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With the introduction of new trends and technology, the retail and eCommerce industry is continually changing. Only a few brands are able to stand out and be successful for a long time in such a crowded market. One of these brands is eMAG, which is Romania’s biggest online store.

With a staggering $789 million in sales in 2022, eMAG did much better than its competitors, showing that strategic innovation and solutions that focus on the customer can lead to huge growth. If you’re looking to develop an app like eMAG, you need a solid plan, the right technology, and a deep understanding of the market.

This blog will help you make your idea come true by showing you the most important steps to make an eCommerce app like eMAG. We will cover everything from the app’s most important features to its development strategies.

So, let’s begin!

What is an eMAG App?

The eMAG app is a mobile app that lets people buy many different things from their phones. It was made by eMAG, a big online store in Central and Eastern Europe. It is the best eCommerce app in Hungary.

Users can look through and search for products on the eMAG app, add them to their shopping cart, and check out. This on demand app development solution has features like personalized alerts, tracking of orders, and customer service. On top of that, the app gives its users special discounts and deals.

Future Predictions & Projections of Ecommerce Industry

eMAG Marketplace is the best place to shop online in Romania, with a huge network of over 53,000 sellers.
eMAG turned out to be the third most searched-for shopping term in Romania.
In 2024, more than 3.2 million items were bought on eMAG on Black Friday, up from 2.8 million in 2023.
The eCommerce Market is expected to bring in US$4,324.00bn in 2025.

Source: Statista

Revenue is expected to grow at a rate of 8.02 percent per year (CAGR 2025–2029), which will lead to a market size of $5.87 trillion by 2029.
By 2029, there will be 3.6 billion people in the eCommerce market.

How Does an eMAG App Work?

To know the working mechanism of an eMAG ecommerce app, you should look at the below step-by-step workings of the best e-commerce apps. Let’s have a look:

1. Browsing & Searching

The search function lets users find specific items, or users can look through different categories of products. Filters and sorting options help you get more specific results.

2. Product Selection & Details

When a user clicks on a product, they can see information about it, such as the price, specs, reviews, and the seller. They can put things in their cart or wishlist.

3. Cart & Checkout

Similar to an app like Poshmark, users choose delivery options, apply discounts, and give shipping and payment information when they are ready.

4. Payment & Order Confirmation

Users pick a way to pay, like a credit or debit card, a digital wallet, cash on delivery, or something else. Once the payment goes through, they get a confirmation of their order.

5. Order Tracking & Delivery

Customers can see the status of their orders right away. The app tells them how the shipment is going, gives them an estimated delivery time, and lets them return or get a refund if they need to.

Step-by-Step Process To Develop An App like eMAG

Before you go any further, we will provide you a glimpse of essential steps you take while you create an app like eMAG. So, let’s jump to this section to develop an ecommerce application.

1. Do Planning & Research

You need a great plan to start your e-commerce project. Also, you must perform a thorough market analysis to simply design the app goal. Market research helps you figure out who your ideal customers are and how to compete in a market that is very competitive.

With careful research and planning, similar apps like eMAG have a huge user base and are very popular. So, you should do a full study of the market, plan carefully, and make a list of the most important parts of an application like eMAG. Additionally, it is suggested that you learn about more than one feature to catch the attention of your possible audience.

Who will be your potential audience?
Who will be your competitors?
What are the pain points of the audience?

2. Make a List of Features

Once you are done with the market research, you should already know what features your app needs. Now, make a list of the most important features you need in the eMAG alternatives in Hungary. Do not take this stage lightly. Choosing the right features for your shopping app development solution is very important to its success.

It is suggested that you choose only the features that your app needs to work. To add too many features will make the eMAG marketplace development process take longer and cost more. Also, people will only be interested in your app if it works well and is easy for them to use.

Which feature helps you to create a list?
Do I integrate basic features in the app?
Do I customize features for the ecommerce app?

3. Create a Unique App Design

Now, to create an app like eMAG clone design that looks good, you need to choose an app theme that goes well with your brand. It will make users more interested and give them a more reliable experience. You also need to make sure that users can easily find their way around the shopping app like eMAG.

It is important to know that the color schemes, pictures, and easy-to-use navigation leave a lasting impression. To get better results and make your e-commerce app more interesting, it is best to hire a lifestyle app development company with a good reputation.

Is creating a wireframe essential for app design?
Do I follow the 3-click rule?
How to design UI for an app?

4. Build an MVP Version

During the MVP stage, you should mostly focus on the most important parts of your app similar to eMAG. As suggested by an Android app development company, the MVP should be evaluated to see if it needs any updates.

By making an MVP version, you can also find out what your target audience thinks about your product, cut down on the time and money needed to make it, and lower your risks. Just focus on to develop an app like eMAG.

Instead of using a fully functional product right away, a mobile app development company suggests that it be constantly evaluated and updated.

