As a taxi business owner, I’m sure one of your top priorities is boosting customer bookings. Whether you operate a few cars or a full fleet, more rides means more revenue. The good news is that with some strategic app templates, you could see bookings triple overnight.
In this 4,500+ word guide, I’ll dive into 9 must-have taxi app features that proven players in the industry are using to drive exponential growth. From innovative loyalty programs to seamless payment options, you’ll get specifics on implementation plus case studies for each.
By the end, you’ll have a full toolbox ready to update your app and hit the ground running. Let’s get started with the highest impact templates!
Template 1: The 5-Star Rating Template
Customer reviews and ratings are everything in today’s on-demand economy. Riders want transparency into a driver’s performance and service quality before booking. Likewise, drivers appreciate validated feedback to improve. The gold standard for taxis is a simple yet powerful 5-star rating system.
Prominently placed right in the app, riders can submit a star rating for each completed trip along with an optional comment. This data populates a public driver profile for all to see. Drivers also have the ability to rate passengers, which fosters accountability on both sides.
Popular apps like Uber, Lyft, and Ola display the driver’s average rating numerically out of 5 stars plus a colorful chart. Some even show the number of total reviews. This reassures riders upfront that they’re choosing a top-rated, trustworthy driver. Meanwhile, the feedback motivates drivers to strive for that perfect 5-star service.
An often overlooked best practice is sending notification prompts. Periodic reminders to leave a rating for the “last trip” significantly increases submission rates and quality of driver data. With ratings so critical, don’t forget this important template!
Template 2: In-App Chat and Messaging
Beyond just transportation, riders increasingly expect a personalized experience from their taxi provider. Integrated chat bolsters the customer experience in meaningful ways. It allows passengers to privately contact drivers with any questions before, during, or after the booked ride.
Didi in China pioneered in-app texting that flows seamlessly into the ride booking process. Users can initiate a chat that includes trip details like pickup location, number of passengers, and estimated time of arrival. This double communication approach reassures passengers and prevents miscommunications.
Even after the ride, messaging persists. Passengers may reach out with feedback, report an issue to customer support through the same channel, or even book an additional trip. Drivers likewise can update on delays or share a receipt directly in-app. Continuous dialogue builds trust and loyalty over the long run.
Automated features like arrival notifications coupled with an option to chat further enhance transparency. This could be as simple as a text pop-up within the app stating “Your driver John is 2 minutes away” with a prompt to send a message. Small touches create a remarkably premium experience. Checkout: https://zipprr.com/uber-clone/
Template 3: Loyalty and Rewards Programs
Loyalty is the ultimate goal for any business, and rewards programs systematically achieve this. By incentivizing return customers with perks, they become brand advocates and your biggest growth engine over time. The taxi industry is no different – implementing a strategic loyalty program into your app could boost repeat bookings by 20% or more.
Popular structures include a points-based or tiered system. For example, earn 1 point per $1 spent on trips. Redeem 10 points for a $5 credit. Or climb from Silver to Gold to Platinum status by hitting monthly trip targets, unlocking discounts and exclusive benefits along the way.
Points can expire monthly to encourage active engagement. Some apps issue digital “stamp cards” after every 10 rides for a free trip. Gift cards from brands like Amazon and Starbucks provide universal appeal. Customers will love earning rewards just for choosing your service regularly.
For maximum impact, prominently promote progress and upcoming perks in the app’s main feed. Customers crave motivation to achieve the next status level. Integrate rewards seamlessly into the payment process to increase redemption rates. With the right program, customers will book you by choice and habit.
Template 4: Multiple Payment Options
Consumers demand choice and flexibility when it comes to paying. Luckily, mobile wallets and digital payment platforms have made onboarding additional options into an app a breeze. Offering multiple convenient ways to pay significantly expands your addressable ridership.
Integrating popular digital wallets like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay enables one-touch checkout for many. India’s Ola even launched a “cash” payment option by partnering with retailers nationwide where riders can pay an authorized store and receive ride credits in return.
Credit and debit cards remain a must through merchant processors like Stripe or Braintree. But also consider installment payment partners popular in emerging markets that let riders pay for trips over time in smaller amounts. And of course, good ol’ cash should be an option through cash pickup or drop-off.
The smoother the payment flow, the more frictionless the overall experience. Autofill saved credit cards or digital wallets for return trips makes checkout a breeze. Don’t lose customers at the final mile – optimize payments based on your local market preferences.
Template 5: Live Map Tracking
As the saying goes, customers can’t miss what they can’t see. A live map tracking your vehicle’s movement in real-time brings much-needed transparency to the ride. This helps assure both drivers and passengers every step of the journey.
Popular options on apps like Grab let riders follow the car icon as it travels en route. A built-in countdown timer estimates the remaining trip duration. Passengers may also optionally share their live location with a trusted contact for added security during late night rides.
