Flutter usage has grown steadily. More developers have started using the framework because it provides stability and functionality. This graph indicates that the percentage of developers using Flutter has increased (Statista).
As Flutter is a UI framework, it allows you to create the interface once and share it. You can even share the codebase and the business logic. As a result, you will notice Flutter reduces the developer's efforts and improves the development processes.
The development stack is gaining importance with more eCommerce businesses moving towards marketplace format. A lot of businesses have added Flutter to their stack. Flutter can be a good addition if you are contemplating Marketplace app development.
It extends the requisite functionality, can help launch applications faster, and has a streamlined testing process. Several popular businesses have implemented their marketplace with the Flutter framework.
We will discuss these applications in detail to know how they benefited from Flutter. Flutter app development and how a lot of companies have incorporated it. We will also dig a little deeper into marketplace app development.
Top Flutter Marketplace Apps Built with Flutter
Let's look at how Flutter in the tech stack helped these top three companies with marketplace application development.
#1 Alibaba
Alibaba Group had created a marketplace application for their secondhand products. The idea was to create a space for the buyers and sellers of secondhand products without an intermediary. This is the top most Flutter case study, as it showcases how a brand ensured better experiences through interface development.
- When they began selling, they noticed that half of their customers were mobile users.
- It was important for the company to extend intuitive solutions so that the users could move around easily.
- The company also needed an interface that would load faster.
The company had to find a way to release their applications on both iOS and Android. They also had to ensure zero friction while keeping up with the user's experience needs.
At the same time, they had limited time to fulfill their goals. They decided to go with Flutter, and here is how the platform helped them achieve their goals.
- They had to maintain a single codebase, which allowed them enough time to create new features.
- They ensured the item detail page was aesthetic and fast-loading as it is the most visited place.
- The expressive UI widgets allowed the developers to create a smooth UI.
They defined each aspect of the mobile app development and created an incremental structure. This allowed them enough time to develop, test and launch the application. Fifty million users use the current app, and Flutter has paved the path for growth.
#2 eBay
eBay has been an excellent stop for selling goods. However, a portion of this marketplace focuses on buying/selling cars you cannot easily get. The automobile segment on eBay has a separate fanbase. However, they don't have the exact user experience they need.
The eBay Motors team was looking for a new application that would give the experience auto enthusiasts online need.
- They needed an application framework that supported their development and deployment goals.
- The framework should be fast and accelerate the deployment for the business.
- Moreover, they needed a single framework that would support development for both iOS and Android.
The last point was important as they had a huge market for both frameworks. The team had looked into several cross-platform frameworks but was disappointed with them.
Flutter's framework gave them a positive vibe, which made them go ahead with the solution. The team at eBay Motors spent a month or so testing the framework to check if it would help them meet the desired goals.
- It was faster to develop an application with the Flutter framework.
- The native tools allowed them to create native-like applications.
- They could check the app on the Android and iOS emulator to understand how it worked.
- Shared codebase meant it would improve productivity.
- They found the testing support the best feature and opted for 100% code coverage.
The engineering team was able to launch the beta version of the app for all devices within three months. At least 70% of developers on the team believed it helped them be more productive. The codesharing between the two platforms is 98.3%.
#3 GetEase App
GetEase is an on-demand services marketplace. You can book any lifestyle services online using this application. The interface is a crucial part of the marketplace app. Most interactions occur on the interface, and it is essential to have a smooth interface solution.
The uninteractive interface has led to significant issues that can harm conversions. They needed a stable tech stack that would help them solve the interaction issues. The idea was to make bookings and scheduling easy and effortless for the customers.
In this Flutter showcase example, you will learn how developers incorporated feedback.
Flutter helped the marketplace application create an error-free and intuitive interface. It ensured maximum interactions and convenience of loading.
The developers were able to release the product faster. They could finish the product development, backend included, within 12 weeks of starting.
Let's look at the different marketplace apps you can build with Flutter. This will give you an idea of how to boost your business' Flutter app development.
Types of Marketplace Apps Developed with Flutter
1. eCommerce or B2C Businesses
In this model, a business sells products to another customer. Amazon is the perfect example of a B2C business. In this case, there are businesses listed as sellers.
They would list their products to the users. The customers would be the users of the marketplace application.
An eCommerce marketplace is a no-intermediary and a high selling point for businesses. It helps the store owners reach a maximum number of users in their customer base. Moreover, creating and selling the products on this marketplace is easier with the B2C mobile application.
It is one of the most commonly created and used marketplace solutions.
2. B2B Marketplace
The next model is the services marketplace. This can also be called the B2B marketplace. The businesses connect and sell their products or services to other businesses. For example, UpWork is an example of the B2B services marketplace.
Similarly, if you are an automobile parts marketplace and selling it specifically to dealers, you are a B2B products marketplace.
There is a lot of security involved in this marketplace. You may not experience data breaches or issues while dealing in this marketplace. Similarly, you can ensure secure and highly efficient transaction systems.
