Wondering about developing a marketplace app like Etsy?
Well, a foremost element that comes along with development is costs. If you are puzzled about the costs of building a marketplace app like Etsy, then it’s the right place to find it.
You don’t need to give up on your dream to make an e-commerce app like Etsy, just because of costs.
All you need is the right guidance on how much it costs to develop a marketplace app like ETSY.
The average cost to develop an Etsy clone shopping app can vary from $15,000 to $350,000. Here we have provided you with a range because there are significant factors on which this cost depends.
Other than this, you need to know the features, why to develop it, and much more. Here we will discuss the same.
Shall we begin the journey?
Etsy: Shop, Gifts and Style
Before you know about factors and other important details, it is vital to learn about the app with a brief.
Etsy is an American shopping marketplace company that is focused on vintage, handmade, and craft supplies. On this website, users can find unique goods and gifts from around the world.
This platform offers people an opportunity to sell and buy custom products. The items can fall under a diversified range of categories including jewelry, clothing, religious items, furniture, and more.
It is a global marketplace for unique as well as creative goods. Users can find vintage pieces and unique handicraft options over the platform.
In the year 2023, Etsy as an e-commerce website has become specialized in dealing with craft and vintage items. The app has generated revenues worth 2.7 billion U.S. dollars in the concerned year and is estimated to grow further.
This represented an opportunity for you to enter the marketplace with a great mobile app idea to bring a revolution.
Now, that you learned about the marketplace and app, it’s time to know about its successful features in engaging users over diversified regions.
Top Features of Etsy Marketplace
Before we head on the Etsy-like shopping app development cost, let’s learn about the features of the Etsy marketplace.
Here is a list to follow.
1. User Profile and Registration
To determine the cost of making a marketplace app like Etsy, you must include features that can optimize costs. Keeping the profile and registration process simple can help here.
Users should not face difficulty in registering throughout the app. This is a feature that develops trust among the users.
2. Search Option
The search option helps users to find the product or service easily without struggling throughout the list. In-app search provides an option for the users to find products conveniently.
You can add voice search or lens to provide a seamless option to the users for finding the product they seek. It saves time and effort for the users and consequently increases satisfaction.
3. Listing Products
Listings are an important part of the Etsy app. Here you end up listing down all the products that you want to display to attract end users.
The order management system also impacts the users’ purchasing behavior. Thus, mismanagement can result in frustration that can lead to bad impression of an app.
4. Personalization
In the current era, personalization has been one of the prominent features to add during the app development process.
Advance personalization can be an important feature to increase user satisfaction. In the current era, the use of AI personalization has increased its implementation and it can improve trust in the app.
5. Wishlist
The Wishlist feature provides an option to the users so that they can bookmark the items that they wish to purchase later.
Adding this feature can provide users with a platform to simply add items that they like but do not want to buy instantly.
6. Checkout Page
Under this feature, you should create a checkout page design that requires it to be simple. With the customizable cart, users should be able to process checkout with their products.
This feature should offer a smooth and easy experience to the app users, enabling them to get access to it like any other user.
7. Payment Integration
Payment integration is an important feature that can be implemented to enable users to pay for their products safely.
Here you should enable the implementation of robust technologies for boosting safe payment options. A complete list of payments and all additional charges should be displayed for fair pay.
8. Social Media Integration
An option to share their purchases with friends and family increases user experience over the app. Thus, including this feature is significant for assisting them to connect with their loved ones.
This feature also improves users’ connectivity via sharing orders. Along with this, you should implement an email confirmation system for sending OTPs, order receipts, and tracking information.
9. Push Notifications
Implement push notification systems to provide updates related to orders, discounts, or any other information relevant to users.
Providing important updates creates awareness among users related to new arrivals, discounts, or orders that simply keep them engaged in the marketplace.
10. Dashboard and Analytics
Every user is different and so their dashboard should be. The app needs to appear according to users’ interests so that they can user it accordingly.
Presenting a dashboard where they can find their past orders, current orders, and other important details based on users’ interests will contribute to increasing trust in the app.
These were the top features to be included which can further impact the cost to build a marketplace app like Etsy.
