Insights for Entrepreneurs

How to Make an App Like Instacart: A Detailed Guide

image
Glory Simmons

24 Apr 2023 on Insights for Entrepreneurs · 7 min read

make an app like instacart

7 min read

Using an on-demand delivery app in the pre-pandemic period was a trend among younger generations as they love to use technology and experience convenience to the core. But in this post-pandemic period, using an on-demand delivery app has become mandatory and standard practice for all consumers.

The grocery delivery business has become potentially profitable in recent years. As a result, grocery delivery apps like Instacart have gained tremendous growth and every brand is finding ways to improvise their grocery delivery business and meet customers’ expectations through advanced technology.

Seeing the substantial growth in this grocery delivery industry, many entrepreneurs have taken the necessary measures to step into this lucrative business. This is why today we can see several searches on how to build an app like Instacart in all search engines.

Is it the right time to invest in Instacart clone app development?

If you are in this queue, then you need to first understand whether you have pitched the business at the right time. You should check some stats that will let you know the scope of on-demand grocery delivery apps. Here are a few stats that will give you the confidence to make an app like Instacart.

  • The global market size of the food delivery industry was $130 billion in 2022 and it is expected to reach $223 billion by the end of 2027.
  • The main reason for the raise in this industry is not only because the pandemic, but there is a 33% increase in the working population that has increased the demand for food delivery services.
  • More than 65% of US consumers are using any one grocery delivery app for their regular grocery purchases.
  • The number of users who are using grocery delivery apps is around 2.5 billion in 2022.
  • China has generated impressive revenue on food delivery services with $309 billion in 2022 which is followed by the US with $ 185 billion.

Instacart success story

Many food delivery apps are available today in the market. Out of all, we have been searching for how to create an app like Instacart. This is because Instacart is tremendously popular and holds many fascinating stats that inspire many budding entrepreneurs.

  • Instacart owns more than 30000 stores.
  • More than 500 million products have been listed on the platform.
  • Instacart serves 5500 cities in North America alone.The platform has more than 200,000 shoppers.
  • Around 85% of US households are available in the Instacart app.
  • In 2021, the revenue earned by the platform is $1.8 billion.

Types of on-demand delivery apps

When we consider making an app like Instacart, we need to be specific on what type of business model we are going to use for our business.

Inventory business model

The grocery-selling user will buy all grocery items in bulk quantity from all available stores at cheap prices and will store them separately in a warehouse. Whenever an order is received, the user will collect products directly from the warehouse and will sell them directly to the customer.

Suitable for: users who need to have stock of all the items available for selling.

Multi-vendor grocery marketplace

This is a highly preferred marketplace where the platform will have multiple grocers who can sell their products directly to the customers. Customers place the order through the platform and the concerned grocer will the product to them. The platform will just act as an intermediary in buying and selling.

Suitable for: users who do not want to take the headache of maintaining inventory and also not necessarily he should be a grocer himself.

Hyperlocal business model

The platform mainly focuses on a limited geographical area that is around the warehouse or the store. The main objective of this model is to provide fast delivery to customers who are nearby the local store.

Suitable for: users who prefer to connect local grocers with their nearby buyers.

Single store app

This is a platform run by a single grocer who has developed the platform only to sell his products alone to the customers. Once the order is received, he will directly sell products to the customers and get payment from them.

Suitable for: single grocery store owner who needs an online medium to sell his products.

Grocery chain app

This is also just like a single-store app but here the owner of the grocery store may have multiple layouts and products will be collected from different layouts that are nearby the customers’ place and will be delivered to them.

Suitable for: users who own various grocery outlets

Hope you are clear with all business models that are available with on-demand grocery delivery business. Be specific with your requirement and choose the best business model that will cater to all your business needs and then proceed with the Instacart clone app development process.

Learn how to develop an app like Instacart

If you are looking for an answer to how to build an app like Instacart, you need to check for multiple aspects before you make an app like Instacart. Because Instacart did not succeed in the market by having any one particular aspect. The platform focused on multiple aspects like local store connections, better marketing strategies, a user-friendly interface, secured payment options, and many more.

So, we need to first check on key factors to consider while building an app like Instacart. This will help us to compete well in the market and will help us to survive for a long period.

make an app like instacart

Partnering with major brands

This is one of the key tools that will make your brand get greater reach and acceptance. You need to first integrate all major retailers and their grocery outlets with your platform. By doing this, you can get hold of their wider customer base and can get easy orders and revenue.

Focus on the platform development

The platform you build is going to be the main pillar of your on-demand grocery delivery business. This is where your customers are going to order their grocery items and pay online. Make a user-friendly platform with simple registration and easy checkout features. Also, make it mobile responsive to get more customers.

