The live shopping market will reach $39.3 billion by 2033. That's huge! Whatnot, a leading livestream shopping app, raised $265 million and its valuation climbed to nearly $5 billion. These numbers tell an amazing story about how people shop online today. The stats are compelling - more than 70% of viewers buy products after watching a livestream. Whatnot has already crossed $1 billion in annual gross merchandise value. The market for live commerce platforms will grow from $2.4 billion in 2024 to $7.2 billion by 2030. This makes it the perfect time to start your own venture in this space.
You're at the right place if you want to create an app like Whatnot. This piece will guide you through all the essentials. You'll learn about the core features that boost user engagement and pick the right technology stack for development. This step-by-step approach will help you build a standout app, whether you're an experienced developer or just starting out in this faster growing market. Let's take a closer look at live shopping app development and see how you can write your own success story in this thriving industry!
Understanding the Rise of Live Shopping Apps
Live shopping has grown faster from a niche idea to a retail powerhouse that blends entertainment with instant buying. This change is reshaping how people find and buy products online.
What makes live shopping different from traditional eCommerce
Traditional eCommerce changed retail by making products available anytime and anywhere. But it lost the human touch that in-store shopping gives. Live shopping fills this gap and brings several benefits over regular online shopping.
These differences stand out:
- Engagement levels: Live shopping gets viewing times exceeding 20 minutes compared to just 54 seconds on traditional product pages. This extra time creates more chances to convert viewers into buyers.
- Interactive experience: Traditional eCommerce shows static images and descriptions. Live shopping lets buyers see dynamic demos and talk with sellers in real time.
- Community shopping: Instead of buying alone, live shopping creates a social space where community feedback shapes buying choices.
- Conversion power: Live shopping events can reach conversion rates of up to 30%, way above traditional eCommerce's usual 2-3%.
On top of that, live shopping solves a big problem in online retail: product uncertainty. Customers can watch product demos live and ask about size, color, and features. This helps them know exactly what to expect, which cuts down return rates that usually run between 20-30% for online purchases.
Why Whatnot became a breakout success
Whatnot's quick rise comes from several things that make it unique in the market. The platform builds trust between buyers and sellers really well. Gary Vaynerchuk showed this recently by selling "$150K worth of hoodies, sweatshirts, beanies, and socks in four hours on Whatnot." The platform's live interaction creates amazing sales results.
Auction-style events on Whatnot get viewers excited as they compete for deals. Flash sales create urgency that leads to quick purchases. This mix of fun and shopping keeps users hooked and coming back.
The platform's strong community is its foundation. Sellers say that "consistency and networking are huge" and they see it as "like hanging out with friends". This community feel turns simple sales into relationships that bring loyal customers back.
Key market statistics and trends
The numbers behind live shopping show why many developers want to create an app like Whatnot:
Live shopping worldwide should hit $600 billion by the end of 2026. The US market alone could reach $68 billion that same year. This is a big change in online retail. Live commerce will drive 20% of all online sales by 2026, up from just 7% in 2023.
Looking at who uses it most, Gen Z and Millennials lead the pack. Over 80% of Gen Z and 58% of millennials use live shopping actively. The appeal spreads to other age groups as this format becomes common.
Live shopping's results make it really stand out. Here are the key numbers:
- Live streams convert up to 30% compared to traditional e-commerce's 2-3%
- 73% of people are more likely to buy after watching a live shopping event
- 47% of viewers make impulse buys during live sessions
- People stay 2.5x longer when content is live and shoppable
These numbers show why building a shopping app like Whatnot is such a good chance. Higher engagement, community trust, and great conversion rates create a business model that keeps growing stronger.
Boost Your Engagement and Conversions
Experience significantly higher viewing times and conversion levels compared to traditional eCommerce platforms.
How a Live Shopping App Like Whatnot Works
A successful live shopping app needs a well-laid-out multi-step process that creates a smooth experience for sellers and buyers alike. Learning about these core mechanisms will help you build a shopping app like Whatnot that strikes a chord with users.
Seller onboarding and product setup
Every live shopping platform starts with an efficient seller verification process. Sellers must complete verification to prove they're genuine before they can access the platform. This verification is a vital step that builds trust - the foundation of any thriving marketplace.
Approved sellers can add product details, set prices, and plan their live auctions or selling sessions. The platform lets sellers create collections or themed shows to reach their target audience. This setup helps buyers navigate through thousands of options to find what they want.
