How to create an On-demand Grocery Delivery App Like Instacart

This blog will teach how to create an on-demand grocery Delivery App Like Instacart and how popular grocery apps have become in these recent years.  

For a decade or so, the wave of mobile apps has taken over most of the daily chores of our lives. We only have to lift our finger and press go, and the rest of the work completes. 

Our constant need to look for a shortcut has made the apps industry boom to newer heights. Every day a new app arises, claiming to count the number of calorie intake or book a house cleaning service at your doorstep.

Each is innovative in its way, looking for an audience to serve.

A sudden rise in mobile service apps :

As we are getting more advanced in terms of the state of living and technology around us. It’s needless to say that the mobile applications market will shatter all the barriers. 

If you look around, you will notice that people have shifted from working hard to working smart. From laundry services to grocery delivery, we have an app for everything. 

It is said that there are around 2.87 million apps available at our disposal. 

• 21% of Millennials open an app more than 50 times a day. 
• 49% of people open an app more than 11 times per day. 
• 69% of all US digital media time comes from mobile apps. 

It’s pretty noticeable that hundreds of apps pop up in the market, and demand for a particular product or service arises. 

For example, 

The audience saw a sudden growth for meditation apps in the mobile app market during the pandemic. People were drawn to the idea of mindfulness and meditation to ease their cases of anxiety and stress.

Words like “what are meditation apps” and “guided meditations” started to become the keywords in numerous search results. 

And we could see a plethora of options opening up in front of us. Each has a unique feature to attract the audience to their app.

How?

App developers saw their chance of creating their niche in an area where the demand was high. 

Due to users’ dependency on technology, creating an app and conveying your idea doesn’t seem to be a big hurdle. 

In February 2024, reports suggested that approximately 88.5 thousand mobile apps were released through the Google Play Store.

What are on-demand mobile service apps?

With smartphones and smartwatches becoming our best friends, our life will be incomplete without technology beside us. 

From the time we wake up, we check our notification inbox and start our morning routine to the time we sleep.

The last thing we see is our phones while setting the alarm for the next day. 

Since different apps surround us throughout work, app developers find a space to make our routine much more manageable. 

Instead of take-outs, we order them directly from the restaurant.

Rather than manually switching our appliances on, our home is already cooled down before our arrival.

Thanks to the latest technology we installed. 

The future is here, and we aren’t even accustomed to the recent advancement. 

How does on-demand mobile service work?

On-demand mobile applications work as a bridge between a customer and a business. The idea behind an on-demand app is to bring the needs of the audience delivery to their doorstep.

As the word suggests, it is created because there is a demand for that particular good or service in the market.  

For example, we have instacart for grocery delivery, uber for cabs, BookMyShow for movie and event tickets, and zomato for food delivery. 

This platform focuses on the users’ needs and delivers the required kind of services uniquely. The main idea behind an on-demand app’s foundation is to curtail time and work smarter and faster. 

Surely public transportation can also help you reach your destination, but choosing a personalized cab to do the same will be different. 

For instance, we use an on-demand grocery delivery app like instacart for groceries to our doorstep. It’s Hassell-free, along with being time and money efficient.

How do on-demand mobile applications function?

Such applications cover every major and minor everyday usage and problem. 

At present, such applications have covered all possible sectors like education—transportation, food, taxi, etc. 

We can get a ride to the nearest mall, oriental food on our plates, and so much more with just one tap.

If we calculate, 80% of businesses here are dealing with On-app development regarding their business.

However, every service comes with a price, and that is how these apps earn through. 

What type of demand apps is becoming popular in 2024?

As we have been dealing with a pandemic for a year now, people have made peace with limited resources. 

Opting to stay at home and being safe has become the topmost priority. 

Whereas the business saw a massive dip in its market, rendering its ‘delivery at your doorstep” service the only way out. 

As mentioned above, most of these service providers have shifted to an online platform. An app formed to connect to their customers on a safe and secure basis to represent their online presence.

While some established businesses shifted their focus on online delivery, a string of startups emerged to be victorious with their innovative ideas. 

