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Selling and buying have changed a lot! OpenSooq stands out as a leading platform in this shift. It is a very popular online marketplace linking buyers and sellers across the Middle East. Known for its easy-to-use design and many features, OpenSooq lets users browse different categories, such as real estate, electronics, cars, etc. It’s more than just a platform! It’s a lively ecosystem that makes trade easy for millions.
Entering the 2025 marketplace, mobile apps like OpenSooq will become more important. As e-commerce becomes a big part of daily life, businesses use these platforms to reach new markets and create smooth buying experiences. Developing apps is a key part of modern trade as the need for feature-packed, scalable, and easy-to-use marketplace solutions grows.
This blog offers a complete development guide for businesses that want to build an app like OpenSooq. We will explore the development steps, important features, and related costs, giving you the knowledge to make your marketplace app dream come true. Whether you’re an entrepreneur or an experienced developer, this blog will provide the tools to create a marketplace app that will shine in 2025.
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So, what exactly is OpenSooq? It was started in 2008 by Salah Al Sharif. On OpenSooq, you can buy, sell, or swap anything, whether houses, cars, or phones. The app lets people trust it to make deals online.
Since its beginning in 2008, OpenSooq has grown and spread. It became a top choice in Jordan and Libya. By 2013, OpenSooq had spread its offerings across the MENA region, i.e., the Middle East and North Africa, reaching 19 countries. By 2021, over 65 million users and businesses will flock to it, helping with yearly deals totaling about $30 billion.
OpenSooq raised $24 million in June 2021 in funding, led by the Saudi Jordanian Investment Fund, where existing investors, iMENA Group and FJ Labs, also participated to propel its next growth phase.
Several key features have been instrumental in OpenSooq’s success:
OpenSooq’s focus on localized services has solidified its position as a leading classifieds marketplace in the MENA region. The app has established a strong presence in several key markets:
A marketplace app in 2025 becomes a strategic bet on changing market trends and rapid technological development. Learn why an investment in such a platform is a great idea:
As businesses realize the potential of marketplace apps, there is a growing demand for specialized app development companies. Expert app developers must create user-friendly, secure, scalable platforms that adapt to market dynamics and consumer expectations.
Developing an app like OpenSooq, a leading mobile classifieds marketplace in the MENA region, requires a strategic approach to ensure success. Here’s a detailed guide to the development process:
Analyze OpenSooq in the UAE and Saudi Arabia by understanding its features, strategies for customer engagement, and market positioning. For example, OpenSooq UAE is available in categories such as cars, real estate, and services, allowing seamless transactions between buyers and sellers. Furthermore, the iOS app has earned 4.7 stars out of almost 150,000 reviews, reflecting users’ intense satisfaction and positive feedback.
Evaluate user feedback and reviews to identify the areas where the existing platforms may be lacking, such as user experience, customer support, or specific features. For instance, some users have raised concerns over scams and fraudulent activities on OpenSooq, necessitating improved security measures.
Implement critical functionalities such as user registration, product listings, search filters, chat systems, and payment gateways. OpenSooq’s success was due to its ease of use, comprehensive feature sets, advanced search filters, and messaging system.
It would introduce unique features of your app, such as AI-driven recommendations, ensuring enhanced security measures, or local services integration. For example, AI-driven applications can maximize user experience and engagement by offering personalized recommendations.
To increase user interaction, intuitive, visually appealing designs should be considered. A clean user interface can significantly improve user satisfaction and retention. For example, OpenSooq’s interface is user-friendly, which makes it popular in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. The app must be optimized for different devices and screen sizes to ensure a consistent user experience. Fast loading times and seamless navigation should be prioritized to keep users active and reduce bounce rates.
Collaborating with a reputable mobile app development company in UAE can significantly enhance development. Techugo, a leading mobile app development company, offers comprehensive services, including:
The correct tech stack would be critical to developing a scalable marketplace app like OpenSooq. Powerful frameworks like Node.js are scalable, fast-performing, and great for marketplace applications. React.js or Vue.js can be used to develop interactive and dynamic user interfaces. For databases, MongoDB can be used for flexible handling, while PostgreSQL can be used for complex queries to maintain data efficiency.
