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“I love using Mercari to sell my pre-loved items and make some extra cash.” – Marie Kondo.

Quick Summary: Do you have a retail thrift store and want to turn it into an app like Mercari? If yes, then you are at the correct place. Read this blog which covers everything like Steps, features, costs to build an app like Mercari.

When you google the best buy and sell apps for used commodities, the results you will get on top are Vinted, Poshmark and thredUP. Among them, one app which is gaining huge popularity is Mercari.

The second-hand market is booming, and people are ditching fast fashion for unique finds and sustainable shopping. So, why not tap into this trend and build your own buy-and-sell app like Mercari?

In 2022, the worldwide market for used goods was projected to be valued at around $405.5 billion. The market is expected to grow at a whopping 13.6% CAGR between 2023 and 2031, and it is projected to earn $1.3 trillion by that year. This depicts that the demand for the second hand buy and sell market will double in the coming years.

Due to this, various businesses are looking to invest in an app like Mercari? If you are also among them who wants to build an app like Mercari, then this blog will work as a guide. It will cover everything from development steps, key features, costs, maintenance costs and other aspects which help you in creating an amazing app like Mercari.

So, let’s begin.

Table of Contents

What Is Mercari App?

Mercari is an online marketplace that enables users to buy and sell used apparels, accessories, etc. It’s like a virtual garage sale, where users list items they no longer need or want, and others can browse and purchase them. Also, it has various categories like clothing and electronics to home goods and collectibles.

Mercari provides a platform for transactions to occur securely, with features like ratings and reviews to help users gauge the reliability of sellers and the quality of items.

So, if you are fascinated by this app’s success and want to build an app like Mercari, then you must consult with an ecommerce app development company.

Mercari App: Market Statistics And Growth

Source: Statista

Mercari, a consumer-to-consumer marketplace, experienced an estimated 990,000 downloads of its mobile application on a global scale during November 2023.
Mercari maintained its rising trend in net sales, generating around 172.7 billion Japanese yen in the fiscal year 2023.
Mercari’s platform has almost 23 million active monthly users in 2023.
By 2026, it is predicted that the worth of the U.S. online resale market would exceed that of the offline market due to the significant increase anticipated in a single product category.
The worldwide market for used and resale clothing was projected to be valued at 177 billion dollars in 2022. It is expected that its worth would increase significantly over the next few years, almost doubling in size between 2022 and 2027 to reach a valuation of 351 billion dollars.
Over 80 million people visited the US website on desktop and mobile devices.

Steps To Build An App Like Mercari

Developing an online marketplace for buying and selling items like Mercari has the similar structure as any other app development. So, in order to develop an app like Mercari, you need to thoroughly follow the below steps given by an online marketplace app development company. Let’s have a look:

1. Perform Market Analysis
2. Define Your App’s Features and MVP
3. Choose the Right Technology Stack
4. Design User-friendly UI/UX
5. Develop and Test Your App
6. Launch and Maintain Your App

1. Perform Market Analysis

Firstly, begin by conducting market analysis to know your target audience, competitors, and market trends. Find out the USP of Mercari and analyze user feedback to determine the features and functionalities your app like Mercari must provide. Also, you must pay close attention to the pain points of your audience to tailor your app.

2. Define Your App’s Features and MVP

Once you have done market analysis, now create an outline of the essential features that you want when you build an app like Mercari.

You should prioritize features which are crucial for the MVP that align with your target audience’s needs. You can integrate features like messaging system, secure payment gateway integration, rating/review system and so on.

3. Choose the Right Technology Stack

Making the right technological stack choice is essential to developing a dependable and expandable application. So, it would be best to hire an iOS or Android app development company who can help in choosing the best tech stack. Make sure to think about database management systems, backend infrastructure, and platforms.

4. Design User-friendly UI/UX

Create a visually appealing U/UX design that promotes active participation from users and enables effortless navigation. Take note of elements like font, color scheme, icons, and layout.

Use responsive design concepts to make sure that the user experience is the same across all screens and devices. To get feedback and make ongoing adjustments, prototype your concepts using tools.

5. Develop and Test Your App

Once you have your design, you should begin the process to build an app like Mercari. Work directly with your mobile app development company to utilize an agile methodology for development. With the help of best design techniques, the app developers produce design mock-ups and prototypes, which you then approve.