Here are a few startups that are popular in 2024:

• Uber: An On-demand taxi app, 
• Postmates and Instacart: On-demand grocery delivery app
• Drizly: An On-demand alcohol delivery app
• Soothe: On-demand massage therapy app
• Rover: On-demand dog walking app
• Zomato: On-demand food delivery app.

Industries that have created a niche through an On-Demand App: 

It was reported that 

• 86.5 Million Americans have used an on-demand service.
• 45 Million US people have offered services in the on-demand app sector.
• 22.4 Million users annually spend around $57.6 billion on on-demand services.

Home services: 

Here, the On-Demand app works as a bridge between the home service provider and the seeker, thus helping them achieve their goals.

Emergency service requirements around us are growing, but there was a time when it became increasingly hard to manage.

The total concept got revolutionized with the intervention of these On-demand services apps with home services.
Instead of going to different places looking for assistance, it has become easy for consumers to find them at their fingertips.

Food/Grocery Delivery

The food and grocery ordering and delivery business have experienced tremendous success over the last few years.

Like any other On-Demand service, customers can browse and pick their favorite dish using a mobile app.
With food being a necessity and people putting in more hours of work, this business comes with endless possibilities.

Now, there is no way this business can go down.

To match up with household chores and long working hours, people also opt for online grocery delivery. 

As one wants to spend less time in grocery stores and shops, at-your-doorstep has become necessary. 

Hence, both parties create a long-lasting opportunity. When the food business and the On-Demand Food/Grocery Delivery App come together. While this concept is mutually beneficial for these two parties, it will benefit the users too.

If you are looking for “how to create an on-demand Grocery delivery app like instacart”, we’ve got you covered.

Transportation booking service

The unmatchable success of Uber has increased the demand for On-Demand transportation businesses.
Traditional taxi business is pushed aside by an array of businesses which paves an easy way for users to connect with the right taxi services. 

Unlike the regular taxi business, the brands like Uber do not own any taxis; instead, they just connect the taxi drivers to the users. 

The success of Uber leads to more businesses arising in the commuting sector. 

If you want to look for a better opportunity in the commuting business, you must have taxi service software.

Healthcare Service app: 

Healthcare is one of the most booming industries of all time.

It is also the kind of sector that undergoes frequent upgrades and transformations around. 

Humanity can gain benefit from the technological advancements and rapid innovation that come with this line.

But it has always been a tough challenge to reach these services to the people in need. 

Now this situation can be handled by the incorporation of On-demand health services. 

For example, if a person is sick and needs immediate medical assistance. With the help of these healthcare solutions available through on-demand apps, we can fix this. A range of services is available. 

1. Quick consultation services, 
2. Appointments, 
3. Treatment reports 
4. Weekly medications are notified on the phones.

Having consultations or chats over video calls is an impressive thing to incorporate into an app.

What are on-demand grocery delivery apps like Instacart? 

First, let us know what grocery delivery app development is. 

The consumer in today’s is hard-pressed for time. 

So, having your groceries sent right to your doorstep is a brilliant idea introduced by Grocery Delivery App Companies. With such a variety offered by these grocery delivery mobile apps, you know that your fridge will always have your most desirable food items. 

All you need to do is choose what you want on the app on your smartphone. 

Type in your address, choose the payment option, and have what you need at your home in just a click. 

Are these grocery delivery service apps safe?

During the pandemic, we have seen a significant halt in the number of services that we used to acquire before. Earlier, services ranging from going to the grocery store to buy the necessities, picking up laundry, and so on seemed to be a daily job. It required physical presence, but we have witnessed a whole new dimension of online services due to the changing times. 

In addition, the WHO mentioned earlier: 

“Food/grocery delivery is safe if the provider follows good personal and food hygiene practices. Always clean your hands with soap and water after accepting deliveries.”

How prevalent are these On-demand grocery delivery apps like Instacart today?

Delivery services are now much in demand. That’s why grocery app development is stated among the top opportunities for this business.

Here is the list of the top 3 popular grocery delivery apps to choose from:

Instacart:

Instacart is an American company that operates a grocery delivery and pick-up service in the United States and Canada. 

The company offers its services via a website and mobile app.

It is the only grocery delivery app that grew by 218% in 2020. 

