How to Buy a Ready-made Food Delivery App in UAE – A Step-by-Step Guide!

UAE's Food Delivery Boom: What's Driving the Growth?

Currently, the UAE food delivery market is undergoing major changes due to a rising demand for convenience and different variety of cuisines reflecting the nation's rich cultural heritage. As nearly 99% of the population uses smartphones and has access to the internet, the UAE has emerged as an important market for food delivery services.

Due to this surge in digital connectivity, not only has the market grown in terms of revenue, but innovative service models have emerged, such as cloud kitchens. From 2025 to 2033, the market size of the food delivery sector is expected to increase by 10.2%.

Further, by 2025, it is expected that the food last-mile delivery segment will be worth AED2.2 billion, highlighting the rapid growth of the industry.

What are Ready-made Food Delivery Apps?

Readymade food delivery app offers comprehensive, pre-packaged solutions designed to simplify the operation of a food delivery business. These applications typically include all the essential features that are necessary for effective management.

They can either be fully customizable to meet specific needs or come with predefined templates that allow for adjustments based on individual requirements.

These apps are usually divided into three main categories:

• Customer App - It is the interface where customers can browse menus, order, pay, and track deliveries.
• Restaurant App - It showcases an admin dashboard for restaurant owners to manage orders, update menus, and pay.
• Delivery Agent App - It allows delivery personnel to manage orders, navigate to customer locations, and track deliveries.

Why Should You Buy a Food Delivery App Instead of Creating One?

Creating a food delivery app can be advantageous for several reasons:

1Cost Efficiency

Developing a food delivery app from scratch can be quite expensive, with costs typically ranging from AED 50,000 to AED 200,000. Moreover, your app's final price largely depends on how complicated it is and what features you want to include.

So, if you want ready-made apps, it generally costs between AED 10,000 and AED 35,000. By reducing expenses by a considerable amount, businesses are able to allocate their resources more efficiently, which allows them to focus on marketing initiatives and operations improvements rather than on high development costs.

2Time-Saving

The process of developing an app can take several months or even a number of years. To capture the attention of customers in the fast-paced food delivery market, being first to market is essential.

This is where having a ready-made food delivery app allows businesses to start generating revenue almost immediately and capitalize on current market conditions by launching their service within a short period.

3Proven Functionality

Traditionally, ready-made food delivery apps include established features that have been tested in real-world scenarios. Therefore, the app is likely to be more stable and user-friendly than one that is newly developed.

Users often request features such as real-time order tracking, multiple payment options, and user-friendly interfaces that have already been optimized based on feedback from other users.

4Access to Advanced Features

There are lots of ready-made food delivery apps that have advanced features that could be expensive or hard to develop on your own. Some of these features include:

• Real-time tracking - During preparation and delivery, customers can keep tabs on their orders.
• Loyalty Programs - Makes customers feel appreciated by rewarding them for being loyal.
• Customizable menus - There is no need for technical support for restaurants to update their menus.

The use of these functionalities enhances the overall user experience and can lead to higher customer satisfaction and retention.

5Scalability

Many ready-made apps are designed with scalability in mind, so businesses can grow without having to make changes.

The more demand there is, the more these apps can handle, and the more features they can have. Thus, businesses aiming to succeed in the competitive food delivery market need this adaptability.

6Technical Support and Updates

You usually get ongoing technical support and regular updates when you buy a ready-made app. This means businesses do not have to worry about maintaining apps or fixing bugs themselves, they can focus on their core business. This way, the app stays compatible with new devices and operating systems with regular updates.

Also Read- Food Delivery Apps in 2024: How AI is Shaping the Future

What Makes a Great Food Delivery App?

There are many instant delivery apps available in Dubai that cater to customers, restaurants, and delivery partners. Each stakeholder needs a different interface so that their needs can be met.

Hence, every party involved in the food delivery process needs features that meet their needs. However, it can be difficult. Here are some essential features you should look for in UAE on-demand food delivery apps.