How do I build an MVP version?
Do I build a native, hybrid, or cross-platform app?
Do I need to perform research before MVP app development?

5. Test and Launch the App

Now that you have a fully functional MVP version of your e-commerce app, it is time to test it thoroughly. There are different types of testing that the testers will do, such as unit testing, beta testing, and more. They will also test your app with real users to get their feedback.

After you have fully tested your shopping app, it is time to launch an application like eMAG. But you might be wondering, “How do I get similar apps like emag to work?” Basically, it depends on the platforms you want to use your app like Vinted or other on. One thing to remember is to read the instructions on how to submit your app so that you do not miss any important details.

Can I use different testing methods for app testing?
How do I submit the app on the app stores?
Is timely updating the app necessary?

Key Features To Build An App Like eMAG

If you want to create an app like eMAG, you need to include key features that keep users interested, make transactions go smoothly, and allow your business to grow. These are the features that your e-commerce application like eMAG needs to have in order to meet industry standards and user expectations.

User Registration

Any e-commerce app needs to have an easy sign-up process. Users should be able to sign up using their email addresses, phone numbers, or social media accounts. They must easily review and change their personal information, see a history of their orders, save addresses, and manage their payment methods through the profile management feature.

Smart Recommendation

You should hire dedicated developers to add AI-powered product suggestions that are based on how a user acts, what they search for, and what they bought in the past. Customers are more likely to buy something and stay a customer if they get personalized suggestions.

Product Search & Filters

E-commerce apps like eMAG need to have a strong search engine. Use AI-powered search algorithms that can make suggestions, filter results based on categories, choose price ranges, and match keywords. They can find products more quickly with filters like brand, ratings, availability, and discounts.

Secure Multi-Payment Options

Credit/debit cards, e-wallets, cash on delivery, and bank transfers are just some of the ways possible for people to pay through a shopping application like emag. Transactions are safe because of secure payment gateways that encrypt data. Additionally, integrating BNPL options can attract more buyers.

Order Tracking & Notifications

Your eMAG clone app must allow tracking of orders in real time, with estimated delivery times, status updates, and location changes. Users will stay informed and interested with push notifications and SMS alerts for order confirmation, shipment status, and delivery reminders.

AI-Powered Chatbot

A chatbot that is responsive and powered by AI can answer common questions from users about orders, payments, and the status of deliveries. Having live chat and call support options with the help of an AI development company also makes customer service better, which makes shopping easier.

Loyalty Programs & Discounts

You can give users cashback offers, loyalty points, and special discounts as a reward. Users can get rewards for inviting their friends, and you can set up a referral system. Spin-the-wheel discounts and other game-like features can help keep users more interested.

Multi-Vendor Marketplace Integration

If you want to sell more items in ecommerce app development, add a multi-vendor system so that different sellers can list their goods. Dashboards should be set up just for vendors to keep track of their inventory, prices, orders, and analytics. A rating and review system in eMAG app development clone will ensure quality control.

Analytics Dashboard

A user-friendly admin panel is important for keeping the whole marketplace platform like emag.ro running smoothly. The dashboard should show information about marketing analytics, sales, customer behavior, and managing inventory. Business decisions can be based on data with the help of AI-driven reports.

Product Returns & Refunds

Customers will trust a business more if it has an easy-to-use return policy. So, when you create an e-commerce store, make it easy to return items and get your money back with just a few taps. Making refunds and keeping track of them automatically will make customers happier.

Top 5 E-commerce Apps Like eMAG

If you are planning to build an ecommerce app similar to eMAG, then you should perform a SWOT analysis of competitor apps. We have made a list of the best eMAG alternatives that you must take into consideration.

Top eMAG Alternatives	Available Platform	Downloads	Ratings
Amazon	Android \| iOS	500M+	4.1
Poshmark	Android \| iOS	10M+	3.6
Vinted	Android \| iOS	50M+	4.2
Walmart	Android \| iOS	100M+	4.8
Etsy	Android \| iOS	50M+	4.5

How Much Does eMAG App Development Cost?

The average cost to develop an app like eMAG can be between $10000 – $25000. If you are thinking to create alternatives like eMAG, it involves different factors that affect the eMAG ecommmerce app development cost. Besides, if you want a website, then the cost to make an ecommerce website will be between $8000 – $20000.

One factor that influences the cost to build an app like eMAG is the intricacy and app functions that you need to integrate. Let’s now look at the eMAG app development cost.

App Complexity	Estimated Costs
Simple eMAG like App	$10000 – $14000
Medium eMAG like App	$15000 – $20000
Complex eMAG like App	$25000+

Note: These are just the basic ballpark estimations. To figure out the eMAG clone app development cost, use the formula below:

Total eMAG App Development Cost = Developers Rate * Development Time

After figuring out how much the whole eMAG app development clone process will cost, you should talk to an ecommerce app development services provider to get an exact price.

