Top 10 Features to Look for in a Home Services App
Let it be today’s active and young people, everybody prefers home services apps since it opens easier means to get everything they want within the shortest time possible. The need for these apps has risen as a result of the need to book different professions without the need for having to search for providers. From the providers’ side, the home services app provides a pertinent, flexible, and efficient option to expand customer outreach while also offering easy management of bookings and people.
So, the choice of the home services app must be carried out as carefully as possible for both the customers and the businesses. In issues of service delivery, payment, and communication, a good app design protects the customer’s interests and makes the business convenient. For JIT service providers another important benefit of having the right app is that it is helpful in managing operations, increasing visibility, establishing credibility by responding to reviews and ratings.
As an On Demand Home Services App Development Company in Bangalore, India Getwidget recognizes the need to offer the right functions to support the app users. Our home services app solution is ready-made and can be quickly built or adapted to your business model. Using our know-how, we’ve created some of the best home services applications like Thumbtack, TaskRabbit, and UrbanClap. In this blog post, we will discuss and enumerate the Top 10 features that should define the home services app you choose or design – or your platform will lack key features that would meet user expectations.
10 Key Features Every Home Services App Should Have
1. User-Friendly Interface
Besides the attractive design, the approved signature style of any home services application is a simple interface. The app has a simple layout which does not cause the user any confusion when working with the application.
A logical organization of UI elements ensures that all common operations can be completed as soon as possible, and no specific technical knowledge is required to browse services, view detailed information, and make bookings. Starting from the home screen of an app, users should be able to locate the item they’re interested in without having to go through extra hoops.
It is important here that the website is easily negotiable and the call to actions buttons clear. In terms of the CTAs they should be clearly visible and they should outline the action needed to book a service, contact a provider or make a payment. By doing so, it minimises the chances of users’ drop off in the middle of the transaction by making bookings and reservations quick and easy hence increasing the chances of user loyalty.
What matters to our team at Getwidget is producing not only the sleek design of screens but also a convenient flow that would allow users to promote the services easel
2. Service Selection & Customization
In order to become successful, any home services application needs to have a big choice of the services for the customers which can include any needed jobs like plumbing, cleaning, the works on the electricity or anything connected with it and all sorts of repairs and maintenance services for appliances. The more diversified the service categories, the more probable the app can accommodate all the home services a user may need at once.
Beyond variety, flexibility of service is an essential factor that can extend the user satisfaction on one or another level. Customers should choose any date and time that is suitable for them, making it easy for people to book service at convenient times. Availability also refers to forcing users to leave additional comments or specific instructions, for example, if the user requires the use of environmentally friendly cleaning materials or if the user prefers a particular company.
Thus, for increasing the usability, users should have an option to save some of the parameters into the app and the app should remember such things as frequently used services, certain providers, payment methods etc. This assists to enhance the satisfaction of customers, and also aims to make the next time of booking faster because the documentation will already be complete.
3. Real-Time Scheduling & Availability
The most important aspect that should be integrated into a home services app is an up-to-date schedule for availability. This helps users to see the updated availability and offer them a button to book the services without confusion or time waste.
A good use of a real-time calendar or booking system enables the user to pick their desired time based on time when the service providers are available. It also eliminates the possibility of having two different bookings at the same time or having the wrong schedule booked by other people to avoid having a problem with customers or service providers.
The further options for the users should allow them to see at a glance when the services of several providers are available in order to select or compare the options. These elements provide increased openness, which subsequently increases the speed with which users make bookings.
As soon as a booking has been made the app should give immediate notification for appointment booking either through the app, mail or message alert. This provides users with an instant confirmation that an appointment has indeed been made, and that service provider will be expected at the agreed time.
Also read: Top 10 Home Service Apps in India
4. Secure Payment Gateway Integration
One of the most important features of any home services app is the integration of payments so that the buyers could complete the transactions as quickly and safely as possible. Availability of many payment modes including both the Credit/Debit cards, the Google Wallet, Paypal, and UPI make the checkout method easy and Covenant for one and all.
