What is an Instacart Clone App and how can it help your business?

Introduction

Instacart boasts about around 10 million active users and over 500000 Instacart shoppers. Also, speculations are that the Instacart app generated a whopping 1.8 billion dollars as revenue in 2021. 

Indeed, this App is the best one on the market and meets all the requirements of customers and drivers. Since stepping into a new business is equivalent to entering uncharted territory, you need to ape the best while maintaining your originality.

Suppose you are an entrepreneur who wants to launch a grocery delivery and pick-up service; having an app for customers and drivers is advisable. And there is no one better than Instacart to ape! 

Read this Instacart clone app development guide to know what features you need to include in your App to dethrone the original! So, stick around and unravel how to develop an Instacart clone app with the help of this Instacart clone development guide!

What is Instacart?

Founded in 2012, Instacart is an American grocery delivery and pick-up start-up that operates in the United States of America and Canada. People can use Instacart via a website and mobile application to purchase home essentials. 

Usually, a personal shopper does the shopping at participating retailers, and then the bought stuff is delivered to customers.

It houses more than 500000 items from various local stores in its catalog, and people can choose stuff from the following local stores:

• Costco
• Stanley's
• Jewel-Osco
• Safeway
• Whole Foods
• Shaw's
• Mariano's
• Super Fresh
• Harris Teeter

Instacart users also have the freedom to mix items and products from many stores into one.

So far, Instacart delivery and pick-up services have managed to raise funding from:

• Andreessen Horowitz
• Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers
• Canaan Partners
• Khosla Ventures
• Y Combinator
• Sequoia Capital

Now that we know what Instacart is let us study its service model in this Instacart clone development guide.

What is the Instacart Service Model?

A person shopper hired by Instacart does the shopping for you; that is, they pick, pack and deliver orders within the period set by the customer. It can range from within an hour to up to five days. Once customers receive their order, they make payments via EBT cards, Apple Pay, debit cards, Google Pay, or credit cards.

Besides paying the order's total amount, customers need to spend some money on delivery fees. The delivery charges for orders of and over $35 are $3.99 and $7.99 under that amount. Also, there is a 5% service fee with a minimum of 2 dollars.

Frequent-online delivery and pick-up users can also opt for Instacart's membership service, Instacart Express. It is worth $9.99 per month or $999 for a year. The upside to using Instacart Express is that it waives delivery fees on purchases over 35 dollars. 

Still, customers must pay the service fee for the hired shoppers. Customers are also asked to leave a gratuity apart from the shopper's service fees.

In collaboration with Instacart's partnership program, retailers fix the prices of individual products and items on the Instacart marketplace. These prices are mostly in harmony with the in-store ones.

Lastly, customers can even order from non-participating retailers. However, they will need to pay more.

Now comes the central part of the blog, the Instacart clone development guide.
 

Suggested Reading:

7 Reasons Why You Should Build An Instacart Clone App

What is an Instacart Clone? 

Before you commence the development process, knowing how an online grocery app like Instacart works is a must.

• The very first step involves the registration process. Once the user completes the registration process, they can log in to the App to use it.
   
• Once the user logs in to the App, they must type in their location, based on which the App will show a list of nearby grocery stores.
   
• At this juncture, users scroll through the list and select one store.
   
• Now, a grocery list pops up, and the user selects the items they want to purchase and adds them to the cart.
   
• The next step is payment. The user can opt for online payment or cash on delivery and proceed to checkout.
   
• Subsequently, a delivery person will receive the request. Once received, the delivery person drives to the local store, collects the order, and dispatches it to the concerned customer.
   
• In the end, the user gives feedback based on the App's performance.
   

Suggested Reading:

You Should Choose AppsRhino For Grocery App Development: Here's Why

Instacart Clone Development Guide: Features of an Instacart clone?

Any development guide is incomplete without discussing the App's features in the discussion. Thus, you will find the features of an Instacart in this Instacart clone development guide.

The User app

• Social media login
  It would be best if you allowed users to log in using their social media credentials.
   
• Zip Code entry
  After the login procedure, the user must type in their Zip code to inform Instacart where to deliver the orders.
   
• Browse stores
  Your Instacart clone must show a list of nearby grocery stores based on the user's location.
   
• Search bar
  Your Instacart clone should let users type in the name of a product to select it without scrolling much.
   
• Payment options
  The App has many options like debit cards, credit cards, PayPal, Stripe, COD, etc. Your App should also include numerous payment options to let users make payments how they feel comfortable. A few payment options include Debit cards, PayPal, credit cards, Stripe, Cash on delivery, etc.
   
• Ratings and reviews
  This feature lets users provide their feedback and help you improve your services.
   
• Push notifications
  Push notifications are a way to keep users abreast of all the new app-related information, such as the latest offers, app updates, etc.

The Driver app

• Login
  Drivers should log in to the App to start working at your company and must produce their driving licenses and identity proofs.
   
• Availability toggle
  This feature lets drivers indicate their availability by adjusting the toggle mark.
   
• Route optimizer
  It provides the delivery persons with the shortest route to the customer's place.
   
• Delivery planner
  The planner informs the drivers with a list of orders and their current status, such as delivered, pending, etc.
   
• Earnings
  This feature of an Instacart clone lets drivers see the amount of money earned from their delivery services.
   