Likewise, drivers stay apprised of adjustments needed via the navigation and ETA updates. They avoid wasted time and effort by efficiently redirecting in response to traffic or other delays. Importantly, the mapping quells issues before they escalate by keeping all parties informed.
Advanced implementations analyze historical traffic patterns to provide more accurate estimated times of arrival. Some apps overlay alternate routes in case of jams. The takeaway – empowering visibility fosters trust that keeps customers coming back ride after ride.
Template 6: One-Tap Bookings
Convenience trumps all, especially for loyal, time-pressed customers. Save their common destinations, payment details, and ride preferences into a profile for one-touch bookings on repeat trips. This strips away unnecessary friction and taps into unconscious habits.
Uber pioneered the concept of stored user profiles holding regular pickup addresses like home or work. With a single tap, it recalls the destination as well as default payment method on file. Newer implementations like Lyft even auto-populate travel times based on historical commute data.
Regular salary earners particularly appreciate scheduled, recurring bookings without needing to re-enter commute times each day. Some apps let users set permanent subscriptions for daily roundtrip journeys. Additionally, prominently placing a “Ride Again” button on the receipt enables one-tap repeat on the last journey.
Autofill eliminates tedious re-entry of addresses, payments, and commute times during checkout. Coupled with loyalty program perks, it strongly gamifies the process to reward frequent fliers. Customers love maximizing convenience – don’t lose their repeat business with friction.
Template 7: Ride Sharing and Shared Commutes
Cutting costs remains top of mind for many riders. Ride sharing – or commuters joining similar rides to nearby locations – offers a compelling value proposition. This could manifest as optional pool rides or scheduled shuttle services running set routes.
Apps implemented pooling by matching 2-3 passengers traveling within a few blocks of each other. The fare splits proportionately. Buses work too by replacing individual car rides along busy commuter corridors at fixed times. Neighborhood pickup zones maximize efficiency.
Advanced ride-sharing algorithms derive optimal vehicle routes and passenger pairings from aggregated location datasets. They optimize capacity usage while respecting individual booking preferences. Operators earn more through higher vehicle utilization too.
Localized pool zones see uptake where public transportation gaps exist. It also appeals to eco-conscious youth. Run scheduled shuttles to universities, malls or IT parks during peak hours. Promote via targeted push and promote lower fares for shared options. Customers love stretching budgets further.
Template 8: Scheduled, Recurring, and Return Rides
Many trips follow predictable patterns down to the minute. Capture this repetitiveness through scheduled bookings that eliminate hassle and save regular travelers’ spots. Commuters love locking advance reservations for peace of mind.
Integrate your taxi app with the system calendar for blocking out future rides. Options range from daily/weekly recurring subscriptions to individual booked trips taggable to a specific date and time. Add buffer times around scheduled pickups too in case of delays.
Beyond entire trips, allow rebooking “return” legs too from the receipt screen. For example, book a one-way ride to work. Then easily rebook the evening trip back home at 7 pm without re-entering details. App-based “subscriptions” deliver even more automation.
Prominently promote these features to capture habitual commute trips. Many customers will appreciate the set-it-and-forget-it functionality over constantly browsing availability. And for operators, it essentially guarantees bookings and smoothens driver schedules.
The best implementations autonomously handle common changes like re-routing or delay notifications. If construction causes a detour, the app automatically advises passengers and adjusts times/routes. Scheduled rides cement loyal, repeat ridership for years to come with their low-effort convenience.
Template 9: Push Notifications
Push notifications represent a “pull” marketing approach that avoids annoying spam. Instead, the focus is on delivering timely, personalized, and contextual messages right when customers need them. This builds relevance and makes your app a priority.
Some key notification types for taxis include:
- Driver arrival alerts (e.g. “Your ride is arriving in 5 minutes”)
- Trip status updates (e.g. “Your 7 PM trip is starting now”)
- Payment receipts
- Upcoming scheduled ride reminders
- Discount or rewards offers based on history
Allow riders to customize frequency and enable/disable categories. Don’t spam – respect each customer’s unique notification preferences learned over time.
Targeting is key too. If a rider frequently uses a mid-week 7 PM commute trip, send a Wednesday reminder five minutes before, not days in advance. This shows your knowledge of their patterns for maximum impact.
Overall, push represents a largely untapped channel. Leverage it strategically for supportive messaging versus direct marketing pitches. Customers will appreciate your assistance rather than annoyance.
Conclusion
In closing, there is immense opportunity ahead for taxi operators adopting these high-impact app templates optimized for today’s on-demand users. I hope this detailed guide provides both inspiration and implementation strategies to immediately improve your app experience and start tripling bookings.
The future of mobility is defined by seamless, personalized, and trusted transportation. By leveraging these proven templates, you can consistently deliver joyful journeys that keep customers coming back for more. Stay tuned for future deep dives on additional app features like payment wallets, voice assistants, and loyalty integrations.
Please feel free to reach out if you have any other questions! I’m always here to help taxi operators like you succeed with the latest app strategies. Wishing you the best of luck in taking your business to new heights.