Privacy and security is of great importance in as much as payments via the internet are concerned. s, the payments by credit card should be encrypted and done through trusted third party payment gateways which adhere to standards such as the PCI DSS . Using SSL encryption helps protect data like credit card information, against fraud or unauthorized access at the time of purchase.
Besides, there should be added functionality allowing users to save their payment details for future transactions. These help in saving time because without registering on the site, users are able to do payment which they may want to do frequently. At the same time, special features, such as two-factor authentication (2FA), can help make payments more secure when saving the necessary data .
The capabilities which makes Getwidget fully understand the need to create a secure payment process include: The payment methods for the home services app involves the use of several payment gateways making payment highly secure and flexible.
5. GPS Tracking & Geolocation
GPS tracking and geolocation features are truly innovative that can increase the effectiveness and desirability of a home services’ application overall. Being able to see and track the movements being made, in real time, means that users are able to feel comfortable knowing that a service provider is actually always on the move. Besides satisfying the customers, it also assists them to arrange themselves before the arrival of the provider.
Geolocation facilitates the process of properly pairing service providers by the user’s location. Through guaranteeing the connection of the users with professionals in the very near vicinity, the app decreases the response time, makes no expenses on travelling unnecessary, and contributes to local companies. This also increases convenience for users and providers since the waiting time is given a low priority.
Furthermore, the inclusion of the route optimization means that delivery is faster. Concerning communication, it can be realized that the service providers can be taken through effective channels that may not be characterized by traffic jams or long distance to cover. This makes it possible to achieve the highest turnover possible and user satisfaction achieved.
In our home services app at Getwidget, we have incorporated the GPS tracking and geolocation, that helps the user track the service provider's location and the movement and get the required service on the spot.
Also Read: Home Service App Development, Cost and Features
6. Ratings & Reviews System
Basic features can also be a vital tool for creating credibility in a home services mobile application and, therefore, ensuring sustained consumer expectations in professionalism and reliability.
Using ratings and reviews, which each service provider has to provide, users can know about the quality of the work done, time of completion of the job and level of satisfaction of the clients. The given reviews’ perspective makes a user satisfied and confident while using the service and eliminates possible negative scenarios. On a visible scale in most cases as stars and detailed written comments from previous clients put pressure on service providers.
The positive feedback works as an important signal of their reliability and can influence the employment of further orders for service providers. While negative reviews are generally critical, they provide the instructions for a perfect experience.
It means that the user is to be able to decide on the filter according to the ratings of the service or read the most recent review to choose the suitable provider.
7. In-App Communication
Communication is an important aspect that serves to make the whole experience of a user more natural as it enables customers an instant means of communication with service providers. Instead of spending time on clarifications on services offered, providing special instructions or rescheduling bookings, the app’s option to communicate within ensures faster progression of services.
The integration of the chat or call feature is possible to create instant daily access to customers and service providers. So the users can easily ask questions, double check or make some final adjustments without exiting the application. It is also useful to the service providers given that it assists them in guarantee that they understand the needs of the customer to the hilt hence enhancing the quality of the services being offered.
Besides, chat and call options are present, and automatic notification is also important to keep both parties informed. Customers can request notifications for an upcoming appointment, status of the booking and any change or delay that they want to be notified on. Regarding the several benefits of instant notifications, the service providers are also in the better position to attend instantly to various requests from the customers or perhaps rescheduling purposes.
8. Push Notifications & Alerts
Push messages are a must-have firefighting tool that maintains user attention and delivers them important information at every stage of interacting with the home services application. Such timely updates in the communication channel helps avoid instances where customers are left out in the loop on some of the important information concerning their service bookings.
The most typical type of the push notifications is the option that helps remind the user about the upcoming appointments. Customers can get notification after a day or few hours to the time of the service to be offered to them to prepare for the service, this makes it less probable for customers to fail to honour the appointment.
