How to Create an App like InstaShop in Few Simple Steps

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Take a Look How Grocery Apps Like InstaShop Should be Developed

The trend of ordering groceries online is gaining momentum in the UAE day by day. People feel more comfortable while using grocery apps, as it cut downs their hassle to go outside to shop various daily needs. InstaShop is one of those apps that is popular among the people due to this very reason. It provide complete grocery shopping solution to them at simple affordable prices. If you also want to know how to create an app like InstaShop that can accommodate complete grocery shopping needs of people, read this article in detail. It will let you know the entire process with which grocery shopping apps can be built with perfection.

Many companies with little development knowledge often go for specialized app development services to build grocery apps. It is also a nice option that allows you to build quality apps from experienced sources. However, if you look at the bigger picture in which maintenance is required even after developing the app, you must need to build this project by yourself. Though it is a bit difficult process, but with right knowledge and methodology, you can develop a cutting-edge grocery app like InstaShop effectively.

In this blog, we will list down all the core steps you need to follow to develop an app like InstaShop. It will be good for you to learn the process and develop a quality app that can facilitate tons of customers in the UAE. Let’s start from the basics understanding why grocery delivery apps are rapidly getting popular in the world.

Quick Market Overview of Grocery Delivery Apps

The grocery delivery market was valued at $38.5 billion in 2022, according to Future Market Insights. This market is projected to experience substantial growth over the next decade, with forecasts suggesting it will reach a valuation of $81.5 billion by 2032. This impressive growth corresponds to a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.8%, reflecting the increasing consumer preference for the convenience of online grocery shopping. Factors such as advancements in delivery logistics and a shift in consumer behavior towards online shopping are driving this growth.

In the UAE, the number of mobile phone subscriptions has surged to 18.7 million. This proliferation of mobile devices has been a significant catalyst for the rising demand for instant food delivery apps. The ease of accessing these services via smartphones has contributed to their widespread adoption. As more people become accustomed to the convenience of ordering groceries online, the market for these services has expanded rapidly. Between 2016 and 2019, the online grocery shopping market in the UAE experienced a remarkable growth rate of 31%.

This trend is expected to continue as the popularity of mobile-based shopping solutions increases. The ongoing digital transformation, coupled with the high penetration of mobile technology, suggests that the demand for online grocery delivery will keep growing. Retailers are increasingly investing in technology and logistics to meet consumer expectations for fast and reliable delivery services. As a result, the online grocery market in the UAE and globally is poised for continued expansion, driven by technological advancements and changing consumer preferences.

What is InstaShop?

InstaShop is a mobile application designed to facilitate online grocery shopping and delivery. Launched in 2015 in Dubai, the app has expanded its operations to several countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region recently. InstaShop partners with local supermarkets, pharmacies, butcheries, pet shops, and other specialty stores, allowing users to browse and purchase a wide range of products from these retailers. The app aims to provide a convenient and efficient shopping experience, enabling customers to receive their orders within a short period, often under an hour.

The user interface of InstaShop is designed to be intuitive and user-friendly, making it easy for customers to navigate through different categories. The app offers features such as real-time order tracking, multiple payment options, and personalized shopping recommendations based on previous purchases. Additionally, InstaShop includes a feature for scheduling deliveries, which adds flexibility for users who want to plan their grocery shopping in advance. By integrating with various local stores, the app ensures that users have access to a diverse selection of products, including household items, and specialty goods.

InstaShop has positioned itself as a significant player in the online grocery market within the MENA region. The app’s business model relies on forming partnerships with local retailers and earning a commission on each transaction. InstaShop’s success can be attributed to its focus on customer convenience, timely deliveries, and a broad product range. The app’s rapid growth have led to its acquisition by Delivery Hero. This acquisition has further strengthened InstaShop’s market presence and expanded its capabilities to better serve its growing customer base.

How to Create an App Like InstaShop?

Creating a grocery delivery app like Instacart requires complete understanding of all the steps involved in app development. Many beginners often do not know about these things, which is why they face difficulties while creating grocery apps. If you are also one of them who does not know how to create an app like InstaShop properly, take a look at the detailed steps defined below.

Research and Plan

Initiating the development process for an online grocery shopping app necessitates the establishment of a detailed and executable project roadmap. This roadmap acts as a strategic guide, ensuring that every aspect of the development is meticulously planned and executed. It involves outlining the goals, milestones, and deliverables that will steer the project from conception to completion. A well-defined roadmap helps in identifying potential challenges early, allocating resources effectively, and maintaining a clear focus on the project’s objectives.

To create this comprehensive roadmap, you should begin with product discovery workshops. These workshops are essential in gathering critical information and aligning the project with market needs and opportunities. During these sessions, the team delves into understanding the target audience and conducting competitor analysis to identify market gaps and opportunities. During this phase, you will also focus on gaining insights into the target consumers’ pain points, which are pivotal in crafting a user-centric app.

Select Development Platform

When developing an app like Zomato or InstaShop, you have the choice between creating a hybrid or a native application. This decision is pivotal, as each option presents its own set of advantages and disadvantages,. Native apps are designed specifically for a particular operating system, such as iOS or Android, utilizing platform-specific programming languages and development tools. This approach allows native apps to leverage the full potential of the device’s hardware and software capabilities, resulting in superior performance and a seamless user experience.

