Emizentech
The rise in the popularity of business classifieds is widespread among communities. The rise of capitalism is evident, and the growth of classified ads to promote businesses can also be seen in the form of classified apps. In the past, economic activities such as buying and selling were growing every day, but today, everything is changing with the advancement of technology.
With the growing market for online marketplace applications, sites such as Kijiji have become popular for selling, buying, and finding services. Thanks to app developers and technology across the Middle East, Kijiji has been the dominant classifieds site in the region for over a decade, attracting millions of people from around the world. Indeed, the marketplace for online classifieds is predicted to grow to AED 2,723.16 billion by 2032, reflecting a growth rate of 24.80%.
With the need for mobile-first applications exploding, classified apps such as Kijiji present a great option for businesses and startups looking to enter the digital market in the Middle East. What does it take to create a classified app that can match Kijiji’s popularity? If you’re planning to create a similar platform, you should be aware of the costs associated with Kijiji like application development. This will help you plan your budget more effectively by accounting for the necessary resources.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the costs of developing a classifieds app similar to Kijiji.
What Is Kijiji?
Kijiji is one of the top classified apps and platforms that allow users to browse and shop anytime, anywhere. Whether it’s services, real estate, or job-related products, Kijiji handles it all, offering maximum engagement with other users.
The most appealing aspect of Kijiji is that it enables users to browse and buy all sorts of items easily, whether they are second hand or brand new. Through this app, customers can post ads and earn income by selling items such as game consoles, mobiles, car components, baby products, and much more.
How Does Kijiji Work?
Kijiji is an online marketplace where users can post classified advertisements. Customers simply click the “Post Ad” button, select the appropriate category, and then access the “Promote My Ad” section to see the prices for various features. Ads typically run for 60 days, with variations in some categories, such as vacation rentals.
Users also have the option to increase the visibility of their ads by using features such as Bump Up, Top Ads, and Highlight Ads. The ability to repost expired ads, which can be done within 60 days of expiration, helps increase their reach and can be enhanced with features like Bump Up. This is how Kijiji acts as a platform for users to easily interact with potential buyers or sellers within their communities.
Understanding The Business Model Of Kijiji
The business model of Kijiji classified apps is simple and operates in two primary stages:
In the beginning, Kijiji attracted a large number of customers. Users visit Kijiji, sign up for free accounts, and then search for items or services they need.
The second stage involves sellers advertising their goods and services on the site for a modest fee. If sellers want more customers to view their ads, they can pay an additional fee for greater exposure. Additionally, Kijiji earns money from commissions on sales and from advertisements.
Kijiji makes money in three primary ways:
- Seller Listing Fees: Sellers pay fees to advertise their products or services.
- Charges to Increase Visibility: Sellers can pay extra fees to make their listings more visible.
- Advertising Revenue: Kijiji also generates revenue by displaying ads on the website.
This simple process helps Kijiji generate income while providing a valuable platform for both buyers and sellers.
Advantages Of Developing Classified Apps Like Kijiji
Classified advertisements have been around for a long time, benefiting businesses by connecting sellers and buyers. From corner barbershop ads to online platforms like Kijiji, the growth of classifieds has created numerous opportunities for companies and communities alike.
In this section, we’ll explore the benefits of developing classified ads apps, so let’s have a look:
High Demand For Digital Marketplaces
With more and more users relying on online services, the demand for internet marketplaces continues to grow. Classified apps such as Kijiji allow users to buy and sell items or services without ever leaving their homes.
The convenience is particularly appealing in today’s fast-paced society, where people prefer handling transactions quickly and securely online. As more customers use the internet to shop, online marketplaces have become an increasingly popular way to connect buyers and sellers anytime, anywhere.
Diverse Revenue Streams
Classified apps like Kijiji generate income in several ways. They earn revenue from advertisements that businesses pay to reach customers. Sellers can also pay for premium listings that give their items more visibility.
Some apps offer subscriptions for users who require special features and may charge transaction fees for sales made in specific categories. A variety of revenue streams allows the app to remain financially sustainable and expand its offerings to attract more customers.
