How To Develop A Live Shopping App Like Whatnot?

Online shopping is common in this digital world. Users only have to put their items in the cart, and they can easily proceed further to order their products as well. But do you ever listen to live shopping in online mediums? Most users don't know about this term in online shopping. Well, in live shopping there is no longer the option to add items to your cart; you need to bid on items for purchase just like in an online auction. This sounds strange, but currently this approach is in heavy demand in the shopping industry. 

In this live shopping section you can join their live session and ask questions regarding those products. A live shopping app like Whatnot is a popular live shopping app that can provide you a different range of products through its live section for purchasing. Do you also want to develop a live shopping app, but you don't know where you need to start? No worries; In this blog we shall explore how to develop a live shopping app like Whatnot. We will also discuss important features, estimated cost, and the future trends of live shopping as well. 

Let's start with the introduction of the Whatnot app and how it works; we will see in the next section. 

What is Whatnot?

Whatnotapp is an online ecommerce marketplace that operates on a peer-to-peer basis. Toys, trading cards, and vintage clothing are just a few of the unique and collectible items that sellers can list on their customized virtual storefronts. Customers can investigate these options and take advantage of a safe transaction process made possible by Whatnot's live shopping app reliable payment system and assistance with shipping logistics.

Whatnot makes money in a number of ways for the live stream selling platform. A portion of each sale goes toward Whatnot's profits, and the platform charges sellers a commission fee on each transaction. Additionally, it provides sellers with premium services via a subscription-based model, such as improved storefront visibility and promotional tools.

Market Stats of Live Shopping Apps

• As per the report of Grand View Research, the market size of live commerce platforms was estimated at $918.9 million in 2024 and it is expected to grow with a CAGR of 21.2% from 2025 to 2030. 

• North America is most anticipated for live shopping apps to witness the highest CAGR from 2025 to 2030. 

• The project market size for live commerce apps is expected to reach $3.48 billion by 2030. 

• Currently, With the biggest revenue share of 66.0% in 2024, Asia Pacific live commerce dominated the global market.

• Fashion and clothing accounted for the largest revenue share of 21.3% in 2024 and led the market by product.

Essential Features of Live Shopping App Like Whatnot

For developing a live shopping platform like Whatnot, you just require several elements for creating a successful live streaming shopping platform. You need to blend entertainment with trust that can enhance the purchasing power for experiencing the buyer's retention. Let's check out some essential features that can help to build a live e-commerce platform for your business. 

1. Real-Time Auctions for Bidding 

As we know, the live shopping platforms are almost like online auctions app where the buyers have to bid to win the products. This feature has various functions like dynamic pricing, timers for countdown, and a bidding dashboard for pricing analysis that users will engage on your clone whatnot selling app. If, in any case, the price may change in real-time shopping, so it can automatically spark the purchase decision. 

2. Instant Buy Option in Product Showcase 

This feature has a unique ability to buy directly from any live stream without leaving the live stream, just like the app whatnot. It is the big reason that live commerce is gaining more customers day-by-day in their businesses. There is a "buy now" button that makes the shopping experience seamless.

3. Live Streaming Option 

In live streaming, quality is the main factor because it can affect the sales in a live e-commerce platform. You need to put low latency and high definition, and it is not optional, whether it is regarding WebRTC and RTMP technologies that can facilitate the real-time interaction between host and viewer, just like Live shopping platform like whatnot. It can also ensure a zero-lag experience while providing a demo of products along with the bidding process.

4. Real-Time Analytics Report 

It can provide actionable insights to sellers during and after the live sessions. It can provide various metrics like sales conversions, chat interactions, peak engagement times, and viewer count that can enhance the approach for successful events. 

5. AR-Based Item Feedback 

AR (Augmented Reality) can take product visualization to another level. There are some AI features that can enhance the shopping experience, like virtual "try on" for various products like makeup, clothing, furniture placement, and sunglasses by live streaming selling app. It can create a smooth experience, which can lead users to purchase items from a store and mall. 

6. AI-Powered Product Proposals

Let's understand this point with a reliable example. Suppose a viewer is streaming a fabric auction; then the app suggests the same products in their upcoming live stream, which is based on the user's history. This AI-powered suggestion facility can enhance the sale opportunities to engage users after ending the live sessions to generate more revenue in the business as well. 