However, a bit more you should be aware of related to the reasons behind considering Etsy’s business model. It is crucial to strengthen your will to develop an app.
Kindly visit the next section to learn more.
Why Develop an App Like Etsy?
Want to know the cost of developing an online marketplace like Etsy?
Before identifying multiple factors impacting costs, you should be aware of the reasons to develop it. The given list discusses it all.
Growing Market
A growing market place is simply a reason to invest in an app. Within the United States, Temu was the most used app with 122 million downloads in 2023. Followed by Amazon, eBay, and Etsy which created an opportunity to enter the market.
Provides Unique Value
If you head up to a marketplace app like Etsy that focuses on unique elements such as personalized products, ancient paintings, or customized sculptures. The diversified value proposition attracts particular segments of buyers who seek customized items. Similarly, it is needed to develop your niche segment.
Supporting Small Sellers and Businessman
By creating a website like Etsy, you provide a platform to connect buyers and sellers. This is an opportunity for small businesses to ensure growth over the platform and for sellers to find unique products and items. Here small entrepreneurs can connect with the customers they desire.
Improves User Satisfaction
Developing an app like Etsy can increase user satisfaction by delivering the services that users demand. If you will be able to deliver what is exactly in demand, this can automatically increase traffic over the marketplace app.
Provide an Opportunity for Innovation
By developing an app, you can find an opportunity to deliver a unique service or product that matters to the needs of users. Through analyzing the market, you should bridge the gap by innovating products and services that matter.
Global Reach
Developing an online platform provides global reach. With diversified e-commerce channels, businesses can expand their reach and capture new markets without any constraints of physical boundaries. Hence, you can reach to global audience through an Etsy-like platform.
Helps to Build Community
Over an Etsy-like platform, you can develop a community where sellers and buyers can connect successfully. Here you can find community spaces for finding inspiration, sharing knowledge, discussing ideas, and building long-term relations that result in growing businesses.
Based-on the above reasons, you can decide to create a platform like Etsy. Now, that you learned about important factors and reasons to develop a platform, it is important to look for Etsy’s clone website development costs and factors impacting it.
Cost to Develop an App like Etsy
If you are eager to know the cost and its related factors then it’s the right time to get it all.
The average marketplace app development cost can be from $15,000 to $350,000. However, some factors impact costs which you must study to get the right estimate.
In the next section, we will discuss them all. Let’s get ahead to know them effectively.
Factors that Affect Etsy Like App Development Cost
Learning about the cost range to develop an app like Etsy is not enough until you know the factors impacting it.
Here is the list of factors impacting costs. Let’s study them together.
1] Size and Complexity
The complexity of the app along with the size impacts the cost estimation for developing an ecommerce app like Etsy. The large size and complex features can result in high cost or vice-versa.
Complex apps demand advanced functionalities including real-time data sync, augmented reality experiences along with geolocation services.
You can check out the table below, to know about complexity and its impact on the costs of Etsy app development.
| Complexity Level | Features | Estimated Cost |
| Basic | – User accounts | $15,000 – $50,000 |
| – Product listings | ||
| – Search function | ||
| – Simple payments | ||
| Intermediate | – All basic features | $50,000 – $150,000 |
| – Better search options | ||
| – Secure payments | ||
| – Track orders | ||
| Advanced/Complex | – All intermediate features | $150,000 – $350,000 |
| – Personalized suggestions | ||
| – Chat within the app | ||
| – Connect to social media | ||
| – Live updates | ||
| – Smart chatbots | ||
| – Multiple languages | ||
| – Detailed analytics |
To determine, if your app comes under complex features and large-size categories, you can hire mobile app developers.
2] App Design
Apps with custom animations, complex user interfaces along advanced or polished designs require more resources.
Besides this, if you require a UI/UX design that can be integrated with advanced technologies then it requires high costs.
Here is a table to follow for determining the design levels and their impacts on costs.
| Design Level | Description | Estimated Cost |
| Basic | Simple design, basic layout, minimal UI | $15,000 – $50,000 |
| Intermediate | Custom design, improved user experience | $50,000 – $100,000 |
| Advanced/Complex | Highly customized, interactive elements, rich graphics | $100,000 – $200,000 |
You should learn the UI/UX principles and their details in order to determine the cost estimation for apps like Etsy.