Sellers who already use e-commerce platforms like Shopify, BigCommerce, or similar systems can connect easily through integration tools. These tools optimize the onboarding process and let sellers automatically sync their product details, descriptions, pricing, and inventory without manual work or spreadsheets.
Live video streaming and real-time interaction
The core of any Whatnot-like platform lies in its live streaming capability. Sellers showcase items live, creating an entertaining shopping experience. This format blends online livestream broadcasts with e-commerce features so users can watch and shop at once.
Live shopping stands out from regular e-commerce through immediate interaction. Viewers chat with sellers, ask about products, and get quick answers. These authentic conversations boost engagement and lead to impulse purchases. Research shows 73% of consumers are more likely to purchase after watching a live shopping event.
Instant purchases and secure payments
The platform processes payment right away when a buyer wins an auction or hits "Buy Now". Modern live shopping apps support several secure payment methods:
- Credit/debit cards
- Digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay)
- Platform-specific payment systems
- Buy-now-pay-later options
Users stay in the app to complete their purchases. This smooth experience matters - each extra click might make viewers abandon their cart. Simple buying turns interest into actual purchases.
Payment security remains the top priority for developers. Systems like Stripe help run transactions safely within the conversation. The platform also offers Instant Checkout so users can buy products in the chat by confirming their order, shipping, and payment details.
Shipping, tracking, and post-sale experience
After payment, sellers create shipping labels from their dashboard. They pack items, send them through couriers, and keep buyers updated automatically. Immediate tracking updates inform both parties and reduce disputes while building trust.
Buyers now expect live tracking - more than two-thirds of consumers want to know their order's location throughout delivery. Without this visibility, sellers can't help customers who ask about order status. Over a third of consumers would switch retailers after a poor delivery experience.
Developers building an app like Whatnot should add features like photographic chain of custody and direct driver communication. These elements enhance the post-sale experience and turn one-time buyers into loyal customers.
Understanding these four core mechanisms helps you create an app like Whatnot that delivers the engaging, trustworthy experience modern online shoppers demand.
Core Features You Must Include
A successful live shopping app needs features that maximize user involvement and sales. Your app needs these vital elements to compete well in this growing space.
Live auctions and Buy Now options
Live shopping platforms thrive on immediate purchases. These apps use two main ways to sell products:
Live auctions let hosts showcase items while viewers place higher bids. This creates excitement and urgency. Bidders compete for limited items, which often pushes prices up. Good auction features include countdown timers that only reset when new top bidders emerge. This sense of urgency leads to more impulse purchases.
The Buy Now option lets viewers purchase items instantly. This works well for both planned shoppers and those making quick decisions. Users should complete transactions without leaving the stream, since every extra click might lose a sale. Having both options helps maximize your app's revenue.
Interactive chat and community tools
Immediate communication aids engagement in live shopping. Chat features let viewers ask about products and get quick answers. They can also be part of the community experience. Direct interaction boosts conversion rates. Platforms report up to 10× higher conversions than regular eCommerce.
Good community management tools should include:
- Immediate polls to understand audience priorities
- Emoji reactions for quick feedback
- Question queues so hosts can address concerns properly
User profiles and seller dashboards
Complete seller dashboards provide vital analytics and management tools. Good dashboards show immediate sales data, revenue tracking, and audience engagement metrics. Sellers need quick access to gross sales, commission totals, and inventory status to make smart decisions during live events.
Seller profiles should show reliability and past performance. Many platforms include seller ratings, transaction history, and expertise information. This helps buyers trust sellers before buying.
Buyer profiles should save payment details, shipping information, and purchase history. This makes future purchases easier. A smooth experience encourages buyers to return.
Push notifications and alerts
Smart notifications substantially affect involvement and sales. Good push notifications increase app launches by 278% for eCommerce apps. Success depends on timing, notifications work best when sent at times users are likely to respond.
The most useful notifications include:
- Alerts about upcoming streams from favorite sellers
- Reminders about abandoned carts (converting about 8%)
- Flash sale announcements
- Updates when watched items are back in stock
- Shipping and delivery status
Location-based alerts can boost involvement by telling users about nearby events. The right frequency matters, too many alerts make users opt out, while too few miss opportunities.
