How Much Does It Cost to Build a Mobile App Like Best Buy?

Modern-day eCommerce is rapidly undergoing enormous transitions due to technological advancements and consumers’ propensity to make purchases online continuously. With consumers heavily relying on their smartphones to make the minutest purchases, it has become crucial for eCommerce businesses to innovate themselves and think outside the box to retain their customer base.

One of the forerunners in this digital revolution is Best Buy, a well-known brand associated with consumer electronics and innovative retail techniques.

Best Buy’s success story lies not just in its extensive network of physical stores and wide range of products but also in its ability to leverage advanced technologies to improve the consumer experience. The app has revolutionized the retail experience by providing users with unmatched convenience, customization, and accessibility through its user-friendly and feature-rich mobile app.

Recently, the retail giant has implemented generative AI to enhance user interactions, collaborated with CNET to refine the customer journey, and introduced an augmented reality (AR) feature compatible with Apple Vision Pro. These innovative developments are explored in detail later in this blog.

The success record of an eCommerce app like Best Buy has attracted several stakeholders to invest in a similar one. However, the cost to build a mobile app like Best Buy has left many perplexed, which we will discuss in this blog today.

In general, building a similar app involves considering numerous factors like the complexity of desired features, the platform(s) it will operate on, design or frontend intricacies, backend infrastructure requirements, security measures, ongoing maintenance, and others. Each of these factors significantly contributes to the overall cost, as it requires meticulous planning and optimal allocation of resources.

To give a brief idea, the Best Buy app development cost ranges from $40,000 to $300,000 or more, depending on the complexities within the project requirements.

In this blog, we’ll explore the cost factors, delve into its rising popularity, study its market size overview, discuss key features of shopping apps like Best Buy, and outline the steps to build your own. Let’s take a deeper look.

Best Buy and Its Surging Popularity

Best Buy, a multinational American consumer electronics retailer headquartered in Richfield, Minnesota, traces its origins to 1966 when Richard M. Schulze and James Wheeler founded an audio store called Sound of Music. In 1983, the company rebranded itself as Best Buy, focusing on consumer electronics.

Currently, Best Buy is considered to be a giant in the consumer electronics retail sector and the biggest specialty retailer in the US. Its ranking as the 72nd largest US firm on the 2018 Fortune 500 list proves its enormous success.

As one of the globally renowned retailers, Best Buy offers a wide range of goods and services through its physical storefronts and website. Users can explore categories or search for specific items, with the app providing detailed product information, including features, pricing, and reviews.

Users can also select from various payment methods, such as credit/debit cards, gift cards, and digital wallets, add products to their carts, and apply promotions or discounts. In addition, the app also includes tools for tracking orders, finding stores, and making tailored suggestions based on past purchases and browsing activity. The app also gives customers special discounts and offers, improving the overall shopping experience for users.

As reported by CNBC, Best Buy’s annual revenue in 2024 is expected to reach $44.5 billion due to its product and service innovation and its strategic expansion in emerging markets. Their strategic approach has also been extremely vital in expanding their clientele and generating new sources of income.

Furthermore, Best Buy’s strong online presence has been a major growth accelerator. It provides easy-to-use navigational features and convenient delivery options to customers, which boosts its overall eCommerce sales.

Best Buy’s success highlights the immense potential for businesses who wish to delve into a similar venture. So, let’s get straight to the main part now, which is the factors that affect the cost to build such a consumer-focused application.

Factors Affecting the Cost to Build Mobile App Like Best Buy

As discussed above, the Best Buy mobile app development cost ranges between $40,000 and $300,000. Let’s grasp the understanding of a few contributing factors that lead to estimating costs correctly.

Choice of Platform(s)

Creating an app similar to Best Buy for multiple platforms like iOS and Android can increase overall expenses due to the need for separate codebases and testing procedures. However, this investment ensures broader reach and compatibility, optimizing user experience across diverse devices.

Furthermore, every platform has its own distinct development frameworks and design requirements, necessitating specific expertise and resources.

