Multi Vendor App for Food Delivery – Cost and Benefits

Transform your business with a multi vendor app and attract more customers than ever before!

Did you know that more than 50% of Americans order food online every week? If you’re a restaurant owner, a multi-restaurant food delivery app can help you enter into this growing market like Uber Eats, Grubhub, and DoorDash. 

Online food delivery has changed not only our eating habits but also the entire food industry. With the convenience of ordering from home, these platforms have become a part of our daily lives.

Millions of customers prefer the ease of online ordering, and this trend is only growing. Among the various types of food ordering systems available are single-vendor, multi-vendor, and more. Restaurant owners are increasingly leaning towards multi-vendor platforms. 

These solutions not only enhance the visibility of their offerings but also streamline the ordering process for customers, creating a win-win scenario.

Whether you’re a seasoned restaurateur or just starting, understanding the multi vendor benefits, features, and costs will be key to your success in this growing market. 

What is a Multi Vendor App?

The multi vendor marketplace app is a food delivery app that allows business owners to bring their restaurants under a single platform where multiple restaurants are in place. 

The primary objective of the multi vendor ordering system is to:

• Provide customers with a wide variety of food options.
• Help businesses to manage their activities.
• Help businesses expand their reach and sales.
• Connect multiple restaurants with customers.

Moreover, the multi restaurant delivery software lets vendors manage their products and provide an enriched user experience. It is an excellent concept for startups and enterprises looking for investments in digital platforms.

Multi Vendor App Architecture

Developing a scalable, bug-free, and efficient multi-vendor platform can be quite challenging. For a better understanding, here is an architecture that helps you understand the app. 

• The user’s mobile app can reach the API Server and the Amplitudes analytics dashboard. 
• The web dashboard only interacts with the API Server.
• Rider app and restaurant app communicate with the API Server.
• Sentry receives error submissions from the customer, restaurant, rider, and web customer apps and API servers. 

Multi Vendor App Installation

How to make a multi vendor marketplace mobile app? 

The installation of the multi restaurant delivery software requires some prerequisites that are mentioned below.

Installed Software: First, download the latest or stable version of Node and NPM.  

Set up Locally: For the customer, restaurant, and rider app, download or clone the source code from GitHub. Similarly, download the code from GitHub for the admin dashboard and web app.  

Backend API: For the backend and API access, you require a license that must be purchased. 

Deployment: For deployment, you can check the entire procedure on the multi vendor installation section, or our team will help you set up the entire app.  

Features of Multi Vendor Application

Below are the main features of multi vendor app.

For Customer App

Features	Description
Reviews and Ratings	The customers can give ratings and reviews to restaurants and riders according to their experience.
Push Notification	Customers get notifications for new deals, discounts, and promotions.
Order Tracking	The customers can track their orders and know their status.
Multi-language	The multi vendor marketplace app is available in different languages, and the customer changes it according to their needs.
Previous Order History:	Check the previous order history that helped them order from their favorite restaurant again.
Add Favorite Restaurant	Customers add their favorite restaurants to their list.
Different Delivery Options	Offer different delivery options to customers, such as takeaway, curbside pickup, etc.
Add Variations to Food Items	Provide options to add different variations of food items and add notes to the restaurant.

For Restaurant App

Features	Description
Change Restaurant Status	It is one of the best features of the multi restaurant ordering system. Restaurants can change their status online and offline.
Notifications	Restaurants can get alerts and notifications for new orders and when the order is delivered to the customer.
Print Invoice	From the best multi vendor marketplace platform, restaurants can print invoices and efficiently manage their financial transactions.
Order Tracking	The order tracking feature helps you to keep track of all orders.
Check Order Details	Check order details with customer information.

For Rider App

Features	Description
Map Integration	The food delivery rider app helps riders show the deliverer’s address and the possible short routes.
Real-Time Chat	It allows the rider to communicate directly with customers in real-time.
Change the Status	The riders can change the status online/offline.
History of all Orders	On the delivery rider app, the riders can check the history of all orders and see which orders they successfully delivered.
Online Delivery Fees	The riders can withdraw money from their wallet on the multi restaurant food ordering and management system. Also, they check the wallet history.
Get Alerts	The riders get alerts for new orders or any restaurant message.

For Admin Panel

Features	Description
Restaurant Management	The multi restaurant food ordering and management system helps restaurants manage the complete processes from the admin dashboard, such as menu management, online orders, reviews, and more.
Manage Riders	The admin dashboard allows to define zones for riders and manage withdrawal requests from riders and commission rates.
Reporting and Analytics	The admin dashboard manages all payments, including discount coupons, deals, and promotions.
Manage Payments	All payments, including discount coupons, deals, and promotions, are managed by the admin dashboard.

Benefits of Multi Vendor App

The multi restaurant delivery software provides various benefits to customers and restaurants. With a multi restaurant delivery software, food ordering businesses can profit greatly. 

Below are the main benefits of choosing a ready-made multi vendor food ordering system.

Less Expensive 

The multi vendor marketplace apps are less expensive than the custom built-in solution. Using the best multi-vendor food ordering system, online marketplaces can grow revenue and expand faster while reducing manual processes.

Delivery Management

Restaurant owners can use the best multi vendor marketplace platform to manage all the deliveries automatically—no need to hire additional staff to manage all the operations. Plus, this food delivery app open source is customizable to suit your restaurant’s unique needs.  

Seamlessly Manage Payments

With a multi restaurant food ordering and management system, seamlessly manage payments without errors. You can keep track of all the payments easily and save a lot of time. 

