Cost to Develop a Shopping App Like Temu

If you are a shopping fan, you must have heard of Temu.

Nearly 30% of US adults have given this marketplace a try to shop for any kind of shopping needs in the past year.

Seeing such high competition in the market, these numbers are truly commendable and show that Temu has a remarkable hold & a great user base in the market. Well, this success doesn’t only attract users but also makes investors question “How Much Does It Cost to Develop a Shopping App like Temu?”

You see the Temu-like app development cost can be anywhere between $40,000 to $120,000. However, this is just an estimate- additional features and complexity can push the price higher.

Now, your mind must be wondering about a lot of things such as processes, benefits, and more. This blog explores all the necessary elements that you will get to know.

Without any further ado, let’s get to know about it:

Temu App Downloads Stats

Temu is making waves in the e-commerce World!

With a staggering 167 million monthly active users worldwide, they’ve captured the attention of bargain hunters globally.

In the US alone, over 50 million users access the Temu app each month, translating to nearly 30% of US adults who’ve tried the platform in the past year.

It is expected to reach 165.12 million in 2024 and 17% market share within the discount store category.

This is what the data shows us:

It paints a clear picture: Temu’s market is growing. Their impressive user base and the exact rate of growth remain to be seen.

What is the Temu App?

Temu is a hot new name in the eCommerce world, shaking things up with its focus on heavily discounted rates. Launched in 2022, this marketplace app has seen explosive growth, boasting over 167 million active users worldwide.

We’ve already shared how the Temu app made millions which turned to the app for their shopping needs, with nearly 3 out of 10 adults giving it a try in the past year.

With the slogan “Shop like a Billionaire”, their popularity fueled their success as a discount shopping destination. Temu offers a wide variety of products that include clothing, electronics home goods, and beauty supplies, all at surprisingly low prices.

They’ve even captured a significant chunk of the US discount store market share, making them a force to be reckoned with for budget-conscious shoppers.

Why Develop a Temu-Like App?

If you are wondering why to develop a shopping app like Temu, well here are some reasons that will motivate you to jump on the eCommerce boom.

Let’s get to know them:

♦ Increasing Revenue

The future of shopping is online!

By 2040, a staggering 95% of all purchases are predicted to happen through online marketplace. The online marketplace sector is booming, and a Temu-like app will help you to capture this growing market.

Temu’s success highlights the strong demand for affordable goods. A similar app in the market will be the best decision to generate high sales volume through competitive pricing strategies.

♦ Ride of the eCommerce Boom

The online marketplace sector is undergoing explosive growth, as the craze for online shopping is going crazy. If you create a marketplace app like Temu can position you to capture a significant share of this growing market.

This explosive growth with projections suggests a significant shift towards online shopping in the future which creates a vast market with a high potential customer base.

By leveraging this data, you can personalize user experiences, recommend relevant products, and optimize marketing campaigns, all leading to increased engagement and potentially higher conversion rates.

♦ Provide You With a Competitive Edge

Another reason to make an app like Temu, one of the major reasons is it will give you a competitive edge over your competitors.

Your app can be anything from a gamified shopping experience to focus on specific product categories or a curation system based on user preferences. If your app leverages top on-demand app trends, it can stand out from the competition and attract a loyal user base.

You should prioritize a user-friendly and intuitive app interface. This will connect with users more quickly and engage them.

♦ Stay Ahead in the Market

The eCommerce landscape is constantly evolving.

Developing a Temu-like app allows you to explore innovative features, integrate new technologies and AI-powered recommendations, and stay ahead of the curve in the competitive online marketplace space.

This emphasizes the dynamic nature of the eCommerce market and the need to adapt. A smooth, intuitive, and user-friendly experience is paramount. Focus on efficient search functions, fast loading times, and seamless checkout process.

Regularly gather user feedback and iterate on your app’s design based on their needs.

As you get to know the reasons to create an eCommerce app like Temu, it’s time to know about the must-have features of a Temu-like app.

Must-Have Features to Create an App like Temu

In order to make a marketplace app like Temu successful, you should integrate essential features. Get some must-have features to create a shopping app like Temu:

1. Registration & Login

The first step towards making an app like Temu is to ensure that users have an easy registration & login feature.

Let users onboard with just some easy steps including name, email address, and username. Otherwise, a long process might lead to frustrating users and abandoning the app which you surely don’t want.

2. Product Catalog With Different Categories

To create an eCommerce app like Temu, the product catalog acts as a virtual store shelf, precisely organized for easy browsing and efficient product discovery.

This product catalog is basically a digital library of all the items available for purchase. So, each product should showcase details like images, description, price, and more.

These categories act like sections within a department store, grouping similar products together.

3. Search and Filtering

Once users register on the app, the first thing they do is search for a specific product name, brand, or even a general term like “running shoes’’.

Your app should instantly display relevant results. Other than that, one on-demand feature allows you to search using voice commands or even image recognition, making the process even more intuitive.