Incorporate AI or machine learning algorithms to provide personalized recommendations, improving user experience and engagement.
Focus on intuitive UI design principles to make the app more accessible and increase adoption. The app should run fluently and seamlessly on any device and screen size. Then, clear, logical pathways for navigation will be created that assist users and sellers in finding and managing their listings efficiently while reducing frustration and improving retention.
Conduct thorough testing to confirm the app’s functionality, security, and usability on all devices and operating systems. This guarantees a smooth user experience and ensures problems can be identified beforehand. A beta version should be released so a few users can understand real-world usage. Their feedback would be analyzed, and changes in the app could be made to improve functionality and customer satisfaction.
Develop targeted marketing strategies sensitive to the culture and consumer behaviors in target markets such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan. Engage with the local social media platforms and regional influencers to increase visibility and engagement. Focus on the unique features of your app that distinguish it from the competition, like OpenSooq. Present these unique selling points in the marketing materials that attract and retain users.
Use analytics tools to monitor user interaction on your app, identify patterns that require improvement, and periodically optimize performance. This will help maintain proper functionality. Also, regularly update new features and bug fixes and gather user feedback. This continuous development shows a commitment to quality and responsiveness to user needs, which can foster loyalty and long-term engagement.
An experienced on-demand app development company is a great partner for the success of your marketplace app.
An on-demand app development company builds applications that connect users with real-time services. They create a solution that meets your marketplace’s needs and is also user-friendly. A seamless user experience encourages customer engagement and loyalty, which are crucial for the growth of your marketplace app.
Collaboration with professionals helps develop bespoke features that resonate with your business model. Such customization ensures your app stands out in a competitive market, offering functionalities that cater specifically to your target audience.
Professional developers design mobile apps with scalability in mind so your platform grows as your business grows. This means your app can scale up with users’ increasing demands and introduce new features. They integrate the latest technologies, such as AI and ML, to enhance the app’s functionalities. These innovations can lead to personalized user experiences, making your marketplace stand out.
Partnering with experienced developers will reduce the time it takes to bring a product to market. Their methodologies and best practices, honed over years of experience, will ease the development process from ideation to launch.
A reliable mobile app development in Saudi Arabia should provide post-launch support and app maintenance. They ensure your app is functional, secure, and current with technology trends.
Complexity and the number of features impact costs considerably. Some apps with core functionality may be around $40,000 (about 147,000 AED) and reach as high as $300,000 (approximately 1,100,000 AED) for highly complex applications with more elaborate features. It must have an intuitive design for better user engagement. Quality UI/UX Design might increase costs, but retaining customers is worth it.
The geographical location of your development team impacts pricing. In the UAE, development costs range from AED 30,000 to AED 60,000, depending on the scope of the project and the developer’s expertise.
Partnering with a local mobile app development company in Saudi Arabia such as Techugo has many advantages. Local companies understand the regional market dynamics and can offer competitive pricing according to your budget. Proximity will enable better communication and project management, reducing development time and associated costs. They are also more attuned to regional preferences and user behaviors, ensuring the app resonates with the target audience. This cultural insight is invaluable for creating a product that meets local expectations.
Navigating the legal and regulatory landscape is important. Regional developers know local and regional laws and standards, so your app will likely comply with all regulations and avoid legal complications. Proximity promotes quick post-launch support and maintenance so your app stays updated and functional, which is crucial for long-term success.
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User engagement should be sustained in a marketplace app to ensure long-term sustainability. Users who lack a good user experience, proper value, and desirable customer support may cease using the app.
By adding AI-driven algorithm solutions, people will be targeted with personalized recommendations and content propositions to increase consumer satisfaction and usage. More user feedback analysis and improvement in-app features and functionalities should exist for the continuing relevance and interactivity of the platforms. Design for an intuitive onboarding experience that communicates the application’s value proposition, making this helpful for utilizing key product benefits.
