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What makes a delivery app truly work? Building an app like Glovo takes more than a smart idea—it needs the right features, tech choices, and a strong process. This guide walks you through it all.
The on-demand delivery space keeps growing fast.
More businesses are trying to build platforms that meet rising customer expectations for speed and convenience. But launching a successful app takes more than just an idea. It calls for clear planning, smart technology choices, and strong user focus.
What makes an app like Glovo stand out?
It's not just the variety of services but also how well the platform handles logistics and scaling. To match that level of success, you need a clear process.
This article walks you through how to build an app like Glovo, from core features and tech stack to backend structure and service flow.
Let’s understand what it takes to bring your delivery app idea to life.
Essential features are needed to build an app like Glovo.
Technology stack considerations for optimal performance.
Challenges faced during development and best practices to address them.
Monetization strategies to ensure sustained profitability.
Competitor analysis and key lessons from industry leaders.
Understanding the core features and system architecture is vital when building an app like Glovo. Glovo’s platform is designed to serve multiple stakeholders: customers, couriers, and vendors.
Here’s a breakdown of essential modules:
The customer app needs to be user-friendly and equipped with several key features:
User registration: Secure user registration via email, social media, or phone.
Browse/Search: A search feature for food, groceries, and other items.
Order management: Customers can track and view order history in real time.
Push notifications: Users receive updates on order status, promotions, and delivery alerts.
Multiple payment options: Secure in-app payments using credit cards, digital wallets, or cash on delivery.
Communication with couriers: In-app chat or call functionality for customer-courier interaction.
For couriers or delivery drivers, the app should include:
Profile registration and verification: Allow couriers to sign up and verify their details.
Real-time alerts: Push notifications for incoming orders with details for pickup and drop-off.
Route optimization: GPS-based navigation for efficient route planning.
Order status updates: Couriers can update order status (picked-up, delivered) and view earnings.
This app serves as a portal for vendors (restaurants or stores):
Menu management: Vendors can update their menus and product availability.
Order management: Vendors can accept, reject, or modify orders in real time.
Analytics: Vendors can access performance reports to track sales, orders, and promotions.
The admin interface is crucial for platform owners to manage and monitor operations:
User and vendor management: Admins can approve or reject new couriers and restaurants.
Order management: Real-time monitoring of orders, with the ability to intervene if issues arise.
Reports and analytics: Data-driven insights on order volumes, peak times, and user behavior.
Fee management: Configuring delivery fees, vendor commissions, and promotional offers.
A microservices architecture is popular for platforms like Glovo due to its scalability and flexibility. Here’s how the system flows:
The backend handles communication between the mobile apps and various services.
Key components include:
API Gateway: Routes requests from mobile apps to the appropriate services.
Database: A mix of relational (e.g., PostgreSQL) and NoSQL (e.g., MongoDB) databases for storing structured and unstructured data.
Real-Time Updates: For live order tracking, WebSocket-based communication or real-time databases like Firebase ensure instant updates.
The order dispatch algorithm determines which courier to assign an order. A system like Glovo must evaluate multiple factors (courier location, vehicle type, delivery time) to select the optimal delivery driver. A message queue like Kafka or RabbitMQ can be used to manage this dispatch process asynchronously.
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Choosing the right technology stack is essential for building a scalable, high-performance app. Here are the recommended technologies:
React Native or Flutter: These cross-platform frameworks allow you to build iOS and Android apps from a single codebase.
Native Development (Swift for iOS, Kotlin for Android): If maximum performance is needed, consider native development.
Node.js with Express or Koa: For efficient handling of concurrent requests.
Django (Python) or Ruby on Rails: If you prefer a full-stack framework for rapid development.
PostgreSQL or MySQL: For structured transactional data.
MongoDB or Redis: For caching and high-performance queries.
WebSockets for real-time tracking updates.
Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) for push notifications.
Building an app like Glovo comes with significant challenges.
Here are some common challenges and best practices for addressing them:
The real-time dispatch system must ensure the right courier is assigned to the right order. Implementing route optimization and sophisticated matching algorithms can help improve delivery efficiency.
To handle peak loads, utilize auto-scaling cloud infrastructure and load balancing techniques. Ensure that your backend services can scale independently to handle surges in demand.
A user-friendly interface is key to retaining customers. Ensure the app’s flow is intuitive, with minimal steps to order and track deliveries. Implement A/B testing to optimize the app’s performance.
Use trusted third-party payment gateways like Stripe to handle sensitive financial transactions securely. Ensure PCI compliance and implement end-to-end encryption for data protection.
An app like Glovo generates revenue through multiple streams. Some common monetization models include:
Commission Fees: Taking a percentage from each vendor on every order placed through the app.
Delivery Fees: Charging customers a fixed or dynamic delivery fee based on distance, time, or demand.
Subscription Plans: Offering a premium membership for users, which provides benefits like free or discounted deliveries.
Advertising: Implementing in-app advertising or sponsored listings for vendors.
The on-demand delivery market is competitive, with key players like Uber Eats , DoorDash, and Deliveroo leading the charge. Studying these platforms offers valuable insights into building a successful app:
Uber Eats focuses on personalization and scalability, leveraging its ride-sharing infrastructure.
DoorDash has introduced features like multi-store ordering and delivery from convenience hubs.
Deliveroo emphasizes quality control and exclusivity by partnering with high-end restaurants.
Personalization enhances user experience and increases retention.
Diversifying services (e.g., grocery delivery, convenience store products) adds value.
Localized offerings and strategic partnerships can give you a competitive edge.
To build an app like Glovo, you need more than just a working product. Focus on real-time logistics, user experience, and smooth payments. Stick to a clear process, use the right tech stack, and create features that users find helpful. These steps will guide you toward a stable and scalable delivery app.
The on-demand market is growing fast, and waiting may cost you momentum. Start planning your app now to meet user needs head-on. With a smart approach and steady focus, you can turn your idea into a delivery platform users rely on daily.
