Launch taxi app like Hype which has succeeded Grab & Uber in the Philippines: A Complete guide

It is a well-known fact that the taxi booking app industry poses a neck-to-neck competition among various other app industries, with multiple players entering the sector. However, a constant buzz around the segment is a positive sign for entrepreneurs because it signifies that people expect more from the market. When there is a demand among people, someone will have the answer in their pockets. If their answer seems satisfactory to the people, they tend to sustain an increased timeframe. 

Did you know which taxi booking platform tops in ride-hailing services in the Philippines? No, it is not the Super app Grab or the taxi giant Uber. It is a Philippines-based ridesharing platform called the Hype that dominates the taxi booking market. To all entrepreneurs who wish to embark on their arrival in their respective fields, the success of Hype comes as a ray of hope. 

Competing against the giants of the industry isn’t a mammoth task nowadays. All you need to do is analyze your competitors, identify the areas they lack, and offer top-notch ride-hailing services to Filipinos. Are you an emerging entrepreneur who aspires to build a taxi empire? In this blog, let’s discuss some strategies that can come in handy for business owners who wish to launch a taxi app like Hype. 

The Uber ban and its consequences – A peep into the Philippines taxi market 

The taxi giant Uber, just like any other country, established its taxi segment in the Philippines. However, it is said that Uber has breached the government’s rules and regulations and failed to comply with the directions of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB). Consequently, Uber was banned from operating in the Republic. One of the main accusations leading to the ban of the taxi giant is that it illegally raised the fare prices while not providing adequate safety. 

The ban on Uber led to the Grab’s rise, who made the most out of the situation. The taxi fares rose by 20-30%, increasing the people’s expectations towards another taxi platform. It is at this time the Philippines-based startup Hype entered the picture. The platform is proving to be a dominant force in the country’s taxi-hailing segment by offering safe rides at economical prices. 

Have an eye on these takeaways 

Several factors contribute to the success of Hype. However, there are some prominent takeaways worth noticing. Let’s discuss them here, 

• Nominal fares are game-changers: While Grab enjoyed a temporary profit gain by raising fares, it lost a formidable portion of the market to fellow rivals. Hence, an affordable rate for the rides can make all the difference in your taxi app. 
• Be government-compliant: To avoid ending up with a ban, make sure the taxi app adheres to the government’s rules and regulations. The ban on Uber provides a perfect learning lesson with the following quote, ‘While in Rome, do as the Romans do.’ 
• Passenger safety is paramount: The safety of passengers can be hindered in several ways. It is the responsibility of a taxi platform to provide the utmost care and protection to its customers. Features like geo-fencing, in-app tracking, SOS feature, and many more can enhance the riders’ safety to a considerable extent. 
• Drivers are your backbones: A taxi app, just like any other on-demand app, works on the principle of demand and supply. Unsatisfied drivers can lead to unhappy customers, leading to a loss of reliability towards the platform. Hence, provide your drivers the freedom to offer services during their free hours, accept or reject user requests based on their convenience, and many more to satisfy them and boost their morale significantly. 
• Integrate multiple ways to book rides: The transformation of taxi booking from over the call to instant booking through smartphones is evident and bound to happen due to enhanced convenience. However, a noticeable amount of people aren’t well-adapted to technology and still wish to book taxis via SMS and phone calls. By providing them an option to do so, you can gain a stronghold of the regional customers. 
• Let the post-cancellation process be seamless: It is an expected scenario, wherein people will have to cancel their rides after the drivers have been assigned to them. Charging a nominal fee for the same is acceptable, but make sure that the fare reaches drivers’ pockets instantly. As mentioned earlier, driver satisfaction is one prime factor that can boost your sales significantly. 

Competitor analysis – The key to enhance app success  

While the term ‘analyzing your competitors’ looks simple on paper, it distinguishes a successful taxi app from the failed ones. If there is one trick to succeed in the market where the giants are already holding a firm position, it is inevitably this analyzing factor. Let’s glance at the steps involved in doing a competitor analysis. 

• Select your region of operation: The first thing to do is to identify your area of fleet operation. It is advisable to begin the business on a small-scale and later expand it to various other regions. 
• Identify the top five competitors: The next step is to make a list of the top five best-performing taxi apps in the region. You can sort apps based on multiple parameters like customer reception, revenue gained, and many more. 
• Research the rivals: A SWOT analysis of your competitors can help you visualize the bigger picture more easily. Even customer feedback and case studies regarding taxi companies can help you in identifying their flaws. 
• Jot down the weaknesses of fellow players: By noticing the areas where other taxi companies are lagging, you can capitalize and propel your taxi app by improving those areas. This way, you can gain the attention of the audience in no time. 

Four simple steps to establish a taxi business in the Philippines – Be the next big thing 

Setting up a taxi business platform is a piece of cake, with the government encouraging startups and providing them immense opportunities. Let’s tae first step is to approach the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and register your brand’s name.

• The next step is to finalize your regions of operation and obtain a business permit from the local government. 
• After this step, you approach the Mayor’s office for the Mayor’s permission. By gathering the documents as directed by the office, you can gain approval without any hassle. 
• After availing of multiple permits, you’ll receive a Certificate of Registration (COR) from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). 

Appdupe is your one-stop destination! 

What if there’s an app development partner taking care of developing a best-in-class taxi app? What if you can reduce the app development cost significantly, thereby reducing the overall budget? What if you can launch your app instantly in the Philippines? 

At Appdupe, we are well-known for taking businesses to the next level, be it budding startups or established conglomerates. Our versatile Uber Clone app is second to none in terms of performance and culminates all the above-said takeaways. We customize the app, entirely based on your specifications. With cutting-edge features and seamless workflow, no one can stop the success of your ride-hailing platform. 

Wrapping up, 

The potential taxi booking market of the Philippines is awaiting multiple investments from various entrepreneurs worldwide. The success of taxi apps like Hype meant that any taxi app with riveting features and offering enhanced comfort can thrive in the vast and flourishing sector. Analyzing your competitors is a crucial step to increase your sustainability. 

Appdupe has already made a mark for itself by exploring the areas of improvement and promoting the success of various taxi apps. Reach out to us, tell us your specifications, and launch your Uber clone app in the Philippines instantly. 

Author

Marketing is my soul mate and writing is my side kick. Using my writing skills to share the knowledge of app development and upcoming technologies.