Factors Affecting the Cost To Build An E-commerce Application like eMAG

Now you know how much it usually cost to make an app like eMAG clone. There are many factors that affect the total cost to build an ecommerce application like eMAG. There are five main factors that are very important in deciding the budget:

1. App Features and Functionality

With so many features that can be added to the app like Etsy or eMAG, you should carefully consider your customer base and the final structure of the app before deciding which features to add. Adding complicated features to an app will increase the cost and time of eMAG app development solution. As a result, it could be the most expensive part to build an ecommerce app.

Features Category	Estimated Cost Range
User Features	$1000 – $4,000+
Shopping cart	$1500 – $2000+
Payment gateway	$2,000 – $3500+
Security Features	$2,000 – $2500+
Customer support	$800 – $1000+

2. Platform Choice

The audience you want to reach mostly determines the platform you should use. This is also a very important part of figuring out the cost to make an app like eMAG.

The poll says that Android and iOS are two of the most popular marketplace platform like emag.ro, with 98% of the mobile app market each. Another way to save 40% on development costs is to hire a cross-platform ecommerce app development company that can work on both platforms.

Platform Choice	Average Development Cost
Native App	$12,000 – $25,000
Hybrid App	$15,000 – $30,000
Cross-Platform App	$8,000 – $18,000

3. UI/UX Design

A well-thought-out interface that is easy to use makes the experience for customers better but costs more for ecommerce app development solution. Basic templates are less expensive, but custom designs that look good, have animations, easy navigation, and elements that are specific to your brand eCommerce app development cost more. More time and money are needed for high-end custom designs and user experiences, which drives up the total cost to build an app like eMAG.

App Design Complexity	Costs
Simple eMAG like App	$10000 – $14000
Medium eMAG like App	$14000 – $20000
Complex eMAG like App	$25000+

4. Development Team and Location

Your app’s builder can also change the price. A professional development agency costs more than outsourcing a business. Also, the shopping app development cost is different in different parts of the world. For example, emag mobile app developers in North America and Western Europe charge more than developers in Asia. The location of the development team you hired will affect the cost to make an application like eMAG.

Regions	Cost Estimation (Hourly)
USA	$30 – $55
Canada	$40 – $60
Australia	$30 – $70
India	$15 – $25
Belgium	$50 – $100
New Zealand	$40 – $120

How To Monetize Your eMAG Clone App?

While learning how to make an app like eMAG, you can also learn how to make money with an e-commerce app, using different methods. eMAG uses a variety of ways to make money to make sure it always has money coming in. Take a closer look at how you can leverage similar methods in your eCommerce application like eMAG:

1. Commission on Sales

Overview: One direct way to make money is to charge a commission for every sale that goes through your e-commerce platform development. This is how eMAG marketplace development makes most of its money.
Implementation: Sellers should be required to pay a certain amount of the sales price for each deal. This may be different depending on the type of seller, the product, or other factors. Make sure your commission rates are competitive and still make you money.
Benefits: This method gives you a steady stream of income that depends on how many sales you make on your fashion ecommerce website development.

2. Subscription Plans

Overview: For premium services, offering subscription plans can bring in loyal customers who are willing to pay for extra benefits.
Implementation: Make different levels of subscription plans that offer different benefits, like faster shipping, special discounts, early access to sales, and great customer service.
Advantages: Subscription plans bring in regular money and keep customers coming back.

3. Advertising

Overview: with eCommerce application like emag, allow other sellers to advertise their goods on your marketplace platform like emag.ro can bring in a lot of money.
Setting it up: Make an ad platform where sellers can bid on where to put their ads. You could use sponsored products, banner ads, and video ads, among other types of ads.
Benefits: Ads can bring in a lot of money just like Amazon, especially as your platform gets more popular and people visit it.

4. In-App Purchases

Overview: Let users buy extra services or features that you add to your app.
Implementation: Some examples are premium content, early access to a product, or improved app features like more advanced search filters or personalized options.
Advantages: In-app purchases can bring in a lot of money, especially if they make the user experience much better.

Final Thoughts

Now is the best time to start your business and build an app like eMAG to help you grow as the e-commerce market has so many chances to grow. To start working on this app idea, you will need to hire a marketplace app development company that knows how to turn your app idea into a real-time mobile app by using cutting-edge technology and high-level features. So, what are you waiting for? Contact us right away for the best eMAG app development solution.

FAQs

Q1. How Much Does It Cost To Build An App Similar To eMAG?

The average eMAG mobile app development cost can lies between $10000 – $25000. However, the project complexity, features, platform choice, etc may influence the cost.

Q2. How Long Does It Take To Create An App Similar To eMAG?

The estimated time to make an app similar to eMAG will be around 2 – 7 months. But it can fluctuate depending on the project requirements. So, it is recommended to consult with an eMAG app development company for an actual time duration.