How to build an ecommerce shopping app like Amazon

April 17, 2025 gauripandian

The ecommerce industry is booming, and mobile shopping apps are leading the way. Amazon, the world’s largest online marketplace, has set the standard for what a successful ecommerce app should look like. If you’re planning to build an app like Amazon, this guide will walk you through everything—from market research to development and launch.

A Brief History of Amazon

Amazon started in 1994 as an online bookstore but quickly expanded into selling everything from electronics to groceries. Key milestones in Amazon’s growth include:

2005: Amazon Prime – Introduced fast shipping and streaming services.
2006: AWS (Amazon Web Services) – Became a leader in cloud computing.
2014: Amazon Echo & Alexa – Revolutionized voice shopping.
2020s: AI & Automation – Personalized recommendations, cashier-less stores (Amazon Go).

Amazon’s mobile app played a huge role in its success by offering a seamless shopping experience. Today, over 60% of Amazon sales come from mobile users. Visit: https://zipprr.com/amazon-clone/

What Should You Do Before Creating an App Like Amazon?

Building an app like Amazon requires careful planning. Here’s what you need to do first:

1. Conduct Market Research on Apps Like Amazon

Before coding, study your competition:

Who are your competitors? (eBay, Walmart, Alibaba)
What do users like/dislike? Check app store reviews.
What’s trending? (AI recommendations, AR try-ons, voice search)

Pro Tip: Use tools like Google Trends, App Annie, and SEMrush to analyze demand.

2. Make a List of Required Features

A successful ecommerce app needs these features:

Core Features (Must-Have)

✔ User Accounts – Sign-up, login, profiles
✔ Product Listings – Categories, search, filters
✔ Shopping Cart & Checkout – Easy payment flow
✔ Multiple Payment Options – Credit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay
✔ Order Tracking – Real-time delivery updates

Advanced Features (For Competitive Edge)

✔ AI Recommendations – “Customers also bought…”
✔ Voice Search – Like Amazon’s Alexa shopping
✔ Augmented Reality (AR) – Virtual try-ons for fashion/furniture
✔ Loyalty Programs – Discounts, reward points

3. Estimate the Cost of Development

The cost depends on:

App Complexity – Basic ( $20 K -$ 50K) vs. Advanced ($100K+)
Development Team – Freelancers vs. agencies
Platform – iOS, Android, or both

Breakdown of Costs:

UI/UX Design – $5 K -$ 15K
Backend Development – $10 K -$ 30K
Third-Party APIs – $2 K -$ 10K (payment gateways, analytics)
Testing & Launch – $3 K -$ 8K

4. Choose a Development Method

You have four options:

1️⃣ Custom Development (Hire developers – full control but expensive)
2️⃣ Ecommerce Platforms (Shopify, Magento – faster but limited customization)
3️⃣ No-Code/Low-Code Builders (Bubble, Shoutem – cheap but less scalable)
4️⃣ Hybrid Approach (Mix of outsourcing & in-house)

Best for Startups? Start with MVP (Minimum Viable Product) and scale later.

Create an App Like Amazon in 4 Steps

Step 1: Design Your Ecommerce App from Scratch

Wireframing – Sketch your app’s layout (use Figma or Adobe XD).
UI/UX Best Practices – Simple navigation, fast loading, dark mode.
Branding – Choose colors, fonts, and logos that match your business.

Step 2: Show Products in Your App

Product Categories – Organize items neatly (e.g., Electronics, Fashion).
High-Quality Images – Use zoom-in and 360° views.
Pricing & Discounts – Show original vs. sale prices clearly.

Step 3: Configure App-Related Settings

Payment Gateways – Integrate Stripe, PayPal, or Razorpay.
Shipping Options – Offer free delivery, express shipping.
Push Notifications – Alert users about deals & abandoned carts.

Step 4: Preview and Publish Your App

Beta Testing – Let real users test & give feedback.
App Store Submission – Follow Apple & Google’s guidelines.
Marketing – Use ASO (App Store Optimization), social media ads.

What Are the Advantages of Creating an App Like Amazon?

1. Better User Experience

Faster than mobile websites.
One-click purchases & saved payment methods.

2. Enhanced Communication

Push notifications increase engagement.
Chatbots for instant customer support.

3. Higher Conversion Rate

Mobile shoppers spend 3x more than desktop users.
Personalized recommendations boost sales.

In Conclusion

From development costs to selecting the right app-building approach, several key factors need consideration before diving in.

This guide walks you through the entire process of creating an Amazon-like eCommerce app. For a faster solution, you can leverage Zipprr’s ready-made templates to develop a mobile app for any business model.

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