When you bill your businesses, you will include the tax amount, too, making the whole billing process efficient.
3. Rental Marketplace Solutions
When users can rent out your products for a defined period, it will be a rental marketplace. Different businesses can list their products and share the rental rates. The users can use the product for a given period before changing the same.
The rental marketplace needs to be more affordable to reach the maximum number of users.
Experts' Insights into Marketplace App Development
These case studies have strengthened the importance of Flutter in UI development. However, there are things that you must know when you are building an intuitive and engaging interface. Here we will share some expert insights on marketplace app development. If you keep this in mind while creating your value-driven Flutter interface, you will convert faster.
#1 Determine the Metrics to Track
You would have set the goals for your marketplace app. It could be sales, conversion or profit goals. A more closely measured growth metric is the reach or visibility of the marketplace app. However, you cannot track or measure the growth if you haven't associated the metrics to your goal.
Experts suggest measuring the four main metrics- usage, transactions, customer satisfaction and conversions. This will help you realize the effectiveness of your marketplace solution.
If more people use it and spend more time on the application, it can be considered a positive sign. Similarly, you might want to check the engagement rate, session duration and other aspects to determine if people are interested.
The drop-off rates and customer satisfaction scores will help realize their issues or problems. You can know if these issues concern the interface or backend movement.
According to the experts, it is important to know the metrics, keep an eye out for them and learn from them.
#2 Is Value Creation=Value Captured
Most experts believe it is important for marketplaces to check if the value created equals the value captured. If you have created a value-driven market with fewer takers, it simply means there isn't enough value captured.
This is a more comparative study. Your reach might be limited if you are working in a niche market. This means capturing equivalent value to grow your business might be difficult.
When you enter a competitive niche, you will face similar issues. That's why it is important to determine the actual sales possible in the niche. Similarly, you must optimize the liquidity for better growth opportunities.
When you create value for the users, look for opportunities that facilitate fast growth too.
#3 Users and their interactions
The user interaction will drive conversions and sales for your business. However, most businesses do not ask the most important question- where do users interact with the sellers to complete the sales? Are they connecting on a particular device or medium? Do they hold their transactions in a particular format?
Are they also interacting with the business across channels? Do they visit the business frequently?
These answers will help build value for the customers. You can drive better interactions as a result.
#4 Build the supply chain
The supply chain is the fourth and most important part of the marketplace app development. The products need to flow through the chain swiftly for greater value.
But, the bigger question is, how will you drive the supply chain when it is not present? The marketplace is the only app where the app doesn't hold any product or service.
To grow your marketplace business successfully, you must convince one side to connect with the business (sellers). This will help you be more visible and gain conversions.
So, ideally, the most important part of your supply chain is the one that will be selling the product or services to the other end of the value chain.
Best Practices for Flutter Marketplace App Development
When creating a marketplace app solution, you must follow the top best practices. It will help maintain the codebase and extend an intuitive framework for the application.
#1 Know the constraints in Flutter
It is crucial to know the constraints in your Flutter app, which will become more crucial as your app grows. Each widget comes with a pre-determined height and width set by the parent components. Accordingly, all the child widgets will receive their restrictions for height/width.
Each child will receive the constraints and, according to the restrictions, will be arranged in the interface.
#2 Define App Architecture
As Flutter has a low learning curve, defining the app architecture is easier. You can make it mandatory to enhance the process and deliver a suitable solution.
In this case, your developers must know the Flutter programming language, i.e. Dart. This will require a stable and defined architecture that can help with development.
Divide your architecture into the presentation, business logic and data layers for the best processes.
#3 Test the Critical Functions
You can check each function with automated tests and ensure streamlined outcomes. It will help you test the functions across multiple devices while reducing the efforts.
It is swifter to test the functionality with automated testing solutions. It is a good idea to include 100% test coverage. However, you may not find it possible with the time and budget constraints.
At the same time, you also need to conduct unit and integration tests. This can increase the magnitude of tests if not appropriately planned.
Hence, covering the critical functions that fit your budget is a good idea.
#4 Use Widgets for Coding
Refactor your code and use widgets to create a more usable and efficient codebase. You can complete the widget lifecycle and ensure proper optimization. It will help you add features that are important for the development.
The widget method allows you to code an entire solution with fewer coding lines. You can also consider the widget class optimizations for better outcomes.
Conclusion
Flutter is an excellent UI framework that can help produce intuitive and extensive interfaces. With this framework, you can improve the developer's productivity, marketplace app reach and ease of navigation. Many developers have switched to Flutter for marketplace app development due to the simplicity of code development.
As a leading Flutter development company in India and the US Expert Apps Devs has expertise in marketplace app development. We can translate your idea into well-defined native app solutions. We create marketplace apps to deliver on your metrics and goals. Hire Flutter developers to streamline processes and deliver well-tested marketplace applications.
Jignen Pandya
Vice President at Expert App Devs
Responsible for creating a sales funnel, attracting top-of-the-funnel customers, and converting the target market.
