How Much Does It Cost To Develop An App Like Walmart?

Who doesn’t know the name Walmart today? The app is the biggest retailer globally and as per the reports, the app has crossed up to $650 billion in revenue in FY 2024.  Developing an app like Walmart is no less than any task for every top company and other enterprise. 

Walmart is a global supermarket and retail company that is the largest retailer in the world. The app has been continuously selling a wide range of products. Some of the top categories included are grocery, furniture, electronics, video games, movies, music streaming, car accessories, stationery, pets, and much more.

For the past three years, it has dominated the US market. It has accomplished significant milestones since opening as a tiny business in 1962 and rising to become the top worldwide retail brand. Apart from the online presence the app has, there are several physical stores of Walmart for satisfy the local customers as well. This ensures that this is the right time for retail companies to expand their internet market and enter the store market. 

Today, every company can think of developing a retail e-commerce app like Walmart. This article will help you understand all the aspects like mobile app development cost, hiring mobile app developers, and the right process of development. Dive more to make your app.  

What is Walmart: The App You Must Know

Walmart is one of the most popular retail apps today! With the app, every user just has to start with a simple search, browse, and buy the best products. Why is this the best app? Because with Walmart, you can get the best variety of products from their stores and online marketplaces. Customers can now easily choose their favorite products on the website or the app and add them to their carts and instantly buy. One of the crucial features of Walmart is the tracking of the customer’s preferences which helps them be close to their target audience.

Customers can choose to pick up their purchases from the closest Walmart or shop online and have them delivered to their homes. This is the unique selling point of an app like Walmart. You can fully customize the app and have admin control over it.

Factors That Affecting The Development Cost Of App Like Walmart

There are several factors involved in the overall development of an app like Walmart. The eCommerce application development process can be difficult but can also be solved with knowing about the factors in advance. These factors can hamper the overall mobile app development cost. Understanding each of the factors is important for every business looking to develop an app like Walmart. Let us now look at some of the top features: 

1. Platform and Device Compatibility

It is crucial to make a perfect choice of platform as it can affect the overall mobile app development costs. The top choices for platforms include Android, iOS, or both. Development of an app for a single platform or native app can be less costly since it only requires connecting the app with a single platform. Whereas, the hybrid app is more costly because it requires connecting with multiple platforms as each one requires more coding efforts and testing capabilities. 

2. App Complexity and Features

The overall mobile app development cost can be affected because of several factors. The most crucial factors are app complexity and the key features. An app with fewer features and limited functionality can be less expensive as compared to an app with advanced features and functionalities can be costly. Some of the advanced features are:

•  Real-time inventory tracking 
• Secure payment processing
• Personalized user experiences

As every advanced feature is added, it makes it crucial for developers to work on more coding, testing, and efforts. This can also affect the overall mobile app development cost.

3. Design and UI/UX

One critical cost factor that no business should avoid is design and UI/UX. An app with a simple design can be less costly to develop as there is no need for complex interfaces. On the other hand, investing in a custom or complex app can cost more because of technicalities. Some factors that can increase the cost are advanced graphics, animations, and transitions require more resources and time. So, you must decide the right option between template-based designs or custom designs. This can also influence the mobile app development cost.

4. Development Team Composition

The location of your development team along with the choice can affect the mobile app development cost. If you decide to hire an in-house team, it might be more expensive. But, if you hire an outsourcing company, it can be less costly for you, especially from regions like Asia and Eastern Europe. No doubt, it is crucial to keep a balance between quality and budget limitations when selecting the right partner. 

5. Integration with Third-Party Services

Integrating third-party services such as payment gateways, social media platforms, and analytics tools can add to development costs. Each integration requires additional time for setup and testing, especially if premium APIs are utilized. Businesses should consider these factors when planning their budget to ensure all necessary functionalities are included.

6. Ongoing Maintenance and Updates

Lastly, it is quite crucial to check on all the ongoing maintenance and updates after the launch of the app. There are certain costs associated with the overall updation of the app as per features, security patches, performance, and much more. These factors can also accumulate over time. The plan for each of the expenses is quite essential for ensuring long-term success and overall customer satisfaction with the app.

By considering each of the factors, every business can easily now estimate the overall development costs. The development of an app like Walmart will ensure it will meet all the strategic objectives in this competitive and daily-changing retail market. 

Key Market Statics 

There’s no doubt in the fact that the retail market today is witnessing a surge in the market. It is also driving the use of mobile shopping today. Here are the stats that prove it to everyone: 

• According to MarketsAndMarkets, the global retail analytics market is projected to reach $11.1 billion by 2025, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21.2%. This is a rise which clearly shows the growing demand for data-driven insights for enhancing customer experience and optimizing the operations.
• As per Statista, up to 21% of participants use retail apps multiple times a day. The other stats indicate the use of retail apps just once by up to 22% of participants. This clearly shows a strong engagement rate among the shopping mobile platforms.
• In 2021, there were only about 120 million users in the USA for Walmart. The app has been in the lead. When it comes to monthly users, the app has managed to overtake Amazon. These statistics demonstrate Walmart’s audience engagement and indicate its dominance. 

