What is the Overall Cost To Develop a Marketplace App Like Craigslist

App development is one of today’s most profitable industries. Apps that make life easier and enjoyable are what people are searching for. This trend is on the rise and business owners are now listing their products or services on free classified sites like Craigslist.

Classified ads can be a cost-effective way to connect with individuals and customers. This is a great way to reach global users and expand your business. Craigslist is the most popular platform for advertising because classified mobile apps make it easy to buy and sell. 

There are many classified mobile apps such as craigslist for making money selling second-hand products. If you have an app idea like a Craigslist App then read on to explore the cost to develop a best Craigslist app.

How does the Craigslist App Work?

It is a good idea to learn how Craigslist works if you are planning on developing a classified app. You can enjoy this free app as it’s very simple to get started. These are the steps you should follow in order to use this app.

• Open Apple App or Google Play Store.  
• Install Craigslist App 

• Start the app by opening it.
• Then the option to Share a Location will come.
• Once you have shared your location with the Craigslist app, the app will guide you to the search box, and other categories like browse, history, etc.
• Click on Browse to see a list of categories that you can navigate by yourself or your choice. You will find classified postings specific to each category.
• To send a message, come to the bottom of your app screen, you’ll find the option.
• Clicking on the link will take you to your email address for creating your post.
• After validating your email you will need to fill out the appropriate fields that will showcase the location of the recipient, and submit an image for the post.
• It will confirm your location and ask you to publish.
• After you click on the publish option, your Craigslist classifieds will go live.

This is a great example of how a Craigslist marketplace application can be designed to make it easy for users to use.

Cost of Developing An App Similar To Craigslist

The cost of developing a basic version for a classified website or app like Craigslist is between $15,000 and $20,000. If you want to integrate more functionalities then it will cost you more. Remember, the more the features, the more the cost. Below are some factors explained in brief that can affect the cost of developing a classified app.

• App Development Platform

  App developers must focus on two types of mobile platforms, iOS, and Android. The percentage of iOS users in the USA is higher than the other platforms, at 51%. Hire dedicated developers if you are focusing on the development of the classified app. The cost of these developers for developing a Craigslist marketplace application will vary depending on the platform where you want to launch your app. It is more expensive to develop an iOS application than developing an Android one.

• App UI/UX

  Apps must have a user interface and an experience. To develop mobile marketplace apps that will be used by many people. The UI/UX should reflect this. App development costs can be divided into front-end and back-end development. App design quality can impact the price of an app. However, it is worth it if the user loves it.

• Tech Stack

  The tech stack is another important factor that will impact the cost of app development, or both, or both. These things will depend on the platform, framework, and database that you choose to use to create the best Craigslist app copy. If you decide to launch a Classified app for iOS, the cost of the necessary tech stack may be higher than the $15,000-20,000.

• Number of Developers

  The app’s features and functionality will determine the size of the team. For the basic version of an app, you will need two developers and one designer. However, for apps such as Craigslist, a larger team is required.

Factors that Affect App Cost (In-Detail)

1. Complexity

Complexity is crucial in determining the cost of mobile marketplace apps like Letgo or Craigslist. 

Complex apps will cost more because they require a lot of work to develop. Complexity will not only increase development costs but also lead to increased development times.

This is because app developers and designers will spend more time creating your project, which will increase your overall cost. As with effective product development, it is important to be cautious when developing marketplace apps.

2. Features

Your craigslist listing app’s features will also determine the cost of your marketplace website or apps like Craigslist. The more features you add, the longer it’ll take to finish the project. This increases the cost and time to develop mobile marketplace apps.

3. Tools and Technologies Used

This is a crucial factor in analyzing the price of apps such as the Craigslist app. This is determined based on the framework that you use for your website, and the store where the app was developed (Google Store or iOS App Store). The cost of integrating technologies such as cloud-native platform computing will rise.

4. Types of Development

The cost of developing your website using a CMS like WordPress will vary depending on whether you are looking to hire an experienced full-cycle product development company. To create a best marketplace app like Craigslist or Lego, you need to hire android app developers from a top-notch company only.

5. The Location of Development

There are many factors that can affect the region where developers are hired for online selling apps such as craigslist. This is because the hourly rates for developers and companies vary depending on where they are located. This increases the overall development cost of the Craigslist App. The USA’s full-cycle application development is, for example, more costly than other countries.

Monetization Model of Classified Apps

Although launching a mobile marketplace apps like Letgo or Craigslist is a great idea, have you thought about how the revenue will be generated? You should be aware that Craigslist is a non-profit platform that earns its revenue through job postings. So, this app can be used as a reference and you can follow these business models to earn the most.

• Features Classified: To display classified ads at the top, the service provider must pay a certain amount to the Craigslist App owner firm. This model is also available.
• Third-Party Advertisements: You can charge third parties for their ads to be displayed on your app. This monetization model can generate revenue for both you and the third party. This monetization model is considered one of the most effective for mobile apps.
• Pay Per Listing: This is the simplest method of revenue generation. You can take a listing from the service provider and charge for it.
• Subscription Basis: Your app can make great money by offering different subscription plans.

Finally, Develop The App

Now you know the cost of developing mobile marketplace apps like Letgo or Craigslist for your business. Although it’s possible to create an app similar to craigslist by yourself, or with the help and assistance of your friends or family, it’s better to hire an app development company. This will speed up the process and ensure that your app is delivered as promised.

Author’s Bio

Erma Winter is an expert app developer at MobileCoderz, an established Mobile app development company. With more than 16 years of professional expertise, she has worked with innovative startups and leading businesses. Apart from the app industry experience, she loves car racing and is a sport enthusiast.