Ratings, reviews, and trust signals
Trust signals make a big difference in sales. Research shows two-thirds of people are more likely to buy products with trust signals. Live shopping apps need several trust indicators:
Security indicators like SSL certificates, secure payment badges, and clear privacy policies show users their data is safe. Product reviews and ratings provide social proof that helps buying decisions.
Seller verification badges show that sellers have passed authentication steps. These badges displayed on profiles build credibility and reduce buyer concerns.
These five feature categories are the foundations of a shopping app like Whatnot. Each feature works with others to create an engaging platform that drives sales and keeps users coming back.
Planning Your App: Strategy Before Development
A solid pre-development plan makes all the difference in live shopping app development. You need a clear strategy that answers key business questions before you write any code.
Identify your niche and target audience
Live shopping platforms succeed when they target specific market segments instead of trying to please everyone. Customer acquisition costs have gone up every year since 2013. This makes broad marketing campaigns expensive and they don't work well. A focused approach helps you spend less on ads and attract loyal customers who convert faster.
Your original focus should target:
- Price tier (luxury, moderate, discount)
- Quality level (premium, handmade, economical)
- Demographics (gender, age, income level, education)
- Geographic region (country, city, neighborhood)
- Psychographics (values, interests, attitudes)
A narrow focus gives you several benefits:
- Builds stronger brand loyalty
- Reduces marketing expenses
- Positions you as an expert
- Increases profit through deeper customer understanding
Define your unique value proposition
A unique value proposition (UVP) tells customers why they should pick your app over others. This isn't just a catchy slogan or mission statement - it shows your app's real value.
A strong UVP answers three key questions:
- What your product provides
- Why users need it
- How your offering is different from competitors
Your UVP should use customer language instead of technical terms. The best value propositions are crystal clear. If people need to read a lot to understand what you offer, you should refine your UVP.
Analyze Whatnot's gaps and user pain points
Even successful platforms like Whatnot have weak spots that create room for new players. Good research helps find these opportunities.
Users of existing live shopping apps often face these problems:
- Financial pain points: Hidden fees, questionable value, or pricing issues
- Productivity pain points: Time-wasting processes
- Process pain points: Hard-to-use interfaces or inconsistent experiences
- Support pain points: Trouble getting help with problems
The quickest way to find these pain points includes checking bounce rates and exit pages, running user tests, watching social media discussions, reading support tickets, and sending follow-up surveys.
Whatnot-specific gaps often show up in:
- Product discovery and search capabilities
- Seller visibility amid high competition
- Shipping and fulfillment processes
- Product verification systems
A full picture of these strategic elements creates a strong foundation for your Whatnot-like app and boosts your chances of success in this competitive market.
Build a Smarter Product Roadmap
Analyze user pain points and plan a focused approach to attract loyal customers from the start.
Step-by-Step Guide to Build an App Like Whatnot
Building a live shopping app takes time and dedication. A systematic development approach helps transform your concept into reality through these critical steps.
1. Define MVP features and roadmap
The first step requires identifying minimum viable product (MVP) features that test your app's core functionality. A live shopping app like Whatnot starts with the essentials rather than fancy features.
Your MVP features need:
- A complete list of potential product features
- The MoSCoW method (Must-Have, Should-Have, Could-Have, Won't-Have) to prioritize them
- A focus on what matters for the original launch to reduce upfront investment
- Core functionalities like product catalog, checkout, payment integration, and simple analytics
Features like loyalty programs, AI recommendations, or advanced filtering can wait for future iterations. Your goal should focus on building enough to verify that your concept works and attracts users.
Note that the longer you wait to release your product, the more risk you take on. Starting simple and making changes based on user feedback works better than chasing perfection before launch.
2. Design easy-to-use UI/UX for mobile and web
After defining MVP features, create an interface that looks good and works well. The interface design can determine success or failure for live shopping apps.
User flow diagrams help map the customer's path through your app. This visual approach spots potential problems before design commitment. Tools like Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD help create wireframes and interactive prototypes.
These design principles matter:
- Simple navigation with standard patterns users know
- Buttons at least 44×44 pixels for touch-friendly design
- Interactive elements within thumb reach
- Adequate spacing between touch targets
- Consistent elements across screens
Your design should promote community and make shopping feel like spending time with friends. This social aspect drives Whatnot's success. Users need to watch streams and shop at the same time.
3. Choose the right tech stack
The right technologies create a foundation for performance and scalability. React Native or Flutter excel at frontend development, delivering native-like experiences on iOS and Android from one codebase.
