How collaboration of SmartGuide's white label app  sets new standards for Hop-On Hop-Off Buses

Mobile applications have become an integral part of the travel experience, offering convenient access to information, easy booking options, and even acting as travel guides. However, the creation and maintenance of these apps often pose significant issues. High initial costs, persistent maintenance requirements, and fast-paced technological advancements can render them obsolete or dysfunctional without frequent updates, making it an ongoing struggle for developers and brands.

SmartGuide, a digital audio guide platform, emerges as a solution that converts any smartphone into a personal tour guide and addresses these challenges for brands who want an app head-on. Destinations, tourist attractions, and tourism business brands can leverage SmartGuide's ready-made technology to publish a branded white-label travel app of their own.

So, if you're considering building a branded travel guide app and searching for available options, this blog will provide valuable insights into why SmartGuide could be the ideal choice for your app needs.

What are white-label apps?

White-label apps are essentially 'ready-to-use' mobile applications created by a third party but available for businesses to rebrand and sell as their own. They run directly on major operating systems like Apple iOS or Google Android. They can be downloaded directly from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, maintaining the facade of a business's unique offering while being powered by a third-party provider.

Advantages of white-label apps

1. Resource efficiency

Since these apps are pre-built, they eliminate the need for extensive development costs usually associated with building an application from scratch, as well as maintaining it later on. This makes white-label apps an affordable solution for brands looking to offer an app without a hefty investment.

2. Quick deployment

Another significant advantage is time-saving. Since the base structure of the app is already developed, it can be deployed easily with minimal effort. This allows for a greater focus on core operations rather than getting tied up in lengthy development processes.

3. Scalability

As destinations or travel businesses grow and their needs evolve, third-party apps can be scaled to meet these changing requirements, providing a flexible solution that can adapt to the growth trajectory.

4. Integrated solutions

They often come integrated with other online solutions. This integration provides a seamless user experience, combining multiple functions into one platform for convenience and ease of use.

Disadvantages of white-label apps

1. Limited customization

Since white-label apps are designed to cater to a broad range of entities in a specific industry, they tend to have a default set of characteristics and usability. This limits the ability for hyper-customization, making it difficult to adapt the app to other needs or preferences as to those it comes with.

2. Restricted control over features

The pre-built nature of apps means that they cannot be extensively modified to incorporate unique features or functionalities. Some white-label app developers do provide custom modification options and are willing to develop extra features, but it always comes with an appropriate price tag.

3. Licensing and support consideration

It's important to understand the licensing terms and support offered by white-label vendors. Some may impose restrictive terms limiting app control or usage, and their support services may not be as comprehensive as those from dedicated development companies. This can pose challenges, especially for those requiring ongoing support.

It's clear that while third-party apps have numerous upsides, they also come with some drawbacks. So, destinations, tourist attractions, and travel businesses considering a white-label travel guide app should weigh these pros and cons to make an informed decision.

SmartGuide as a white-label alternative

The technology of this digital audio guide platform offers extensive customization, enabling the tailoring of the app to specific needs. Whether it's adjusting the appearance or modifying some functionality, this tour guide solution provides an array of choices to create a unique and branded application.

There are two main ways to use SmartGuide:

1. Join the SmartGuide platform: This default option allows destinations, attractions, and travel businesses to join the SmartGuide with 1000+ other guides. It is an order of magnitude cheaper and exposes the brand to the 1 million travelers already on the platform. Travelers prefer this because one app can cover all destinations, offering synergies across different locations, such as data for personalized recommendations of places to visit based on users' interests and preferences. It also includes the possibility of having a partner’s branded landing page.

2. White label (Your brand): This option enables tourism entities to use the same underlying technology to make their unique app. It offers a fully branded application without any trace of the SmartGuide brand, with possible customization of look and feel and some functionality.
   
   Features include a custom icon and app name, own store listing starting from zero downloads, a custom launch screen, and a custom primary color. The white label app starts at around €30k one-off setup plus €6k annual maintenance, with further customization available upon request for an extra fee.
   
   

Why choose SmartGuide as your white-label app

SmartGuide, the world's #1 digital audio guide is a ready-made and complete guiding solution. It's an efficient alternative to costly in-house app development that helps destination management organizations (DMOs), tourist attractions, and travel businesses elevate visitors’ encounters. Here is how:

1. Modern and secure technology

SmartGuide employs current, scalable, and secure cloud technology for data storage. Microsoft Azure cloud is the backbone of this system, assuring a 99.99% uptime and constant availability via a Content Delivery Network. This guarantees unlimited scalability. 

2. Maintenance and updates

All app maintenance and updates are handled by SmartGuide, ensuring it stays in line with the latest Android and iOS changes. This translates to automatic app updates for all users.

It's worth noting that the Google Play Store prioritizes apps compatible with the latest OS versions. As of November 1st, 2022, all apps on the Google Play Store are expected to comply with the latest safety and quality standards set for Android 12. Failing to update an app can have serious consequences, including lower visibility or even no visibility and decreased profits. Therefore, keeping up with the updates of the Google Play Store is essential, particularly when considering devices with newer versions.

3. Marketing support

The platform offers a unique smart links and QR codes that open directly to the content. Additional marketing support includes also the possibility of creating custom marketing collaterals and full-scale marketing campaigns.

