Previously, visiting a well-known restaurant and getting a vacant table was quite challenging as there was no way to book a restaurant table in advance. But, technological advancements have made things accessible and hassle-free. Now, people can easily book a table in advance. Thanks to restaurant reservation apps like OpenTable, everyone can book a table before visiting a restaurant.

It has made it easier for friends, family, and colleagues to get the best dining experience and has benefitted businesses greatly. As a result, more businesses are planning to develop an app like OpenTable. So, if you are also into restaurants and want to increase your business revenue, this idea will work for you. Read this blog to learn more about ‘How to build a restaurant reservation app like OpenTable?’ Let’s begin!

An Overview of OpenTable Restaurant App

OpenTable, founded in 1998 is one of the early reservation systems in San Francisco. After 16 years of operation, Priceline Group purchased it in 2014 for an astounding $2.6 billion. App like OpenTable enables restaurants to subscribe to one of their plans to accept reservations online. There are basically three plans available –

• Basic (£19 per month)
• Core (£179 per month)
• Pro (£299 per month)

Currently, more than 31 million people are using OpenTable restaurant reservation app monthly. The app enable restaurants to connect directly with each of their diners via direct messaging services. Its hype has raised the demand for mobile application development company that build restaurant table booking software.

7 Steps to Develop An App Like OpenTable Restaurant Reservation App

Are you planning to develop an app like OpenTable? Before you proceed, it is essential to know the seven steps involved in the restaurant table booking app development. So, let’s understand each step one by one. 

#Step 1 – Conduct Market Research & Competitor Analysis

The foremost step to developing any mobile app is conducting market research and competitor analysis. So, take your time, and dig deeper to know everything about ‘How to make a table booking app?’ You can also refer to a well-known food delivery app like Talabat, as it will help you build a successful application.

#Step 2 – Decide App Features & Functionalities

Once you complete the research process of the OpenTable restaurant table booking app, move to the next step. Here, you must decide the key features and functionalities to build an app like OpenTable. Embedding unique features is a must to make an application competitive and profitable. Also, ensure to keep the OpenTable app functionalities simple, as none of the users will prefer to use a complex application.

You can get a detailed insight into the cost and features to develop restaurant searching app for better understanding.

#Step 3 – Check App’s Compatibility with OS

It is not essential that every application be compatible with all operating systems. Therefore, checking your OpenTable app compatibility with all types of OS is mandatory. In addition, an app like OpenTable is available for both Android & iOS users, so you can develop an app for both platforms.

Also, if your restaurant table booking app is compatible with other OS like Linux and windows other than Android & iOS, it will create more impact.

#Step 4 – Design App User Interface

OpenTable restaurant reservation application works on the algorithm of convincing users to book their tables. That means the UI of such applications should be appealing enough to grab the users’ attention. This development step will also decide the cost to develop table booking app, so decide the design of an app accordingly.

If you find the process difficult, get in touch with on-demand app development services professionals who can help you with design and development.

#Step 5 – Begin OpenTable App Development

Finally, you can begin the actual process to develop an app like the OpenTable restaurant booking app. All the information and data gathered in the previous stages will be useful. Now, it is time to turn your business idea into reality by integrating all the crucial parts of the application, like front-end, back-end, and API.

To achieve perfection in developing an app like OpenTable, you can hire dedicated app developer. The experts will help you build a successful application for your restaurant business. So, either you should have a team of developers or outsource your project to the experts.

#Step 6 – Test & Launch the App

When you complete the entire development process, conduct in-depth testing to remove all the errors and bugs before the final launch. You must have a team of skilled quality analysts who can scan the application from every aspect and eliminate all the major and minor flaws in the app, like OpenTable.

Finally, launch your restaurant reservation app on the desired platform when you are done with the testing process. And guess what? You are done!

#Step 7 – Market the Application

It is an additional step suggested by the food delivery app development company professionals. Simply developing an application isn’t enough if it is not marketed properly, as your business application won’t be able to gain market traction. So, you should also avail digital marketing services right after the development of the OpenTable application.

It is all about the process to build an app like OpenTable. Now that you are well-versed in the development process, it is your turn to implement the steps and develop a perfect restaurant reservation application. 

Key Features to Develop An App Like OpenTable

Want to build an app like OpenTable? Look at the following key features that will make your restaurant table booking application worth competing.