Node.js, Django, or Laravel handle backend development well, managing real-time bidding, notifications, and streaming events. These frameworks provide adaptable APIs that support live auctions and chat features.
Streaming technology forms the core of your platform. WebRTC, Agora.io, or Wowza lead the way in high-quality, low-latency video streaming. WebRTC stands out for enabling real-time communication with minimal delay, essential for fair bidding.
Database management typically needs multiple solutions:
- PostgreSQL or MySQL for structured data (user accounts, transactions, product catalogs)
- NoSQL solutions like Firebase or MongoDB for real-time events (chat, bidding logs)
Payment gateway integration matters significantly. Stripe and PayPal handle global transactions while providing security that builds customer trust.
4. Develop backend and streaming infrastructure
The backend acts as your app's brain and business logic center. It stores user credentials, past orders, shopping cart items, and provides computing power.
Backend infrastructure development requires:
- Ultra-low latency streaming for thousands of concurrent viewers
- Auto-scaling servers that handle traffic spikes during popular events
- Cloud services (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) for video delivery and global CDN coverage
- Proper database structure for real-time operations
Auction-based apps need minimal streaming latency. A one-second delay could cost someone a winning bid. Your infrastructure must deliver streams quickly, aiming for sub-250ms latency to keep online and in-person bidders equal.
5. Test, iterate, and prepare for launch
Thorough testing cannot be skipped. Your strategy needs functional, performance, and security testing.
Start with internal testing to fix bugs. A beta version release to early adopters provides feedback about usability, functionality, and satisfaction.
Testing should cover:
- All key user flows systematically
- Transaction security verification
- Mobile responsiveness across devices
- Loading times and system performance
- Cross-browser and cross-device compatibility
Launch preparation needs a detailed marketing strategy using social media, influencer partnerships, and targeted advertising to build your user base. Keep collecting user feedback and analytics after launch to guide future development.
Choosing the Right Tech Stack
Your live shopping app's success depends on its technical foundation. A well-chosen tech stack ensures optimal performance, expandable solutions, and a great user experience.
Frontend: React Native, Flutter
React Native and Flutter lead the pack for cross-platform mobile development. React Native helps you maintain JavaScript skills between web and mobile platforms. It gives you access to over 1 million npm packages to speed up prototyping. Flutter might be newer but works great for developers with Java, Kotlin, or Swift backgrounds.
Your choice between these options depends on several factors:
- React Native works best with JavaScript-savvy teams
- Flutter gives you better animation performance and UI consistency across platforms
- React Native boasts a bigger ecosystem of third-party plugins
- Flutter's native code compilation eliminates JavaScript parsing delays
Backend: Node.js, Django
Business logic, database operations, and API endpoints run through your backend. Node.js brings non-blocking, event-driven architecture that works great for up-to-the-minute applications like chat and bidding systems. Django packs built-in tools for quick development and strong security features.
Each framework excels in specific areas:
- Node.js handles high-concurrency, up-to-the-minute applications exceptionally
- Django suits data-driven applications needing strong authentication
Streaming: WebRTC, Agora
Video quality can make or break the shopping experience. WebRTC delivers sub-500ms latency - crucial for fair bidding processes. Traditional streaming lags 2-3 seconds behind, but WebRTC gives you true up-to-the-minute experiences that prevent missed bids.
Live auctions need streaming solutions that:
- Keep all video feeds in sync globally
- Change quality based on connection speed
- Stay connected despite network hiccups
Payments: Stripe, PayPal, Razorpay
Users trust platforms with secure, smooth payments. Stripe, PayPal, and Razorpay offer APIs that handle transaction security and compliance. Stripe's available analytics help track sales volume, fraud reports, and customer spending patterns.
Look beyond just fees when picking payment processors. Key factors include:
- Integration complexity
- Available payment methods
- Subscription and recurring billing support
- Analytics capabilities
Hosting: AWS, Google Cloud
A resilient infrastructure helps your app reach users worldwide. AWS and Google Cloud scale on demand to handle traffic spikes during popular streams. Their content delivery networks (CDNs) cut latency and keep streams smooth wherever users are.
Cloud services pack specialized tools that boost live shopping platforms:
- Auto-scaling handles traffic changes
- Load balancing spreads across servers
- Global content distribution
- Video processing capabilities
Monetization Models for Long-Term Growth
Your live shopping platform needs multiple income streams that work together to generate revenue. The path to sustainable profitability starts after you develop your app's core features and put these monetization strategies into action.