The development process becomes more challenging while maintaining consistency across platforms and optimizing for each operating system. Moreover, the need to incorporate updates and feature additions individually for every platform results in longer development schedules and higher Best Buy app development costs. On the other hand, focusing on several platforms increases the app’s reach and may boost revenue opportunities and user engagement.

Design Complexity

An engaging application must have a well-designed UI/UX. Investing in sophisticated designs can raise the Best Buy app development cost but boost user retention and satisfaction. Furthermore, complex design components like animations, transitions, and unique images improve the app’s aesthetic appeal but could take more time and money to develop.

Conducting user testing and incorporating feedback during the design phase ensures that the app meets user expectations and usability standards, ultimately contributing to its success. In addition, a well-thought-out UI/UX may set the app apart from competitors and create a strong brand identity, increasing long-term user loyalty.

Features and Functionality

The cost to build a mobile app like Best Buy is greatly influenced by the intricacy and quantity of features that are wanted in the application. Development costs are influenced by features like searching, user accounts, payment processing, viewing product catalogs, and interaction with backend systems. The cost to build a mobile app like Best Buy might also increase when sophisticated features like push notifications, in-app messaging, social media integration, and personalized suggestions are added.

To guarantee flawless integration and peak performance, each new feature necessitates extensive planning, development, and testing, extending the project’s budget and schedule. Aside from streamlining development efforts and efficiently allocating resources, choosing features based on user requirements and market trends also helps balance functionality and cost considerations.

Implementing Security Measures

Strong security measures to guard against cyberattacks on user data, payment details, and the app itself necessitate more development and continuous maintenance expenditures. Furthermore, extra resources for audits and certification procedures may be required to comply with industry standards and laws like GDPR or PCI DSS.

Ensuring the confidentiality of sensitive data and staying ahead of emerging threats requires regular security audits, vulnerability assessments, and updates. Investing in secure communication protocols, secure authentication procedures, and encryption techniques increases the number of layers of security against possible intrusions.

Furthermore, setting up a response plan and methods for resolving security incidents is imperative to reduce risks and preserve user confidence in the app’s reliability and integrity.

Third-Party Integrations

Third-party integrations enrich the user experience and extend the app’s functionality. Payment gateway integration guarantees smooth and safe transactions, and analytics systems offer insightful data on user behavior and preferences to support data-driven decision-making.

Furthermore, social media network integrations promote community involvement and brand endorsement by allowing users to contribute product reviews and recommendations. These integrations influence the overall cost to build a mobile app like Best Buy.

However, integration with external services necessitates careful planning, development, and continuous maintenance to guarantee compatibility and dependability. Strategic third-party integrations through APIs are crucial for increasing the app’s competitiveness and providing consumers with the most value despite the accompanying costs and complexities.

Location of the Development Team

The development team’s location is a significant factor that determines the overall cost to develop a mobile app like Best Buy. One of the primary factors affected by location is labor costs. For instance, hiring developers from regions like North America and Western Europe would incur higher development costs.

However, hiring a dedicated development team from Asian countries like India can assure you of quality services and strict adherence to project delivery deadlines. Consider the table below to understand the hourly rates of mobile app development in different global regions.

Size of the Development Team

The number of app developers, designers, testers, managers working on the project directly impacts the project management and resource allocation. While working on various application elements in parallel with a larger team could speed up the development process, it also means more intensive coordination and administration work, which raises project overheads.

A larger team can accommodate experts in UI/UX design, backend development, database administration, and quality assurance. Although having a wider range of experience might improve the app’s overall quality, hiring specialist professionals comes with greater labor expenses. This also leads to the rise in the cost to build a mobile app like Best Buy.

Also Read: How to hire a dedicated development team?

Regulatory Compliance

Ensuring compliance with industry regulations and standards, such as data protection laws and accessibility guidelines, may require additional development effort, resources, and an increase in the costs. Furthermore, managing the complicated terrain of regulatory requirements calls for constant observation and revisions to guarantee conformity to changing norms.