3] Platform Compatibility
A platform that is built over a single platform either iOS or Android can charge you less and vice-versa.
Each platform has its own coding and design requirements that result in differences in costs.
Selecting hybrid platforms can cost you huge. Along with this, it is important to check the compatibility across different devices, screen sizes, and operating systems which further add to workload development and similarly increases costs.
| Platform Compatibility | Description | Estimated Cost |
| Single Platform | Develop for either iOS or Android | $15,000 – $50,000 |
| Dual Platform | Develop for both iOS and Android | $50,000 – $150,000 |
| Cross-Platform | Develop using cross-platform frameworks | $100,000 – $200,000 |
| Multiple Platforms | Includes web, iOS, Android, and other platforms | $150,000 – $250,000 |
Here, you can hire Android app developers and iOS app developers according to the aim of building it. This can impact the cost of building an Etsy clone marketplace app.
4] Tech Stack
Every custom software development requires a unique technology stack to build it that further influences overall costs.
Here tech stack can comprise diversified factors including frameworks, libraries, and tools as well as programming languages useful to build software.
You can check out the table below representing the diversified tech stack and its impact on costs.
| Tech Stack | Description | Estimated Cost |
| Native (iOS/Android) | Develop separate apps for iOS and Android | $100,000 – $250,000 |
| Cross-Platform (Flutter) | Use Flutter framework for iOS and Android | $80,000 – $200,000 |
| Hybrid (React Native) | Use React Native for iOS and Android | $60,000 – $150,000 |
| Progressive Web App (PWA) | Develop a web-based app compatible with mobile devices | $30,000 – $80,000 |
| Web App | Develop primarily for web browsers | $15,000 – $50,000 |
You can implement AWS marketplace integration within the app to improve its presence among competitors.
5] Development Team
A team can develop and demolish your ideas for creating an app. All you need is to select a team that can get your instincts to design an app successfully.
For selecting the right team, you should go through two important elements including the location and expertise of the team members.
Here is a table you can check for deciding over the cost to hire a developer.
| Development Team Factors | Description | Estimated Cost |
| US Team (High Expertise) | Development team based in the United States with extensive expertise | $250,000 – $350,000 |
| US Team (Moderate Expertise) | Development team based in the United States with moderate expertise | $150,000 – $250,000 |
| Europe Team (High Expertise) | Development team based in Europe with extensive expertise | $200,000 – $300,000 |
| Europe Team (Moderate Expertise) | Development team based in Europe with moderate expertise | $120,000 – $200,000 |
| Asia Team (High Expertise) | Development team based in Asia with extensive expertise | $150,000 – $250,000 |
| Asia Team (Moderate Expertise) | Development team based in Asia with moderate expertise | $80,000 – $150,000 |
You can connect with an experienced mobile app development company to determine the right method of Etsy-like app development.
Now, as you know the factors impacting Etsy clone marketplace app development cost, you might be bothered about the timings needed for the same.
Time and Cost are two important resources that impact the development of an app the most. In the next part, we will discuss another resource which is time.
How Long Does It Take To Make Etsy E-Commerce Clone?
Just like costs, time is what might be bothering you, right?
Well, as we have discussed a lot more about costs, now learning about time is our next milestone.
How long does it take to make an app?
Here is a table which can help you here.
| Stage | Description | Timeline |
| Planning & Research | Define app goals, features, target audience | 2-4 weeks |
| Design | UI/UX design, wireframing, prototyping | 4-6 weeks |
| Development | Frontend and backend development | 10-15 weeks |
| Testing | Quality assurance, bug fixing | 4-6 weeks |
| Deployment | App launch, deployment to app stores | 1-2 weeks |
| Post-Launch Support | Monitoring, updates, and user feedback | Ongoing |
Approximately, it can take 21-32 weeks to make a marketplace app like Etsy. The time can vary depending on the complexity of the app.
How to Make Money with a Marketplace App like Etsy?
Till now, you learned about costs, features, reasons to develop, factors, and time needed to make a shopping app like Etsy.
