Building a GPS Tracking App- A Step-By-Step Guide

In the past, despite having maps, people used to get lost while looking for a certain place in an area or a city. Today, this problem has been solved because of the GPS tracking features in our mobiles. According to a Statista survey, it has been observed that more than 50% of people prefer using a GPS tracking app in comparison to old-fashioned maps.

Apps belonging to various niches like food, transport, banking, dating, and gaming, all have a GPS tracking feature. However, building a successful location-tracking app in the current market is pretty much a challenge. In this blog, Vizteck will be providing you with a detailed step-by-step guide on how to make a GPS app. You can also take help with creating a GPS app from our guide on how to build an app from scratch.

For a successful GPS tracking app, it is required for it to be efficient, user-engaging, and in-demand in the market of GPS tracking apps. One thing to consider is that creating a navigation app differs slightly from creating regular mobile applications. Let’s get started with creating one:

Doing market research and audience analysis is of great importance while developing an app. While doing so, don’t forget to consider the competitor’s analysis by going through their strategies, services, and used technologies. This research will help you to work closely on your app idea and your set objectives.

As for your idea, you should ask yourself which location-based service is currently in demand. How will your app efficiently solve its users' problems?

If your app is not addressing its users' issues or adding anything new to the market, your app won’t be considered a competitor in the market. For this very reason, you need to do an in-depth market and target audience analysis.

Also Read: How To Build An Android App From Scratch

Tech stack is what combines the operation system, language, libraries, and other tools required to create an app. While creating a GPS app, you should consider if you are building a GPS app for Android or iOS. For doing so, the following are the things important to consider:

• You are required to consider the target audience, your product purpose, the type of monetization you are looking for, etc.
• If you are looking to make an Android app, you will be getting a much larger market than iOS. In contrast, iOS users make more in-app purchases as compared to Android users.
• Android app development is a time-consuming and costly project because it supports more OS versions on different types of devices. On the other hand, iOS developers use single-style guidelines for Apple devices, which makes their development process fast.
• Apple offers strict security checks while reviewing an app before publishing it into their App Store compared to Google.

Both operating systems have their pros and cons. When choosing a neck sack, it is important if you consider all the above-mentioned points.

Also Read: How To Build An IOS App From Scratch?

The Business Analyst of your project should gather and document various aspects of creating a GPS app. These aspects are:

• Use of data from mobile operators by the app
• Utilizing data from cell towers
• Use of wi-fi data by app
• Kind of algorithms required by the app
• Security
• Performance
• Integration with social networks
• User authentication requirements to follow

Once the documentation of all the required elements is done, now is the time to get its approval.

Types of GPS Tracking Apps

There are mainly different kinds of GPS Tracking apps, Let's go through them individually.

Family Tracking GPS App/Kids Tracking App

This kind of app is used to track family members. Every member of the family that you want to track has the app installed on their mobile phones. The app shows you the real-time location of the family member.  Other features that can be included in the app are to show alerts when the battery is low for the tracked person, or they are not online for the last 15 minutes or when you configure.

Vehicle/Equipment Tracking GPS App

This app tracks and manages all your vehicles or equipment in real-time on any web browser.  Most companies that have fleets need this to track their fleet and equipment in real-time. Other features that can be included in the app are fuel sensor detection, equipment failure, etc.

We have a complete fleet tracking white label GPS solution, if you are looking for a fleet tracking GPS solution, contact us now for a Demo 

Also Read: How To Make A Social Media App

Wireframing is important for building an app that uses GPS. you would want to visualize your app on screen and fix any issues before it gets into the development stage.

In doing so, you along with your development team are required to bring your GPS app idea on paper and develop a storyboard. Alongside this, create wireframes and mockups for your app. This will help you to determine your app potency and market performance.

Also Read: What Is Wireframing

As for apps like GPS, location is one of the most distinguishing features it holds and for that, it is advised to start Minimal Functional Prototype (MFP). MFP is the small version of MVP which lets you test geolocation features. Doing so will help you decide if you should proceed with the MVP for your GPS app or not.

Also Read: How To Build An App Without Coding?

Minimal Viable Product (MVP) is your first actual step toward making a navigation app. It will provide basic features to your GPS app but with enough functionality to meet the needs of your target audience. In this step you do coding, add maps and then launch MVP. Take your feedback on the launched MVP and work on the identified areas.

Also Read: Agile Scrum - A Methodology Guide For Developers

Once done with getting feedback, work on the feedback and add further features to your GPS app. Give specific attention to the things pointed out by consumers in terms of suggestions and concerns. While building a navigation app, one of the most important and responsive features should be the best advice on objects within the specified radius of the user.

Also Read: Best Software To Build An App

Quality assurance is important to be done to check if all the features of your app are responsive and meet the criteria of performance. Unlike regular mobile applications, GPA apps are complicated to test because there are several factors affecting navigation accuracy. Once all sorts of testing are done, a report by the QA team is sent to the developers with identified bugs and errors to be fixed.

Also Read: How To Create An Educational App?

Once all the identified bugs and errors have been removed from your app, it is time to launch the app on Google Play Store or App Store.

Also Read: Best Databases For Android, Web, and IOS App Development

We have a complete fleet tracking white label GPS solution, if you are looking for a fleet tracking GPS solution, Contact us now for a Demo 

What Programming Language Is Used For GPS?

The programming language used for GPS is Python.

What Are Some Of The Top GPS Software?

Some of the top GPS software used are Google Maps, Waze, Apple Maps, and MapQuest.

Can I Build My Navigation App?

The advanced technology in today’s market is letting you create your navigation app the way you want. Appy Pie is one such app that lets you create a GPS app like Google Maps.