After that, the developers build an app like Mercaribased on your specifications. Once your app like Mercari is created, thoroughly test the app to find and fix any bugs or usability problems. Make sure the software testing services provider uses both automated and manual testing methods to make sure your app is reliable and performant.

6. Launch and Maintain Your App

Once development and testing are complete, you can now prepare for the launch of your app on the respective app stores. Follow every guideline and rule before releasing your app on the app store. After that, you can also avail mobile app maintenance and support services to update your app for better user retention and success.

Unique Features To Build An App Like Mercari

When you build an app like Mercari, the first that strikes in mind is features. It plays a significant role in the app’s success. So, as per an online shopping app development company, below are the crucial features that must be integrated in the Mercari-like app.

1. User Registration
2. Smart Search
3. Negotiation Platform
4. Virtual Try-On
5. Customizable Online Storefronts
6. Verified Seller Badges
7. In-app chat/call
8. Geo-Location Based Listings
9. Secure Payment Option
10. Ratings and Reviews

1. User Registration

The user registration feature enables users to easily create an account with their respective details like email ID, contact number and other. You should also add multiple login options like social media so that users may not find any difficulty in sign-up.

2. Smart Search

When you build ecommerce app like Mercari, integrate a smart search feature that enables users to understand user preferences. It ensures them to easily find what they are looking for and discover new items based on their interests.

3. Negotiation Platform

Create a negotiation platform where buyers and sellers can engage in real-time price negotiations. It adds an interactive element to the buying process and allows users to find mutually agreeable prices.

4. Virtual Try-On

Nowadays a virtual try-on feature majorly comes in every shopping app. Users can virtually “try on” clothing and accessories using AR technology which enhance their shopping experience and reduce the likelihood of returns.

You can find this feature in a very popular app like eBay. So, it is vital to integrate a virtual try-on feature when you build an app like Mercari.

5. Customizable Online Storefronts

Your app provides sellers to make custom-built storefronts. It enables sellers to showcase their products in a unique way, helping them build a brand identity and stand out in the marketplace.

6. Verified Seller Badges

With the help of mobile app developers, create a system to verify and badge trusted sellers. This builds trust among users and ensures a secure environment for transactions. Verified sellers can gain a reputation for reliability and honesty.

7. In-app chat/call

Your app must allow a seamless in-app chat and messaging feature. It facilitates communication between buyers and sellers which fosters trust. Also, it allows users to ask questions or negotiate details without leaving the platform.

8. Geo-Location Based Listings

A Geo-location feature enables users to filter listings based on their location. It ensures that users see items available in their vicinity, making transactions more convenient and potentially reducing shipping costs and delivery times.

9. Secure Payment Option

When you build an app like Mercari, you must integrate a payment gateway feature for seamless transactions. It ensures that payments are held until the buyer confirms the receipt of the item in the expected condition. It assists them in minimizing the chances of fraud.

10. Ratings and Reviews

Rating and review features make your app trustworthy. It includes a robust rating and review system for both buyers and sellers. It helps build transparency and trust within the community. It enables users to make rigorous decisions based on the experiences of others.

Examples Of Most Popular Apps Like Mercari

Mercari is the best buy and sell thrift app with 23 million active users and 10 million downloads. So, if you are looking to build an app like Mercari then you must go through its competitors. We have jotted down the top online shopping apps for used clothes and items for your reference.

Apps Like Mercari	Available Platform	Downloads	Ratings
thredUP	Android \| iOS	5M	4.0
Poshmark	Android \| iOS	10M	4.6
Vinted	Android \| iOS	50M	3.9
5miles	Android \| iOS	10M	4.2
Depop	Android \| iOS	5M	4.3

1. thredUP

An online thrift app like thredUP has been popular among 1.7 million buyers and allows them to buy and sell secondhand clothing, shoes, and accessories. This app provides a convenient way for users to browse through a wide selection of pre-owned items, ranging from high-end designer brands to everyday casual wear.

2. Poshmark

Poshmark is a mobile app and online marketplace where individuals can buy and sell thrift apparels, shoes, and other goods. It’s particularly popular for fashion enthusiasts looking to declutter their closets or find unique items at discounted prices. The app allows users to browse listings, follow their favorite sellers. So, if you want to build an app like Poshmark for your retail thrift store, then now is the perfect time to invest in it.