Now, would you like to know the app monetization strategies to cover the cost of developing a marketplace app like Etsy?
Well, here you go.
►Subscription-Based Model
This is the most common monetization model among the marketplace apps is a subscription-based model. Over platforms like Etsy, sellers can enroll for a package that offers diversified additional tools to boost their sales. This signup amount can act as a direct income to earn from the app.
►Listing Fees
It is a method that helps Etsy generate revenue where the platform charges vendors a nominal amount for every listed item. With thousands of unique and handcrafts items listed regularly on the marketplace app, the cumulative effect of such a model can be effective.
►Advertising Fees
There are various promotional services offered by apps like Etsy that assist the vendors to increase sales. Such advertisements are charged via a cost-per-click (CPC) approach. This fee can be a stagnant model to earn money.
►Currency Conversion Fees
It is a popular monetization model for websites that are similar to Etsy. Launching a marketplace around the world requires a currency conversion model for their buyers and sellers. Here you can adopt such a method for earning money from the currency conversion model.
►Premium Services
Providing premium services to sellers and buyers who pay extra for acquiring services over the platform can be a method to earn revenue. Here you can add extra features or services including personalized storefronts, and marketing advice can result in increasing sales.
►Data Monetization
You can protect user privacy, by anonymously creating data reports useful to track users’ purchasing behavior. This kind of model can be adopted for acquiring money by selling data reports to a third party with the consent of users or reports that anonymously present their data.
►Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is another monetization model that combines partnering with complementary businesses to receive a fee for sales that were made through affiliate links. Here you can connect with the affiliates who can use the product and then promote it to earn profit from sale.
Now, if you are still confused about costs, factors, or any other element then you should connect with a team.
How Can Nimble AppGenie Help to Develop a Marketplace App Like Etsy?
Want to decide on a team to help you with app development?
Connect with Nimble AppGenie, we are the best Marketplace App Development Company with an experienced panel who cares about dream apps and knows the right way to convert them into reality.
With effective market research, we draw out a structure that will be helpful to achieve the aim of the project.
We understand the value of resources and know well the trick to optimize them in your favor.
Conclusion
In the present blog, you understood the cost range required to develop an app like Etsy. There are factors including complexity, design, platform compatibility, development team, and tech stack that impact the overall cost estimation.
You can consider multiple features that impact the cost of developing an e-commerce app like Etsy including a wishlist, checkout page, social media integration, push notifications, and search options.
Besides this, multiple reasons can be considered for developing an app like Etsy such as a growing market, unique value proposition, user satisfaction, a desire to bring innovation, and others.
If you wish to cover the overall cost invested to make an app like Etsy then here are the monetization models to be considered. Premium services, advertising fees, data monetization, affiliate marketing, etc. are money-making models to consider.
FAQs
There is a range to consider for developing an app like Etsy from $15,000 to $350,000. This cost is impacted by factors including complexity, size, app design, development team selection, and tech stack and app platform.
Essential features include user profiles, product listings, search options, personalized suggestions, wishlist functionality, secure checkout, payment integration, social media sharing, push notifications, and analytics dashboards.
The development timeline for an Etsy-like app can vary, but typically ranges from 21 to 32 weeks. This includes planning, design, development, testing, deployment, and ongoing post-launch support.
Several factors impact development costs, including the app’s size and complexity, design intricacy, platform compatibility (iOS, Android, web), chosen tech stack (native or cross-platform), and the location and expertise of the development team.
Etsy-like apps can monetize through various methods such as subscription-based models for sellers, listing fees, advertising fees (CPC), currency conversion fees, premium services, data monetization, and affiliate marketing.
Developing an app like Etsy provides opportunities in a growing market, offers unique value propositions to users seeking personalized or niche products, supports small sellers and artisans, enhances user satisfaction through innovative features, expands global reach, and fosters community-building among users.
Niketan Sharma is the CTO of Nimble AppGenie, a prominent website and mobile app development company in the USA that is delivering excellence with a commitment to boosting business growth & maximizing customer satisfaction. He is a highly motivated individual who helps SMEs and startups grow in this dynamic market with the latest technology and innovation.
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