Steps to Build Whatnot Like Shopping App

To build a live shopping app like Whatnot, you need a clear roadmap to set elements according to the app development process for auction apps like whatnot. Here is a step-by-step guide that can help you to build your clone whatnot app development shopping app for your business. 

1. Competitor Analysis on Market Research 

This phase consists of the understanding of the customer need, competitor analysis, customer profiling, trend analysis, and interpretation of the consumer data to build fashion app like boohoo. This forms a strategic ground for the outcome-driven development of a Whatnot clone.

2. Design UI/UX 

After collecting market data, it is required to design a UI/UX that is easy to use and interesting. A user-centric UI/UX design improves user navigation, simplifies user interaction, and provides a smooth live shopping experience. This directly affects the engagement levels and strengthens the overall value proposition of any whatnot clone app development project.

3. API Integration with Backend Development 

This is where you create the core of your app. Backend development handles data, user accounts, product catalogs, and live video streaming for whatnot clone app development APIs link your app to payment gateways, analytics, and other core services.

4. Select the Right Tech Stack 

A scalable and efficient tech stack is essential for developing car wash apps. Tech stacks like backend, frontend, databases, and cloud services must be used for the Whatnot like live shopping app development. 
 

It is also essential to place these elements in the right spot while developing apps like whatnot. Here is a simple breakdown of the elements and the tech stack to develop an app like Whatnot for your business. 

5. Testing & Assurance of Quality 

Prior to launch, extensive testing detects and resolves bugs or problems. This ensures that your Whatnot Clone App works flawlessly and provides a smooth experience to users. 

6. Launch & Maintenance Support

Finally, the application is deployed in this last step. But still, the work is not yet over. There is a need for post-deployment support and maintenance afterward to keep the application secure and to cater to the feedback of the users. It is necessary for the long-term success of the Whatnot clone development.

How Much Does Whatnot Like App Development Cost?

The cost to develop a live shopping app majorly depends on various elements like the technological stack, set of features, development team expertise, custom UI/UX design, and level of app complexity. Let's check out Cost to build a fashion app like whatnot for your business. 
 

Future Trends in Live Shopping App Development

We are sure that the live shopping platform will expand to another level in the future. Some live shopping brands are already working on future trends that can bring a revolution in live ecommerce apps to change the perspective of buyers on live shopping app usage. Here are some future trends for AI shopping app development that can generate more revenue in your business as well. 

1. Interaction with 3D Stores 

Fashion ecommerce app like Zara are working on VR stores that feel like they are entering and shopping in a physical store. It can help users to find and buy items from stores. The user can shop with their family and friends in a single place as well. 

2. Rewards and Gaming 

This trend is currently in progress, and many apps are adding various unique activities like challenges, rewards, and games to make the shopping experience more interactive and engaging on Fashion Ecommerce app development. This trend would be a game changer for live shopping platforms to retain customer retention. 

3. Social Media Shopping 

Social media and shopping will coexist, making it simple to share your purchases, purchase from influencer live streams, or go shopping with friends in one location. It can increase the convenience of shopping effortlessly from live shopping in the future. 

4. AI-Driven Recommendations 

Imagine using AI programs to suggest products based on your preferences and past purchases while you shop live to build an app like Asos. It also suggests your products according to the demands and trends in the fashion market. Although you can take suggestions before buying any product that can suit your fashion sense as well. 

5. Blockchain Integration on Shopping 

Blockchain technology is becoming more popular and is predicted to become a standard feature for building trust, particularly for luxury goods, by tracking a product's entire origin and ensuring authenticity. It can build a strong trust factor between buyer and live streaming seller. 

6. Multi-Platform Expansion on Various Industries 

With smooth integration across phones, smart TVs, and social media, live shopping is predicted to aggressively expand into new markets like groceries, automobiles, and home goods. This expansion in this industry can grow wider and get various opportunities to generate higher revenue in the business. 

Conclusion

Through this blog, we have explained about how to develop a live shopping app like Whatnot. We have also discussed market stats, essential features, step-by-step average cost, and future trends about the live shopping platform app. Now you have an idea about the complete development process to build an app like Whatnot. 

If you want to also know about Ecommerce app development cost for your business, then you can connect with our experts to know more about this field. IMG Global Infotech is always present here for complete assistance in your web and app development projects under higher expertise that can showcase the best results for you always.