As every business is today looking at these trends and to capitalize on the same, it is crucial to understand every market statistic.  This helps to know what the users prefer when developing competitive retail apps that meet consumer expectations, drive revenue, and define growth. 

The Cost to Develop an App Like Walmart

The development of an app like Walmart involves careful planning and numerous factors. Some of these are:

• Complexity
• App features
• Timeline
• Development team
• Location, and more

These can impact the overall cost of development. Every business aiming to enter the complex retail market needs to know about each element carefully. Here’s a table that will help you get the right understanding of developing an app like Walmart. 

Cost Factors for Developing an App Like Walmart

Cost Estimation for Sub-Features in Development

Now, every business can easily and efficiently give priority to the development demand and plan for informed judgments. These decisions and judgments are based on the investment in an app like Walmart by checking on the average cost estimations. Moreover, checking the cost implications of other features and functions can also have an impact.  

How Long Does it Take to Develop an App Like Walmart and Their Models?

The overall timeline for ecommerce application development like Walmart can really vary on numerous factors. These include the complexity, design needs, and the expertise of the chosen development team. In general, the timeline ranges from 16 to 25 weeks. Here’s a brief breakdown you must know: 

1. Planning & Requirements: The first phase requires you to gather user responses, define the features of the app, and create a wireframe. This will help you to outline the app’s structure and flow. The overall timeline for the same is 2-3 weeks. 
2. Design UI/UX: In this phase, designers will focus on crafting the user interface. The user experience must be engaging and intuitive which ensures the app is easy for navigation and appealing. The timeline for this phase is 2-4 weeks. 
3. Backend Development: In this phase, the developers need to work on server-side logic, integrating databases, and connecting APIs. These are essential for the app’s functionality and data management.The timeline for this phase is 4-8 weeks. 
4. Frontend Development: In this step, the developers work to implement the functionality of the app. These work for Android, iOS, or both platforms during this phase. It ensures a seamless user experience across numerous devices. This phase takes up to 3-6 weeks.
5. App Testing: This step involves doing rigorous testing to evaluate performance, compatibility, and security. It is crucial to identify and resolve any issues before launch. This phase takes up to 2-4 weeks.
6. Deployment & Launch: This is the final phase which involves the submission of the app to app stores. Then, it is best to launch a strategy to promote its availability to users. This process lasts 1-2 weeks based on the needs. 
7. Maintenance Services: Post-launch support includes fixing bugs and ensuring the app remains issue-free as it scales and evolves based on user feedback. This process is ongoing and has no fixed timeline. 

Conclusion

So, now we know numerous features affect the overall mobile app development cost. The overall cost generally ranges up to $70,000 based on the features. These are platform choice, tech stack, project complexity, team selection, location, and more. To ensure long-term success, it is best if businesses give priority to crucial parts and plan for continuous maintenance of larger investments. 

Now, businesses can easily develop successful retail apps like Walmart with improved customer experience and spurred hype in this ever-changing digital environment. You just need to comprehend to the cost dynamics and work with a team with expertise.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost for e-commerce application development like Walmart?

The overall mobile app development cost generally ranges from $30,000 to $70,000. The cost generally varies due to several factors or features. Some of them include the app platform, the complexity, the developer’s skills, and the development team’s location. To get a better idea of the cost, you should think about hiring mobile app developers.  

Is it possible to get a chatbot in my Walmart-like app?

Yes! You can now easily integrate the chatbot into your next app. It can help to enhance the customer engagement and interaction among users. Chatbots make it easy for businesses to offer quick responses, answer every FAQ, and also track orders. 

Can I get maintenance and support services after the final delivery of Walmart-like app development?

Yes! We will help you get comprehensive maintenance and support services once the app is launched. The services include: 

• Regular updates, bug fixes
• Performance monitoring 

What are some of the top apps to integrate in an app like Walmart? 

Several apps can be integrated into an app like Walmart. These include payment gateways for safe transactions, with analytical tools for tracking user behavior. They also include inventory management solutions to track real-time updates on stocks. Moreover, to enhance user engagement and the right marketing strategies, it is best to incorporate social media sharing features. 

What are the ways to monetize a retail app like Walmart?

For the monetization of retail apps like Walmart, here are some of the ways to do so:

• Implementing in-app advertising
• Offer premium features via a freemium model
• Charge delivery fees
• Taking any sales commission
• Hiring mobile app developers

With these best practices, businesses can ensure to create profitable revenue streams.