How To Create A Loan App In Nigeria Like FairMoney (in 7 Steps)

The development of a loan app in Nigeria can be daunting for many companies, considering the requirements of developing a mobile app. 

But an agency like Kool Kat Cr8 makes the entire process simple yet rewarding. To start with, we let you know creating a loan app is practically connecting technical dots. 

And that’s what this post is about, to teach how to create a loan app in Nigeria (and even beyond). 

Ready to make your first fintech app (loan app)? Then read on!

But first note, while the term fintech is a little broad, we may adopt it in this post. So if you see a Fintech app, we’re referring to a loan app. 

Secondly, note that the steps documented can be adopted aside from Nigeria. Because they are practical steps any fintech business that wants to build a loan app must explore through.

How To Create A Loan App In Nigeria 

That said, Here are some general steps to follow:

TIP ONE: IDENTIFY YOUR TARGET AUDIENCE AND THE PROBLEM YOU WANT TO SOLVE

This is very typical and essential for every app development. So when developing a loan app as a fintech startup, identifying the target audience for your app and their financial needs is crucial.

Here are the practical steps to follow:

1. Conduct Market Research

As the first step in identifying your target market (your potential app users), researching the market is critical. Because that way, you’ll determine your potential borrowers and their financial needs. 

And for you to do so, you can use surveys, focus groups, and interviews to gather data on the financial challenges your target audience faces when seeking a loan.

2. Analyze Credit Data

Also, you can leverage credit bureau data to analyze credit scores, payment history, and debt-to-income ratios of potential borrowers. Because this information can help you identify the borrowers’ ability to repay the loan.

3. Identify Pain Points

Here, you determine the specific pain points of your target audience and how your loan app can address them. And it involves considering traditional lenders’ borrowing processes, interest rates, and loan approval rates. And then identifying how your loan app can provide a better borrowing experience.

4. Develop User Personas

Your user personas are a perfect or ideal description or representation of your target audience–- users of your loan app. 

In other words, developing user personas for your app can provide insights into their financial goals, behaviors, and pain points.

TIP TWO: CHOOSE YOUR TECHNOLOGY STACK

After identifying the target audience and the problem to solve through your loan app, the next step is to choose the technology stack that best fits your development needs. 

Here are some considerations to keep in mind:

1. Cross-Platform Compatibility

After you know your prospective users so well, you need to be sure if you want an app to be usable on IOS or Android. 

But as it were, it’s often great when an app is accessible on both. Both would depend on what you want. 

Having said that, you must consider using a cross-platform technology stack to make your loan app accessible on multiple devices and operating systems. React Native and Flutter are popular options for building cross-platform apps.

2. App Performance

Loan apps require a high level of performance, especially during the loan application and approval process. So you want to ensure that the technology stack you choose can handle complex business logic and data processing.

3. Security

Loan apps deal with sensitive financial information like people’s credit card information and personal data, so security is critical. 

That’s why choosing a technology stack with built-in security features and a strong track record for security is paramount.

4. Scalability

Your loan app may experience a surge in demand during peak loan application periods. Again, your developer must choose a technology stack to handle increased traffic and data processing without compromising app performance.

TIP TWO: DEVELOP THE APP’S FEATURES

After choosing the technology stack for your loan app, the next step is to develop its key features. 

Yes, features for your loan app will provide a seamless and secure borrowing experience for your users. Here are some features that are essential for a loan app:

1. Account Creation And Log-In 

Your loan app must allow users to create an account and log in securely to access their loan information, make payments, and manage their accounts.

2. Loan Application Process

After setting the account creation and log-in feature for your loan app, you can then develop a streamlined loan application process.

That way, you can collect essential borrower information and automate the loan decision-making process.

3. Loan Repayment Tools

Also, on your app, you want to allow borrowers to make loan payments easily and track their repayment progress.

But to do that, you need to incorporate loan repayment tools on your app like automated payments, payment reminders, payment calculator, flexible Payment Options, etc. 

4. Credit Monitoring

Also, to give your users the best user experience, you should include credit monitoring tools that allow them to monitor their credit scores and receive alerts for any changes.

In other words, credit monitoring tools are features on your loan app that help you do the following: 

• Track and get regular updates on users’ credit score
• Keep an eye on their credit report and alert them of any changes or unauthorized activities, such as new accounts or inquiries
• Scan the dark web for a person’s personal information and alert them if any of their sensitive data is found

5. Customer Support 

Sometimes, the prospective users of your app may encounter challenges and will need the support of your team. 

