Running a taxi business in today’s competitive market is no easy task. You’re likely feeling the pressure to get more customers, keep your drivers busy, and ensure your business doesn’t get overshadowed by others.
However, the real fear is of falling behind while your competitors continue to grow. It’s frustrating to know that having good drivers and reliable vehicles isn’t enough anymore to succeed in the taxi industry.
To truly stand out, you need a well-thought-out strategy that goes beyond the basics and what you have been doing for years.
Whether you’re launching a new taxi app for user growth or looking to grow an existing one, these 5 key strategies will help you attract more loyal customers and keep your business thriving.
And trust that, by the end of the blog, you will be surprised to know how easy it can be to attract more customers.
Here you start reading with the first strategy.
1. Implement a ready-to-use SaaS-based ride-hailing software
Yes! It is true. If you are using a custom taxi booking software or are using a taxi booking app after buying a script and facing various problems with the software that affect your business performance and customer experience – you need a ready-to-use SaaS-based ride-hailing app.
The SaaS-based software can;
- Transform your operations
- Makes managing the business easier
- Booking the trips easier for your customers
- Allows you to track drivers, and
- Improve customer experience
If you can do these with your existing non-saas taxi software, then there is one thing that you are lacking in. And that’s scalability.
SaaS taxi software scales as your business grows without any hidden or added expense. The scalability ensures you are always in control.
The SaaS-based cab app for taxi businesses does not just allow you to manage your business. But, it enables you to manage it efficiently. So you can;
- Save time
- Cut costs, and
- Offer seamless experience to your customers
The second strategy you can use to boost your taxi app users is by promoting the taxi business on various digital platforms.
2. Promote your business on digital platforms and get more customers online
In today’s digital age, following the traditional method of promotion will result in a loss-making decision. Because your customers are more active on digital platforms.
Hence, promoting your taxi business online is not just an option but is a necessity now.
If you want to attract more customers, you need to be where they are – ‘online’.
Follow these steps to promote your company or service online.
Make a good presence of your company on social media
Your taxi company is likely already on social media. But are you making the most of it?
Social media isn’t just for posting updates. Instead, it’s a powerful tool to create a community around your brand.
By regularly updating your social media pages with content that resonates with your audience, you can turn casual scrollers into loyal customers.
To do this in the best way, think about what your customers love.
They may love;
- Promo codes
- Engaging in contests, or
- Even viral videos related to travel and transportation
By posting this kind of content, you will not just advertise your service but will also build a relationship with your audience.
And if they engage with your brand online more, there are high chance that they will choose your service when they need a ride.
Allow 24/7 online booking to your customers
You may be thinking you already offer this with your taxi booking app. Well, here the case is beyond.
Not all customers know you and will download your app. The passengers landing at the airport, tourists, corporate clients, and many other similar types of passengers won’t be able to book your taxi as they don’t know you.
They are probably a one-time customer. What you will do for them?
Here is what you can do. Transform your website into a web booking platform. Add a phone number and a booking button so your customers can book a taxi anytime they want from your website.
This transformation will make your service advance and just a click away for your customers.
Make your company a trusted brand in local media
Getting your taxi company noticed in local media is another effective way to attract customers.
When your brand pops up in local newspapers, magazines, or even podcasts, it becomes familiar to people. And familiarity breeds trust.
Some local media outlets might even offer you free publicity if you have a good story to tell—perhaps about how your service is helping the community.
This kind of exposure can do wonders for your brand’s visibility which results as the trusted part of the local landscape.
Now that you are aware of the organic way of promoting your business on various digital platforms. Here is the 3rd strategy below.
3. Run targeted ads to get more customers for your taxi service
If you want to get noticed quickly, running paid targeted ads is the way to expand your reach.
These ads let you reach the exact audiences that are looking to use your service. This makes your marketing efforts much more effective.
Here is what you can do with the paid targeted ads.
Google ads
You may have heard about it. But maybe unaware of what it can do for your business.
Google Ads can put your taxi company right in front of potential customers whether they are;
- Searching for a ride on Google
- Watching a video on YouTube, or
- Browsing the web
The beauty of Google Ads is that they’re highly targeted. You can reach specific audiences with niche ad groups. It also ensures your ads are seen by the people who are most likely to become your customers.
Isn’t it amazing?
Plus, with Google’s pay-per-click model, you only pay when someone clicks on your ad.
This makes it a cost-effective way to drive traffic to your app or website.
And if you are a beginner or do not want to take the risk of losing money by creating a weak ad then you must hire an expert.
Market your taxi service on Facebook and Instagram ads
Facebook and Instagram ads are incredibly popular for a reason because they work.
