Digimagaz.com – People are dependent on on-demand apps for everything from booking taxi rides to hiring home cleaners, ordering food, and much more. Instead of driving to supermarkets or local vendors, people prefer ordering groceries online and enjoying quick doorstep deliveries.
It won’t be wrong to say that today’s consumers are ready to pay premium prices for super quick and high-quality delivery services. Well, Instacart sensed this way back, and today, they are a successful on-demand delivery app with a market capitalization of USD 6.60 billion.
So, what made them a popular choice among the customers? There are several reasons, but the key ones include its amazing UI and UX, cutting-edge algorithms, and competitive customer service.
What Are Algorithms? Why Are They Important for Instacart Clone App Development?
Algorithms are step-by-step procedures or formulas. They are designed to perform specific tasks or solve a particular problem. In the case of an on-demand grocery delivery app like Instacart, these algorithms can be used to find the nearest supermarket, assign a delivery driver, display accurate inventory counts, etc.
These algorithms are a set of instructions that guide the app’s system to execute a series of operations to get the desired outcome. These essential algorithms play a huge role. Along with solving problems, they also help in:
- Optimizing the processes and making them more efficient.
- Automates and enhances multiple tasks, reducing a human’s intervention.
- Algorithms are used to study the data and improve the app’s performance.
- Smart algorithms are also used in route planning, resource allocation, and service scheduling.
Let’s learn more about the essential algorithms that you should integrate into your platform during the development process. Furthermore, if you are investing in a ready-made app and not opting for Instacart Clone app development from scratch, make sure that your service provider has integrated the following algorithms.
Instacart Clone App – Essential Algorithms to Integrate
Unquestionably, algorithms are the backbone of every mobile app that is built with the motive of solving customer’s problems. Using the right set of algorithms, you can make your business technically advanced, help everyday grocery shoppers get what they want, and make easy income.
Route Optimization Algorithm
The algorithm determines the best delivery route for the drivers. This is undoubtedly one of the most essential algorithms because it helps minimize travel time, saves fuel costs, and lets your business make quick grocery deliveries.
How does it work?
The algorithm uses data such as location, distance, vehicle capacity, etc. It then formulates a specific routing problem, generating an initial solution that is used as a starting point to optimize the process. The algorithm improves the initial solution using several optimization techniques. Thereafter, the algorithm finds the best solution for the problem based on the objective goals.
Real-Time Tracking Algorithm
The algorithm provides its users with live updates about their grocery delivery status. These live updates ensure transparency with the user.
The real-time tracking algorithm continuously monitors and updates the grocery delivery’s status, providing users with live updates on their orders. These live updates are provided to users through push notifications. Additionally, users can view the delivery driver’s live location and the estimated arrival time of their order on the map.
How does it work?
The real-time tracking algorithm works by using GPS technology, which keeps a check on the delivery vehicle’s location. The delivery driver’s live location is regularly updated on the map and displayed on the app’s map so that the user can see exactly where their groceries are at the moment.
The algorithm also considers live traffic conditions to suggest the fastest route to the driver so that they can quickly reach the user’s location. As per the delivery’s progress, users receive notifications on their Instacart Clone app. In short, the real-time tracking algorithm ensures a smooth and transparent delivery process.
Dynamic Pricing Algorithms
Using this algorithm, the prices are adjusted on the application depending on the real-time demand and availability of the item(s). The supply and demand algorithm is integrated into the system to provide and optimize revenue for the platform owner as well as the grocery stores or local retailers.
How does it work?
The algorithm works by adjusting the prices of products based on various factors, such as discounts during off-peak hours, higher demands, promotions, etc.
- Demand and supply: This algorithm checks how many people are ordering groceries from the same supermarket and how many groceries are available. Therefore, if the demand is high, supplies can be limited at the moment, which leads to an increase in prices temporarily
- Special discounts: The app offers special discounts or low prices on items to attract more customers. The user can apply these special discounts and get price cuts.
- Promotions: The algorithm considers ongoing promotions on the application and sets the item’s prices accordingly.
Automated Dispatching Algorithm
The automated dispatch system quickly assigns the delivery tasks to the drivers, depending on several factors, such as distance, traffic, and the delivery window.
How does it work?
The dispatching algorithm has a simple workflow in the grocery delivery application. When a user orders on the application, the algorithm quickly finds out which delivery driver is the closest to the user’s location. The system assigns the delivery driver who is available to take the order and quickly deliver it to the user’s location. The algorithm is a super-efficient dispatcher system that assigns the right driver for the order, making the entire process more smooth and speedy.
Other algorithms that can be integrated during the Instacart Clone app development process are:
- Geofencing algorithms: these algorithms are used to create a virtual perimeter that is used to provide alerts whenever a delivery driver enters or exists in that zone. Geofencing is mainly handled by the app admin to mark a particular area or zone where grocery delivery services are not available.
- Rating and feedback algorithms: this algorithm is used to display recommended products or grocery stores based on user’s previous orders and preferences. The system makes these recommendations based on the ratings and feedback provided by the user.
Final Words
There are several important algorithms that you should consider integrating with your on-demand grocery application. From assigning the delivery driver to displaying recommended products and optimizing the routes, everything depends on the algorithms used in the app.
Therefore, when looking for an Instacart Clone app development firm, ask them about the list of algorithms they have used. It will help you understand the functionality of the app and its performance capabilities.
Moreover, to get a better understanding of the app, try the Instacart Clone demo app built for the firm on your iOS and Android devices. Once you feel that the algorithms work well, the overall design is seamless, and the platform is bug-free, go ahead and invest in the solution. Furthermore, if you want to quickly launch the application without splurging millions of dollars, it’s best to buy a ready-made Instacart-like grocery delivery app.
