How Gojek & Grab Mastered the Super App Model?

Over the last decade, app stores have become crowded with a wide range of apps, spanning shopping, gaming, and social media, among other things. You can now discover an app for nearly any requirement. But as technology progresses and people start feeling tired of using multiple apps, a new trend is emerging in the market. It’s all about moving from apps that serve a single purpose to apps that do many things, often called Super Apps. So just plain and simple talk about how they became the masters of the Super App model like Gojek and Grab. So, grab a cup of coffee, and let’s dive in!

Super App – What’s That?

A super app is a mobile or web application that combines many different services into one platform, often known as a multi-service tech platform.

There are around 6.84 billion smartphones globally, as reported by ExplodingTopics. Out of these, approximately 1.2 billion use the super app WeChat, according to Statista. It’s predicted that by 2027, over 50% of the world’s population will be daily users of super apps, according to a forecast from Gartner in 2022.

Super App is taking over Asia

Super apps have become incredibly favored in Asia, especially in China. There are a few key reasons for their success.

Firstly, in China, many people’s first satisfaction with the internet was on a mobile device because the Google search engine was blocked in 2010. This means that most of the population started with mobile internet, and this has continued.

Additionally, many Asian countries share similar cultures, making their markets quite similar. This allows businesses to offer consistent services across multiple countries, which has contributed to the popularity of super apps.

Furthermore, a large percentage of the population in Southeast Asia doesn’t have access to traditional banking. Super apps have been a great help here by providing integrated digital wallets. This has made digital payments the norm in the region.

Lastly, the Chinese government has embraced super apps like WeChat and AliPay to provide various public services and even replace traditional IDs with digital alternatives.

Creating a successful super app – key steps:

Pick the Right Platform: Decide whether you want to build a Native, Hybrid, or Web app. Choose based on your resources and budget.

Plan Your Features: A super app typically offers social features, e-commerce services, financial tools, transportation options, and food delivery. These features create user engagement and loyalty.

Business Model: Determine how you’ll make money with your app.

Build Your Team: Identify the people you’ll need to develop your app effectively. Understand their roles and responsibilities.

Develop, Design, & Test: Your goal is to keep users engaged and prevent them from switching to competitors. Develop and design your app with this in mind.

Security and Keep Updating: Security is crucial. Continuously update your app to keep it relevant.

Summing Up

Gojek and Grab took a simple idea of ride-hailing and turned it into a one-stop shop for everything you need. They mastered the super app model with expertise, authority, and trustworthiness, offering unparalleled convenience and adapting to local needs. Their journey is a testament to what’s possible when you dream big and execute it with precision.