How to Develop a Home Service App Like Thumbtack: Everything You Need to Know

Updated 04 Apr 2024
Published 18 Apr 2023
Satyam Chaturvedi 2121 Views
App Like Thumbtack

The on-demand home servicing apps are dynamically blooming due to the high demand for professionals for home servicing. These apps are helping customers get the services they need with a click.

One of the best examples is- an app like Thumbtack, which has finished 70 million projects till now and is recognized as one of the best handyman apps. Its annual revenue is $74.0 million. This app helps its users find a professional for a specific service.

Since its launch, this app has proven itself to be one of the best service marketplaces. Apps like Thumbtack are making life easy and people are leveraging these types of apps. If you are looking for top app ideas in 2023 to generate revenue, then developing an app based on a similar concept is beneficial.

Let’s continue the reading with some key stats first, then we will proceed to know complete information about how to develop a home service app like Thumbtack.

Key Stats & Facts: On-demand Home Services Market

Since its foundation (2008), Thumbtack has earned more than 10 million users, and now, its reported valuation is $3.2 billion. That makes it one of the topmost apps among other available handyman apps. Although there are other services and apps also available over the internet

Key Stats & Facts On-demand Home Services Market

So, here are some of the key stats related to the worldwide household care industry.

  • The worldwide household care segment’s revenue will be $76.15 billion by the end of 2023, and it will surpass $138.80 billion by 2027.
  • By 2027, the expected number of users will be 930.60 million.
  • The global on-demand home services market will be worth $14.7 billion by 2030.
  • Key services of the on-demand home services market are home cleaning, repairs & maintenance, health & wellness, and others.
  • Key players in the online home services market are Amazon.com, Thumbtack, TaskRabbit, Urban Company, HomeAdvisor, and HouseJoy.
  • The US on-demand home services market will be $1.7 billion by 2028, with a CAGR(2021-2028) of 49.4%.
  • 60% of US consumers prefer to book home services online via a mobile app, and 42% of users trust subscription-based services.
  • Especially if we talk about the Thumbtack app, 200,000+ professionals are working with it, and the number of its employees is 1000+.

These stats represent the big picture of the online on-demand home services market, which is even bigger than our thoughts.

The marketplace apps like UrbanClap and TaskRabbit, including Thumbtack, are tremendously working to improve their service quality and widen their service range. If you plan to build your app like Thumbtack for business, then there are ample chances of growth.

To have a deeper understanding, it is also necessary for you to understand how it works. The upcoming section of the blog will take you through how it works.

How does Thumbtack App work?

Thumbtack

Behind the working of the Thumbtack app, there is an equal contribution of technology and its business model.

From a technology perspective, Machine Learning also works to match customers with professionals. The customers only need to fill their service request with their Zip code, and then the box will, in return, provide an auto-list of services.

Once the user selects it, they have an extensive list of service providers that they can choose from based on experience or ratings provided by other users.

There are multiple filters that users can choose to find specific experts. Customers can connect with service providers via call, Message, or Direct Booking. On the other hand, Thumbtack charges the professionals based on pay-per-lead.

The professionals need to make their profile on the Thumbtack app and after background verification, they are ready to accept the request via portal or app. Once the job is done, they can receive payment from the customers.

The Thumbtack Business Model

Thumbtack is a fantastic platform that connects customers with home service providers or contractors. Let’s break it into two parts, which are the value proposition and the monetization model.

The Thumbtack Business Model

1. Value Proposition

Customers

Finding a service professional quickly from the extensive database of service providers is a prime value proposition for customers. The objective for customers Thumbtack is to ease the process of hiring professionals. The associated advantages are:

  • Background check of professionals
  • Contact- Fewer Payments
  • Insurance guarantee or no-show reimbursement

Professionals

The value proposition for professionals is providing them with a platform where they can connect with customers, advertise their services, and ensure their earnings. A professional can earn $70 an hour. The advantages associated  with this are:

  • Instant earnings after service completion.
  • Self-work management at your convenience.
  • Growing customer network

Develop your home service app

2. Monetization Model

The sole objective of an app is to earn from it by connecting customers to home servicing pros. If you are planning to develop an app like Thumbtack then let’s check some popular monetization models you can choose from.

  • Commission

One of the common on-demand home services monetization models is where a business earns a commission on each deal between customers and pros.

  • Subscriptions

Out of the total online home services app users, 40% prefer subscriptions. Based on their needs users can choose subscription models.

  • Advertisements

ads can’t be used as a primary monetization strategy, but you can earn via them. So, try to use third-party advertising smartly on your site or app without distracting the customers.