This on-demand instacart grocery delivery app can let you have products delivered to you in less than an hour.
You can have products picked from your favorite stores. Stores like CVS, Fairway, Petco, and Whole Foods Market are available.

With a monthly or annual membership, you can have goods delivered above $35 free of cost.

The minimum order should start from $10. In case the demand exceeds $ 35, the Instacart design system is created to not charge any delivery fee. The annual membership fee of Instacart is $149.

Features — Being the topmost online grocery application, Instacart has changed how we do regular grocery shopping. One gets their things at lightning speed as their Instacart-only express lanes at Wholefoods, Costco, etc. 

The app provides an aisle mapping feature with certain stores to navigate quickly through vast volumes of products.

Revenue generated through this grocery delivery app has received $150 recently, raising the total amount of funding received so far to $350 million.

It caters to cities such as New York, Washington and Los Angles, Miami, etc.

Shipt

Introduced in the market just a couple of years back, the Shipt app is creating a massive mark with its commendable service. 

The Shipt application process starts with a monthly fee of $ 14 and a yearly membership of around $99, 

So, you can get all your favorite food items and essentials without any hindrance. 

Features: With unique features such as meal planning options and healthy packages, the Shipt application grows with every passing day. People with a limited budget love the total cart feature of Shipt, as they can operate on a fixed grocery budget.

 There is an “On Sale Today” category with items available for sale on a particular day.

Claiming that advantage, you can shop at reduced and exclusive prices. 

In apps like shipt, You can also view your order history; this helps you build your order list as you have items that you regularly need right before you.

Peapod

This efficient grocery delivery app has efficient filters to create a perfect grocery delivery list for you.

Features 

A feature called ”Order Genius” is here to help. It tracks your frequent purchases and then suggests the items you should add to your cart accordingly. Furthermore, it provides “meal kits” so that you can order all those things which are required to prepare a particular dish.

Alongside these features,  the app has a feature of Express ShopShop. It enables the user to create his list, submit it and get product suggestions.

Peapod is the largest grocery delivery service in the US.

Revenue: 

They received funding of $ 37 million. And this startup delivering a catalog of ideas and features, earns a revenue of $ 200 million annually.

How to create an on-demand grocery delivery app?

After reading the history of this on-demand grocery app development, you must be wondering if 

“ I can create an on-demand grocery delivery app like instacart?” or “how can I create my own on-demand grocery delivery app.”

But it’s not rocket science. You can create an on-demand grocery delivery app like instacart or shipt.

And you can easily create apps like instacart to make money.

Step 1: Create a template for your grocery delivery app like instacart.

With a template available for your grocery app development, prepare all the necessary features for the user. 

Features like 

• Registration, sign-in, and password:
  The user should have the option to register in the grocery delivery app by filling up necessary details like name, email id, and phone number. Once they register themself, they can log in to the app anytime using their username & password/OTP. 
• Profile management: 
  Depending upon the profile you make, an easy edit to the existing details, addresses, and customer feedback option should be available to the user. 
• Payment Gateway Integration:
  Payment gateway integration will enable users to make payments through the various available options. Like Google pay, credit/debit cards, etc.
  
• Wallet management
  For regular clients or first orders, Reward points, coins, or orders are taken on a credit basis should also be registered regularly. Both the user and the company should take off the backlogs in a systematic manner. 
• Time slot allotment:
  One of the significant characteristics of a delivery app is the option for time slots. The user should have an opportunity to choose their preferred time so that delivery is smooth.
• Order History: This option facilitates the user to make a repeat order or choose a product from the prior history, thereby providing a seamless user experience.
• Advance Search Filter: An online Grocery Mobile app should be easily accessible. Through the option of an advanced search feature, the customer searches will be filtered accordingly
  . It directs them to browse through different category items and discover the desired products in the shortest time frame. It also ensures a faster check-out time and increased efficiency.
• Order Cancel, return replacement:
  If, by chance, the order deems to be improper or some problem at the receiver’s end arises, this option should be available.

Step 2. Decide on the location where you want to operate your grocery delivery app:  

The main reason you are learning how to create an On-demand grocery app like instacart is to simplify the audience’s concerns and activities. As you are the bridge between the grocery store and the user, your location should be the topmost priority. 

