are well executed can help businesses dominate the market. Super apps can offer businesses several specific advantages.
Increases Customer Loyalty
Customers would only return to an app if they required specific services.
If your app is used only occasionally to hail rides, chances are it won't see much use and may even get deleted off their device - simply because its purpose doesn't meet their need and its brand doesn't resonate as strongly.
Customers who regularly shop or order food through your app are unlikely to uninstall it, while when launching new ride-hailing features within it, they're more likely to utilize that service when in need of taxi rides, as their app is already installed and they know your brand well enough. Customers will become more loyal, trying out your other products and thus increasing the lifetime value (LTV) for each customer.
More User Data
Super apps collect consumer data that helps you better understand which products and services your clients utilize, providing information you can use to customize offers for cross-promotion, increasing conversion rate and lifetime value per customer.
Your marketing team can utilize data to optimize campaigns, refine messaging, identify effective channels, and identify new marketing opportunities.
Targets A Wider Market
Below is an estimate of the market opportunity available to digital wallets, ride-sharing, and food delivery:
Imagine creating a business that taps into the combined market potential of three industries. Super apps offer an effective alternative to specialization. When you utilize one service, chances are good you will also turn to others shortly after that.
Consumers do not enjoy entering payment information multiple times; thus, it makes more sense for companies and apps that consolidate payment details into one app and don't acquire new customers. Already, you are ahead of your competition by offering an integrated solution and improving user experiences.
Increase Revenue Exponentially While Reducing CAC.
Super apps have the capability of expanding not only numbers but values as well. Super apps allow this because they serve as a collection of applications which users can access on an ongoing basis.
Attract new users by showing those already trusting and liking your brand that solutions exist for other problems they face. Your conversion rate for similar products should be high as they already constitute customers and not cold prospects. Acquisition costs will decline while revenue can expand exponentially.
What Are The Benefits Of Super Apps For Consumers?
Super apps are a great way to increase your revenue and reduce marketing expenses. Super apps can be valuable for consumers as well.
Access All The Information You Need In One Application
Amazon's success can be directly traced to its convenience; according to one survey, seventy per cent of Americans would pay extra for convenience. Super apps' primary benefit lies in their convenience.
Most phone users would likely have multiple apps installed for different functions on their phone, each serving their specific function. Multiple apps will cause the battery to drain faster, consume more data and prompt constant app updates for users.
As part of your application, it may also require entering duplicate details (payment information, for example) more than once. Super apps allow consumers to log on just once and obtain all the required information without entering additional data multiple times.
Your Data Is Safer With Just One Sign.
Super apps reduce data compromise risks while offering convenient single-login capabilities.
Hackers have access to additional data if a user uses additional apps. Users with personal data entered into multiple apps run the risk of it being exposed 39 times more often compared to users who only utilize one super app.
Receive More Relevant Offers.
Customers who regularly order food would likely appreciate receiving offers tailored specifically towards food delivery rather than generic offers (like coupons to movie theatres), which may only get used once every few months.
Super apps make it straightforward for businesses to quickly collect customer data so their offers can be more tailored towards individual interests. As all data is kept within one app, GDPR does not pose a challenge.
Read More: Super App Development Features and Cost
What Are The Challenges That Super-Apps Face?
Why don't all super apps exist, given that super apps have been so successful? These are some of the challenges faced by companies that build super apps.
Structure Of Complex Teams
A super-app requires an enormous mobile team, as multiple products are bundled into a single product. The mobile app development company must invest in its operational staff and hire executives who have experience managing teams that size.
Maintaining Quality In The User Experience
Super apps are great because they make life simpler for their users.
Poor user experiences risk driving away current customers and prevent you from reaching out and recruiting new ones. The user experience should always come first when designing any app - whether that means developing something entirely from scratch, collaborating with another mobile app development company to enhance an existing super app, or both!
Expensive
Your business could gain the chance to expand to new markets with an app-powered super-app! It gives businesses access to global markets for growth.
Expanding into new markets requires either buying or building infrastructure. Producing new products and services requires extensive engineering resources. Creating them can be costly.
Existing apps may be purchased, though this will require substantial upfront capital investment, and you must integrate their team into yours. Working together to develop an incredible app may be your most efficient option; just be sure to select carefully when choosing partner companies to receive the experience you need and deserve.
Super Apps To Be Seen In Western Countries?
