The laundry industry is modernizing and laundry apps allow laundromats to streamline operations, increase customer satisfaction, and stand out in a competitive market.
This guide breaks down the essentials for creating the perfect app for laundry services, using Malaysian-based DobiQueen as our reference.
By the end of this guide, you’ll learn:
- Why DobiQueen is a popular choice for laundry convenience
- Key features every laundry app should include
- Selecting the right tech stack
- Cost estimates for creating a similar app
Let’s begin!
Why DobiQueen as the Gold Standard for Laundry Apps?
DobiQueen allows users to schedule pickups, pay securely, track their laundry, and receive it on time thanks to a complete ecosystem of digital solutions.
1. Guest Access Web App
DobiQueen allows customers to book laundry services on their web app as guests, eliminating the need for account creation.
This feature makes it convenient for new or occasional users to place orders quickly and easily.
2. DobiQueen is Available as Mobile Apps on Android and iOS
With dedicated mobile apps on both Android and iOS, DobiQueen provides a seamless and accessible experience across devices.
This approach maximizes convenience for users, encouraging them to place orders whenever needed.
3. B2B Targeted Outreach
DobiQueen strategically targets business clients, including gyms, homestays, and Airbnb hosts, through a focused laundry service B2B program.
By catering to these high-volume users, DobiQueen secures a consistent stream of orders from large-scale clients, strengthening its market presence.
And of course, we can’t forget the real reason DobiQueen is able to leverage digitization so effectively.
4. DobiQueen Has Nearly 80 Locations
DobiQueen was established in 2015 and has grown to over 80 DobiQueen locations across the Klang Valley, with presence in every major township and district.
This allows them to cover a wide geographic area, improving availability for customers.
Furthermore, their large-scale operation helps them benefit from economies of scale, reducing operational costs and allowing them to offer competitive pricing.
Of course, it doesn’t mean you too need a business as established as theirs–that’s why partnerships exist!
Gaps in DobiQueen’s Offering
Time for a little app comeptitor analysis! Don’t just learn from DobiQueen’s strengths, but also their limitations.
By understanding what users find lacking or frustrating about DobiQueen’s services, we can identify opportunities to build an app that provides an even better experience.
Good news: DobiQueen’s Google Play Store App has a less-than-ideal rating!
Head over to their reviews and you can actually sort it by star rating.
Based on the review above, some current issues with the app are:
- System Reliability Issues
- Delayed Coin Credit
- Dependency on Cash
- Unresolved Network Problems
- Poor Customer Support
Sounds like there’s still room for another laundry app on the market!
Key Features of a Good Laundry App
A laundry app must support four distinct user interfaces—Customer, Service Provider, Delivery, and Admin—each with essential features that make the app functional and user-friendly.
Here’s a breakdown of the key features for each interface:
Customer-Facing App
- Customer Registration: Allow login via social media, email, or phone number.
- Search Nearby Laundry: Find nearby service providers based on ratings and reviews.
- Laundry Type Selection: Choose from services like cleaning, ironing, etc.
- Cost Calculation: Show estimated costs and breakdown for each item.
- Laundry Order Scheduling: Choose a convenient time and location for pickup and delivery.
- Order Tracking: Real-time status updates on laundry order.
- In-App Chat: Communicate with the delivery person or laundry service for details.
- Payment: Multiple payment options, including COD, credit/debit card, and mobile wallets.
- Push Notifications: Stay updated on order status, pickup/delivery schedules, and offers.
- Reviews and Ratings: Provide feedback on the service received.
Service Provider App
- Profile Management: Create and manage the laundry shop profile with details and contact info.
- Price Management: Set and adjust prices for various laundry services.
- Earnings and Commission: View earnings and commissions from orders.
- Order Management: Track and manage orders in progress, pending, or delivered.
- Offers and Discount Management: Launch discounts, offers, and coupon codes to attract customers.
- Review Management: Monitor customer feedback and address negative reviews.
Delivery App
- View Pickup Orders: Access and manage upcoming laundry pickups.
- View Delivery Orders: See orders for delivery with specific instructions.
- Order History: Review past orders for reference.
- In-App Navigation: Find optimal routes for pickups and deliveries.
- View Earnings: Track daily, weekly, and monthly earnings from deliveries.
- Payment Collection: Collect payments from customers who prefer cash.
- Push Notifications: Get notified about new order requests.
- Order Management: Accept or reject orders based on availability.
Admin Panel
- Laundry Category Management: Manage different types of laundry services offered.
- User Management: Access and manage customer data and orders.
- Launderer Management: Control which launders are listed and the services they provide.
- Commission Management: Set commission rates for different laundry services.
- Push Notification Management: Customize and manage notifications to customers.
- Marketing Campaigns Management: Create targeted marketing campaigns for different customer segments.
- Reporting and Analytics: Generate reports to analyze service performance and improve user experience.
Of course, you don’t have to start with everything right out of the gate–read up on the concept of a Minimum Lovable Product to see how you can start small but still make a big impact.
Choosing the Right Technology Stack for Your Laundry App
Selecting the right tech stack ensures that your app is responsive, scalable, and user-friendly. For example:
| Component | Recommended Technology |
| Frontend | React Native or Flutter |
| Backend | Node.js, Python with Django |
| Database | Firebase, PostgreSQL |
| Cloud Services | AWS, Google Cloud |
| Payment Gateway | Stripe, PayPal |
| Notifications | Firebase Cloud Messaging, OneSignal |
For something like a laundry app, there are multiple options available, and we advise you to focus on finding a solid developer instead of hyper focusing on the tech stack!
After all, your developers contribute most to development costs, which takes us to our final and most important section.
Cost Estimate to Build a Laundry App
For the development process, the hourly rates vary by expertise and region, with design and development costs typically ranging from $40 to $200 per hour.
The table below shows estimates of the cost to build a laundry app like DobiQueen.
| Stage | Hours | Range |
| Discovery & Planning | 40-80 | $2,000 – $12,000 |
| UI/UX Design | 100-200 | $5,000 – $24,000 |
| Frontend Development | 200-400 | $12,000 – $60,000 |
| Backend Development | 300-500 | $24,000 – $100,000 |
| App Integration | 100-150 | $7,000 – $22,500 |
| Testing & QA | 100-150 | $4,000 – $15,000 |
| Launch & Deployment | 50-100 | $2,500 – $12,000 |
| Ongoing Maintenance (Annual) | 150-200 | $7,500 – $24,000 |
| Total Cost Estimate | $15,000 – $30,000 (Basic)$50,000+ (Feature-Rich) |
Don’t forget ongoing updates and maintenance–those typically consist of 10-15% to the development costs per month.
Conclusion
Building a laundry app like DobiQueen can give your business a competitive edge by delivering quality, speed, and convenience to their end customers.
Ready to create your own laundry app? Let’s bring your vision to life! Reach out to Upstack Studio to build your own laundry app!
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