Suggested Reading:

How to expand the grocery business with Instacart Clone or Grofers Clone?

The Admin app

• Admin dashboard
  This feature lets the admin see and validate all the customers' and drivers' profiles.
   
• Analytics
  This Instacart clone app allows admins to see what all activities transpire inside the App.
   
• Review management
  This section of the Instacart clone app gives the admin the view of users' reviews and feedback to let them review and analyze the feedback received and optimize them.
   
• Chat support
  Your Instacart clone app must have a chat support option to help customers and drivers use the App seamlessly. 
   
• VOIP calls
  It is an internet-based call that users can make from the Instacart clone app itself. This way, customers can interact with the delivery agent without divulging their contact numbers.
   
• Gift card options
  The gift card options let you increase your Instacart clone app's user engagement. People can now give their friends points they can claim on any purchase they make via the App.
   
• Multiple languages
  This feature helps drivers and customers overcome the language barrier by letting them access the App in the language with which they are comfortable.

And if you wish to build an app like Instacart, then contact AppsRhino, the home of custom mobile app development that caters to the needs of various industries.

With over 300+ projects completed, 70+ top vetted developers, and a presence in 50+ countries, you can count on AppsRhino to deliver tailored solutions that exceed expectations.

And that's not it! With expertise in various industry verticals, AppsRhino can help you launch your app in just 7 DAYS! 

• Food Delivery
• Grocery Delivery
• Home Services
• Laundry Delivery
• Alcohol Delivery

What are the Modes of Revenue that can be obtained from this App?

Service charges

You can earn from your Instacart clone app in the form of service fees that you impose on selected services. For instance, you can ask for speedy charges from those who opt for the said service.

Commission charges

You can also receive commission charges for every service that transpires on your Instacart clone app from the registered grocery store owner.

Why should you invest in an Instacart Clone App today?

Improved Sales

Instacart clone app ensures that your business is never stagnant in growth and continues to thrive. It lets you stay in touch with people who intend to use your services. Besides, the Instacart clone app also gives others a medium to give your business a shot.

Another good thing is that owning an Instacart app means you do not require a brick-and-mortar store to operate a business.

Online Presence

There are a plethora of delivery and pick-up service apps on the market. Thus it has become challenging to create an online presence for your business. However, an Instacart clone app helps businesses to revive and skyrocket their profits and popularity.

Better Organization

An Instacart clone app gives the admin access to monitor every function and activity on the platform. It also helps them fulfill the increasing demand, fix a budget, and do other related tasks.

Business Automation

As a business expands, one needs more care in managing the multiple branches of one's organization. And an Instacart clone app will help you manage your business from a single point of contact. Moreover, you can leverage inventory management via your Instacart clone app.

Knowing Your Customers

An Instacart clone app lets admins examine the patterns of purchases and sakes to study customer behavior and trends and map the progress of their businesses. Numerous integrated plugins or APIs help fetch all the data and auto-generate readable, intelligible reports.

Discounts & Collaborations

An Instacart clone app lets you give users discounts and offers on several occasions. This way, you need not embellish the shelves of your stores with decorative stuff to show you have a sale. 

All you have to do is make changes to the appearance of your Instacart clone app to denote that you have a sale for a specific period.

Apart from it, you can have other brands or companies come to you for collaborations to boost the sales of the two of you.

Conclusion

Even though you are determined to imitate Instacart and want to have an Instacart clone app developed, adding a few unique features is always better. 

You must realize that, like you, several other entrepreneurs might be toying with the idea of getting an Instacart clone app to boost their sales and make their business popular.

The only logical conclusion of this race will be none of you winning the race and achieving the desired result. Thus, to avoid this situation, always list features that will be unique and still not provided to users by any other app of your domain.

And the best way to do it is by contacting a proficient mobile and web app development company such as AppsRhino. Contact AppsRhino today to start working on your dream project!
 

Suggested Reading:

Here's How You build an Instacart Clone app in 5 Easy Steps

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How can an Instacart Clone App benefit my business? 

An Instacart Clone App can streamline your grocery delivery operations, attract new customers, and increase revenue. By offering convenience and flexibility to customers, you can enhance their shopping experience and build brand loyalty, leading to business growth and success.

What features are typically included in an Instacart Clone App? 

An Instacart Clone App typically includes features such as user registration, product catalog, shopping cart, order tracking, payment integration, delivery scheduling, and customer support. Advanced features like route optimization and inventory management can also be added for enhanced functionality.

Is it expensive to develop an Instacart Clone App for my business? 

The cost of developing an Instacart Clone App depends on various factors such as features, complexity, platform, and development team rates. However, there are affordable options available, including ready-made solutions and customizable templates, to suit different budgetary constraints.

Can an Instacart Clone App help my business reach new customers?  

Yes, an Instacart Clone App can help your business reach a wider audience by offering convenient and accessible grocery delivery services. With effective marketing strategies and promotions, you can attract new customers and expand your market presence, driving growth and profitability.

How customizable is an Instacart Clone App for my business needs? 

An Instacart Clone App is highly customizable to meet your specific business requirements and branding guidelines. You can customize features, design elements, payment options, and more to create a unique and tailored shopping experience for your customers, enhancing brand recognition and loyalty.