Strong compliance controls and reduces legal risks while also boosting user trust in the app’s security and integrity. Additionally, investing in compliance reinforces the company’s standing as a reliable and accountable provider of mobile app development services by highlighting its dedication to moral business conduct and respect for customer privacy.

Must-Have Features of Best Buy App

Best Buy app includes a host of features that makes the application more intuitive and easier to use. Divided into three panels, the app boasts enhanced security and overall a great user experience. Let’s have a look at some of the top features of a shopping app like Best Buy.

User Panel

The user panel of Best Buy app allows users to manage their account settings, view order history, track deliveries, and access personalized recommendations.

• User Registration/Login: To access personalized features, users can register or log in using their phone numbers, social network profiles, or email addresses.
• Browse Products by Category: Users can explore products divided into several categories, such as gadgets, electronics, appliances, etc.
• Product Search and Filters: Users can search for particular products and apply criteria such as brand, price, ratings, etc.
• Add to Cart/Wishlist: Users can add goods to their wishlist for later purchase or future consideration.
• Secure Checkout: Users can enjoy multiple payment methods and support for a range of payment gateways to ensure a quick and safe checkout experience.
• Order Tracking: Users can seamlessly track the status of their orders in real-time and receive quick notifications for order updates.
• Personalized Recommendations: AI-driven recommendations based on user preferences, browsing history, and purchase behavior.

Seller Panel

The seller panel enables sellers or vendors to manage inventory, track sales performance, handle customer inquiries, and set product promotions or discounts.

• Seller Registration/Login: Sellers can register accounts or login to manage their product listings and sales.
• Seller Dashboard: Sellers can examine their sales performance, order statuses, and revenue all displayed on a dashboard.
• Product Listing: Vendors can adjust inventory levels, add new products, and change product details.
• Order Fulfillment: Sellers can handle shipment and delivery information, process orders, and update order statuses.
• Payment Management: Vendors or sellers can access transaction history, payout preferences, and payment data.
• Customer Communication: Sellers can answer questions from buyers about support, orders, and products.

Admin Panel

The admin panel allows administrators to oversee user management, monitor app analytics, manage product listings, handle customer support tickets, and configure app settings and permissions.

• Product Management: Admins can update product information, manage inventories, and add, update, or remove products.
• Order Management: Admins can track shipments, view, process, and manage orders, as well as handle refunds and returns.
• User Management: Administrators can respond to customer inquiries, manage user accounts, and resolve account-related problems.
• Sales Analytics: Assists admins with tracking important indicators, monitoring sales results, and identifying patterns.
• Content Management: Administrators can manage website content, banners, featured products, and marketing campaigns.
• Discounts and Promotions: Admins can create and manage discount codes, special offers, and loyalty programs.

Advanced Features Revolutionizing an eCommerce App Like Best Buy

Along with the basic user, seller, and admin panel features, Best Buy app also includes a series of advanced features loaded with intuitive technologies. If you are looking to develop an app like BestBuy, it is vital to incorporate these advanced features so as to have a competitive edge in the expanding market. Let’s have a look at them in detail below:

In-Store Mode

This feature allows users to access additional functionalities inside a Best Buy store. For instance, users can scan barcodes to read product reviews, compare pricing, and find out which neighboring retailers carry a particular product.

AI-Based Personalized Recommendations

The app employs AI and machine learning algorithms to offer individualized product recommendations based on users’ browsing habits, past purchases, and preferences. Best Buy also leverages generative AI to enhance customer support and provide personalized assistance through virtual agents and AI-enabled tools.

AR Integration

Best Buy utilizes AR technology to let users visualize how products will look in their space before purchasing. For example, users can use AR to see how a TV would fit in their living room or how a piece of furniture would look in their home.

The app also introduced the Best Buy Envision app, which leverages AR technology on Apple’s Vision Pro platform. This app lets users visualize and plan their ideal home technology setup, seamlessly previewing products like TVs and home theater equipment in their living spaces.

Geolocation and Store Locator

The application uses GPS technology to determine the user’s location and deliver pertinent data, such as instructions, hours of operation, and Best Buy store locations in the area.

