E-commerce has transformed the way we shop, offering convenience and a vast array of products at our fingertips. Amazon, one of the leading players in this industry, is a shining example of success.

However, what if you could create your own online store, inspired by Amazon’s triumph? In this article, we will guide you through the process of building a custom e-commerce app similar to Amazon using AppsGeyser. From idea generation to launch, we will cover all the crucial steps and insights you need to bring your online store dream to life. Whether you are a budding entrepreneur or an existing business owner seeking to expand your reach into the digital world, this article will serve as your go-to resource to turn your e-commerce aspirations into reality.

What is Amazon?

Amazon is a leading technology company that operates a successful online marketplace. It started as a small bookstore in 1994 and has since grown into a global brand that competes with Google, Facebook, and other major companies. 

In 2023, Amazon’s net sales increased by 12% to reach $574.8 billion, compared to $514 billion in the previous year. As of April 2024, the company had a market capitalization of $1.9 trillion. According to analysts, Amazon dominates the US e-commerce market with 37.6%, making it the leading online retailer in the country. Walmart and Apple follow in second and third place, respectively. 

Jeff Bezos, the founder and CEO of Amazon, is one of the richest people in the world with a personal fortune of $202 billion.

Innovation and diversification have been essential to Amazon’s success for many years. In recent years, the company has expanded into industries such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and autonomous vehicles. However, online retail remains its primary focus, and it remains the most valuable source of its revenue. Partnering with an Amazon agency can help businesses leverage these innovations, optimize their online retail strategies, and maximize their presence on the platform. All major e-commerce companies have developed mobile apps to meet the needs of today’s consumers. The Amazon app has been a crucial part of the company’s success, providing a fast and seamless user experience that drives sales.

How to make an app like Amazon?

In the early stages of the app-building process, it is critical to decide which features your app will boast. So, let’s consider some of the Amazon app’s essential features below: 

1. User log-in. An obvious suggestion, but users must be able to easily access their personal accounts.  
2. Product search bar. Amazon’s search bar allows users to quickly access their wide range of products. Filters help by refining searches and autosuggestions save time. 
3.  Wishlist. A space for users to mark and store products that they wish to purchase. Family and friends can access wishlists, so they are a great place to start when shopping for birthdays or Christmas. 
4. Push notifications. Amazon sends mobile push notifications to communicate with its customers. The messages often relay promotional sales material.
5. Order tracking system. A technical feature that all modern shoppers enjoy. Amazon gives customers the ability to monitor the exact whereabouts of their delivery. Push notifications make the process even easier. 
6.  User review. The 5-star review system that Amazon uses helps give sellers credibility and build consumer trust. A product with unfavorable reviews will fail to convert page landings into sales. 
7. Live chat. Users can interact virtually with the Amazon customer service team when they use the app. This represents a great way to answer customer queries and offer guidance. 
8. Safe and secure payment gateway. A payment gateway authorizes online card payments, managing confidential customer information like credit card details. All payments on Amazon are handled by PayPal – a reputable and well-established platform. 

What are the different stages of the app-making process? 

Each app is different and no two pathways to completion are the same. That said, there are some key stages that each app will have passed through before it reaches the market. 

1. Market research. The first step is to identify a gap in the market. The most important question to answer is: what do consumers need?
2. Ideation. You will emerge from the ideation phase with a clear idea for your e-commerce app. So get creative and start brainstorming with your team. By conducting focus groups you can also test how the public responds to the concept. Ensure that your product has a unique selling point (USP), clear functionalities, and a target consumer. Once this has been achieved, the framework is set for the rest of the project. 
3. Design. This stage focuses on UI (User Interface) and UX (User Experience). Designers create a ‘wireframe’ – which highlights how users navigate through the app. And they also establish how the app will look, paying close attention to the color and layout. A successful e-commerce app will be easy-to-use and visually appealing. 
4. Development. You’ve now reached the coding and programming phase. Here, a team of developers – including front-end and back-end developers – bring the design blueprint to life, giving you a working product. 
5. User Review. This is the perfect point to go back to the public and get critical feedback on your product. Beta testing helps to evaluate the quality of your app. 
6. QA Testing. The last hurdle before launch day. A QA specialist will test your app to check it does not have any bugs. If issues show up, the team will be forced to revisit their designs. 
7. Launch. The day your e-commerce app is officially released on an app store. Its success will be highly dependent on your marketing efforts in the past few months. 
8. Upgrade. App analytics and consumer feedback will indicate how best to innovate your e-commerce app to ensure it remains popular. 

How much does it cost to make an app like Amazon?

To create an e-commerce app like Amazon you could end up spending anywhere between $20-50,000. That said, the overall cost is determined by the type of app you are building and how complex the design is. 

Native, web-based, and hybrid are the three different types of apps. Native apps generally offer the best user experience because they are responsive, secure, and give developers access to a wide range of functionalities and features. The downside is that they are also the most expensive apps to develop. If you plan on releasing your app on both IOS and Android, it could cost you around $100,000, because each program requires a different codebase. Nevertheless, if you plan to make an e-commerce app, we still recommend native. A high-performing app keeps customers happy – which translates into sales. 

The more complex your e-commerce app is, the longer the design and development stages take to complete. This leads to higher costs. For example, building an app with lots of functionalities is time-consuming and requires multiple coders with different skill-sets. And an app that requires many different pages will stretch the design phase – and, ultimately, your budget. 

How to make an Android app like Amazon for free?

Don’t be put off by the high costs associated with producing an app, there is a solution. App builders give designers the tools to create app prototypes – often for free – and publish their work. 

Using Appsgeyer’s Website App Template you can create an e-commerce app with a selection of features and a quick response time. And all without having knowledge of coding, or even paying a fee. 

Once you have clicked on the template, convert your pre-existing online store into a fully-functional Android app by pasting the URL. Or, if your online marketplace is not yet up-and-running, build it on Shopify. When you’re ready, return to Appsgeyer and start making your e-commerce app. 

Appsgeyer favors the Android platform because Google Play is the biggest app store and less selective about publishing apps than the Apple Store (which uses iOS). 

Your app will have the following essential features:

• Social media tabs
• Push notifications 
• Monetization-potential 
• URL support

2024 has seen a dramatic surge in online shopping activity. The economic climate is ripe for e-commerce companies. Designing your e-commerce app on Appsgeyer could be the first step on your journey to becoming an industry giant. Remember: Amazon started out of Jeff Bezo’s garage and grew into a global technology conglomerate. 

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