1Simple Ordering

Getting food delivered efficiently is crucial for satisfying customer hunger. These apps are often used when users are craving food, so they need to streamline the ordering process.

If these platforms are not user-friendly, customers may become frustrated and switch to a competing service. For your business to succeed, you need to make sure your customers have a great online experience.

2Easy and Secure Payment

Make sure customers have multiple payment options when ordering, like cash, electronic money, or even earned rewards. You can also add promo codes and offers to encourage customers to pay a certain way.

3Simple Registration

A good delivery app should prioritize a straightforward, user-friendly sign-up process. This means simplifying the process so customers can get started quickly and easily.

The app makes navigation seamless and encourages users to explore its features by deferring the request for additional information until after they place an order. Customers can then provide the necessary details when placing an order once they feel comfortable and satisfied.

4Choice to Pickup

You gain a competitive advantage by including extra features. There is also a Pickup option available. The option of picking up food from the restaurant can be added along with food delivery. Therefore, customers can place orders before they arrive and won't have to wait for their orders when they arrive.

5Real-time Alerts

Sometimes ordering food online feels like a risky move. If you order online, you are left wondering where your delivery person is and when your food will arrive. Because of that, companies have to give customers all the info they need about their food, from preparation to delivery.

Think about being able to track your order in real time, knowing where your delivery person is, and having a direct line to them. With a food delivery app, you get insights into the journey your meal takes - not only how long it takes to deliver but also how long the driver spends driving. The transparency helps turn the uncertainty of online delivery into something reassuring and fun.

Step-by-Step Guide to Purchasing a Ready-Made Food Delivery App

1Conduct Market Research

Before purchasing an app, understand the current market dynamics. Identify your target audience, potential competitors, and customer preferences.

Research existing food delivery platforms and figure out what is working for them and what is not. Look at customer reviews and feedback to see where there are gaps that you can address.

2Define Your Business Model

What kind of food delivery service do you want? Do you want to focus on local restaurants, fast food chains, or fine dining? Are you just going to deliver or will you also offer pickup? This is where you need to decide what your business model is so the app is aligned with your goals.

Types of Food Delivery App Business Models

Once you have done all the groundwork related to ready made food delivery app, it’s high time to turn and choose the most appropriate business model to start your entrepreneurship journey.

• Restaurant-to-Consumer Model

Herein, users can directly order food from their favorite restaurant or food chain app, like McDonald’s, KFC, Starbucks, etc. The food joint is responsible for preparing and delivering the food to their foodie customers. This type of business model is an ideal choice for a restaurant or food joint with its own fleet of delivery vehicles.
Example - KFC, Starbucks

• Platforms to Consumer Model

Undoubtedly, this is the top pick food delivery business models that onboard numerous restaurants on a single app. In this type of business model, the app manages the delivery process and charges delivery fees and order commissions from restaurant partners.
Example - UberEats, DoorDash

• Food Delivery Aggregator Model

As the name suggests, the aggregator model is a blend of platform to consumer and restaurant to consumer food delivery app solution. In this, the restaurant partner is solely responsible for delivery services and getting orders from the app. For example, Domino’s leverages food delivery apps to get orders but manages the deliveries with their own riders, encompassing customer service under their hat.
Examples - Delivery Hero, GrubHub

3Select a Trusted Vendor

Make sure your vendor has a good track record. Here are some popular platforms where you can buy ready-made apps:

• App Development Agencies - There are lots of companies that make white-label food delivery apps.
• Marketplaces - There are websites where you can buy and customize food delivery app scripts.
• Freelancers - If you want something a little more tailored, you can hire a freelancer.
• Evaluate App Features

Whenever you are building an app, make sure you include all the essential features. You will need things like dashboards for your customers and restaurants, GPS tracking, payment gateways, and admin panels. You should talk to the vendor if you have any specific requirements.

4Discuss Terms and Conditions

Make sure you negotiate the terms of the purchase well when you choose an application. There are a lot of things to discuss, like pricing, licensing rights, updates, and ongoing support.