Integration with Smart Home Devices

With seamless integration of the Best Buy app and smart home devices, users can monitor and operate their linked devices from the app itself. Users can, for instance, lock doors, turn on lights, and alter the thermostat.

Gamification and Rewards Program

Best Buy integrates gamification features and a rewards program into the app to encourage engagement and loyalty. Through reviews, purchases, and other actions, users can accrue points that can be exchanged for special offers, promotions, or discounts.

Voice Search and Virtual Assistant Integration

The application also includes voice search features supported by virtual assistants such as Google Assistant or Siri. These features let users look up products, compare prices, and place orders by giving voice commands.

Key Steps to Build an App Like Best Buy

To develop a mobile app like Best Buy, you will need to follow a few key steps that encompass the expertise of talented and experienced mobile app developers. Let’s have a look at the key steps:

Requirement Analysis of Your Project

Extensive requirement research and planning are necessary in the first stages of creating the Best Buy app. Conducting market research is the initial step to grasp the target audience, analyze competitors, and identify current market trends.

Setting clear goals for the app is crucial, whether it’s increasing revenue, improving user engagement, or introducing new services. These goals then guide the development of a detailed list of features and functionalities tailored to meet these objectives. Estimating the Best Buy mobile app development cost and timetable guarantees effective resource allocation.

UI/UX Design

Every app’s success depends heavily on its design, and Best Buy is no exception. Wireframing, the first stage of the design process, involves sketching out the fundamental layouts and structures of the application’s interface. The UI/UX design development aims to produce an aesthetically pleasing and easy-to-use interface.

App prototypes are also created during the design phase to envision the user flow and interactions. The design should guarantee a smooth and simple user experience for customers while maintaining consistency with the app’s brand identity.

Development

Once the design is finalized, the development phase begins. This phase requires choosing the appropriate platforms for the app, like iOS, Android, or web-based. Backend development focuses on building the server-side logic, databases, APIs, and other crucial elements that enable the app’s functioning.

Frontend development uses the right frameworks and technology to concurrently bring the app’s design to life. Integration with external services like analytics programs or payment gateways could also be required to improve the app’s functionality.

Quality Assurance and Testing

Quality assurance is an essential stage to guarantee that the Best Buy app fulfills the highest requirements for performance and quality. Functional testing ensures no flaws or challenges and that all features and functionalities operate as intended. Usability testing ensures that users can easily navigate and use the software.

Performance testing evaluates the app’s functionality under various scenarios to ensure it can handle heavy traffic and load. Furthermore, security testing is essential to find and fix any possible security flaws and guarantee the app’s data security and privacy compliance.

Also Read: The Mobile App Testing Strategies that Appinventiv Follows

Deployment and Launch

After thorough testing and quality assurance to ensure it meets the highest standards, the Best Buy-like app is ready for deployment and launch. At this pivotal stage, the app needs to be made accessible to users through a formal release.

The initial step in deploying a mobile app involves submitting it to the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. To ensure the app’s approval and successful clearance, it’s essential to follow all platform guidelines and regulations meticulously.

Maintenance and Updates

Regular maintenance and updates are crucial to keeping the app up-to-date with the latest technologies, fixing any bugs or issues, and introducing new features or improvements based on user feedback.

Creating a feedback loop with users enables you to collect valuable insights into their preferences and requirements, empowering you to make informed decisions for future updates and improvements. Continuous performance monitoring ensures the app’s optimal performance and user satisfaction. However, ongoing maintenance also impacts the cost to build a mobile app like Best Buy.

Challenges in Developing an App Like Best Buy and Solutions to Overcome Those

Building an app like Best Buy comes with a lot of challenges, however, implementing the right solutions can make the development process seamless. Let’s have a look at those.

Integration with Existing Systems

Integrating the app with recent databases, backend systems, and third-party services can be challenging and time-consuming.

API-based integration allows the app to be integrated with current systems. Collaborate with a dedicated app development company like Appinventiv to ensure seamless integration and data synchronization. Also, thorough testing must be conducted to identify and resolve integration issues.