3. Vinted

Vinted is an online marketplace where users can buy, sell, and swap used apparels, shoes, jewelry, and other items. An app like Vinted operates as a platform for individuals to declutter their closets and find unique items at affordable prices. Users can create listings for items they want to sell and set their prices. When you build an app like Mercari, it is vital to look at its competitors like Vinted.

4. 5miles

5miles allows users to list items for sale within a 5-mile radius of their location, making it convenient for both buyers and sellers to connect for transactions. The app covers a wide range of categories. Users may chat with each other through the 5miles app’s messaging system and arrange for in-person transactions.

5. Depop

Depop is one of the best online reselling apps that allows users to buy and sell secondhand items, particularly clothing. Users can create profiles, list items for sale, and browse through a wide variety of vintage and pre-owned goods. The platform often caters to a younger audience interested in fashion and unique items.

Cost To Build An App Like Mercari

Now you must be thinking “how much does it cost to build an app like Mercari?”. Well, Mercari online shopping app development cost can range between $10000-$25000 or even more. Basically, the development cost is not always the same; it keeps on fluctuating with time and project complexity.

For instance, if you want to create a simple app with minimal features, then the cost will be around $10000-$15000. However, if your budget is high and you want to invest in a complex app with advanced features, then the cost will go above $25000.

Additionally, it is advisable to go for cross-platform development to minimize the unnecessary costing and which would be in your budget. Let’s look at the below table depicting the complexity of the online marketplace app development cost.

Complexity	Cost Estimation	Time Duration
Simple app	$10000-$14000	2-4 months
Medium app	$15000-$20000	4-6 months
Complex app	$25000	6-9 months

Now that you know the cost to develop an app like Mercari and if you want to know the actual cost, then it is advisable to consult with an iOS or Android app development company. They will let you know everything about the cost and development process. Let’s now jump to the next section that entails app maintenance cost.

How Much Does It Cost To Maintain An App Like Mercari?

Do you want to update your Mercari-like app with new features and fixing bugs? If yes, then you need to know that the cost to maintain a mobile app like Mercari can be between 15-20% of the total development cost. So, if your Mercari-like app cost is $10000, then you need to pay around $2000-$3500 annually on its maintenance.

Additionally, there are various factors that are responsible for the maintenance cost. Here are some of the crucial ones that you must check out:

Hosting
App security
Feature enhancement
Platform type
Bug-fixing
Design & functionality
App complexity

Besides, there are multiple aspects that also affect the Mercari maintenance cost. So, if you are planning to update your app with new features and bug-fixing, then you must avail online marketplace app maintenance services from a reputed company like Dev Technosys.

Let’s Build Your Mercari-Like App With Our Expertise!

Online thrift mobile applications are gaining huge popularity among shopping enthusiasts. This has opened doors for businesses to invest in buy and sell app development. Now that you are we–aware of the process to build an app like Mercari along with features and cost, it is time to give your app idea a new life.

However, you need experts who can work on Mercari-like app development. No worries! Dev Technosys is here to assist you. Our team is fully equipped and ready to bring your vision of a Mercari-like app to life with our expertise in ecommerce app development solutions.

With our proven track record, we are confident in our ability to deliver a high-quality, tailor-made solution that exceeds your expectations. Let’s collaborate to transform your ideas into reality and build an app like Mercari that boost growth. Contact us today and share your project requirements to begin the journey towards your own thriving app like Mercari.

Frequently Asked Questions!!

1. How Long Does It Take To Make An App Like Mercari?

Mercari app development time varies based on features, complexity, and team experience. Generally, a basic app with minimal functions may take anywhere between 2-4 months. A complex app with a lot of features or modifications might make it take longer between 4-8 months.

2. What Are The Benefits Of Creating An App Like Mercari?

Businesses may reach a large audience, make it simple to purchase and sell things, and boost brand awareness. It collects useful data for marketing, and creates extra income streams via transaction fees by developing an app like Mercari.

3. How Much Does It Cost To Build An App Like Mercado Libre?

The cost to build an app like Mercado Libre varies depending on the complexity and other factors. Typically, it can roughly range between $8000-$25000 or even more when you integrate highly-advanced features like AI-powered personalized recommendations, Virtual try-on and so on.