CareersHow to Make an App Like Craigslist in 2022
Building duplicates of a website has become a common practice for website developers. However, adding a unique feature to the replica website is essential because not only does it add value to your business, but it also helps your new site stand out.
Online advertisement websites for buying or selling purposes such as OLX, Craigslist, Wallapop, and more are very commonly used. In addition to that, more the apps like Craigslist are built, adding competition to the market to generate revenue.
If you wish to make an app like Craigslist in 2022, you need to understand the basics of this website first. So, let’s begin with it.
What is Craigslist?
Craigslist is an American classified advertisement website that has specified sections for wanted items or services, jobs, housing, gigs, resumes, community services, and discussion forums.
Craigslist was founded by Craig Newmark in 1995 with the idea of providing an email distribution list to his friends. In 1996, it expanded into a web-based service with a wide range of classified categories. As they got successful, the office started expanding to the cities of the USA and Canada in the 2000s. Fast forward to the present, Craigslist now covers 70 countries.
To date, Craigslist has over 60 million users across 70 countries who post ads for services, purchases of property, events, jobs, and more. The discussion forum is a platform that allows users to share their queries and experience of using the website.
Craigslist is considered a low-key site as compared to its competitors, yet it receives over 200 million users posting monthly for different reasons.
Many other platforms try to build an app like Craigslist. However, this app has some unique features that can’t be found in others. Some of them include
1. Strong Community
No matter how many platforms develop an app like Craigslist, they can’t compete with the huge community this app has created in these 25 years. The discussion forum helped the community interact, coordinate, and grow on legal issues, job markets, computers, selling items, and more.
2. Easy Interface
For the longest time, we have used newspapers to publish ads or search for them until technology took over. To give Craigslist the same traditional touch, its interface looks like a newspaper with several ads. Some people do not like this design and they find it dull and outdated. However, Craigslist believes in keeping a minimalistic and easy interface. The text-driven ad pages help the website load quickly and reduce bounce rate.
3. Free Advertisements
Craigslist has a wide variety of ads from all categories and most of them are free or available at cheap rates. Only some categories such as rental apartments, job hunts, and a few more, cost a small amount of money that is not too heavy on the users’ pockets.
4. Ads Variety
The best part about Craigslist is the diverse range of ads. It is not niche-specific which allows all types of people to use it. From buying a book to getting your own property, the app caters to everyone. The fact that 80 million ads are posted every month on Craigslist speaks volumes of its diversity. If you wish to create an app like Craigslist, make sure that the ad category is vast.
5. No Spams
Craigslist uses an automated flagging system to keep the spammers away from bombarding the website with unnecessary spam ads. Moreover, the flagging system can also remove inappropriate ads posted on the website to keep it a safe space for all users.
How to Make an App like Craigslist?
If you want to build an app like Craigslist, there are thing some of the factors that you must consider such as
- Features
- Business model
- Monetization approach
- Development Procedure
1. Features
If you want to make a Craigslist-inspired app, you may add the features that enhance your website including
· Communication Medium
You must integrate a messaging platform to make it easier for your users to interact with buyers and sellers and share their experiences. A communication channel helps them take reviews from others allowing you to take feedback before making a final call.
· Flag Ads
Your users must have access to a flagging ads method that they can use every time they suspect a post to be spam, inappropriate, or fraud. This will instill a sense of security in your users that they can easily block anything that makes them uncomfortable.
· Review and Rating Feature
You must add a review and rating option if you are planning to make an app like Craigslist. It will allow buyers and sellers to rate each other, helping the new users know their best options based on ratings and reviews.
· Mobile Application
Do not keep your platform restricted to a website only, create a mobile app that people can use on the go any time they want. Interaction via mobile is easier than compared to browsers; so, do not skip on the mobile application of your new Craigslist-inspired site.
· Cross-Platform App
Your website should not be confined to one operating platform only. Make sure that it is compatible with all the devices. It will expand your list of users using iOS, Windows, or Android platforms.
· Account Verification
Add the feature of account verification to your website. Allow users to register or sign up using their social media or mobile number. Ensure safety by verifying their number or account to avoid spam or fake identity issues.
2. Business Model
You have a list of four business models to choose from for your app
· Freemium Classified
Freemium bases business model helps you post free classified ads, giving you the chance to earn from banner advertising. The model is useful for people looking to post ads for free and build a customer base.
· Niche Classified
For a specific niche, this is the right business model. For example, job, property purchase, fashion, and more are the specific niche for which you can create listings to attract people looking for the particular category of services.
· Fixed Classified
Big classified ads use a Fixed Classified business model. With the help of this, you can charge users a specific rate based on the ads they wish to post on your website. For more ad boosting, you can offer them packages or discounts. This model doesn’t guarantee a stable revenue but it can work well for you to gain customers.
· All-in-one Classified
If you want a generic business model to gain a large customer base, you should opt for an all-in-one classified to build an app like Craigslist. It means that your model is a hybrid that contains features of all the niches such as freemium, niche, and fixed.
3. Monetization Approach
Craigslist is a non-profit platform that earns specifically through paid ads. However, as a new platform, this may not be a suitable option for you. Therefore, you need a monetization model to help you gain profit.
· Subscription
This monetization model is best suited for niche-specific websites and businesses that need to post frequently. All you need to do is charge a monthly or yearly fee for your website from the advertisers. But before you ask them to subscribe, make sure they have had a free trial.
· Pay Per Post
It is a straightforward method that requires advertisers to pay for every post.
· Membership
Offer your users a membership option if they wish to avail of premium services. It gives your customers extra features than the normal users of your platform.
· Sponsored Ads
Paid advertisements are also an essential part of any business, especially in the initial days. You can give enterprises an opportunity to advertise their ads in return for a designated payment if you want to develop an app like Craigslist.
4. Development Procedure
In order to make an app like Craigslist, you have to choose the development process you would like to opt for. For this, you have two options:
· Open Source
Open source is easy for you as it is a platform like WordPress where you do not have to create a website from the scratch. You have a set of available designs, templates, features, and plugins to choose from. All you have to do is just drag and drop your preferred choices. However, it comes with its limitations such as no support, scalability issues, no custom theme, and more.
· Custom-developed
Custom development is best for a classified website. It gives you different features, functionalities, and designs to acquire your Craigslist clone including the script for its development. The best part is that you will have control over the data of your website and will be getting the development team’s support if you are stuck at any point. However, it can be a little costly and time-consuming but all will be worth it when you see the results.
The Bottom Line
If you want to build an app like Craigslist, it is very important that you understand the purpose of your platform before you jump onto this bandwagon. You can make your own online marketplace and excel at your e-commerce and advertising if you have good knowledge of its basics. This market offers genuine buyers, good profits, and revenue if you are following the right practices to develop an app like Craigslist.
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