  • Partnership

you can also earn by partnering with other brands selling home equipment, devices, or more. You will work as an affiliate, so you will get some commission if a customer makes a purchase.

  • Pay-Per-Lead

Apps like Thumbtack also earn from lead generation. It charges a fee to share the lead with home service professionals. The app earns a 20% commission on each lead provided to the professionals.

Due to current market trends, household cleaning services apps are continuously progressing and generating good revenue.

You can also have an app like Thumbtack, but you also need to know the factors to consider while developing the app on a similar idea to the Thumbtack app. So, let’s proceed with further reading.

Know more: How to Develop a Home Maintenance Service App like Fanni in Dubai?

Key Factors to consider before Building an App like Thumbtack

It is okay that you will have your app developed with experts’ help or via Handyman app development services. But some factors can help you create a good impact in the market.

Here are these:

factors to consider before building app like thumbtack

1. Identify your Audience

It is essential to know who will be your customers for the success of your app. Here, you need to identify what services are in demand.

What kind of customers prefer to book these? And how you can help them regarding their queries. Once you are done with all these, you have won half the battle.

2. Market & Competitor Research

The next crucial factor you need to consider is market and competitor research. Find out what services have low competition and what services have high competition. The services with low competition are easy to start with.

From the competitor’s point of view, you need to keep track of what services your competitors offer. Then find out where you can do better than your competitors. It will help you to have great growth.

3. App Design

It does not matter how many advanced features you have in your app; users need to navigate these and find the design smooth and attractive to take an interest in it. Almost all unsuccessful apps have one thing in common, and that is poor UI/UX.

Graphic design and  UI/UX play a crucial role in an on-demand app like Thumbtack. All types of users will use your home services app, so it must have a fine design to attract users and provide them with a seamless experience.

Home Services designs

4. Platforms

If you opt for Home Services mobile app development, you must decide which mobile platform you will launch the app on, i.e., Android or iOS. Here, you need to check first that your target audience prefers which platform to use.

If you want to target all platform users, cross-platform app development is the right way. It will connect with all platform users.

5. Service Pricing Model

Multiple home services apps exist and provide services with optimized prices. So, try to determine what price you can offer without any loss, and the customer must find it convenient to order the services.

Slightly high prices can be okay, but if your price exceeds that of your competitors, you will be in a tough survival mode. It is also better to decide about the offers and discounts to engage the customers.

6. Marketing Strategy

Marketing strategy is also crucial while developing a Thumbtack clone or app similar to Thumbtack. Suppose you have developed your app passionately, and it has all the plus points that others do not have, but users need to learn about it. Then all efforts are wasted.

Make a marketing strategy blueprint so that you can do more to promote and market your app than others can’t. It will give you an extra edge in the competition.

After reading about all these factors, I hope you are ready to develop your app. Still, if you are figuring out how to do it? Then let’s proceed to the next section of this blog, which will take you through simple steps to develop a smart home app like Thumbtack.

How to Develop an App like Thumbtack in Easy Steps?

The following steps will help you transform your app idea into a reality.

How to Develop An App Like Thumbtack

1. Idea & Scope

If you are reading this, it is confirmed that you are interested in developing an app similar to Thumbtack. But things continue; similar apps are already available, so formulate your idea to make a distinct on-demand handyman mobile app and define its scope.

2. Conduct Market Research

Extensive market research will help you get an insight into the market trends and what your competitors are doing to grow their business with the on-demand home servicing marketplace.

Once it is done, you have an idea that what you need to do in your app that will separate it from its competitors.

3. Choose a Business Model

The objective of developing an app like Thumbtack is to earn money from it. So decide about its business model and revenue model, how it earns, and how it will facilitate its stakeholders.

You can choose any of the models, such as the Subscription model, commission model, pay-per-lead model, or any other.

4. Hire an on-demand App Development Company

Alone you can’t create an app because it requires expertise, and also, do not start taking app development lessons.

The work can be done easily by hiring a handyman app development company. The experts will assist you with creating a wireframe to launch the app.

If your question is- how to hire the best mobile app development team? Then you need to check their portfolio, experience, projects done so far, the team of experts, development cost, and quality analysis process. So, hire experts after satisfying all the mentioned criteria.

app like urbanclap

5. Start With An MVP

The best idea to develop a handyman app or on-demand services app is to start with MVP. It stands for a minimum viable product.

The MVP app contains all the essential features that a user needs or interacts with. Later, you can add advanced functionalities and features after receiving the feedback.

6. Test & Launch

Once the app is developed, it is time to test it to bring out its real potential. For the best user experience, bug-free apps are one of the requirements. So, test the app in real-time conditions,  remove flaws, and set it ready to use by customers.

