How to Build an App Like Gojek: A Step-by-Step Guide

Key Takeaways (or TL;DR)

• A Gojek like app is a multi-service super app that combines over 20 on-demand services in one unified platform to offer users a streamlined ordering experience.
• Building an app like Gojek involves a set of strategic steps, including planning, UI/UX design, agile development, testing, quality assurance, and app maintenance.
• The cost of creating a super app starts at $15,000 for a basic MVP, while an advanced custom-built super app can cost over $120,000.
• A super app enables businesses to generate income through various channels, including commissions, service charges, delivery fees, and advertising.

Imagine empowering your business to deliver multiple services, including transportation, groceries, food, and more, through one unified platform! This integrated approach defines the Super App, which consolidates diverse services into a single ecosystem, providing users with a seamless experience.

One of the standout platforms gaining traction in this market is Gojek. A super app platform originally based in Indonesia offers over 20 on-demand services through one leading platform. This includes transportation, food & groceries, payments, daily essentials, and more.

Now, whether you are targeting the on-demand delivery market or aiming to create a super app that serves diverse needs and builds robust coverage across countries, understanding how to build an app like Gojek is essential. In this article, we will help you explore the key building steps and initial costs, as well as the monetization benefits a business can gain from its super app.

How to Build a Super App Like Gojek—Steps Breakdown

Many entrepreneurs are inspired by how Gojek worksacross multiple regions. This success encourages businesses to develop similar super apps, a process that involves a wide range of steps, both challenging and rewarding.

So, without making more delays in locking the final idea, here are the crucial steps everyone should consider when building an app like Gojek:

Analyze the Market

A comprehensive market study is an essential step when developing a super app. Therefore, it is essential to prepare a clear blueprint of what your super app wants to showcase and for whom. You are required to study:

• Market Growth: According to Mordor Intelligence, the super apps market is projected to grow from USD 162.41 Bn in 2026 to USD 546.03 Bn by 2031, reflecting rapid user adoption.
• Determine Your Competitors: Conduct in-depth research on leading super apps such as Gojek and Grab. Examine their offerings, features, customer feedback, pain points, and marketing strategies.
• Analyze Your Target Audience: To understand its preferences, needs, and expectations.

Also, to better understand how such a platform helps you generate revenue across multiple verticals, analyzing the Gojek business model is essential. This in-depth data analysis will help you identify the key service apps your competitors offer that your app could fulfill, helping you stay ahead while delivering what your users actually want.

Choose the Right Platform

Your target market will determine the platform’s suitability for your business. Usually, to create a super app, you have three options:

• Native App: Best for single platforms like iOS, Android, or Windows
• Hybrid App: The application is built with HTML5 and can be easily upgraded over time.
• Web App: It is also designed for a single platform; it runs in browsers, just like any other website, and has a standard UI/UX compared to native and hybrid apps.

To choose the right platform, you need to consider your market. If your goal is to cover a specific region, you can host your app on any one platform. However, if you want to run your business across countries, launching your business on both iOS & Android is more beneficial.

Define Core Features & Functionalities

Once research validates your idea, it’s the right time to define the core features & functionalities you want in your application. Therefore, below we have listed some of the must-have features for your business.

Unified Service App

Your super app must access multiple services, including ride-hailing, food delivery, and groceries, to meet your target audience’s requirements and ensure they can easily order on your platform.

Real-Time Tracking

Integrating a GPS into your platform is essential. Keeping your users updated on service status also helps you track how long it takes to fulfill services.

UI/UX of Application

Keeping your app’s UI/UX simple to navigate will help you connect with a larger customer base. As a simple-to-use app, it helps them easily connect with their preferred services.

In-App Payments

Your app must support secure, seamless payment options, including digital wallets, credit and debit cards, and cash payments. This allows customers to pay for it using any preferred way.

Push Notification

With push notifications, you can easily inform your users about newly arrived promo codes or technical glitches, ensuring they stay up-to-date on all updates.

Loyalty & Rewards

By implementing a unique loyalty and reward program in your business, you can easily retain users on the platform by offering them additional points, discounts, or incentives.

Multi-Language & Multi-Currency Support

With this feature, you can easily expand your business into multiple countries and cities without language or expansion barriers, providing easier access for users.

Review & Rating System

With feedback support, your users can share their real experiences with the service quality, helping build trust & transparency with them.

Opt for the Right Tech Stack

Choosing the right tech stack is vital when building a super app. Here are some key technologies that help you build a robust, scalable app.