Based on that, it’s essential to have customer support through the app. And that may include live chat, email support, and phone support.

6. Security Features

Now, to ensure the safety of your users’ data, it’s pertinent to implement security features. Some include two-factor authentication, encryption, and fraud detection.

7. Financial Tools

While considering the features of your app, you may provide additional value to borrowers. And you can do that by offering financial tools such as budgeting tools, investment calculators, and payment processing. 

8. KYC (Know Your Customer) Process

While considering the features of your app, you may provide additional value to borrowers. And you can do that by offering financial tools such as budgeting tools, investment calculators, and payment processing. 

When developing your loan app, you want to incorporate features that will handle your KYC process effectively. 

Essentially, “Know Your Customer” (KYC) involves collecting and verifying your users’ personal information, such as name, address, and ID, to assess credit risk and prevent financial crimes. 

So, integrating a robust KYC process is essential for compliance and reducing fraud risk when developing your loan app. That is because it helps verify each borrower’s identity and creditworthiness. 

All that said, whether you’re in Nigeria or not, there are third-party tools and services you can use to implement KYC processes in your app. Some examples include:

• Trudenty
• FaceKi
• VerifyMe
• Carbon IVS
• Uqudo
• Onfido

You can check them out and see which best satisfies your loan app’s needs.

TIP FOUR: DESIGN THE USER INTERFACE (UI)

A well-designed UI should be intuitive and user-friendly, with simple navigation and consistent branding that reflects your app’s purpose and values. So you can say your loan app’s user interface (UI) is a crucial component to its success. 

That said, here are some tips for designing an effective UI for your loan app:

1. Keep It Simple

A clean and uncluttered design makes it easier for users to navigate your app and find what they’re searching for.

2. Use Consistent Branding

Also, giving a cohesive look and feel to your user is very critical. And you can do that by ensuring that your app’s colors, fonts, and other visual elements are consistent throughout the app.

3. Make It Intuitive

Also, use clear, simple language and icons to guide users through the app’s features.

4. Prioritize Usability

In designing your app user interface, you must have usability in mind. Because only then can you make it easy for your users to complete tasks and access the information they need.

5. Test And Iterate: 

The emphasis of this tip is for you to continuously test your UI design with real users and iterate based on their feedback. So you can improve its usability and effectiveness.

TIP FIVE: TEST AND DEBUG THE APP

Testing and debugging involve conducting various testing techniques, such as functional testing, performance testing, and user acceptance testing, to identify and resolve any issues.

In other words, before launching your loan app, you must test and debug it thoroughly. That way, you can ensure it is stable and functions as intended. 

Additionally, it’s essential to get feedback from beta users before launching your loan app to the market. Because this feedback will help you identify any potential issues or concerns to address toward improving the user experience and increasing the app’s adoption rate. 

Now you’d ask, how can you do that?

You can collect this feedback through surveys, user reviews, and other feedback mechanisms built into your app.

And in the end, you can be sure your loan app will most likely meet the needs and expectations of your target audience, even as you launch it with confidence.

TIP SIX: LAUNCH THE APP

After thoroughly testing and debugging your loan app, you can launch it on the app store. But don’t forget that launching the app is just the first step. 

In other words, to ensure the success of your loan app, you need to promote it actively to your target audience.

And you can do that by utilizing various marketing channels, such as social media, email, and online advertising. That way, you reach your target audience, encouraging them to download and use the app. 

You can also leverage word-of-mouth marketing by encouraging your existing users to share their positive experiences with the app with their friends and family.

TIP SEVEN: MAINTAIN AND UPDATE YOUR LOAN APP

At this stage, you must have realized the whole app business is more than launching it.

Yes, regular maintenance and updates are vital to the long-term success of your loan app. Because that ensures the app remains stable, secure, and up-to-date with the latest technologies and features. 

But to achieve that, you regularly need to monitor the app’s performance and user feedback. Even as you continuously improve its functionality by incorporating new features that meet users’ evolving needs. 

In addition, you want to ensure that your app complies with data privacy and security regulations. And you can do that by regularly updating security protocols and conducting security audits to identify potential vulnerabilities. 

That way, your loan app can continue to meet users’ expectations and remain competitive in the dynamic fintech industry.

FINAL THOUGHT

In summary, creating a fintech app like a loan app requires a lot of planning, development, and testing. However, with careful execution and a focus on the needs of your target audience, you can create a successful app.

Yes, one that helps people (app users) manage their finances or meet other financial needs more effectively.

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