How to Develop an Uber-like App for Delivery Trucks?

Published: May 2, 2022

10 min read

The question is how to turn mentioned above figures into your own profit. My answer is simple as that. Offer the solution to trucking industry problems! And I’m about to share with you a couple of ideas on how it can be done. But before we move to the keys, let’s sort out our locks.

Freight industry: how to benefit from logistic app development?

There must be a reason why Amazon considers building an app for delivery trucks as the reasonable and promising idea. Moreover, you may be surprised how simple answer is. Point is that Uber for trucks solves a number of problems both for drivers and for customers.

This kind of apps is another piece of the puzzle in the overall picture called "sharing economy", which Uber (along with Airbnb, Zaarly, Lyft and others) is definitely a part of. The term refers to the economic model based on different forms of assets exchange via online markets. It not only represents the new way of thinking but also changes the entire process of production, trading and consumption of services and goods.

In addition, Uber freight for long-haul trucking solves the empty container repositioning problem as well. Due to easy-accessible and fast communication channels, truckers are able to get the most up-to-date information from their clients in the shortest time possible. It means they can regularly refill their containers with a new cargo, preventing themselves from riding half-empty.

Sounds promising enough, doesn’t it? Furthermore, Uber for trucking industry has several advantages for shippers as well.

What are the benefits for customers?

We have already found out how such an app can solve several problems of carriers. However, there is a potential profit for shippers too. Let’s take a look.

Uber for trucks allows instantly and effortlessly get in touch with the nearest drivers

This kind of apps brings the whole shipment process under customer’s control. With its help, your users can choose any available truck they want without the need to wait for broker’s feedback. Also, the pricing is transparent, so any speculations are excluded.

Shippers are able to track their cargo all along the way

Another benefit for customers is the ability to constantly receive information about a location of the truck with their goods. Thereby they can not only account for the freight security but also ascertain where it is now when it will be delivered or any other required data.

What do you need to create an Uber app for cargo shipping?

There is nothing wrong with using the experience of others. At first, we learn from the best, then we become the best. And that is the reason why we suggest employing original Uber app model in the trucking business as well. What does it mean in practice? Let’s find out!

Don’t hesitate to learn from other’s experience and turn this knowledge into your advantage.

You may already know the original Uber app actually "divides" into 2: one for the drivers and one for the passengers. Of course, these apps are not totally alike because both parties have their own needs that, again, aren’t similar.

How to make money with Uber for trucking industry?

Let’s start with an axiom. Advertising, which is probably the most common way to monetize, is not a wise solution for the freight apps. Why? Because it kills reliance and makes your app look like a patchwork. However, where there’s a will there’s a way.

The best alternative so far is to establish a fee. Payment amount significantly varies from app to app. For example:

  • Traansmission is free-to-use for drivers but charges 3% of the cargo value from shippers;
  • Keychain Logistics has set up the fee at the level of 6-12%;
  • uShip asks for 10-20% payment counting from the estimated value of the load;
  • Cargomatic’s margin is 20% of a total transaction.

Nevertheless, when setting up a fee you should remember the 2 most substantive rules.

Rule № 1: offer your clients more friendly pricing policy than brokers do.

What is the aim of any business? To get the highest income possible with the lowest spendings possible. So why would drivers pay brokers more, if your app could do the same job faster and cheaper? The answer is obvious: they wouldn’t!

Freight brokers often charge about 20%, so try not to go beyond this figure. The optimal in-app fee is about 10%, but it also depends on how complicated your app is. The more useful features your app has, the higher fee seems acceptable to users.

Rule № 2: transparency is your best friend here.

People don’t like to be deceived, do they? So don’t even try to hide any essential information from them, especially regarding payments. If the final fee would be higher than your users expected it to be (by including not mentioned before expenses), you can lose them at once.

Examples of Uber-like delivery apps

It seems now you are quite well prepared to make an app like Uber freight app. But before we end, let’s review several trucking apps. It will sum up everything we have previously discovered about logistic app development and show us how these theoretical statements are implemented in the real life.

Cargomatic

These guys have also developed own pricing algorithm. It calculates the final costs by taking into account 78 stats as routes, fuel prices, traffic and others.

Summary

Finally, we have reviewed all the key ideas and tips on the trucking app development. By creating an app for this industry you will help truck drivers to swiftly increase their efficiency and significantly decrease expenses. In return, you can set up an in-app fee and get a good benefit.

Thinking about building an app for delivery trucks? Contact us and we will help to make it a reality.

Take your chance and good luck!

Get an Estimation for your Uber-App Idea!

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