Apart from reminders, the push notifications used can also be a marketing technique of sending a special offer or cut-price deal. Through notifications, service providers can inform their customers about special offers with a time limit or unique services and thus increase session’s interactivity as well as sales.
In addition, notification of the state of the service and its capabilities when it is arriving can be indispensable for customers. By the use of notifications, the users can be updated when a service provider is on his/her way, when he/she is already there or if there is any that has been made. Such a level of transparency is positive in a way because it creates trust and makes the customers be assured that they are valued.
9. Multi-Language & Multi-Currency Support
In today’s world of globalization, multi-language and multi currency support is challenging for a home services application to support its disparate set of users. This feature improves the app’s accessibility and also supports the users’ experiences in determining that they are being seen and understood by others within the app.
By providing a language option for users in different regions, customers feel at ease to use the app and this makes the experience less stressful. Since multiple languages are included, more people will knowingly download the app since they are served in the language they understand best hence exploiting the market that comprises non-Americans.
Besides language support, the multilingual currency support is also important for the users from other countries. Enabling customers to pay using their own currency makes the payment process much easier due to issues to do with exchange rates. This feature can also be integrated with many payment methods for user convenience according to the users’ country of residence.
For a more personalized experience, the content being presented to the user must therefore be localized for different audiences. This includes such aspects as changing the language used in services and advertisement, even the layout of the website to suit the culture of the specific country. With localization users are more engaged which makes them feel they belong to some particular application.
10. Customer Support & Help Center
Uninterrupted customer-support and help-centre is the key section that makes a huge difference in users’ experience and their trust in a home services application; assurance that customer is always able to reach support in case of any problem or question that may arise during usage of the application.
Since app options may not meet the requirements of all users, it is mandatory to provide various possibilities of customer support; thus, the availability of online chat, mail, or phone call is needed. Live chat help is available on the spot and enables a user to reach out to a support agent instantly. Email service is convenient for those cases when the customer has a non-urgent question, while phone service is helpful when the customer has a more complicated question or if the company wants to create more individual contacts with the client.
Apart from these types of support channels it is a necessity to have a section from the Frequently Asked Question for efficient resolution to issues previously raised. This results in users being able to obtain solutions for issues they encounter from FAQs rather than having to engage the support of the support team and thus improving their experience.
Moreover, the feedback mechanism will enable users to offer their experience and recommendations of the services that the app will develop as it offers more services and support mechanisms.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the selection or design of correct features for a home services application is vital and can improve the utility of the home services app significantly. We’ve explored ten essential features that can transform how customers interact with service providers and improve the efficiency of service delivery:
User-Friendly Interface: Makes it easier for users of different ages to be able to maneuver through the website.
Service Selection & Customization: Range of services is diversified with individual opportunities in focus.
Real-Time Scheduling & Availability: Creates an instant reminder of the new available working time slots for clients.
Secure Payment Gateway Integration: Allows to make payments through multiple forms and highlights the importance of security.
GPS Tracking & Geolocation: Allows real time monitoring of service providers and counterpart matching from local providers.
Ratings & Reviews System: Enables users to make the right decision in relation to the feedback and rating given to a product.
In-App Communication: Ensures effective interaction of customers with intended service providers.
Push Notifications & Alerts: Notifications of appointments, offers and state of services.
Multi-Language & Multi-Currency Support: It makes it easy for a wide range of users to have easy access to the items.
Customer Support & Help Center: Has convenient resources for getting help and a detailed list of frequently asked questions.
Such characteristics help to improve a consumer experience in terms of clarity, accessibility, and credibility, and increase the productivity of service providers through operational simplification and information sharing.
At Getwidget, we help readers decide whether to select home services apps or create applications with these features included. In this way, you can guarantee a positive experience for customers required for home services on one hand, and satisfactory outcomes for those providing services on the other hand, thus increasing customer’s loyalty in an extremely competitive environment.
Also read: Home Services Mobile App Development Cost