Make sure the agreement explains the terms of use, intellectual property rights, and customization options. Having clear guidelines will make the partnership smoother and the application more reliable.

5Customize the App for Your Needs

Make sure the app is customized to match your branding and requirements. In this case, it may be necessary to change the app's colour scheme, logo, and menu structure, or to include added features such as loyalty programs and promotional tools.

6Test the App Thoroughly

Make sure all aspects of the app are tested before launching. Make sure it is usable, fast, secure, and compatible with different devices. Fix any bugs or glitches to make sure the experience is smooth.

7Launch and Market Your App

Once the app is ready, launch it and begin your marketing campaign. Focus on digital marketing strategies, such as social media ads, influencer collaborations, and partnerships with local restaurants. You can even encourage user reviews and ratings to build credibility and attract new customers.

8Costs and Payment Structures

Buying a ready-made food delivery app can be expensive depending on the vendor, the app's complexity, and any customizations you want.

The cost of basic apps ranges from AED 2,000 to AED 15,000, while more sophisticated ones with extensive features can be AED 50,000 or more. Keep in mind maintenance, server hosting, and marketing costs as well.

Also Read- How to Build a Food Delivery App: Essential Features and Technical Insights

How to Monetize Your Ready Made Food Delivery App?

Monetization is one of the inescapable aspects of the food delivery app business model. If you are of mind to test the water of your food delivery app development, you must know how you will mint money from the new app.

Food delivery apps bring endless avenues to generate revenue. Typically, they blend or opt for the most considerable choice for their business.

1Advertisements

When you buy ready- made apps for your food delivery business, don’t turn blind eye to the hidden treasure. Yes, the remnant space in your app is your treasure. You can rent those spaces to other brands for advertisement to generate additional income.

In this scenario, restaurants can pay for prominent placement in search results to be featured on the app. This will simultaneously help you in attracting more customers.

2Order Commissions

Did you know, industry giants like DoorDash often charge commissions of up to 30%? This monetization strategy generates a significant portion of revenue for food delivery apps. To your surprise, there are policy-level discussions regarding the commissions. After all, it’s equally crucial to stay vigilant and updated with the policies.

3Delivery Fees

Delivery charges are a primary method for food delivery apps to generate revenue. However, this ticks the boxes of business models encompassing managing orders as well as deliveries, like DoorDash and Uber Eats. This crucially means customers are paying a fee for their food delivery.

A handful of food delivery platforms have a fixed rate, whereas others adjust the delivery charges based on the delivery distance. In essence, delivery charges are a boon in establishing a consistent income stream, but don't suffice the bare minimum of business to grow. Thus, successful delivery services often adopt a blend of different monetization strategies.

4Subscriptions

This is another tried and tested monetization strategy to generate additional revenue and offer increased flexibility to users. The subscription model allows users to pay a monthly fee and cherish unlimited free deliveries from selected restaurants for orders surpassing a defined threshold.

This option is especially appealing to users who regularly place orders while providing a constant and predictable passive income source. Simultaneously, this improves your earnings from commission as well.

Food Delivery Apps in the UAE: Future Trends

You should stay on top of the trends in the food delivery industry in the UAE if you wish to ensure the success of your app. The following are some key trends:

• Contactless delivery - Contactless delivery has become a major expectation since COVID-19 swept the country.
• AI and Automation - Delivery routes are being optimized, customer preferences are being predicted, and customer service is improving with artificial intelligence.
• Sustainability - Customers are becoming more interested in eco-friendly packaging and sustainable practices.

Also Read- Top 10 Food Delivery Apps That Made History: Learn From Market Leaders!

Conclusion

In the UAE, buying a ready-made food delivery app is a great way to get into the growing market, while minimizing investment and risk. If you follow this step-by-step guide, you can ensure that you make an informed decision aligned with your business goals and offer a seamless customer experience. Whether you are an entrepreneur or a restaurant, buying ready-made apps for your food delivery business is a good idea.

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)