How to Build an On Demand Home Service App with Demandium?

Why reinvent the wheel? 

Developers like us know time is money. So whenever I take on a project to build an on demand home service app I blindly follow one solution. Yes, blindly. 

And that is Demandium. With Demandium, you can build an on demand service app solution that works for small business clients and can scale when the client’s business grows. 

So, in today’s guide, I will walk you through the process of on demand service app development so you can submit your next client project without a headache. 

What is an On Demand Home Service App?

An on-demand home service app is a platform that connects users with professionals who offer services at their convenience. These services can be cleaning, plumbing, electrical, etc. 

Through home service apps customers can book services directly, schedule appointments, and track the whole process from arrival to completion of the task. This is a win-win for all-  service providers benefit from job opportunities, customers get their desired services at the time they need and the marketplace or app owner generates revenue through multiple channels. 

Step By Step Guide to Build an On Demand Home Service App with Demandium

Before we dive into the main steps of on-demand service app development, we should look at the pre-requisites. It will make sure we are on the right track from the very beginning – 

✅ Ensure you’ve purchased the Demandium solution to access all the necessary files and licenses.

✅ A server to store your website’s data. Make sure it meets the following specifications:

• PHP version 8.1 or higher
• MySQL version 8 or later

✅ Necessary server configuration and PHP extensions. You can get the full list from here. Generally, these extensions are enabled by default but to be on the safe side check with your hosting provider. 

✅ Purchase a domain and set up an SSL certificate for secure, encrypted connections.

✅ Mobile Application and Web Configuration

• IDE: Android Studio or Visual Studio Code (VS Code)
• Flutter SDK setup (version 3.22.0 Stable)
• JDK with path setup (only for VS Code users)
• Xcode for building IPA files

This is the list of all deliverables that come with the Demandium on demand service solution- 

✔️ Admin Panel
✔️ Provider Panel
✔️ User App
✔️ Flutter Web App
✔️ Landing Page
✔️ Provider App
✔️ Serviceman App

Once you check all the prerequisites, we can move forward to the next step where we will work in two different phases. The phases are – 

Phase 1: Build the Backend of on demand service booking app where we will go from script downloading, and installation to launching the home service platform. 

Phase 2: Build the frontend of on demand service booking app to launch them on different platforms like Google Play Store and App Store. 

Before going to the steps in detail we need to do the server and domain setup. Install the LAMP Stack on your server (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP) to prepare the environment. You need to set up your domain and subdomains in your cPanel. Purchase an SSL certificate or optionally you can use less secured SSL by Certbot. Lastly, upload the profile files on your server. 

Phase 1: Building the Backend 

Once your server is ready, follow these steps to set up your on-demand home service app with Demandium: 

Step 1: Set Up Your Database 

On the MySQL server create a new database. 

Now create a new user for the database. Assign a username and password.

Next, add the created user to the database that you created.

Assign the necessary privileges to the user to ensure they can manage the database.

Step 2: Configure Domain and Subdomains

Log in to your cPanel and navigate to the domain settings section.

Use your main domain for the customer-facing web panel and configure a subdomain, such as ‘admin.example.com,’ for the admin panel.

Step 3: Purchase & Download the Demandium Script

Purchase the Demandiium solution from CodeCanyon and download all the necessary files. 

Upload the Admin New Install.zip in your directory and extract the .zip file. 

Note: The Demandium script can be installed on either a main domain or subdomain (e.g., yourdomain.com or subdomain.yourdomain.com)

Step 4: Install the Demandium Software

Navigate to your website’s URL, and you’ll be directed to the installation page. Begin the installation by clicking the “Get Started” button. 

Verify that all required extensions and permissions are enabled on your server. Click “Proceed Next” to continue.

Enter your CodeCanyon username and purchase code to activate your Demandium license.

Then click “Continue” to move forward.

Input the required database information (Database Host, Database Name, Database Username, and Password) and then click on “Continue” to proceed with the installation.

Press the “Click Here” button to import the database

Step 5: Admin Account Setup

Provide essential details like business name, admin name, email, and phone number to create the super admin credentials. Then click “Complete Installation” to finalize the admin account creation.

Step 6: Configure the Admin Panel

After installation click on the “Admin Panel” button to access the Demandium Admin Panel.

Step 7: Launch the Website

Return to the installation page and click “Landing Page.” From here, you can view the customer-facing website or landing page and start managing home service business from the admin panel.

In the admin panel, configure the system settings by following these steps:

• Business Settings
• Third-party API integration
• Payment and SMS gateway setup
• Social media and landing page configuration
• Setup of business zones for operation

Phase 2: Building the Frontend 

I hope you remember the pre-requisite I mentioned earlier in this blog. If you have ticked all the boxes on that checklist let’s move on to the next part of the app-building process. 

Step 1: Environment Setup 

You need to set up your development environment depending on your operating system (Windows, Linux, or macOS).

For Windows:

• Download and install Android Studio.
• Follow the installation wizard, launch Android Studio, and install SDK components.
• Download Flutter SDK and extract it to your desired location.
• Add flutter\bin to your system’s PATH variable.
• Verify the Flutter installation by running the Flutter Doctor command.

Get a more detailed idea from this documentation. 

For Linux:

• Download and install Android Studio.
• Extract and move the Flutter archive folder to your installation directory.
• Add Flutter to the system path by running commands like – .bashrc, .zshrc, or .profile. 
• Verify Flutter installation with Flutter Doctor.

Get a more detailed idea from this documentation. 

For macOS:

• Download Android Studio, open the DMG file, and drag it to the Applications folder.
• Extract Flutter SDK and add it to the system path.
• Install Xcode from the App Store to build the iOS version.
• Verify Flutter setup using the Flutter Doctor command.

Get a more detailed idea from this documentation. 

Once the environment is set up, restart Android Studio and install Flutter plugins.

Step 2: Verify Flutter & Environment Setup 

Run an existing Flutter project to ensure your environment setup is correct. Use the Flutter Doctor command to check if all necessary tools are installed and configured properly.

This tutorial here shows how to open Demandium Project on Android Studio to help you with Flutter verification and environment setup.

Step 3: Change the App Logo & Icon

To customize the app for on demand home service business, replace the default logo and app icons that match the brand. 

You can watch this tutorial here to change the app logo and icon without any hassle –

Step 4: Change the base URL

The base URL is crucial for connecting your app to the backend server. Update the base URL in the Flutter app’s configuration file to match your domain or server.

This tutorial explains in detail how to do that –

Step 5: Change the App Package

Changing the app package is necessary to align the app with your project name and avoid conflicts with other apps. For this open the AndroidManifest.xml file located at app/src/main/AndroidManifest.xml. Modify the package name in the file to reflect your desired name. 

Watch this tutorial to learn and implement it more quickly – 

Step 6: Build & Release the App

After configuring the app, you are ready to build and release it.

For Android:

Follow this tutorial on how to generate Debug APK which you can upload to the Google Play Store for distribution.

For iOS:

Open Xcode and build the app for iOS. Use Apple’s TestFlight or directly upload the app to the App Store for iOS deployment.

Note: iOS apps cannot be installed outside the App Store or TestFlight, so make sure to follow Apple’s guidelines for deployment.

Conclusion

Now that you have the technical knowledge on how to build an on demand home service app using Demandium, I hope you’re ready to turn your client’s vision into reality. Demandium is designed specifically to streamline the process of on demand multi service app development. So with the tools and knowledge you have right now, I believe you’re ready to create a powerful home service app. Build that and take your portfolio to the next level!

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