Strong User Engagement
Kijiji and other classified apps enjoy high customer retention because they offer great benefits. Buyers can find discounts on the items they need, while sellers have an easy way to reach potential customers.
The platform fosters a loyal community by providing value to both groups. Since these apps are user-friendly and allow quick browsing and purchasing, customers are likely to return frequently. Regular use of the app helps maintain a thriving, engaged user base, which is essential for the long-term success of the platform.
Scalability and Growth Potential
Online marketplaces have the potential to rapidly grow and attract a large customer base. By employing the right strategies, including effective marketing and customer acquisition, a classified app can dramatically expand its reach. It can attract a broad audience and even penetrate new markets, both locally and globally.
The scalability of these platforms allows them to adapt to changing customer demands. As they develop and expand, they can introduce additional features and services, making them an attractive model for future business success.
Flexible Business Opportunities
Classified apps
The app can also grow by adding new categories or expanding to new locations. By focusing on specific areas, the app can become a reliable platform for meeting particular needs, which results in a larger user base and more buyers.
Cost To Develop Classified Apps Like Kijiji
Creating classified apps is a complex and challenging task that requires the expertise of developers proficient in advanced programming languages. These languages are essential for building powerful, high-performance apps, and only those with extensive knowledge of these languages can successfully navigate the complexity of such an undertaking. Additionally, experience in developing similar platforms is crucial, as it provides the necessary understanding of the unique features and challenges that come with this type of application.
Due to the complexity of creating classified apps like Kijiji, the development cost can be significant. For a project like this, the estimated price typically ranges from AED 50,000 to AED 100,000. This cost reflects the considerable effort involved in programming, testing, and refining the platform to meet the expectations for technological advancements, security, and user experience. Every feature, from user design and interface to backend functions, requires careful planning and implementation, which contributes to the overall development cost.
Ensuring that developers have the right expertise is crucial for the success of the project. The high cost is justified by the need for specialized knowledge and the intensive effort required to create a secure and scalable platform.
The process involves more than just coding; it also includes integrating various applications, securing data, and ensuring compliance with industry standards. As a result, developing an app like Kijiji represents a significant investment, but one that is essential to creating a high-quality, reliable product.
Key Factors Affecting The Classified Apps Development Cost Like Kijiji
Several factors influence the cost of developing business classified apps like Kijiji. It is crucial for all stakeholders to be aware of these aspects, as they can result in significant variations in the overall cost of the project. Below, we’ll explore these factors.
Planning & Research
Before starting the development of a classified app, it is important to consult with a mobile app development company based in the Middle East. They will assist with detailed planning and research to define the scope of your project, objectives, target market, and required features.
This stage involves market analysis, competitor research, and studies on user behavior to help design the app’s structure. It also includes project meetings for discovery, gathering requirements, and creating a plan that will serve as the foundation for development.
Application Features
The cost of developing classified apps like Kijiji is heavily influenced by the app’s overall scale and complexity. If the app includes a wide range of features, such as user profiles, advanced search options, and secure payment methods, it will require a significant investment of time and funds.
Each additional feature or function requires more complex coding and optimization, which can increase development costs. The bigger and more advanced the app, the more complex it is to develop, which leads to higher costs.
Platform Compatibility
Classified apps are an easy choice for customers. You can complete most tasks needed to create a presence in the market by using a Kijiji clone solution. The process of creating a Kijiji-like classified app can be completed with the assistance of a skilled mobile app developer.
Android and iOS application development solutions are available, which enables you to stay connected with your customers. The cost of development will depend on the platform compatibility of your Kijiji clone solution for Android, iOS, and the web. The best part is it can also be extended to include all platforms.
Design & Development
Naturally, mobile app developers in Dubai pay great attention to design, as it is crucial for delivering a seamless and user-friendly experience. This is particularly important for classified apps
The development phase is where developers bring the application to life by writing the code. Building an app like Kijiji will require creating both backend and frontend functions, establishing databases, setting up a user management system, and adding features such as product filtering, item listings, chat functionality, and payment gateways.