Add monetization strategy

You need to be assured about having multiple revenue channels so that you can get better returns through your platform. You can offer premium features to customers and make them pay to access those features. Allow in-app purchases, and provide better customer loyalty programs that will get you good business.

Data Analytics

To improvise your grocery app performance, you need to take data-driven decisions. For this, you need to rely on analytics that will get you reports on all metrics and can constantly measure how well your platform is performing in the market.

Extensive features are needed to make an app like Instacart

You need to have a clear understanding of the features that are involved in running an app with seamless processing. Every on-demand grocery business needs apps for grocers, consumers, delivery agents, and the admin.

Consumer features

FeaturesDescription
RegistrationAllowing consumers to create an account and sign in to search for and buy grocery items from the app
Product CatalogOrganizing all products category-wise and displaying them accordingly
Advanced search and filtersSupporting consumers to search and filter any particular product among thousands of products
Add to cartWill let consumers save the product in the cart and then proceed to checkout.
Real-time order trackingConsumers need to track their orders in real-time
Multiple delivery slotsAllow consumers to choose their convenient delivery time to get their products delivered.
In-app chatConsumers need to communicate with the concerned grocers or the platform technical assistance for any guidance
Rating and reviewConsumers should be allowed to share their feedback and rate the platform service
Multiple device supportConsumers should be able to order grocery items from any of their devices like smartphones, laptops, etc.
Multiple payment optionsOffer consumers to choose their comfortable payment options which can be credit/debit card payment, UPI, or net banking.

Grocer/vendor features

FeaturesDescription
Vendor RegistrationAllowing multiple vendors to get registered themselves with the app through the proper authentication process
Product managementVendors should be able to add, edit, or delete their products in the app and set and change their prices, descriptions, and many more whenever needed.
Order managementVendors should be able to accept or reject any order request made by consumers through the app
Payment managementVendors can easily track their earnings with the platform and can receive their payment by giving withdrawal requests.
Customer feedbackVendors should be allowed to view all customer feedback about their products and delivery. This will help them to improvise their product quality along with their service.
Multilingual supportTo support consumers from a diverse base, the platform should offer multilingual support to vendors.

Delivery agent features

FeaturesDescription
RegistrationLetting delivery agents register with the app and search for available delivery jobs
Delivery managementA delivery agent can accept or reject any delivery request made by the vendor
Real-time order trackingThe delivery agent also needs to track their delivery vehicles during the order delivery process
Route optimizationDelivery agents should be able to optimize their routes and deliver orders in less time.
In-app chatThe delivery agent should be able to communicate directly with consumers for address and order clarifications
Earning managementThe delivery agent should track their earning made through their past deliveries.

Admin features

FeaturesDescription
DashboardA user-friendly dashboard that will display all metrics like the number of orders delivered, revenue generated, expenses, and many more
User managementAdmin should be able to accept or delete any consumers, vendors, and delivery partners.
Payment integrationAdmin should integrate multiple payment gateways with the platform securely.
Review and ratingsThe admin should be able to view all reviews and ratings given by consumers as it will help him to improvise his platform
Customer supportMultiple communication channels should be integrated with the platform that will let the platform offer better customer support
Analytics and ReportingLet the admin get all metrics that will measure the working of the platform and effectively track all revenue sources.

Do you have any idea how much it cost to make a grocery delivery app like Instacart?

If you need an exact cost to make an app like Instacart you need to come up with the exact business requirement. Many factors influence the cost of building the app. if you are planning to go for an Instacart clone script that is ready to deploy, it will be cheaper and the best choice for any startup.

But if you decide to go on developing the application from scratch then you need to decide on many factors as listed below.

  • The complexity of the app
  • Features that are crucial to be added
  • The technology that needs to be implemented
  • Size of the team with the skilled technical members
  • Days and hours needed for completing the grocery app

After analyzing all these factors, you can find your perfect development partner who can build the app within your budget.

Get support from Appkodes – Your Instacart Clone App development partner

Appkodes can be of great support in making your ideas into reality. The team of skilled Instacart app developers will assist you in building a perfect Instacart clone with all salient features. You will complete guidance on application design, development, and maintenance.

Appkodes maintains transparency in the Instacart clone app development process and assures users get a quality output. Appkodes also offer customization support and makes the app perfectly suit your business needs.

Reach us Now…

Are you looking for clone scripts or app development services for your
online business venture?

Contact Us

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Glory is a creative content writer whose writing has a deep connection with users and can provide SEO-friendly tech-driven content. Being a freelance content writer, all her writings meet the demands of any online business, solopreneur, start-up, and brand.