Protecting user data and ensuring secure transactions are paramount. Security breaches can lead to loss of user trust and legal complications.
Stringent encryption techniques must be used during data transmission and storage. A system of multiple factors, such as Perf, can also be implemented to verify users’ identities against unauthorized access. Periodic security analyses should be performed to establish vulnerabilities as soon as they occur.
When a growing number of users make up the app’s user base, the traffic and transactions also have to increase significantly, but not to the performance cost. Utilize cloud services for the infrastructure, offering dynamic scaling with performance and service availability. Create an app in a modular structure to ease the changes of adding features the new platforms offer. To load balance by providing a constant user request rate among servers in such a case.
OpenSooq has successfully become one of the most prominent online marketplaces in the MENA region. The strategic initiatives that have led to this success may be considerable. The expansion strategy for OpenSooq is established based on knowledge of and adaptation to the specific needs of every regional marketplace. For example, in Jordan, the OpenSooq Jordan Cars for Sale category provided a detailed buying and selling page for cars with a high rate of car dealing. This also localized approach enhanced its popularity across the Gulf states. In June 2021, OpenSooq received a $15 million investment from the Saudi Jordanian Investment Fund (SJIF). This funding helped support the company’s growth and expansion plans and enhance its presence in key markets such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
OpenSooq has created a user-friendly platform with a powerful mobile-first approach. It attracts over 120 million unique site visitors and generates over 2 billion monthly page views. This broad reach has made the company one of the leading players in the MENA region’s online marketplace sector.
The platform provides various categories, including real estate, jobs, services, and vehicles. For instance, Jordan’s ‘Cars for Sale’ section offers many vehicles, such as premium to average models, to satisfy different consumer demands. Strategic investments and localized activities have enabled it to compete fairly with other regional platforms like Haraj and EMPG.
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As we approach 2025, several key trends are poised to shape the future of marketplace apps, particularly in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is set to revolutionize user experiences in marketplace apps by providing personalized recommendations. AI can suggest products or services tailored to individual needs by analyzing user behavior and preferences.
Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) technologies are anticipated to transform how users interact with marketplace apps. AR can overlay digital information onto the real world, allowing users to visualize products in their environment before purchasing. AR and VR can immerse users in a completely virtual shopping experience.
The GCC region is experiencing rapid digital transformation, leading to a surge in mobile app usage. Countries like Bahrain are witnessing significant growth in the mobile app development sector, driven by high smartphone penetration and a burgeoning tech scene. This growth presents opportunities for marketplace apps to tap into a tech-savvy, mobile-first consumer base.
Integrating advanced technologies such as AI, AR, and VR is expected to become more prevalent in marketplace apps. These technologies can enhance user engagement, streamline operations, and provide a competitive edge in the marketplace.
As the demand for advanced marketplace apps grows, partnering with a local mobile app development company in Bahrain can offer several advantages. Local developers understand regional market trends and user preferences, ensuring the app meets cultural expectations and legal requirements. Additionally, proximity facilitates better communication and project management, contributing to a more efficient development process.
Developing a marketplace app like OpenSooq would require careful planning and strategic execution. Each step is critical to the app’s success, from choosing the right technology stack to designing a user-friendly interface, integrating key features, and ensuring the app’s ability to scale up, stay secure, and have retention strategies.
A reliable e-commerce app development company must create a thriving marketplace app for regional needs. Techugo, one of the best mobile app development companies in Saudi Arabia, can help bring your vision to life. As a custom solutions development company, Techugo will guide you through every stage of development, from concept to launch, ensuring your app meets the highest quality and functionality standards.
Working with the right team, you can develop an app like OpenSooq that will effectively serve your users and stand out in the ever-evolving marketplace. So get in touch today! Let Techugo help you turn your app development goals into a successful reality.
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