Why Localisation Matters
Picture this. You’re in Paris. You download an on-demand home services app that looks promising, it promises cleaners, electricians, plumbers, all just a few taps away. But the moment you open it, you see prices in US dollars. The entire app is in English. The “help” section references tipping in USD.
What happens? You roll your eyes, maybe mutter “ugh,” and uninstall. Because after a point, it really doesn’t matter if the app is seamless, works flawlessly, or whatever. If it feels like it is not built for you, then there is no chance you will use it.
If you truly wish to excel in the market, become a success story and be the first thing that the users go for when they need any kind of home services, then it is of critical significance that you opt for a Thumbtack clone app for your business that can be localised.
So, what is localisation? Many people think that localisation means putting a fancy, culturally appropriate sign. But that is just treading shallow waters. If users don’t feel that sense of belonging, they’ll never trust it enough to book services using your Multi-Service App.
Multi-Language Options
Let’s start with language, because it’s the most obvious barrier.
If you’re building a Thumbtack Clone, chances are you’re not limiting it to just one market. You’re probably eyeing multiple cities, maybe even different countries. And here’s the thing: not everyone is comfortable with English. Sure, they might understand it, but comfort is another story.
Language is about more than words, it’s about trust and connection. When an app speaks your native tongue, it feels friendlier, more reliable, and easier to navigate. A French speaking user in Montreal won’t just appreciate French as an option, they’ll expect it. Same with Spanish in Miami, or Arabic in Dubai.
And don’t underestimate the cultural side. Some phrases don’t translate directly. If you’re careless, you end up with clunky text that sounds robotic or even confusing. A good Thumbtack Clone needs proper localisation, not just a rushed Google Translate job.
Think of it like this: would you trust an app that says “Please clean the bathroom fastly”? Probably not. It screams “cheap” and “not built for me.”
Multi-language support is your first step in showing users that you respect them and their culture.
Local Currency Support
Now let’s talk money. This one is sneaky because some entrepreneurs think: “Eh, people can just convert in their heads, no big deal.” Wrong.
Money is emotional. People want to see prices in a way that feels natural. Imagine you’re booking a handyman in Germany and the app says €100 but charges $110. Or worse, it just lists everything in dollars. That tiny moment of hesitation (“Wait, how much is that in euros again?”) is enough to kill the booking.
It’s not just about numbers either. Payment preferences vary wildly by region. In some countries, people still prefer cash. In others, cards dominate. And in some places, wallets like Paytm, GCash, or M Pesa are king.
If your Thumbtack Clone ignores this and forces everyone into one rigid method, guess what? Abandoned carts. Failed bookings. Angry reviews.
Smooth payment in local currency isn’t optional, it’s a trust builder. It signals, “We get how things work here.” And that makes customers more likely to book again.
Regional Service Pricing
Here’s something a lot of entrepreneurs overlook: service pricing is not universal for on-demand home services app.
A plumber in New York won’t charge the same as one in Manila. A cleaner in Dubai won’t have the same rates as one in a small town in Spain. If your Thumbtack Clone tries to slap a one size fits all pricing structure across markets, you’re setting yourself up for angry customers and annoyed providers.
Imagine a user in Bangkok seeing Western level prices because you forgot to adapt. They’ll feel cheated. On the flip side, imagine a provider in London feeling underpaid because your default rates were based on another country. Both cases create frustration, and frustration kills apps.
Your app needs flexibility: let providers set region specific prices, or at least have an admin system that adjusts pricing to local standards. Otherwise, you’re just asking for backlash.
Trust & Repeat Usage
This is where everything ties together.
At the end of the day, people only stick with an app if they feel it “belongs” to them. That’s what localisation delivers: a sense of belonging.
When a user sees their language, their currency, their regional pricing, in your home services app, they feel understood. They feel the app was designed with them in mind. That trust translates into repeat usage. They’re not just trying your app once, they’re relying on it.
On the business side, repeat usage is gold. Acquiring a new customer is always more expensive than keeping an old one. So if localisation gets you higher retention, it’s not just good UX, its smart business.
Human Anecdotes
Let’s keep it real with a couple of examples.
- Market A (we’ll keep it nameless): They rolled out an on demand home services app across multiple countries, but they skipped localisation. Prices were stuck in USD, the app was only in English, and payments required an international card. Guess what? People tried it once and left. Retention was terrible, adoption flat lined, and the app became a cautionary tale.
- Market B (again, no names): They took localisation seriously. Language options, local currency, regional pricing, it was all baked in from day one. Within months, trust skyrocketed. Users recommended it to friends, providers were happy with fair local rates, and adoption grew steadily. The app didn’t just survive, it thrived.
These aren’t rare cases. They’re what happens when you either respect or ignore the basics of localisation.
Closing Thoughts
A Thumbtack Clone without localisation is like opening a shop in a foreign country without putting up a local sign. People might glance at it, but they’ll walk right past.
If you want your on-demand home services app to work in different markets, localisation isn’t optional. It’s survival. Language, currency, and pricing aren’t just “features”, they’re trust signals.
Get them right, and users will feel like the app belongs to them. Get them wrong, and no amount of marketing spend will save you. If you’re serious about building a Thumbtack Clone, don’t treat localisation as an afterthought. Make it central to your design. It’s what turns downloads into loyalty, and loyalty into growth.