Keeping in mind the population and the increasing need, decide on the location and the area you want to cover. 

If you are just a beginner, try a smaller location. Monitor the ongoing demand and prepare your logistics accordingly.

Once you see your platform is creating more buzz, expand your boundaries.

Step 3: Choose an appropriate grocery delivery app platform:

It is imperative to determine how to use your resources sensibly. 

The developer has to decide whether he or she will launch their app in an android version or an iOS. 

Once you decide that, you have to keep in mind the demographics attached to it. It varies from the targeted audience, preferability, location, population, etc.

Step 4: Try to keep your delivery app simple and accessible. 

It becomes self-evident that people don’t need high-end animations and graphics to keep the user hooked on the app. 

A complicated interface and written content will only drive the audience away from your application. 

Apps like instacart and shipt primarily focus on the user’s needs and respect their time and requirements.

Keep the whole process to the point and clear. The clarity should be enough so that first-time users don’t have an issue during the process.

Step 4: Prepare a well-trained team of logistics and association with the nearby grocery stores.  

Through efficient delivery lot of goodwill can be generated if your service is commendable. Only then your monetization and promotional strategies will work. 

Your grocery delivery app should have a feature that entails all the details of the operational logistics. Along with the association it has with the nearby grocery stores. Not only will it help the users to track their orders, but it will also make a sound decisions.

Step 5: Proper maintenance when you create a grocery app like instacart: 

The cost of building an on-demand grocery delivery app like the instacart app does not get over once the app is finalized and goes live. 

The app will require periodic updates with innovative features to keep customers engaged and draw new users.

Maintenance has to be an ongoing procedure. The expense will include the changing market trends and new device & OS versions.
It will ensure that the performance of the app is lag-free and without glitches. Part of app support includes:

App Update and Error Eradication : 

The apps must do regular and rigorous testing to scan out the glitches produced. Possible ways like an intricate white box and black box testing are preferred.

These steps help you analyze where your app is lacking and ensure it’s free from bugs when launched. In many cases, the flaws have been highlighted after the app is published. 

So on the developer’s end, these few details have to be monitored and checked regularly. The cost of comprehensive app maintenance scales about 1/5th of the total app development for a year. 

But these changes secure your app in a better way and keeps the user happy as well. 

Because once they find a problem or experience displeasure whilst they are ordering, the whole process is hampered. Leaving the users unhappy and even turning in and deleting the app. 

The cost to create an On-demand Grocery Delivery App Like Instacart 

The cost to create an on-demand grocery delivery app like instacart or peapod carries a lot of segments. 

As the developers often resort to working on an hourly basis, the cost also regulates. If we look at an estimate, app developers in Europe might take around $30 to $100 per hour. In the US, it ranges from $70 to $150 per hour. 

Here, an on-demand grocery store like instacart will take approximately 1900 to 2400 hours in general.
The production can vary with the development rate multiplied by the location and the total cost accordingly.

Hence we say that a grocery app development like the existing apps will cost anywhere between $40000-$200000 in Europe & USA.

Conclusion: 

When it comes to safety and health, no one likes to take risks and put themselves in danger. The pandemic’s existence has made businesses shift to an online platform entirely. It also provides ease to them and the user’s requirements.

Groceries are one of the essential elements in the standard of living. We cannot compromise on the quality of the materials we buy. So if you have a business running and want to expand business on a newer level, why don’t you do it on a professional level?

Or even if you have an idea, why don’t you create an online platform for it?
If you wish to learn how to create an app like instacart, you should definitely go for it. 

Create an app and reach new customers to build a secure relationship with them.

Not only will you discover new grounds to cover, but you will also help families who are in need. 

Why choose Idea Usher to create an on-demand grocery delivery app like instacart?

We can see the level of complexity in making a food delivery app successful among users. One might need help in leading their idea to fruition. As there are many segments to cover, we need professional assistance for each step ahead, from the UI/UX design to the promotional and marketing cost. 

Here at Idea Usher, we can provide a smoother journey to fire up your idea to a living reality.
We offer affordable and economical packages as well. It will help you create a successful on-demand grocery delivery app like instacart.