How to create an app like Yelp?

By Snigdha | Last Updated on May 28th, 2023 10:58 am | 4-min read

There was a time when word of mouth was all you needed to bring in new customers. However, as more businesses are emerging every day and you expand your presence online, there is a need for that extra edge. Hence, review apps similar to Yelp have gained importance and prominence.

A review app or directory app like Yelp can help people with making informed choices and set realistic goals

Yelp enjoys more than 184 million reviews worldwide, and all these consumers can easily see all the businesses operational in their area, and the experience their clients have had with them.

Since Yelp or a review app like Yelp has experienced such popularity, entrepreneurs are drawn towards making an app like Yelp and enjoy proportionate success. Most people never act upon these ideas because of the financial and time constraints. However, with Appy Pie’s no-code app builder lets you create an app like Yelp without coding and without burning a hole in their pocket.

Create a directory app like Yelp

What is Yelp and how does it work?

Yelp is a review and social networking app. The entire project is crowd-sourced and has reviews for local businesses like restaurants, bars, grocery stores, salons, doctors, realtors, etc. The app users submit a review of their experiences with the businesses and provide a rating. Over the years, Yelp has emerged as one of the most reliable review aggregators online.

The app uses geolocation to show a list of all the local businesses in the areato the app users. Users can get all the information including the contact details, directions, and reviews from fellow Yelp users.

Top must-have features for an app like Yelp

There are a number of things that contribute to the success of an app like Yelp, and at the top of the list are the features it has. If you plan to create an app like Yelp, pay attention to the features listed below and consider adding to your app.

Newsfeed
The app has a social element to it, which is why it is a good idea to add a newsfeed for the app users to be able to see all the activities, news, and notifications chronologically. Scrolling down the newsfeed, app users would be able to see all the activities and interact with the ones that interest them.

Location-based search
The whole point of creating a directory app like Yelp is to provide a list of businesses nearest to their location. Hence, a location-based search feature is instrumental to the proper functioning of the app you plan to make. The feature improves the user experience for the app users so that they only get to see the business listings that are most relevant to them.

User profile
Let the app users create a profile, where they can add all the important details like contact information and the address or location. These details help establish authenticity and the search for the right listings. Users can also add photos and videos of the businesses they have visited on their user profiles.

Review and rating
This feature is the essence of the entire application. It allows your app users to review the businesses and rate them as per their experiences. These ratings can then be viewed by anyone visiting the reviewer’s profile or the business listing.

Admin panel
The admin panel will let an app admin have an overview of the entire app. When integrated with the CMS, the admin panel allows the app admin to edit information, manage the services, block and delete users, and more.

Social Sign in
Integrating social media and allowing social media logins simplifies the process of registration for the users so that they can create users profiles without a hassle. The easier the process, the higher the chances of users registering on your app.

Push notifications
Communication is instrumental to the success of any business, and your app will be no exception. Push notifications are the most effective when it comes to relaying information about promos, deals, or offers and bringing back inactive app users.

How to create an app like Yelp?

In this post, we have explained what Yelp is, how it works, and the features you must add to an app like Yelp. It is time to look at the most pertinent question – how to create an app like Yelp.

It can be a little intimidating to think about creating a directory app like Yelp, as the app is complex and has some great features that sets it apart from many other apps like Yelp in the market. However, Appy Pie alleviates all the intimidating complexities and makes it easy for small businesses and entrepreneurs to make an app without worrying about money, time, or skill limitations.