Even Uber and other popular brands use these platforms to stay in front of the eyes of their customers.
With these platforms, you can create ads that not only promote your taxi service but also build a community around your brand.
You can start with a small budget and leverage these platforms to reach the wider yet the right audience.
If you are unaware of how to do it, here is a short guide.
First - link your company’s Facebook and Instagram accounts.
This will allow you to manage ads on both platforms in one place.
Second - create eye-catching visuals and write compelling copy that grabs your target audience's attention.
It should be so engaging and enticing that even if someone doesn’t download your app, they should like or follow your page. This will help you make them your online community.
And when they become your community member, there are high chance they will become your loyal customers soon.
So, with all these strategies, you can promote your brand on digital platforms and paid marketing. Here is what you can do beyond it to increase your taxi app users.
4. Form exclusive partnerships
You may be having a question in your mind, How? Well, it's not rocket science.
Forming exclusive partnerships means to partner with;
- Hotels
- Restaurants
- Business hubs, etc
Position your company and services as a go-to option for their clients and guests.
Remember, forming exclusive partnerships is a smart way to expand your reach and get more customers.
Know what you can offer to them.
Provide ride-hailing services to hotels and more
Hotels, restaurants, and business hubs or corporate clients have one thing in common – a steady flow of people who need transportation.
And if you partner with these entities, you can ensure that your ride-hailing service is the only option they would recommend to their customers.
5. Retain your existing customer
It’s not enough to just attract new customers. In today’s competitive market, you need your customers to keep coming back.
When you retain your customers, it makes them feel valued. Plus, it also gives them reasons to stay loyal to your brand.
But, how to retain customers? A big question right?
Relax! Here is a way how you can retain them.
Launch referral campaigns
Referral campaigns are a powerful way to grow your customer base while keeping your existing users engaged. It is also trusted as one of the best marketing ideas for taxi companies.
People trust recommendations from friends and family. Especially when there’s something in it for them, like a discount.
By allowing your customers to share promo codes with new users, you’re giving them a reason to spread the word about your service.
Launching the referral campaign manually is tough. You can do this using reliable taxi booking software.
The software comes with a built-in referral tool that can automate this process. Passengers can share the codes directly from your taxi booking app. It’s a low-cost and high-rewarding taxi business tip that can quickly increase your customer base.
And don’t forget to extend these referral campaigns to social media influencers. Give them unique codes to share with their followers and watch your numbers grow.
Introduce cash, in-app, and credit card payments
Remember – the easier it is for customers to pay, the more likely they are to use your service.
Give your customers flexibility in making payments by offering multiple payment options. Allow them to pay via;
- Cash,
- In-app wallets, or
- Credit cards
Offering the credit card payment option is also considered a smart taxi business tip as it comes with a direct benefit to you.
The payment that your customers make via credit card, goes directly into your company’s bank account. This helps you with a steady cash flow which is crucial for your business growth.
Consider fleet and vehicle branding
Fleet branding is a cost-effective way to increase your visibility. When your branded vehicles are out on the road, they’re essentially mobile billboards, seen by thousands of people every day.
This kind of exposure can significantly boost brand recognition. And especially in busy areas.
The best part of this unique taxi advertising idea is your vehicles are promoting your services constantly no matter if they are parked in front of a mall or driving through the city.
Aggregate your customer feedback
Customer feedback is gold. It tells you what’s working and what needs improvement.
By actively collecting and responding to your passenger's reviews show that you care about their experience.
You can use the positive feedback as a testimonial while negative feedback will give you a chance to fix issues before they become bigger problems.
Hence, engaging with your customers in this manner will help you improve your service. Plus, it builds trust and loyalty.
Tune into referral marketing
When your current users recommend your taxi mobile app solution to their friends and family, they’re essentially doing marketing for you.
This method works so well because people trust the opinions of those they know personally.
You can enhance this strategy by using automated tools in the ride-hailing software that make it easy for your users to refer others and earn rewards.
This not only helps you attract new users but also keeps your existing ones engaged and happy.
Conclusion
Mobile phones have become an essential part of our lives. And taxi booking apps are quickly becoming the preferred way to hail a ride. To stay competitive in today’s digital era, it’s important for you to implement strategies that attract and retain customers.
Whether it’s offering multiple payment options, partnering with local businesses, or sending personalized promo codes, there are many ways to grow your taxi business.
With Yelowsoft, a cloud-based dispatch solution provider, you can easily customize and launch your taxi booking app.
Start implementing these 5 key taxi advertising ideas today, and watch your cab app business thrive. Use these marketing ideas to stay ahead in the game and ensure that your business continues to grow.