Conversely, hybrid or cross-platform apps are built using technologies that enable a single codebase to run on multiple platforms, such as iOS and Android. This approach is generally more cost-effective and efficient, as it reduces the development time and resources needed to create separate versions of the app for different operating systems. While cross-platform apps may not achieve the same level of performance and optimization as native apps, they offer a viable solution for companies looking to reach a broader audience with a limited budget.

Create a Prototype

After selecting the appropriate development platform for your app, the next crucial step is creating a detailed prototype. A prototype serves as a preliminary version of your app, allowing you to visualize its appearance and functionality. This stage involves designing the app’s interface and simulating its features to provide a clear representation of the final product. By constructing a prototype, you can experiment with the user interface and user experience, ensuring that the app’s design is intuitive and engaging.

Furthermore, developing a prototype offers several strategic advantages. It allows you to test and validate the features you plan to incorporate into the app, providing a practical assessment of their effectiveness and usability. This process is essential for determining the app’s overall viability and ensuring it meets the needs and expectations of your target audience. By gathering feedback from potential consumers during the prototyping phase, you can make informed adjustments that enhance the app’s appeal and functionality.

Build the Application

Once the complete tech stack has been finalized, the next pivotal step is to commence the actual development process. This phase is substantial and demands meticulous time management to ensure that the project progresses smoothly and adheres to the planned schedule. The development phase involves translating the detailed designs and specifications into a functional application. It is crucial to anticipate the length and complexity of this stage and to plan accordingly, as delays can have a cascading effect on the overall timeline.

To manage the development process effectively, adopting a structured approach is imperative. One of the most widely regarded methodologies for this purpose is the agile methodology. Agile methodology segments the comprehensive development plan into smaller, manageable sub-processes, each known as a sprint. This approach allows the development team to concentrate on specific tasks within a short timeframe, usually one to four weeks, fostering a more focused and efficient workflow. By breaking down the project, the team can regularly assess progress, integrate feedback, and make necessary adjustments.

Test and Launch

Before the official launch of your grocery app, Quality Assurance (QA) engineers undertake a thorough review to ensure it meets the highest standards of usability, security, compatibility, and performance. This meticulous testing phase is critical, as it involves identifying and rectifying any potential issues that could hinder the user experience or compromise the app’s functionality. QA engineers conduct various tests, including functional testing, security testing, compatibility testing and more others. This rigorous evaluation process is designed to deliver a polished and reliable app that meets user expectations and industry standards.

Once the QA team has given their approval, your app is ready for launch on major platforms such as the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store. However, the launch is not the final step in your app’s lifecycle. Continuous improvement is essential to maintain and enhance the app’s performance and user satisfaction. Post-launch, it is crucial to monitor user feedback and app analytics to identify areas for improvement and to implement necessary updates and enhancements. Regularly updating the app helps to fix bugs and keep the app aligned with evolving user needs and technological advancements.

Key Features to Include in a Grocery Delivery App

To stand among top apps in UAE, you need to build a grocery app with different types of interactive features. If you do not know which features are required for such apps, take a look at the list of traits given below.

Voice Search

Integrating an AI-enabled voice search feature into your grocery app significantly enhances the convenience and efficiency of the user experience. This advanced functionality allows customers to place orders and navigate through the app using voice commands, eliminating the need for manual typing.

Moreover, the AI-enabled voice search feature dramatically speeds up the process of locating specific items within the app. Customers can instantly retrieve search results by vocalizing their queries, which is especially helpful when they are looking for particular products or navigating through extensive product categories.

Push Notifications

Push notifications are an effective tool for maintaining engagement with your customers by keeping them informed about the latest updates, offers, and products. Through these notifications, you can deliver timely messages directly to users’ mobile devices, ensuring they are aware of new arrivals, special promotions, and inventory changes.

By leveraging push notifications, you can create a more personalized and dynamic experience for your customers. This targeted approach not only increases the relevance of the messages but also fosters a stronger connection between the app and its users.

Multiple Languages

Limiting your grocery delivery app to a single language can significantly constrain its potential reach. By incorporating multiple languages into the app, you open doors to a broader audience. Multilingual support allows you to cater to customers from different linguistic backgrounds, making the app more inclusive and user-friendly.

Expanding the app’s language offerings also demonstrates a commitment to serving a diverse customer base, which can positively impact user satisfaction and loyalty. For businesses aiming to scale their operations and reach new geographic areas, providing multilingual support is a strategic move that aligns with global market trends and consumer expectations.

Loyalty Program

Imagine the added value of being rewarded simply for your continued engagement with an app. Loyalty programs are designed to enhance user satisfaction by offering customers a range of benefits, including exclusive offers, discounts, and gifts tailored to their preferences. These programs create a sense of appreciation and recognition, making users feel valued and incentivized to remain active on the app.

Moreover, loyalty programs effectively encourage users to increase their spending and frequency of transactions within the app. Each purchase brings users closer to unlocking additional rewards, fostering a cycle of engagement and increased activity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Words

That summarizes our entire blog in which we have discussed how to create an app like InstaShop properly. Many grocery delivery apps like Carrefour, InstaShop and others are quite popular in the UAE. People love to use them regularly to shop various types of products such as bakery essentials, vegetables, meat and more others. This blog has defined some useful tips that will help you to develop a quality grocery delivery app like InstaShop. The demand of these apps is currently very high, hence learning their development strategy should be the top priority of app developers these days.

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