4. Team Creation and Management

In a Temu-like app, the team creation and management feature injects a layer of social interaction & potential cost savings into the shopping experience.

With this feature, one can easily invite friends and family to collaborate on a shopping list. This allows them to combine their purchasing power and potentially unlock bulk discounts offered by sellers on the platform.

5. Order Management

Order Management in a Temu-like app acts as your personal command center for all your shopping activities. Once users place an order, they can use order management to track its progress in real-time.

This involves features like estimated delivery timelines and access to courier tracking information, allowing you to stay informed about when your purchases will arrive.

The feature also provides a convenient way to manage account details, including shipping addresses and preferred payment methods.

6. Personalized Recommendation

A Temu-like app leverages a personalized recommendation feature to transform browsing from a random search into an uncanny shopping prediction.

Knowing what your user looking for is one of the top features to build an app like Temu.

The recommendation engine, powered by clever algorithms, analyzes users’ past browsing behavior, purchase history and even saved items. This can allow enhancing their experience with the app.

7. Push Notification

Push Notification Services can be a powerful tool for mobile apps like Temu to communicate directly with users on their devices.

These services allow the app to send short messages, alerts, or updates that appear on the user’s screen, even when the app isn’t actively in use.

8. User Reviews and Ratings

Reviews and Ratings provide valuable insights for the third party about the experience with the app or product quality, functionality, sizing, and overall satisfaction.

This transparency helps potential buyers make informed decisions and builds trust in the platform.

Imagine a user unsure about the quality of a particular product, and they read promising reviews, this will give them the confidence to buy the product.

Reading reviews from other users who purchased it allows you to get a sense of the fit, material, and overall experience like getting a recommendation from a friend.

9. Social Media Integration

Imagine users seamlessly sharing their amazing finds or buying experiences directly to their social media channels.

This creates a curiosity in the minds of other people to check out your app and find better deals on it. This way, your app can leverage social login in their favor for more registrations, streamlining the user experience.

10. Order Tracking & History

An essential feature of a Temu-like app is a robust order tracking and history system.

This builds trust and transparency with users, keeping users informed throughout the shopping build trust and transparency, keeping them informed throughout the shopping journey.

Each order should be clearly labeled with its status and include an estimated delivery date, also include other information such as placed, shipped, and delivered, etc.

Clicking on an individual order will reveal detailed tracking information, potentially with links to the shipping carrier’s website for further updates.

11. Customer Service

To create a Temu-like app, customer service acts as a lifeline for a smooth shopping experience.

Users should have multiple ways to get help, address concerns, and foster trust. Live chat allows for real-time interaction with support agents, perfect for quick questions or troubleshooting.

For more detailed inquiries, a robust email ticketing system ensures well-documented communication and timely resolution. Besides, call and phone support is a valuable option for users who prefer a personal touch, especially for complex issues.

How to Create an App like Temu?

Eager to know “How to build a marketplace app like Temu?” There is a step-by-step development process that goes into consideration.

Let’s find out the process given below:

Step 1: Market Research

It is necessary to define your target audience, understanding their needs and their preference is crucial.

Who is your target audience, what’s your app goal, and much more? To know all this, it’s advised to do thorough market app research.

Make sure to research existing shopping apps like Temu, Amazon, and Wish. Also, be sure to identify their strengths and weaknesses to find your unique value proposition.

Step 2: Pick the Right Features

Now, once you have done your research, time to pick the right set of features to build an app like Temu.

Every investor invests in app development with the hope to make amazing profits. For which, features are the ultimate cornerstone. You should allow users to register, manage profiles, and track order history effectively.

Basically, features should add convenience to the user’s journey. We would say implement a secure shopping cart system, secure payment gateways, and real-time order tracking.

Step 3: App Design

You should prioritize a clean, intuitive, and visually appealing interface for a smooth user experience. Plus, ensure to provide high-quality product images and videos.

Make sure to focus on simple UI/UX design that should be clutter-free and highlight ease of use. You should create wireframes and prototypes to map out the app’s interface and user interaction.

Step 4: App Development

Now, it’s time to develop an app like Temu. It’s the step where the developers convert your dream app idea into reality.

They will build the marketplace app as per your preferred platform, you can go for native or you can leverage the power of cross-platform solutions. Also, we suggest you take strong security measures that include authentication, authorization, and compliance.

Step 5: Testing

Now, after making an app like Temu. It’s time to go for app testing.

It is now time to test the eCommerce app to identify and fix the bugs. This is the phase where you ensure that your app is issue-free and will not hinder user experience.

Once the final version is ready, it’s time to take things further.

Step 6: Deployment of the App

This stage involves making your app accessible to the world on various app stores. You can either publish the app on the App Store or submit your app to the App Store.

Both app stores have a review process to ensure your app meets their quality and security standards. So, be prepared for potential questions or requests for minor adjustments. Although, it can take some time to hear back from them, till then you can prepare marketing strategies to increase your app downloads.