Frontend Development

Technologies such as React Native, Flutter, Swift (for iOS), and Kotlin (for Android) can be used to design a user-friendly mobile app.

Backend Development

Node.js, Ruby on Rails, and Python, like backend technologies, will help you manage essential business data, handle requests, and process payments.

Database

The tech stack, including MongoDB for flexible, unstructured data and PostgreSQL for relational data, will help ensure smooth data storage and retrieval.

Key APIs Integration

Your app requires several additional API integrations, including the Google Maps API for navigation, Firebase for push notifications, and secure payment gateways such as Stripe or PayPal.

Design UI/UX & Build

Now that you have a clear roadmap from the target audience to the tech stack, it’s time for app design and development. Focus on creating a user-friendly website with easy-to-understand navigation and appealing designs, making a clear, consistent, and user-centered design, and enabling users to return to your platform to fulfill their further requirements.

Once the app architecture is defined accurately! You can hire professional developers who fulfill all your requirements and provide you with an enterprise-ready solution that helps grow and scale your business.

Testing & Quality Assurance

Developing an application is only half the battle won; its actual success will depend on its quality, which will be assessed through rigorous testing. To ensure your super app functions smoothly and securely, you must develop a comprehensive quality assurance strategy. This includes various testing methods, such as

• Unit Testing
• Integration Testing
• User Acceptance Testing, &
• Security Testing

By prioritizing quality assurance, you can enhance the reliability of your super app, deliver a positive user experience from day one, and improve overall performance.

Maintenance & Updates

To keep your business future-ready, you need to perform regular maintenance and updates on your platform. This may include adding new features based on user feedback, updating technologies, tracking performance metrics to identify areas needing optimization, and more. Also, it is essential to promptly address bugs to ensure your platform runs smoothly without glitches.

How Much Does It Cost to Create an App Like Gojek?

The cost of building an app like Gojek is not a static amount; it is not defined within a fixed price range. There are many factors that determine the cost of super app development.

Let’s have a look at it:

Cost Breakdown Based on Types

Cost Breakdown Based on Development Stages

Charge Based on Location & Time

How Long Does It Take to Build an App Like Gojek

Building an app like Gojek is a comparatively more time-consuming process than that of the other apps, as it is designed to offer multiple services under one roof, which significantly has a broader development cycle.

Now, if you are willing to build an app like Gojek, then below is the estimated timeline that you should consider:

How Does a Super App Like Gojek Make Money?

Earning channels for a business are one important aspect. Specifically, if you are running a multi-service app, it offers you diverse revenue benefits, which include

Commission

The commission model is recognized as a stable source of income for multi-service businesses. The basic commission percentage for super apps ranges from 5% to 30%. However, it may be varied depending on several factors and services, which we will understand better with the Gojek example:

Delivery Charges

Even though super apps offer customers access to multiple services, they, in turn, take a percentage of the delivery fee from each order placed, making it a significant revenue source for the business.

Advertising & Promotions

Many on-demand delivery & mobility service providers use in-app advertising and listing approaches to build strong engagement with users worldwide. This may include targeted advertising, sponsored listings, and more to keep one’s business at the top of the list, thereby making it easier to gain traction with users on the platform.

Financial Services

Beyond other on-demand services, the super app like Gojek also generates revenue through financial services, which include:

GoPay, an e-wallet used for in-app services like food and rides and external payments, generates revenue through transaction processing fees.

GoPayLater is a Buy Now, Pay Later service that lets users order or reserve a service and pay later, like on credit.

GoModel/Merchant Lending offers working capital loans to MSMEs (Merchant Partners) via the GoBiz app, based on their recorded transaction history within the platform.

Subscription Program

Another stable source of income for any super app is through its subscription program. The company offers several perks & benefits to its users through package-based plans. One significant example of this is Gojek.

It offers a GoClub subscription program for its users, charging a fee in exchange for free delivery, priority booking, and exclusive discounts, boosting loyalty and securing recurring, upfront income.

How Can Elluminati Help You Build an App Like Gojek?

In conclusion, developing a super app like Gojek includes several key steps from thorough market research and feature development to implementation. Also, understanding the target audience and gaining other essential insights will help you create applications that keep you ahead of your competitors.

Now, if you are ready to take the next step in building a successful multi-service app, connecting with Elluminati, a leading super app development company, is your best choice. Our team of experienced developers will help you navigate the complexities of a Gojek like app, ensuring your business achieves remarkable success.

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