On-demand software platforms are taking over today’s market. The popularity is primarily due to the variety of speed, services, and quality these applications offer. They are significantly more flexible and are capable of delivering a comfortable experience.
What are On-Demand Software Platforms?
On-demand software platforms act as a bridge between customers and different businesses. They allow the users to order a range of services and get the desired results within minutes. A popular example is Uber – connecting customers and cabs. Similarly, Airbnb and Zomato follow a similar approach.
On-demand software platforms generally try to solve everyday issues. They offer a more efficient and faster way to get things done. Users are usually willing to pay an extra amount instead of going through the hassle of doing the task themselves.
Also read: Top 10 Open Source eCommerce Platforms
Factors to Consider When Developing On-Demand Software Platforms
To build a useful and effective on-demand software platform, there are several factors you should consider. To delve into some of them:
Research
Before you dive into developing an idea, you must do extensive research. The service you are providing will be useless if customers do not want it. Sometimes an idea might seem great initially. However, due to a lack of customer demand, it fails to reach the expected heights. Therefore, you must be aware of the user market to ensure your on-demand software platforms’ success.
Apart from user research, you should also figure out the tech aspects of the project. Before development, you should have a clear idea of the technologies you want to use. It would be best to settle on a programming language and development tools before diving into the project.
Features
Next, you should be clear on the features you want in your software. Follow the most viable product (MVP) approach. Pleasing everyone never works out. Do your research and shortlist the main features the customers would like. For example, if 1 out of 100 people say he/she wants a particular feature, adding it to your app is not the optimal solution.
On the other hand, there are some features that are absolutely necessary. They should be implemented regardless of the user feedback. For example, register, login, and logout features.
Technology stack
Consider the technology stacks you can use. Do your research and see which one would be the best fit for your service. You should also consider your expertise and skills. If you go for a stack you have no experience with, there is a high chance your project will not be the best quality.
Work out the pros and cons of the possible stacks you can use. Select the one that best suits your requirements. You can make a native app or use cross-platform technology to work on an application to be used on phones.
Development Team
Lastly, choosing a skilled development team is equally important as the above-stated factors. If you even have done your research and prepared a perfect plan for development, your on-demand software platform might still not succeed due to your development’s quality. It is important to select a team of skilled developers at their jobs and can do the tasks efficiently and effectively. There are two approaches you can take:
- Offshore developers
Offshore developers are cost-effective and can work for both short-term and long-term projects. Outsourcing is a common practice today. Many companies hire offshore developers to save costs. So, if you do not have enough budget to hire a full-time development team, this is a perfect option.
- In-house developers
The second option is hiring in house developers. This is suitable for long term projects that require 24/7 support and maintenance. However, they are significantly more expensive than the offshore resources option.
How On-Demand Software Platforms Work?
Generally, on-demand software platforms follow a simple flow. The user places a request and receives a solution. To overview the working:
- The user places a request.
- The app matches the request to the optimal service provider.
- The system authorizes the payment.
- Service is delivers
- Confirmation of the transaction
- Payment is deducted
Conclusion
On-demand software platforms are becoming increasingly popular. The future is expected to host an exponential number of such apps. From food delivery systems to car rides, everything is becoming digitized through on-demand apps. According to statistics, currently, the US alone spends $57.6 billion annually on the on-demand economy. The number is expected to increase further in the next decade. If you are looking to develop something, on-demand software is definitely an ideal option.