Tools and Technologies
Choosing the right technology stack, including selecting the appropriate third-party tools, is essential for managing the costs of developing a classified ads app. Every element of the stack contributes uniquely to the development process, including specific technologies that may require licensing fees or ongoing costs, which could significantly increase the development budget. The decisions made during this phase not only affect the budget but also influence the app’s long-term viability and scalability.
When evaluating potential technologies, it’s important to consider whether each one aligns with the project’s needs. Some platforms and tools may have high initial or ongoing expenses that could impact the project budget. Additionally, integrating third-party software may require extra design work, adding complexity and length to the project. Therefore, analyzing the cost implications of each technology is a key part of the decision-making process.
Third-Party Integration
Integrating classified apps into existing software infrastructures usually requires additional investment, that too both in terms of time and financial resources. The integration process is crucial for ensuring that the app works seamlessly with other systems, such as customer relationship management (CRM) platforms, payment gateways, and inventory management software. By investing in advanced integration, companies can achieve greater operational efficiency, as data is transferred smoothly between apps and established systems.
However, achieving seamless connectivity across platforms often requires the implementation of complex protocols for data synchronization and mapping. These protocols are vital to ensure that data is correctly transferred and interpreted by the various connected systems.
The complexity of these protocols can significantly impact the scope of the project. Moreover, the technical challenges involved in implementing these integrations could add layers of complexity to the overall project, requiring additional testing and refinements.
Testing & Deployment
It is very important to conduct thorough testing to make sure that the classified apps runs smoothly without glitches or bugs. This includes functional testing, security testing, performance testing, and user acceptance testing (UAT). After testing, the application is submitted to app stores (Google Play and Apple App Store), which require compliance with their policies.
The testing process involves both manual and automated testing across various platforms, as well as the costs associated with deploying the app to the app stores. Keep in mind that to develop and sell an app by 2025, you must follow specific guidelines to ensure long-term relevance.
Maintenance & Support
Once the app is launched, continuous maintenance and updates are essential to fix issues, add new features, and stay up to date with OS updates. Ongoing support ensures that your app remains safe, functional, and aligned with user needs. Maintenance costs generally depend on the complexity of the app and how often updates and modifications are needed. Regular updates are vital for retaining users and keeping the app running smoothly.
How To Reduce Classified App Development Costs?
Developing an online classified ads app like Kijiji can be a significant expense. However, there are ways to reduce the cost of development without sacrificing quality or efficiency. By making smart decisions, companies can speed up the development process, save time, and keep costs within a manageable range. Here are a few cost-effective methods to consider:
Prioritize Features
Start with an initial Minimum Viable Product or MVP that includes only the most essential features necessary for the app’s success. This approach enables you to launch quickly, gather customer feedback, and continue improving the app by adding new features based on user needs. Prioritizing features helps reduce unnecessary development costs and ensures that you build valuable features for your target audience.
Choose The Right Development Partner
Choosing an experienced and skilled professional for developing mobile apps in the classified market is crucial for a cost-effective and efficient project. Select a classified app development company with a proven track record in creating successful Kijiji-like mobile applications, a thorough understanding of your target customers, and a transparent communication process. A reliable development partner can help optimize the development process, identify potential roadblocks, and prevent costly mistakes.
Choose a White-Label Solution
The white-label approach can also help lower costs and speed up the deployment process. A white-label app comes pre-built with essential features, such as user profile management, listing management, chat functionality, and payment integrations. For businesses with limited budgets and quick go-to-market objectives, a white-label app can be an ideal solution.
Optimize For Cross-Platform Development
Developing cross-platform classified apps can be a great way to reduce costs, speed up development, and reach more users. Using frameworks like Flutter and React Native, you can develop apps that seamlessly work on both iOS and Android, providing a one-stop solution for both platforms.
