People look for comfort and flexibility in this modern and technological era, even for the most primitive tasks like grocery shopping. While grocery shopping remains a mandatory task for day-to-day livelihood, online grocery shopping has taken over the world. Unlike offline grocery shopping, where you have to go to the market, pick the needful, and stand in long queues to complete the payment, online grocery shopping has reduced the overall workload. The on-demand grocery delivery businesses are popular these days for their convenience. With such online grocery delivery options, life has become easy and flexible for people since they can order the needful from anywhere and at any time.
Essentially a SaaS-based online grocery delivery software is used to manage grocery-related tasks like delivery, drop-off, pickup, and real-time progress checking of the various delivery personnel. In short, it is a one-stop solution for managing and providing all grocery-related issues.
It also takes up the job of handling a complete order, starting from the time of order to the time of delivery. From a user’s perspective, they can use this app to order grocery and daily household items at their doorstep at a stipulated price.
E-commerce giants are constantly scouting this online market sector since it holds a lot of potential. They are heavily investing in developing such software that provides convenience to the customers and hence grows in popularity over time. Online grocery app developers are developing these SaaS-based apps for Android and iOS mobile phones since these two are the most widely used ones.
Basic Business Model for SaaS-based Online Grocery Delivery Software
At the end of the day, apart from providing convenience to the customers, the other primary aim for app developers and companies is to do business. In today’s commercial world, there is no point in providing service if the company does not receive any return on the investment. Hence, SaaS-based online grocery delivery software follows three basic business models.
Grant Model
The grant model is one of the most basic grocery delivery business models. It follows a basic subscription-based model. Here, the money is made depending on the services you provide.
Moreover, you need to include such services in the subscription plan. Once a user opts for a particular subscription plan gets the designated services while the company receives a specific part of the subscription fee.
Commission Fee Model
The commission fee model is a bit complicated regarding its implications on an online grocery delivery platform. It is a model where the commission fee is charged based on the other best items on the platform. The price also changes and depends on best-selling and high-demand products.
Service Charge Model
This is another popular business model followed by online grocery delivery services. This model is preferred more by online grocery stores running independently where they use their own funds to develop apps for taking and delivering orders. They create revenue by charging the customers a minimal service fee on every order taken and delivered.
Various SaaS-based Online Grocery Delivery Software
As discussed earlier, a SaaS-based or on-demand grocery delivery software solution is one through which customers can order groceries and related products online from the comfort of their homes.
Usually, most of these grocery delivery apps follow the grand business model. Here the customers pay a certain monthly or annual subscription fee to avail of particular services.
While the whole idea of a SaaS-based online grocery delivery software is unitary, it contains different types. All these types have their own set of terms and conditions defined by the company.
Grocery Series
The grocery series is an application where a single app provides various services. It offers multiple services under one roof, hence providing increased customer convenience.
The managing and operating terms of such apps are similar to those apps operated by small and independent shops. Every micro-task is managed seamlessly with minimal glitches and issues for the customers.
Marketplace
The marketplace apps dedicated to serving online grocery delivery solutions work effectively to bridge the gap between app users, customers, service providers, and merchants.
These apps provide direct contact between the app users and the merchants. Through these apps, the merchants can display their available stock. The users can connect with these merchants through the app to ask for their required products.
Aggregators
The aggregator type of application works similarly to a marketplace-like app where the app lists all the stores and merchants in a particular region. App users can choose from the nearby stores, check the availability of the products, select the required ones and place their order.
This type of app is most used where the customer can track their order and delivery status through updates made through the app.
Here is how these apps actually work.
- The app user selects from the list of nearby stores or merchants.
- The user adds the required products to their cart for final order placement.
- The payment terms are cleared after checking out.
- The app confirms the order, and the required system is provided to track the user’s order status.
Self-standing Grocery Store Apps
Many retailers and merchants still aim to provide dedicated grocery services. They develop their own apps that effectively collect and process user experiences. Although this application model generally works in terms of the user selecting the product, adding them to the cart, paying, and getting the products, it also offers higher customer satisfaction.
In-store Grocery Apps
Supermarkets and in-store grocery services have started combining with e-commerce giants to develop a grocery delivery app that caters to all sorts of needs of the customers.
Apart from providing grocery services, these apps also serve other functionalities such as providing core e-commerce services. These apps use quality technology where users can enable updates and push notifications for various offers.
Features of a SaaS-based Online Grocery Delivery Software
Here are some basic features included in a SaaS-based online grocery delivery software.
User Panel
- Sign up process for users shall be efficient.
- Proper categorization of various products.
- Wishlisting options for the quick saving of the products.
- The search panel should work efficiently for customers to search through a plethora of products.
- Real-time system for order tracking.
- Offer and discount notifications for all users.
- Efficient payment methods and gateways for smooth collection of payments and subscription fees.
Admin Panel
- Dashboard for app managers to track inventory, orders, payments, etc.
- Proper communication with merchants, retailers, and shop owners.
- Accepting and processing all payment terms.
- Provide real-time order status.
- We are maintaining the app’s functioning to provide seamless service to the users.
Delivery Panel
- Embedding proper technology for providing real-time tracking status.
- Accepting and declining offers based on customer location and availability.
- Proper notification after orders to the merchants.
- Provide delivery status and confirmation to the customers.
Wrapping Up
There is a growing need for convenience among the customers, even if it is for grocery shopping. Hence, multiple e-commerce giants, small merchants, retailers, and shop owners are partnering to develop high-quality online apps for grocery delivery.
These apps come as a one-stop solution for all grocery-related needs. Some apps even provide extra e-commerce services. Hence such apps are much up the ante to deliver the best services.