What is a shipping app?
A shipping application is a web, mobile, or desktop application that enables users to manage their shipments. The app may include features for viewing tracking information and package delivery history.
Parcel delivery apps are similar to most other delivery apps, such as food delivery apps, on-demand delivery apps, and task management apps. The two most popular shipping applications today are UPS and FedEx.
Examples of shipping apps built with Crowdbotics:
- A trucking management Web/Mobile app that is similar to truckit.com. The Primary need is to replace the highly manual and paper-based process of dealing with their haul sheets. There will need to be 3 different user types – Admin, Foremen, and Drivers. Foremen will use the app to manage their job sites.
What is the typical cost to build a shipping app?
A shipping app usually costs about $37,500 to build. However, the total cost can be as low as $25,000 or as high as $50,000. A shipping app with a low number of features (also known as a minimum viable product, or MVP) will be more affordable than an app that includes all intended functionality.
For example, here are some previous shipping app price quotes from Crowdbotics:
How long does it take to build a shipping app?
A shipping app usually takes 333 hours to build. However, a shipping app can be built in as few as 267 hours, or in as many as 400 hours. The exact timeline mostly depends on how complicated your specific app is. As a general rule, it will take longer if you require highly custom designs, niche features, complex logic, or non-standard release platforms.
For example, some previous shipping apps build with Crowdbotics received the following hourly estimates:
Not seeing what you’re looking for?
Crowdbotics has quoted and built hundreds of applications for teams of all sizes. Browse our historical estimates by industry and app type to understand possible costs and considerations.
How to successfully grow your shipping application
A shipping app can earn new users by providing a significantly better experience than its competitors. One way to create a better experience is to use a proprietary algorithm to optimize drivers’ routes and deliver packages in the most efficient manner possible. Another way to improve user experience is to offer on-demand delivery, which enables users to select their preferred time for delivery without having to wait for a specific day or time slot.
Risks and challenges of building a shipping application
A shipping logistics app faces risks related to the storage of sensitive personal information and the delivery of packages. As a startup, you may not have any employees or a physical presence, so it is critical that you take steps to protect your user’s information. Your app should be designed to avoid using personally identifiable information (PII) and should use industry standard encryption methods for transmitting data. You will want to review all state laws regarding the delivery of packages before creating your app and determine whether your plan to deliver packages involves hiring independent contractors or employees.