Although these are some simple steps to develop an online home services app like Thumbtack, if you have any doubts, it would be best to consult with a home service app development company.

Although you have gone through all the development steps, what are the must-have features you need to include in your app? The upcoming section is dedicated to letting you know about it.

Read more: Best Handyman Apps for Nearby Handyman Services

Key Features to Include while developing app like Thumbtack

Without features, do not even think about the Home for Marketplace app and other On-demand service mobile apps. Here I will share the list of key features to include in your app, similar to Thumbtack.

Key Features To Include while Developing App Like Thumbtack

1. User Onboarding

Users of apps like Thumbtack are end customers and home service providers.  For their onboarding, ensure a seamless registration process so they can easily register their account.

2. Powered Search

Remember the search bar of Thumbtack. In your app, you need to implement a similar functionality that allows users to search for the desired home services and professionals.

3. Service Category Menu

It is one of the important features of an on-demand home service app that displays all types of categories so the users can choose the desired one from the dropdown, then navigate to the list of particular service providers.

4. Profile Creation

The profile creation feature allows customers and professionals to create profiles showcasing all essential details. In a professional’s profile, you can view their service expertise details, price, and others.

Profile Creations

5. Search Filters

Search filters provide extra functionality to search about any service. The users can search by applying filters such as service name, cost range, distance, and others.

For example: for plumbing services, you can apply filters like inspection, installation, drain repair, and more.

6. Request A Quote

The request-a-quote feature allows customers to send a service request to professionals. Once they respond with price details and customers find it suitable, they can book the services.

7. Multi-Payment Methods

Multi-payment methods will facilitate the users to pay as per their preferred payment methods, like a credit card, debit card, net banking, etc. Here, you can also implement an eWallet dedicated to an app like Thumbtack.

Multi-Payment Methods

8. In-app Chat

The in-app chat option helps users connect with professionals or vice–versa. Both can message each other to have a discussion about the services. Here, you need to ensure that the chat remains encrypted and safe.

9. Reviews & Ratings

Once the service is done, users can rate the professionals based on star-rating systems. They can also provide their feedback, which you can use later to improve the service quality.

rating

10. Ask For Support

For better customer satisfaction and engagement, customer support plays an important role. It must remain available throughout the app, so your users must find it easily and use it to ask for support whenever they want.

11. Push Notifications

Push notifications are for direct information sharing with customers. At any moment, the app admin can send a common or specific message to all app users regarding any updates, offers, discounts, ongoing deals, and more.

12. Offers & Discounts

The offers and discounts help increase the customer loyalty index. Under its features, users can view promo codes, offers details, and other festive offers.

Choosing the Right Tech Stack to Develop an App like Thumbtack

The right tech stack plays a crucial role in developing a robust and seamless app. Due to the evolution in programming technology, multiple tools and technology platforms are available for developing Android, iOS, and Windows apps.

Choose the tech stack that can help you develop any platform app offering a native experience. It will be more beneficial. So, here are the details of the tech stack.

  • DevOps: GitHub, Git, Amazon EC2 Conta, Webpack, New Relic, Bugsang
  • Application: Kotlin, Swift, Golang, Objective-C, Python, Nginx, JavaScript, React JS
  • Database: Postgre, MongoDB, Influx DB, Snowflake, Amazon RedShift
  • Utilities: Google Analytics, TensorFlow, PowerBI, Looker, Twilio SendGrid
  • Messaging: Twilio, AWS SNS
  • Video Call: MirrorFly, Sinch, Vonage
  • Geolocation: Google Maps
  • Payment Gateways: PayPal, Stripe

The mentioned tech stack is ideal for developing an on-demand home services app. You can confirm more details from any handyman app development service provider if you need more details.

on-demand handyman mobile app

Conclusion

Developing an app like Thumbtack is beneficial as demand for online home services apps is increasing. By 2027, the number of home services or household care app users will be 93 billion.

So, instead of waiting, it is a perfect time to develop and launch an app like TaskRabbit, Thumbtack, or any home services app.

Involving experts can help you to develop the app in the right way, and it can also help you to stand out from the competition. While developing, you must also keep the best customer experience in mind.

I have shared almost all the points that can greatly help you in this guide. For more details, you can contact us any time. Arka Softwares – an on-demand app development company used to develop all types of mobile apps for our global clients. Our team of experts can help you to implement your home services app idea in the right way.

FAQs related to Home Service App like Thumbtack

Satyam Chaturvedi

Satyam Chaturvedi is a Digital Marketing Manager at Arka Softwares, a leading app development company dealing in modern and futuristic solutions. He loves to spend his time studying the latest market insights.

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