User Experience Design

It might be difficult to create a user-friendly and straightforward interface while maintaining brand recognition and meeting the needs of a wide range of users.

To understand user behavior and preferences, perform usability testing and user research. Create wireframes and prototypes to see the app’s layout and functionality. Iterate designs in response to feedback and testing outcomes to improve user experience.

Security and Compliance

It’s critical to ensure that the app complies with privacy and data protection laws and is secure against potential attacks and vulnerabilities.

Implement strong security measures, such as frequent security audits, secure authentication, and encryption. Stay updated on the most recent security best practices and legal regulations to protect user data and guarantee regulatory compliance.

Performance Optimization

Guaranteeing peak performance across various devices, network configurations, and user circumstances might be challenging.

Optimize your code and assets to speed up loading times and increase responsiveness. Implement caching, slow loading, and other performance-improving methods. Thoroughly test the app’s functionality in various scenarios to find and fix any performance issues.

Build an App Like Best Buy with Appinventiv’s Expertise

Developing an app like Best Buy is undoubtedly a complex endeavor, with challenges ranging from technical intricacies and integration hurdles to user engagement and scalability concerns. Each of these challenges requires careful planning, strategic decision-making, and a deep understanding of both the business goals and user needs to overcome effectively.

Appinventiv, as an esteemed eCommerce app development company, has demonstrated expertise in partnering with leading e-commerce brands like IKEA, 6t Street, Adidas, and Edamama to build robust, user-centric mobile applications. Our proven track record in developing innovative solutions for these brands showcases our capability to navigate the complexities of e-commerce app development, delivering apps that meet and exceed user expectations.

Our eCommerce mobile app developers are skilled in leveraging the newest advanced technologies and frameworks to build scalable and secure mobile applications tailored to the particular needs and challenges of the retail industry. If you have a retail app idea and mind and want to know the cost to build a mobile app like Best Buy, then connect with our mobile app developers today.

FAQs

Q. How to create an app like Best Buy?

A. In order to build an app like Best Buy, you need to follow these crucial steps:

Market research: Identify opportunities and challenges by understanding the target market, competition, and trends.

Design: Create wireframes and mockups to visualize the app’s user interface (UI) and user experience (UX).

Development: Use the right technologies and programming languages to ensure the app is compatible with various platforms and devices.

Testing: Thoroughly test the system to find and address defects and guarantee functionality, usability, and performance.

Deployment: Upload the application to the appropriate app stores (such as the Apple App Store or Google Play Store) and enhance its metadata to increase discoverability and exposure.

Maintenance and Updates: To guarantee optimum performance and user satisfaction, update the app frequently with new features, security updates, and bug fixes.

Q. How much does it cost to build an app like Best Buy?

A. The cost to develop a mobile app like Best Buy ranges from $40,000 to $300,000, depending on several factors, such as the complexity of the design, the implementation of complex features and functionalities, the choice of platform and technology stack, and others. To get a complete estimation of the cost to build a mobile app like Best Buy, connect with our experts today.

Q. How long does it take to create an app like Best Buy?

A. Creating an app like Best Buy typically takes several months to a year, depending on complexity, features, development resources, and testing requirements. A comprehensive agile app development process involving market research, design, development, testing, and deployment ensures a high-quality app that meets user needs and business goals. Read this blog to learn more about the timeline for app development.

Q. What are some of the top Best Buy mobile app development trends?

A. While crafting an app like Best Buy, it’s pivotal to integrate cutting-edge mobile app development trends for a seamless user experience:

• Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR): Implement AR/VR technology to enable customers to see products in their environment and increase customer interaction.
• Voice Search and Virtual Assistants: Employ voice-activated commands functionality, making way for personalized recommendations and easy navigation for the app users
• Omnichannel Experience: Deliver a seamless shopping experience across all platforms and devices, ensuring consistent and integrated customer interactions wherever they choose to engage.
• Artificial Intelligence: Use AI-powered algorithms to provide more individualized product recommendations and better customer support.

THE AUTHOR

Nitin Soni