The concept of grocery delivery services dates back several centuries, though it was once a luxury available only to the wealthy. In today’s world, technology has made it possible for anyone with a smartphone to access grocery delivery services. If you’re considering entering this rapidly growing market, this guide will provide you with key insights on how to create an app like NowNow, its costs, and key features. The global industry for online groceries is growing quickly; it generated $286 billion in revenue in 2021 and is predicted to reach an astounding $2,159 billion by 2030. The ability to save time and avoid going food shopping in person is what is driving the demand for supermarket delivery applications. Online purchases of needs are becoming more popular than ever, and in the upcoming decades, this trend will only increase. 

How Does An App Like NowNow Work?

All it takes is an app called NowNow to purchase groceries from the comfort of your home. It functions similarly to an internet marketplace but with food delivery times that are shorter. You browse an online catalog of every product that one or more retailers offer, add the items you want to your cart, pay with the app, and then sit back and wait for the delivery person to bring your order right to your door. In addition to this fundamental functionality, modern supermarket delivery applications frequently provide different AI and machine learning-based personalization features and GPS-based order tracking.

Key Features To Create An App Like NowNow

When users launch the app for the first time, they ought to see:

Product Ratings

Your clients will always be more cautious when shopping online than when they purchase in-store because they are unable to handle, smell, or visually inspect the product on their own. Establishing a user feedback system is an easy approach to fostering trust. After a consumer purchases a product, ask them to score and explain their experience.

Easy Checkout Process

A straightforward checkout procedure connected to the user profile. One of the most important items on this list is this: a long and difficult checkout process invariably results in a delivery schedule. Although it’s cool, instant delivery isn’t always the most practical choice. Setting up order scheduling provides a little variation and makes the app feel more personalized.

Order tracking And Status Information

After the buyer completes the checkout process, their money disappears without any immediate explanation. Give them detailed information regarding the order status and whereabouts to allay their fears and doubts. When an application also provides push alerts, users find it to be quite helpful.

Guide To Create An App Like NowNow 

When you decide to do something from scratch, the first step is thinking through the process, and the second is actually doing it. The same goes for building customer apps. First, you need to tackle business matters, and then focus on the technical aspects.

Business Development Phase

The first stage mainly focuses on the theoretical side: ideation, research, and discovery. But don’t let this fool you—conceptualization is as important as coding. Let’s break down the steps you need to follow at this point.

Market Analysis

Before launching a NowNow app, it’s crucial to understand the current state of the market. Analyze competitors carefully to identify their strengths and weaknesses. Understand what drives demand and in what direction the field is evolving.

Competitors’ Research

The idea here is simple: study rival apps. However, go beyond surface-level observations. Investigate UI/UX design patterns, features, and user experiences to uncover insights on building a successful NowNow app. Key questions to answer include:

  • Are there any market gaps you can fill with new software?
  • What features are essential to start an on-demand delivery business?
  • What typical user journey do these apps follow?
  • What makes top apps successful?
  • How do businesses create product awareness?

Customer Insights

UI/UX design and marketing strategies vary depending on your audience. To give your on demand app development for a NowNow app the best chance of success, clearly define its target users. Consider factors like age, gender, location, occupation, interests, and interaction scenarios.

Feature Mapping

Based on your market research and business model, select the features you want to implement for each user role (customer, admin, and courier). Standard features for customers should be included, but you can also innovate with new approaches.

Concept Formulation

These insights will provide a solid foundation for visualizing your product. A strong concept includes:

  • A unique value proposition that differentiates your app from others.
  • A standout feature — the most compelling one you’re offering.
  • A prioritized list of additional features.
  • Audience profiles.
  • Use cases.
  • Target market.

Technical Development Phase

We recommend starting with a minimum viable product (MVP) — a basic version of the app showcasing its core functionality.

MVP vs. Full Release

When developing an MVP, focus on key functionality (e.g., fast delivery). The rest comes later. An MVP allows you to gauge the market, test your idea’s viability, and potentially raise funds. It’s perfect for startups and for convincing investors.

Tech Stack To Create An App Like NowNow

Selecting the right technology stack is vital. Developers might propose different approaches based on their expertise, but ensure your solutions have broad community support and scalability. Here’s our recommendation for building a NowNow app:

Type Technology Why We Use It
Mobile Application React Native This JavaScript framework supports cross-platform development, allowing you to launch on both iOS and Android simultaneously. It’s a budget- and time-saving approach and offers scalability.
Web Application React.js & Node.js React for the front-end and Node.js for the back-end ensure high performance. These JavaScript technologies allow your web application to perform seamlessly.
Desktop Application Electron.js Similar to React Native but for desktops. Electron.js enables cross-platform functionality on Mac, Windows, and Linux with strong data security, essential for processing private data.

Writing Code And Launching The First Version

Once the tech stack is in place, the next step is writing code. Cross-platform development ensures that your NowNow app reaches the widest audience possible. It’s essential to work with skilled developers who can deliver bug-free software.

Gathering Feedback And Iterating

Establish communication channels with your users and pay attention to their feedback. Not all feedback will be helpful, so focus on identifying common trends. Once you’ve filtered the suggestions, implement the most frequent ones and iterate your app accordingly.

Releasing Updates

The goal at this stage is to gradually enhance your product based on feedback and user interaction. Add features from your backlog, possibly scale the app, and continue improving its overall performance. This phase may take anywhere from several months to a few years.

Costs To Create An Like NowNow 

Apps typically fall into three categories: simple, medium, and complex. Development costs to create a food delivery app depend on the number and complexity of the features you wish to include.

App Type Approximate Cost
Simple $30,000–$35,000
Medium $36,000–$45,000
Complex $46,000–$55,000

A NowNow app is likely to be on the more complex side due to multiple user roles, features, and data handling. Here’s a cost breakdown based on some reference apps:

Factors Affecting Costs

Several factors can influence the total cost:

  • Team Size: A typical team includes a project manager, UI/UX designer, front-end and back-end developers, and a QA engineer.
  • Contracting Method: Hiring in-house developers is more expensive than outsourcing or using freelancers.
  • Location: Rates differ between regions. For example, developers from India or Latin America generally charge less than those from the U.S.
  • Roll-Out Strategy: Releasing on iOS and Android simultaneously is more cost-effective than launching on each platform separately.

Conclusion

A profitable business opportunity exists for those who establish a delivery app, given the growing demand for food delivery services. A well-thought-out Go-to-Market plan and targeted marketing will enable businesses to take full advantage of the opportunity and make significant profits. Developing your app with a ready-made software solution to create an app like NowNow will significantly reduce the overall price and help you set attainable break-even goals.

We would love to work with you to develop any app ideas you may have for grocery delivery. Use the form below to get in touch with us. We’ll take your idea from concept to full release, starting with an MVP that’s ideal for assessing the market. If you want to learn more about developing delivery apps, check out this article.