1. Simple & Quick Registration:

It is a very mandatory feature of a restaurant table booking app. None of the users prefer to waste time in the long registration process while booking a table at their favourite restaurant. Right? So, try to keep your application registration process quick and simple. It is the foremost yet very crucial mobile app development process that shouldn’t be overlooked.

2. Location-based Search Filters:

As you are developing a restaurant table booking app, so including this feature is a must. While using this amazing feature of an app like OpenTable, users will be able to locate their favorite restaurant while applying the filters and reserving a table. The results shown to the app users will be based on the ratings, location, available reservation time, and reviews.

3. Multi-Payment Option:

Different users prefer to use a different modes of payment. Right? So, you should definitely insert the multi-payment option while wondering, ‘How to develop an app like OpenTable?’ The more convenient the payment option you will offer to the users, the higher credibility your restaurant booking application will get. So, incorporate the best payment integrations during table booking app development.

4. Table Sitting Preferences:

Your restaurant application should ask the diners about their seat preferences while reserving a table at their favourite restaurant. Some prefer sitting in the lounge area, while others want a roof-top or a closed space. So, mention the seat preference options in your app like OpenTable. It will make it easier for the users to book a table of their preference. Such features will also increase the user engagement of your OpenTable restaurant reservation application.

5.  Reviews & Ratings:

Ratings and reviews are the most important factors users look into while picking an application for table booking. As multiple food delivery and restaurant apps are there in the market, so it mandatory to include reviews and ratings to make your app credible. It will help you win the trust of millions of users and make your business profitable within less time.

6. Restaurant Booking History:

There are times when people get impressed with the food they had previously and plan to revisit the restaurant again. Isn’t it? In that case, such features of an app like OpenTable will come handy. It will help the users to take a look at the restaurant booking history in a go. On the other hand, the restaurant owner can also use this feature to get an overview of the users’ booking details and manage accordingly.

Latest Tech Stacks Required to Develop An App Like OpenTable

Including the right tech stacks is a must and will add to the worth of any mobile application. The working of an application depends on the latest technologies and tools used during mobile app development. Undoubtedly, businesses face challenges during food delivery app development, but with the right assistance and experts, everything can be tackled easily. So, let’s take a look at the latest tech stacks to develop an app like OpenTable.

OpenTable Business Model: How Does OpenTable App Makes Money?

OpenTable is a restaurant reservation platform that allows diners to book tables at restaurants and helps restaurants manage their reservations. The following is the business model or revenue model of the OpenTable restaurant table booking app.

i. Reservation Fees

OpenTable charges restaurants a fee for each reservation made through its platform. The fee can vary depending on the restaurant’s location and the time of day. In some cases, restaurants may pay a higher fee for reservations made during peak hours or on popular days.

ii. Subscription 

OpenTable offers premium subscription services to restaurants that want additional features and functionality, such as custom floor plans, automated waitlists, and targeted marketing campaigns. These services come at a monthly or annual fee.

iii. Advertising & Marketing

OpenTable allows restaurants to promote their business through paid advertising and email marketing campaigns. Restaurants can pay for increased visibility on the OpenTable app, and website or purchase targeted email campaigns to reach potential customers.

iv. Data Insights

OpenTable collects and analyzes data from its platform, including diner preferences and behaviour, and provides this information to restaurants for a fee. Restaurants can use this data to understand their customers better and make informed decisions about menu offerings, pricing, and marketing strategies.

Overall, OpenTable’s revenue model is based on charging fees to restaurants for access to its platform and services and offering advertising and data insights to help restaurants improve their business.

What Is the Cost to Develop An App Like OpenTable?

The cost to develop a table booking app like OpenTable depends upon multiple factors including the features, functionalities, app design, tech stacks, and more. So, first decide the type of app you want to create, i.e., Android, iOS, or both, and then you will be able to get the restaurant reservation app cost estimation.

Still, an estimated OpenTable app costs in between $25,000 to $50,000 and more. Also, it depends whether you are availing custom android app development services, iOS app development services, or others.

Final Thoughts!

Developing a restaurant table booking app like OpenTable isn’t as complicated a process as it seems. Once you get well-versed in the process to develop an app like OpenTable, you can come up with a profit-driven food application. Either begin the development process on your own or hire dedicated app developer from a reputed restaurant app development company. What are you waiting for? Begin the process without much ado!