4. Simple content preparation

In SmartGuide’s Content Management System, content creators such as DMOs, attractions, tourism businesses, and travel guides can create professional digital guides within hours without any IT development. With its straightforward web editor, smart route generation, automatic TTS audio, easy DeepL translations, and quick content updates, content preparation becomes effortless. Content creators can publish a guide themselves entirely for free or have SmartGuide experts craft bespoke content for them.

The process involves pinpointing places of interest on a map, entering descriptions, and uploading relevant images. As the text is inputted, the advanced AI-based text-to-speech system generates audio automatically. Alternatively, there's an option to upload pre-recorded audio files.

5. Sending alerts and promotional messages

SmartGuide is equipped with a feature that allows for the direct transmission of alerts to visitors. These alerts (or push notifications) could pertain for example to changes in routes due to unexpected closures or other unforeseen circumstances.

In addition to this, the platform can be used to promote other activities or discounts. For instance, if there's a 2-for-1 offer on a sunset boat tour, this information can be disseminated directly to visitors. It also facilitates the provision of real-time updates about current events, such as an open-air music festival, complete with links for more information. These messages are dispatched from a web-based interface, accessible upon login by an authorized individual.

A prime example of this function's utility can be seen, for example, in a zoo setting. A message could be sent out to tourists informing them that a tiger feeding session is set to begin in 15 minutes. This message could include a link to the point of interest where the tigers are located, enabling easy navigation for interested parties. This feature enhances the overall visitor encounter, making it a valuable asset for any destination or attraction.

6. Big data dashboards and GPS heatmaps

Destination management organizations and travel businesses can get access to accurate and detailed insights through big data dashboards and GPS heatmaps of visitors' behavior. Additionally, SmartGuide offers expert analysis of visitor demographics, acquisition channels, and popular tours or places. This data can be invaluable for destination managers looking to understand their audience better and make informed decisions.

Live big data analytics and GPS Heatmap Highlights Enhanced Tourist Engagement and Exploration in Prague.

7. Cost-effectiveness

Despite a €0.5M investment in this technology, which surpasses most custom-developed apps, SmartGuide provides its basic version at no cost, similar to the YouTube platform.

In essence, if you require your own app rather than joining the platform, then the SmartGuide white label app is a better option than developing the custom app from scratch. It is faster to deploy, cheaper with more functions, requires no maintenance and IT headaches, and guarantees sustainable quality because it builds on top of a proven technology.

The collaboration between Hop-On Hop-Off Buses and SmartGuide - Setting new standards

During the pandemic, travel companies faced numerous challenges in adapting to the rapidly rising demands of passengers. For Hop-on Hop-Off buses, the traditional, expensive, and inflexible onboard audio system became a significant obstacle, unable to respond effectively to these changes. 

To handle this situation, Hop-On Hop-Off buses in Prague replaced their old onboard audio system with SmartGuide. This modern solution operates like an onboard audio system but is housed within visitors' smartphones. It offers flexibility and instant content updates, eliminating the need for hardware investments and allowing operators to adjust their content with a single click, reaching all app users simultaneously.

In addition to this, SmartGuide offers several benefits:

1 Flexible tour experience: Visitors can enjoy a seamless journey on the bus and continue their tour even after they hop off, creating a continuous narrative that is not confined to the bus route.

2 Easy navigation: The app provides a map and navigation features, making it easy for visitors to find tour bus stops.

3 Direct communication: Operators can message app users even when they are not on board, maintaining a connection with passengers.

4 Increased revenue opportunities: Incorporating a walking guide with a bus ticket presents an opportunity for differentiation or upselling. This strategy can lead to an increase in revenue. The bus ticket includes content for a bus tour, and only visitors who have purchased the ticket can activate the content using a QR code. This exclusivity adds value to the bus ticket, enhancing its appeal.

Moreover, there is potential for further revenue generation by upselling an all-inclusive city guide. For example, if a business receives 500,000 visitors annually, and 10% of those visitors decide to purchase the full city guide for €5, this would result in an additional €250,000 in revenue. This model demonstrates the great scope for extra income through strategic upselling.

While this case study focuses on buses, the same principles can apply to hotspot destinations, entire regions, and any entity that prefers to have a guide app under its own branding. The versatility of SmartGuide ensures it can cater to a wide range of entities with white-label travel app needs, setting new standards in the tourism industry.

Conclusion

White-label apps are customizable platforms that can be rebranded. In the travel sector, such apps play a critical role in providing tourists with information, navigation, and experiences to augment their visits. However, not all these apps are created equal. The key lies in choosing a solution that is adaptable, user-focused, and capable of driving revenue such as SmartGuide.

With its ability to be tailored into a white-label travel app for any destination or attraction, SmartGuide offers flexibility that other mediums cannot match. Its modern, scalable, and secure cloud technology eliminates the need for IT investments, making it a cost-effective choice. Moreover, extensive maintenance and marketing support, coupled with its simple web editor and quick content updates, allow franchisees to easily prepare and manage content.

Are you ready to elevate your tourist experience with the best-in-class white-label app? Discover the benefits of SmartGuide today! Contact us now.