Though super apps have yet to debut in Western markets, signs indicate their impending arrival.
Social media apps, like Snapchat and TikTok, have quickly become "super apps", offering many features in one go. But that doesn't guarantee super apps will become popular among Westerners. Grab, for instance, made its debut in New York in 2020 but quickly proved ineffective - on its inaugural trading day, shares fell 21%!
American citizens also frequently express concern regarding large corporations dominating one industry due to privacy. A joint team of attorney generals from multiple states recently filed suit against Google over antitrust concerns surrounding Play Store; this suit marks their fourth similar action within 12 months.
Are You Able To Build A Super App?
Building an app from scratch can be challenging, yet some companies such as Gojek, WeChat Alipay and others have demonstrated it is possible.
Many of these companies have developed top-tier apps in 5-10 years. All these firms were critical players within a specific industry, making it simple for them to offer similar services to existing customers.
Create an incredible app by building a strong brand within one sector, providing outstanding user experiences, and continuing this focus even as your company expands. Super apps may present opportunities for B2B interactions.
How Can You Make Money With An App?
Have you read our guide to building feature-rich apps like Amazon, Paytm or Uber and are curious about their revenue models? To gain clarity into how super apps create revenue. Consider these factors so you can learn about their revenue generation strategies:
App Subscription:
Subscription-based apps have become an increasingly popular strategy among businesses, as users must pay to access them. Prices begin low but increase gradually with time; many apps even provide one-month free trials before users must subscribe to continue using them. Businesses increasingly rely on this revenue-generation method to monetize apps more successfully.
Credit System:
Super apps like Gojek and Rappi offer in-app credit systems for service providers and their customers, charging customers interest to help finance shopping or other activities using these applications. Super apps help businesses generate profits.
Transaction fees:
Super apps will charge users a fee when they attempt to conduct an international transaction. Businesses benefit from the revenue, while customers also enjoy benefits.
In-App Advertisements:
You can then approach other businesses and ask them to promote their products through your app. Your business earns a commission if your clients buy the advertised product. You may charge companies to broadcast their advertisements on your app.
What Is The Price To Build A Super App?
Costs associated with building super apps depend on several variables, including their nature and features, functionalities, team's rates of pay, and which platform the application will run on. Update and maintenance expenses also have a direct effect on this total figure.
Building an app in India typically costs $25-45 an hour while, depending on its complexity and features, its cost could reach between $100 to $150 an hour in Europe or America - with total project development expenses from $40k up to 250k being possible.
Cost Breakdown For Super Apps
To set an accurate budget, it's critical to be aware of all costs related to developing an app - this is particularly relevant if multiple resources and constraints apply.
As app markets can be unpredictable, an MVP solution should be developed early. Once an app gains traction in the market, customer feedback analysis allows businesses to assess whether switching over to custom solutions may cost between $ 30,000 - $60 000 depending on the features required; building an MVP typically ranges between these figures; full customization may cost anywhere between $250000-300000 depending on features required.
Estimated App Cost and Time FrameSMV$30,000 to $60,0003-6 months custom-made apps$60 to $2500009 or More Months Cooperate with mobile app developers who offer reliable project plans with costs for developing super apps explicitly suited to your requirements.
Factors That Influence The Cost Of Super App Development
The cost of developing a super-app can be influenced by a number of variables, including location, UI/UX, platform, and underlying technology. We shall go deeper into the following elements:
Design UI/UX
App UI/UX directly affects the budget allocated for its development. A seamless UI/UX can increase the app's retention and user engagement. The cost varies depending on the testing methods used by the company.
The budget for designing an app super includes the following factors:
- Visual Elements
- Typography
- Colour psychology
- Writers of content
- Placement of buttons
- Branding
- UI Optimization
- Portrait or landscape mode
The Location Of App Developers
Location impacts the cost of an app; hourly development rates in Asia and Africa tend to be much lower than their US or UK equivalents. See here for the estimated development per hour rates around the globe:
Hourly Rate of Development in UAE/Dubai and United Arab Emirates/Dubai in the United States can range between $60-$65; 100 to 150 USD in Western Europe/Australia $80-90 whilst 70 - $ 90 in East European/Asian isle countries like UAE or USA can range between 50-55. As for Asia, it ranges between 25 to 45 dollars/hr of development time per hourly Rate.