Step 7: Maintenance and Updates

After your app is launched, it’s time to start maintenance and support.

With emerging digital landscape evolving constantly, and new security emerging, it is a must to constantly update your app and incorporate the latest security patch to protect user data.

Over time, app performance can degrade. So, regular maintenance helps streamline processes and optimize resource usage, keeping your app running smoothly.

How Much Does It Cost to Develop a Shopping App Like Temu?

You must be wondering how much it costs to develop an eCommerce app like Temu?

Well, the Temu-like app development cost can be somewhere between $40,000 to $120,000. This cost can differ as per your project needs, so make sure to have some extra money with you in case the budget exceeds.

Let’s see a small breakdown of the cost to develop an on-demand app:

This is just an estimate. To find out about the right cost, you should consult an experienced mobile app development company.

Factors Affecting the Cost to Build an E-commerce App Like Temu

Cost is not fixed, it keeps on changing. Why? Because several factors affect the final cost.

To prepare beforehand, let’s get to know about the factors below:

1] App Complexity and Features

App complexity can affect your cost to develop an app greatly. Why? Simply because the more the complex app is, the more it will cost.

Suppose you go for a basic app with core functionalities like user accounts, product browsing, shopping cart, and checkout will cost less than an app with advanced features like team buying, personalized recommendations, or AI algorithms.

You must find a balance between your app’s complexity and overall budget.

2] Development Approach

Generally, development can be done on two types:

1. Native App Development
2. Cross-Platform Development

Native and Cross-platform platform has their own pros and cons. Choosing Native development can offer ideal performance but requires more resources and is typically more expensive.

Whereas, Hybrid- app development is faster and potentially cheaper but might have some issues such as limitations in performance.

3] Development Team & Location

Location of the team is one of the most common factors that affect the cost to build an app like Temu. There are several regions such as the USA and the UK where the hourly rate is high due to the high standard of living as compared to Asia.

So, if you want to hire mobile app developers, make sure to take this into account. Besides that, factors like communication barriers and time zone differences need to be considered.

4] App Design

As we said, a well-designed app is the need of the hour.

If you want to have a competitive edge, then a user-friendly interface and intuitive user experience are necessary. But, how does this affect the cost? Well, design can be anything from a basic layer to animations, everything.

The app with easy and simple design will cost less as compared to complex animations, custom UI elements and more will increase the design cost leading to affecting the overall cost.

5] Integration of APIs

APIs provide pre-built functionalities for various tasks, removing the need to start everything from scratch.

Simply, they can reduce development time, leading to lower overall costs. For example, integrating payment gateways API can save you time, compared to build your own secure payment processing systems.

Integrating complex APIs can require additional development effort leading to increased cost. So, the impact of API integration on cost depends on your specific app requirements and chosen solutions.

By carefully evaluating the cost-saving potential cost increases, you can make informed decisions that optimize your development budget while achieving the desired functionalities for your Temu-like app.

Monetization Models for your Temu-like App

Just like any successful business, your Temu-like eCommerce app needs a sustainable revenue stream. Here’s where monetization models come in.

This model outlines how your app will generate income, allowing you to keep the wheels turning and fuel future growth.

• Transaction-Based Models

This is a great way to make money. In this model, earn a percentage commission on every transaction completed within your app.

This model helps to increase sales volume and user activity.

• Freemium Model

Freemium means Free and Premium. It can be a great app monetization strategy through which you can enjoy a basic level of service for free and charge for premium features including VIP customer service, faster delivery, and exclusive product access.

• In-App Advertising

When it comes to In-app advertising, it’s a tried and tested method.

This method allows you to earn money by displaying ads within your app. This way, you can show banners, short videos, or any other way. This approach keeps your app free while generating revenue from user activity.

• Subscription-Based Model

In the subscription model, users pay a recurring fee to access premium features within your app.

This could be exclusive product discounts, faster delivery options, early access to sales, or ad-free browsing. It creates a steady revenue stream and propels user retention by offering ongoing value. You can also make a subscription-based app but remember user experience is the key.

So, these are some of the ways, you can make your into a money-making model. But, for that, you will need to partner with a top company.

How Nimble AppGenie Can Help You In Building An App Like Temu?

Are you eager to develop an app like Temu? Building a successful eCommerce app requires a skilled team of developers, designers, and professionals.

Partnering with an experienced Online Marketplace App Development Company i.e. Nimble AppGenie can provide you the expertise and help that you need to build an app like Temu.

You can leverage their development skills to build a robust and scalable team. So, what are you waiting for, connect us and get an app that exceeds your expectations.

Conclusion

Building a successful e-commerce app like Temu requires careful planning and execution. This guide has outlined the essential steps, from market research and feature selection to app development, deployment, and monetization.

By considering the factors affecting development costs and choosing the right development partner, you can create a cost-effective app that stands out in the competitive marketplace.

Remember, a user-friendly interface, robust features, and a sustainable revenue model are crucial for your app’s success.

FAQs

Niketan Sharma

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.