The Middle East is booming – you look at the diverse population, tax-free jobs, and thriving businesses. In each sector, from healthcare to real estate to oil and gas and banking, you’ll see that the talent pool is growing, and there is still demand for more global talent because of the population’s growing needs.
That’s why job portals specific to the Middle East and cater to regions like Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah are super-hot and profitable. Still, companies need more platforms to advertise and optimise their hiring campaigns, while job seekers want more platforms to apply. This makes job-hunting app development a lucrative venture. If you are sold on building a portal like Indeed but one dedicated to the Middle East, here is a quick guide covering everything you need to know before hiring a mobile app development company in Dubai for this venture.
Let’s start!
Step 1: Planning
Define App Goals
Start by listing down your job portal’s goals: connecting job seekers with employers, facilitating the job application process, and generating revenue through job postings or premium services.
Identify Target Audience
Then list the pain points of global job seekers and employers in the Middle East market.
Conduct Market Research
Analyse the existing job portal market in the Middle East, including current trends, user behaviour, and competitor strategies.
Analyse Competitors
Study successful job portals like Indeed, Bayt, and NaukriGulf to identify best practices, popular features, and areas for differentiation.
Create a Feature List
Develop a comprehensive list of features such as advanced search filters based on years of experience, specialisation, academic qualification, salary filters, etc., then add features like resume upload, job alerts, and application tracking.
Establish Budget
Determine the budget for design, development, content creation, marketing, and ongoing maintenance and inform the same to your prospective app development company in Dubai.
Set Timeline
Decide a timeline to meet strategy, design, development, testing, launching and marketing tasks.
Develop a Project Plan
Hire a full-scale mobile app development company in Dubai for development execution.
Step 2: Prototyping
Sketch Basic Layouts
Draw initial layouts for key screens such as the home screen, job listings, and job detail pages.
Define Navigation Structure
Create a clear and intuitive navigation system that allows users to browse and search for jobs easily and for companies to add free and sponsored listings.
Create Low-Fidelity Wireframes
Develop wireframes focusing on layout and functionality without detailed design elements.
Plan User Flow
Map out the user journey from job search to application submission. And for companies from adding a job vacancy to resume receipt.
Get Stakeholder Feedback on Wireframes
Collect feedback from potential users, employers, and stakeholders to refine the wireframes.
Create High-Fidelity Mockups
Design detailed mockups with visual elements, including colours, fonts, and images.
Choose Color Scheme and Typography
Select colours and fonts that convey professionalism and appeal to the target audience. Go with black and ice blue, teal and orange, and maybe vibrant purple with white.
Conduct Usability Testing and Revise Mockups
Ask users in an online community like Reddit to review the design. Then take their feedback and implement improvisations.
Step 3: Monetization Strategy
Research Monetization Options
Explore different revenue models, such as job posting fees, premium listings, ads, and employer subscription services.
Analyze Competitor Monetization Models
Understand how competitors monetize their job portals to identify effective strategies.
Define Pricing Strategy
Develop a pricing model for job postings, premium features, and subscription services that balances affordability and profitability.
Plan Premium Features
For a fee, offer premium features like enhanced visibility for job postings, featured employer profiles, and resume database access.
Implement Ad Placements
Integrate ads in a non-intrusive manner. These can be video or banner ads, but they should be balanced between habit loops and user experience.
Consider Subscription Services
Offer subscription plans for employers with benefits like unlimited job postings, detailed analytics, and applicant tracking tools.
Step 4: Development
Set Up Technology Stack
Configure the development environment with the necessary tools and frameworks for building the mobile app. It could have programming language and software development toolkits like XCode.
Develop Frontend Code (UI/UX)
Create the user interface using appropriate mobile development frameworks, ensuring the app’s front end is responsive and has cross-platform compatibility. At CMOLDS, we specialise in delivering top-tier web development service that encompass all aspects of mobile and web application design.
Implement Job Listing and Search Functionality
Develop features for browsing, searching, and filtering job listings effectively.
Develop Backend Code
Build server-side functionality to manage job data, user accounts, and transactions.
Integrate Resume Upload and Application Tracking
Implement features for resume uploads, application tracking, and employer feedback.
Implement Security Measures
Secure the app with encryption, authentication, and other security protocols to protect user data.
Set Up Database
Design and configure a database to store job information, user data, and transaction records.
Optimise Performance
Optimising images, code, and server configurations ensures fast loading times and smooth performance.
Step 5: Testing and Launch
Perform Functional Testing
Test all features and functionalities to ensure they work as intended, including job search, listing, and application processes.
Conduct User Acceptance Testing (UAT)
Involve potential users and employers in testing to validate the app meets their needs and expectations.
Test on Multiple Devices
Ensure the app is fully functional and visually appealing on various devices and operating systems.
Conduct Security Testing
Identify and fix vulnerabilities to protect the app and user data from potential threats.
Perform Performance Testing
Evaluate the app’s speed, responsiveness, and scalability under different conditions.
Fix Bugs and Issues
Address any bugs or issues identified during testing to ensure a smooth user experience.
Prepare for App Store Submission
Ensure the app complies with app store guidelines and requirements for smooth submission and approval.
Launch the App
Go live with the app, making it accessible to users and starting to monitor its performance and user engagement.
Step 6: Marketing
Develop Marketing Plan
Create a comprehensive marketing strategy to promote the app and attract users.
Create Promotional Content
Develop engaging content, such as videos, blog posts, and social media updates, to attract and retain users.
Optimise App Store Listing (ASO)
Implement ASO best practices to improve the app’s visibility in app store search results.
Plan Social Media Campaigns
Use social media platforms to reach a wider audience, share job highlights, and engage with users.
Engage with Influencers and Industry Experts
Partner with influencers and industry experts in the Middle East job market to promote the app and increase its credibility.
Launch Email Marketing Campaigns
Use email marketing to nurture leads, share new job listings, and provide exclusive offers to portal subscribers.
Monitor User Feedback and Reviews
Regularly check job seekers’ and companies’ feedback and reviews to identify areas for improvement and address any issues promptly.
Analyze Marketing Metrics and Adjust Strategy
Monitor marketing performance with user engagement rates and adjust strategies based on data and insights to achieve better results.