Commission on sales
Transaction fees form the backbone of live shopping app revenue. Platforms typically charge sellers a percentage of each sale rather than flat fees. This approach arranges platform success with seller performance. Some auction-based platforms charge sellers up to 30% commission. Your app, like Whatnot, should have commission structures that balance seller recruitment with buyer behavior. Starting with competitive rates (5-15%) helps attract early sellers.
Premium seller subscriptions
Subscription models deliver steady revenue streams. Members value exclusive access and special privileges that come with their status. Your app could offer tiered subscription packages for sellers with these benefits:
- Featured placement in search results
- Early access to special selling events
- Reduced commission rates
- Advanced analytics dashboards
Sponsored listings and ads
Advertising brings in substantial revenue. Popular platforms attract brands eager to showcase their products. Promoted product listings, banner advertisements, and featured placement in search results can boost your monetization.
Influencer-led live events
Brands see dramatic increases in engagement and sales through influencer partnerships. These collaborations can deliver impressive results, one company's sales jumped 450% from a single influencer livestream. Your shopping app should include features that support influencer partnerships. Revenue-sharing models can motivate top performers to host regular events.
Virtual gifts and tipping
Virtual gifting systems open new revenue streams. Viewers buy in-app currency with real money to send virtual gifts to sellers. This approach mirrors real-life transactions while boosting audience participation. Tipping features let hosts receive direct support from viewers. These features encourage stronger community bonds and create additional income for both the platform and sellers.
Working with a Mobile App Development Company
Your live shopping app's success depends on picking the right technical partner. A good collaborative effort can help turn your idea into reality.
Why partner with experts like CISIN
Most in-house teams lack the specialized knowledge needed to create complex live shopping applications. Software development companies like CISIN have spent years solving technical challenges that match your needs. Their teams excel at live streaming, payment integration, and live bidding systems - crucial elements to build an app like Whatnot.
These teams have worked with clients of all sizes and know how to tackle common roadblocks. They stay updated with the latest technology trends, which means your app won't launch with outdated features.
Benefits of outsourcing to experienced teams
Development costs drop by 36-56% when you outsource instead of building an in-house team. You get quick access to specialized talent without going through long recruitment cycles.
Eight-year-old development partners let you adjust team sizes based on project needs without hiring costs. Quality assurance processes built into professional app development companies catch problems early.
How to assess the right development partner
Review potential partners' portfolios to find projects that match your vision. Ask them about their development approach, how they communicate, and their experience with live shopping or auction platforms.
Look for clear pricing structures to avoid surprise costs. Pay attention to how quickly they respond during your first meetings - poor communication leads to project failure 33% of the time.
Pick a partner with a well-laid-out system to handle changes, report bugs, and manage feedback.
Turn Your Vision into a High-Performance App
Leverage professional expertise to reduce development costs while launching a standout shopping platform.
Conclusion
Creating a live shopping app like Whatnot is a great chance in today's digital marketplace. Live commerce has grown explosively, showing a transformation in how people shop online as consumers want more interactive and social buying experiences.
This piece covers every vital aspect of building your own live shopping platform. You've learned about core features that boost user engagement - from live auctions and interactive chat to complete seller dashboards. A clear development roadmap shows the way forward, whether you start with an MVP or plan a full-featured platform.
Your tech stack serves as your application's backbone. The right mix of frontend frameworks, backend solutions, and streaming technologies will determine your app's performance under pressure. Streaming latency and payment security need special focus since they directly affect user trust.
Your app's long-term success depends on smart monetization strategies. You can create multiple revenue streams beyond standard commissions by adding premium subscriptions, sponsored listings, and virtual gifting systems.
Building everything alone isn't the best approach. Mobile app development companies like CISIN can substantially cut development time and costs while bringing specialized expertise to your project. Their mobile app developers understand the technical challenges unique to live shopping platforms.
Live shopping is still new and evolving. Users want platforms that blend entertainment, community, and commerce in fresh ways. You should start with a focused niche, create an exceptional user experience, and scale as you gain traction.
Your experience to build an app like Whatnot starts now. The roadmap looks clear, the market keeps growing, and success awaits those who take action. Your live shopping app could become the next breakout hit in this booming industry with careful planning and execution.
