Urbanclap is a popular Indian online marketplace that connects customers with home services like cleaning, plumbing, carpentry etc. Such an app that facilitates on-demand home services is known as an Urbanclap like app.
As an on-demand home services platform, optimizing the in-app experience is crucial for Urbanclap like apps. A good user experience keeps customers engaged with the app and encourages repeat use. This further improves services discovery, booking frequency and overall customer retention.
In this blog, we will explore 11 effective ways to optimize the in-app experience for an Urbanclap like app. The focus will be on driving higher engagement, conversions and ensuring a seamless experience for users at every touchpoint.
1. Intuitive and easy on-boarding process
The on-boarding process is the first impression users get of the app. It should be streamlined to sign up users quickly without friction.
- Offer social logins using existing email/phone or social profiles. This is faster than traditional signups.
- For new users, the sign up form should be one-page with minimum compulsory details like name, email and password.
- After signup, have a quick profile setup page asking for address, contact details. Make these optional to complete later.
- Demo the key app functions to onboarders on how to search providers, check profiles, track orders etc. Use interactive tooltips or a walkthrough.
- Onboarders should feel familiar with app within 2-3 minutes of downloading it. Removing hurdles at this stage ensures higher activation rates.
2. Personalized home screen
The home screen is where users land every time they open the app. It should be personalized to keep them engaged.
- Recommend relevant services based on user’s location, past search and order history. This could be a carousel of top picks.
- Include quick access tiles/buttons to search, check orders, view messages etc. Arrange these based on what users commonly do.
- Have a notifications/messages section on home for timely order/booking updates without having to open specific sections.
- Optionally suggest services to first time users based on their city/locality. The goal is to surface value adds to users immediately on app open.
3. Simple search and filtering
Search and filtering options are essential for users to discover relevant service providers.
- Allow searching by keywords like service required, location etc. Autocomplete previous searches.
- Provide filters to refine results – service type, price range, ratings, availability etc. These should be prominently displayed.
- As user types in search bar,refine results in real-time below the search box for a fluent search experience.
- Group providers on map by ratings or price to help compare. Allow changing map/list view.
- Load more search results in an optimized way on scroll to reduce friction in discovery. Checkout Urbanclap Like App Development With Zipprr.
4. Detailed service provider profiles
Once users shortlist providers, they want to learn more before deciding. Provider profiles are thus important.
- Professionally captured photos and intro videos give authentic glimpses of providers.
- Display key details like skills/experience, sample work portfolio, licenses/verification status.
- Show ratings breakdown – communication, quality, value. Also display overall numbers.
- Highlight top reviews by users. Option to view all reviews, filter by type – text, images etc.
- Contact details like phone number or chat option for queries. Also book now button for quick orders.
- Profiles should help users qualify providers thoroughly before finalizing.
5. Real-time order tracking
Users want transparency during an ongoing order’s lifecycle from booking to completion.
- Provide milestone status updates – accepted, assigned, reached location etc.
- Allow live location tracking of provider on maps for estimated time of arrival.
- Two-way chat channel for queries, instructions and user-provider coordination.
- Notifications on status changes so users need not frequently check app.
- In-detail receipts of services delivered, payments etc for records.
- Rating reminder push after completion to capture user experience.
6. In-app payments
Frictionless payments improve conversions. Support popular payment modes.
- Secure online payment options using debit/credit cards, wallets, UPI etc.
- Option to store payment details to avoid re-entry for future orders.
- Show order amount breakup, applicable taxes before confirmation.
- On payment success, generate order receipt with transaction and provider details.
- Support payments from both user and provider end (provider can pay commission etc.).
- Dedicated support for any payment related queries users may have.
7. Ratings and reviews
User generated content is highly trusted. Leverage reviews strategically.
- Five star rating system separately for user and provider profiles.
- Allow text, photo reviews while maintaining relevancy using moderation.
- Highlight top reviews based on recency and helpfulness votes.
- Give prompt reminders to rate services post completion.
- Give public recognition to top reviewers on a leaderboard.
- Allow providers to publicly respond to negative reviews professionally.
- Users can also optionally post private reviews visible to them alone.
8. Push notifications
Push is an effective non-intrusive way to engage and inform users.
- Send timely reminders and status updates for pending/scheduled orders.
- Custom notifications for new matching providers if an open request.
- Promote new service launches, flash deals and seasonal offers.
- Allow requesting quotes or rescheduling existing orders via notifications.
- Enable/disable notification categories and frequency preferences.
- A/B test different notification formats for maximum engagement rates.
9. FAQs and help center
Proactively address common queries to improve support experience.
- Curate a comprehensive list of self-explanatory FAQs.
- Include interactive chatbot/live agent for instant support.
- Dedicated contact/email options segmented by query types.
- Step-by-step tutorial videos for key areas like payments, bookings etc.
- Option to raise tickets that get resolved by customer support team.
- Gather feedback via optional satisfaction survey on ticket closure.
10. Share orders functionality
Viral growth is powerful. Enable users to share booking details.
- Share order details like service, provider, date over popular channels.
- Customizable referral messages with unique tracking codes.
- Referral credits or coupons on friend signups and first order.
- Gamify referrals using referral leaderboards in-app.
- Allow complimentary services like discount on future orders from referred providers.
- Referrers and referrals both benefit in the sharing economy model.
11. Customized in-app experiences
Segmented views improve efficiency for key user types.
- Separate agent app for service providers with job management features.
- User administrative portal for reports, analytics, order management.
- Leverage A/B testing frameworks to iterate and optimize interfaces.
- Customize onboarding flows, push formats based on user personas.
- Progressively rollout new features to select users for initial feedback.
- Monitor metrics to decide feature adoption strategy app-wide.
Conclusion
A good user experience remains the backbone of any consumer facing app. Fine tuning the in-app journey based on user needs and feedback helps drive engagement, conversions and retention over the long-term. The 11 techniques discussed here when implemented thoughtfully can help optimize the in-app experience in an Urbanclap like marketplace app. Regular improvements based on data insights ensure the app continues meeting evolving user expectations.