Team Size
Your app budget will depend directly upon the screen size and composition of the development team you hire for its creation. Options exist, such as hiring freelancers or an internal team or outsourcing the project to specialized development professionals.
Hiring freelancers may reduce costs associated with app development; however, their expertise and tools cannot provide the seamless experiences that your app users demand. Hiring internal teams may cost more money as interviews must be organized while managing various resources simultaneously to locate top talent for developing apps and games.
Outsourcing projects offers many advantages, including accessing years of expertise and cutting-edge technology at cost-effective rates.
Following is a checklist to assist in the successful development of super apps:
- Project managers 1-2
- Business Analysts 1-2
- Three frontend developers
- 2-3 backend developers
- 1-2 designers
- Quality assurance Analyst - 1-2
The Underlying Platform
App platforms play a pivotal role in determining app development costs. You have various choices when determining an Android or an iOS application for your company. While cost comparison may not vary much, testing duration can differ between platforms, and time requirements can change substantially.
App Maintenance
Maintaining your app as business needs and market trends change will impact its cost, as will the budget allocated for app development. Regular application maintenance should be conducted to keep up with competitors in such an intensely competitive market to preserve success; knowing exactly how much an mobile app development costs to keep running is also crucial in maintaining the success of any app.
Feature List
Your app budget will depend upon which features are included, with more complex apps more expensive than apps with minimal features. To ensure success in the market, ensure its features align with the spirit of your brand while offering users a positive user experience.
Features That A Super App Must Include
Building a super app depends heavily on its features; here, you have many choices depending on your audience's needs and business type. Here are a few must-adds no matter who or what niche or target market your app serves.
1. User Profiles And Registration
Ensure your app allows user sessions to easily create profiles, manage account details, and customize preferences - such an experience will give users a stronger connection to your platform and build brand recognition.
2. Pay Securely
Integrate a secure payment gateway into your app so users can conduct transactions safely and conveniently, building trust among them and increasing conversions. This may help create excellent conversion rates as users feel safer about transactions.
3. Real-Time Tracking And Notifications
Track real-time orders, deliveries, and services and notify user flow of any changes. This will boost user experience, promote transparency, and lessen worry.
4. Communication and Messaging
Your app's video messaging and calling features will allow your users to interact with vendors or customer service. This will improve customer service and keep them interested in using your platform.
5. Customer Loyalty Programme
As part of your incentive to bring customers back, introduce rewards programs offering frequent customer incentives like discounts or gift certificates that strengthen customer relationships while increasing lifetime value. Doing this can create strong customer relations while simultaneously expanding lifetime value.
6. Personalization
Utilize past purchase data, user preferences or any other relevant data to tailor recommendations that enhance engagement and user satisfaction. In doing so, you'll witness increased levels of user engagement.
7. eCommerce
The addition of eCommerce is one way to increase revenue in your app. If your business allows it, you can offer online shopping to your users through your app.
8. Social Media Integration
Social media provides an effective tool to expand the reach and awareness of your app, drive brand recognition and facilitate customer acquisition. Social media reaches an extended network of customers you may never otherwise reach - building up brand recognition while increasing sales simultaneously!
9. In-App Analytics
It can help companies understand how user base behave, monitor app performance, and pinpoint areas of improvement. This can help companies make informed decisions about their apps and improve performance.
10. Rates and Reviews
Utilizing user reviews as social proof, you can ask users to rate products or services as an easy way to build social trust in you and increase sales. Reviews could take the form of images, videos or texts; ensure your app allows customers to upload these as evidence of purchase - this will enable other user interface to make better-informed choices while increasing confidence in you and increasing business revenue.
11. Multilingual Support
Support multiple language Ecommerce business models to accommodate users of different cultures and regions. This will improve user accessibility.
These super advanced features are only a start. Make your app specific to your audience's demands.
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Conclusion
SuperApps have revolutionized how we interact with technology stack, becoming essential to businesses and consumers. All-in-one applications provide multiple services on one convenient platform - making life simpler for the user!
Businesses using super apps will experience business growth in today's digital economy as consumers demand greater convenience from them. SuperApps allow companies to keep pace with technological innovations.
Businesses should develop their custom super app to remain competitive on the market and stand out in an app store often filled with similar options. Utilized strategically and developed using professional expertise from mobile app development teams will allow a business to stand out.