Order Management

Provide various order management methods that save time and resources with automated notifications. With a multi restaurant delivery software, restaurants can deliver all the orders on time and without delay.

Real-Time Order Tracking

With real-time order tracking, customers and restaurants get live updates from order preparation to delivery. It keeps the entire process simplified and organized. 

How Much Does a Multi Vendor App Cost?

Determine the cost of multi vendor marketplace app is essential, and it depends on these factors:

• Complexity
• UI/UX design
• Technologies
• Estimated time 
• Platforms, and more 

The table below outlines the potential costs associated with building a multi-vendor marketplace. 

Cost Component	Estimated Cost (USD)
Domain Name	$10 – $50/year
Web Hosting	$100 – $500/year
SSL Certificate	$0 – $200/year
Platform Development	$5,000 – $50,000+
Design (UI/UX)	$1,000 – $10,000
Payment Gateway Integration	$500 – $2,500
API Integrations	$1,000 – $5,000
Marketing and SEO	$500 – $5,000/month
Maintenance and Support	$500 – $2,000/month
Legal and Compliance	$500 – $3,000
Total Estimated Cost	$10,000 – $100,000+

However, a readymade multi restaurant delivery software costs relatively less than customized multi-vendor marketplace app development USA. 

Case Study – Borku Food Delivery

Borku is a multi-vendor food delivery app dedicated to showcasing the rich tapestry of African cuisine. Developed on the Enatega platform, Borku aims to provide an authentic culinary experience while ensuring user convenience. 

This case study outlines the strategic steps taken to create a platform that not only celebrates African flavors but also prioritizes user engagement and operational efficiency.

Challenge

Borku has a desire to celebrate the diversity of African cuisine through a specialized food delivery service. The team identified several key challenges, which include:

1. Customized Menu Offerings: Borku needed a diverse menu that accurately reflected the culinary richness of various African cultures, allowing users to explore authentic dishes from across the continent.
   
2. User-Friendly Interface: A comprehensive redesign of the user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) was essential to create an engaging and intuitive platform.
   
3. Streamlined Onboarding Process: To attract both delivery riders and restaurant partners, Borku required a simplified onboarding process. This involved creating tailored forms and workflows that catered to the unique needs of each group.
   
4. Seamless Payment Integration: The integration of a secure payment system was crucial for smooth transactions, and the team opted for Stripe to facilitate reliable and efficient payment processing.
   

Solution

To address these challenges, Borku implemented a series of strategic solutions, such as:

Diverse Menu Development

Borku collaborated with local chefs and culinary experts to curate a menu that represents a wide array of African cuisines. This not only included popular dishes but also lesser-known regional specialties, encouraging users to explore new flavors and dining experiences.

Enhanced User Experience

The UI/UX design involved user testing and feedback sessions, ensuring the app was both visually appealing and functional. The design elements incorporated vibrant colors and cultural motifs, creating a welcoming atmosphere that reflects the essence of African culture.

Optimized Onboarding

Borku streamlined the onboarding process for both riders and restaurants by implementing intuitive forms and a step-by-step guide. This approach reduced barriers to entry and facilitated quicker registration, helping to build a robust network of partners.

Robust Payment Solutions

By integrating Stripe, Borku ensured that users could make secure payments with confidence. The payment system was designed to accommodate various transaction methods, further enhancing user convenience and trust.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the best multi-vendor marketplace?

Etsy is the popular choice for the best multi-vendor marketplace due to its user-friendly interface and robust features for sellers. Amazon also stands out for its vast reach and customer base.

2. How much is a multi vendor app?

The multi-vendor app costs between $10,000 to $100,000+. However, it is not a fixed cost. It varies and depends on features, functionality, and app complexity. 

3. What is an example of a multi vendor marketplace?

Below are examples of multi-vendor marketplaces.

• Amazon
• Ebay
• UberEats
• AliExpress

4. What is the difference between a single vendor and multi-vendor?

The main difference between a single and multi vendor app is that:

• Single vendor is a platform for one specific business.  
• A multi-vendor is a platform where multiple businesses sell their services.    

5. What is the best platform to build a marketplace?

The best platforms to build a marketplace include:

• Shopify for ease of use and scalability
• WooCommerce for flexibility and customization, especially if you prefer WordPress integration

6. What is the difference between a multi-vendor and a marketplace?

A marketplace is a platform that connects buyers and sellers, allowing transactions between them, while a multi-vendor marketplace specifically enables multiple independent sellers to list and sell their products or services within the same platform. 

In addition, all multi-vendor marketplaces are marketplaces, but not all marketplaces are multi-vendor.

7. How to create a multi-vendor marketplace?

To create a multi-vendor marketplace, follow these steps:

Choose a Platform: Select a suitable platform (e.g., Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento) that supports multi-vendor functionality.

Select a Domain and Hosting: Purchase a domain name and choose a reliable hosting service if needed.

Install Marketplace Software: Install and configure multi-vendor plugins or software on your chosen platform.

Design Your Marketplace: Customize your site’s design to create an appealing user experience.

Set Up Vendor Registration: Create a registration process for vendors to sign up and list their products.

Payment Integration: Implement a secure payment gateway to handle transactions between buyers and vendors.

Establish Policies: Create clear policies for vendors, including fees, commissions, and guidelines.

Launch and Market: Launch your marketplace and use digital marketing strategies to attract vendors and customers.

Monitor and Support: Continuously monitor the platform, provide support to vendors and customers, and make improvements as needed. 

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