Additionally, cross-platform apps are easier to maintain, with fewer updates or bug fixes required compared to native apps. For startups or businesses with limited budgets, this approach offers the ideal balance between cost, performance, speed, and overall customer experience.
How Classified Apps Like Kijiji Make Money
Classified apps like Kijiji have succeeded in monetizing their services through various income streams. Here are the most commonly used monetization methods for developing an app similar to Kijiji:
Premium Listings & Featured Placement
Users can pay to have their listings placed prominently on the website, such as at the top of the results page or in specific areas. Offer options to boost listings with features like highlighted borders, larger images, and increased visibility in search results. Allow users to target specific audience segments by paying for listings to be shown to certain demographics or based on specific interests.
Subscription Plans
You can offer tiered subscription plans with different levels of benefits and premium features, such as unlimited free listings, advanced search filters, and priority customer service. Subscription plans provide a stable and predictable income stream for the platform.
In-App Advertising
Display ads relevant to the app’s users based on their past browsing habits, search terms, and location. Ads can be tailored to specific areas or items that the user is browsing. Incorporate ads seamlessly into the user experience, such as through sponsored content or banner ads.
Commission On Transactions
Charge a fee for successful transactions made through the app, such as when a customer purchases something directly from a seller. Take a percentage of the transaction as commission, providing an incentive for sellers to use the platform.
Value-Added Services
Offer a range of value-added services to users, such as professional photography, background checks, legal advice, and delivery services. Partner with other businesses to provide discounts, special offers, and exclusive services to members on the platform.
Data Analytics & Insights
Collect and analyze user data to gain valuable insights into user behavior patterns and market trends. Provide anonymized user information and market data to organizations for market research and marketing purposes.
Why Choose EmizenTech As Your App Development Company?
We at EmizenTech, bring vast technical expertise and innovation to the development of classified apps using the latest technology and tools. Our team is skilled at creating high-quality, robust platforms comparable to Kijiji, leveraging modern technologies to provide a smooth and seamless user experience.
With years of experience and a team of skilled app developers, our mobile application development team based in the Middle East can help you build a feature-rich, scalable, user-friendly, and secure classifieds app like Kijiji. We align our objectives with the client’s vision and establish clear timelines and deadlines. We ensure that we provide affordable and reasonable costs that fit within your company’s budget and goals.
So, what’s next? Schedule a consultation today to receive a precise estimate based on your specific project requirements.
Conclusion
The global classifieds market continues to grow each year, making the development of classifieds apps a massive opportunity for those looking to invest. The increasing popularity of smartphones and the rise in global internet connectivity have shifted trends toward digital retail and online marketing. The crossroads of both is the classifieds marketplace.
Investing in the development of an app similar to Kijiji opens doors to multiple revenue streams and allows your business to cater to a wide range of customers across various sectors, from real estate to electronics and even services.
The cost of building an app like Kijiji depends on several factors, so it’s important to understand the complexities involved in its creation. This blog has detailed many of these factors to help you recognize what can drive up development costs. By keeping these aspects in mind, you can create a reasonable budget to develop an app that is prepared to handle any challenges that may occur during the development process.
FAQs
What is the time frame to create classified apps similar to Kijiji?
The time frame will depend on the specific requirements and needs provided by the client. In general, it will take between 10 to 12 weeks.
What are the ongoing development costs of a classifieds app like Kijiji?
The ongoing costs for managing a classifieds app like Kijiji will depend on the annual use of servers, API subscription fees (if applicable), and payment gateway subscription charges (if applicable).
What could be the challenges when launching and developing the classifieds application?
Established players like Kijiji poses an enormous obstacle. The protection of user data and privacy are essential. The effective management of user-generated content which includes preventing fraud as well as inappropriate listings. Updating with changing technologies and expectations of users requires constant adaptation and improvement.
How do I make sure my classifieds application stands out against the rest?
The ability to differentiate is crucial. Focus on a specific market and include unique features, such as AI search or AR experience. Develop a solid community around the app by engaging users in different initiatives. You must prioritize exceptional customer support, ensure a smooth user experience that will attract customers.
