Step-by-Step Guide: Building an OfferUp Clone with Adalo

This comprehensive guide walks you through building a fully functional local marketplace app using Adalo's drag-and-drop platform. You'll create an OfferUp-style app with product listings, user profiles, in-app messaging, location-based search, and payment processing—all without writing a single line of code.

What Is OfferUp and Why Clone It with a No-Code App Builder

OfferUp is a mobile-first peer-to-peer marketplace that has achieved remarkable success with over 20 million monthly active users and a $1.2 billion valuation. The platform enables local buying and selling across multiple categories including furniture, electronics, vehicles, and home goods, facilitating $14 billion+ in transaction volume since launch.

The secondhand shopping market presents an extraordinary opportunity for makers. Nearly 1 in 5 Americans made their first secondhand purchase in 2025, and the recommerce sector will account for 8% of retail spending by 2030.

Core Features of OfferUp That Make It Successful

OfferUp's winning formula centers on these key elements:

• Location-based discovery: Users can browse items within their local community, with 59% of shoppers preferring to buy and sell within their communities
• Trust and safety features: TruYou verification system, user ratings, safe meetup locations at over 1,600 Community MeetUp Spots
• In-app messaging: Seamless communication between buyers and sellers without exposing personal contact information
• Hybrid local-national model: Local pickup for convenience plus nationwide shipping for expanded reach
• Simple listing creation: Users can click a picture, add a description, and publish their product for sale instantly

Why No-Code Tools Are Ideal for Marketplace App Development

Traditional marketplace development requires 6-12 months and $50,000-$150,000+ in development costs. No-code platforms like Adalo eliminate these barriers by enabling anyone to create sophisticated apps regardless of their technical expertise.

The no-code approach offers compelling advantages:

• Speed to market: Build a functional MVP in 2-4 weeks instead of months
• Cost efficiency: Avoid hiring developers at $75-$200/hour rates, starting with a free tier for development
• Iteration flexibility: Make changes instantly without development cycles, enabling rapid A/B testing
• Validated templates: Adalo hosts a proven OfferUp clone template called "Saleworthy," demonstrating successful marketplace implementation

Why Adalo Is the Best No-Code App Builder for Marketplace Apps

Adalo stands out as the optimal platform for building marketplace apps because it delivers true native mobile experiences while maintaining the simplicity of visual development. Unlike web-only builders, Adalo publishes directly to the Apple App Store and Google Play Store with a single build.

Adalo's Cross-Platform Publishing Capabilities

When you build with Adalo, you're not creating a responsive web app disguised as mobile—you're building authentic native applications:

• Native iOS apps: Publish directly to the Apple App Store with native performance and user experience
• Native Android apps: Deploy to Google Play Store with full Android compatibility
• Responsive web apps: Simultaneously launch a web version with custom domains (available on Starter plan and above)
• Single build, multiple platforms: Create once and publish everywhere without maintaining separate codebases

Adalo processes over 20 million data requests every day with 99%+ average uptime, ensuring your marketplace remains accessible as it scales.

Built-In Database vs External Integrations

Adalo's built-in relational database provides everything needed for marketplace functionality without requiring external services:

• Prebuilt property types: Text, number, image, location, date/time, and more
• Relationship modeling: One-to-many and many-to-many relationships for complex data structures
• Custom formulas: Calculate pricing, distances, ratings, and other dynamic values
• AND/OR logic: Create sophisticated filtering and conditional displays

For advanced use cases, Adalo integrates seamlessly with external databases:

• Xano integration: Connect to powerful backend services (Team plan required)
• Airtable sync: Leverage spreadsheet-style data management
• Custom APIs: Use Custom Actions on Professional plan and above to connect any external datasource

Component Marketplace for Extended Functionality

The Adalo component marketplace offers over 50 additional components beyond the core platform, enabling specialized marketplace features:

• Maps and geolocation: Google Maps integration for location-based product discovery
• Payment processing: Stripe and IAPHUB components for secure transactions
• Advanced UI elements: Custom lists, carousels, calendars, and interactive components
• Communication tools: Chat interfaces, notification systems, and messaging workflows

All premium components undergo rigorous testing to ensure they work across all platforms (web and native), maintaining consistent functionality regardless of deployment target.

Setting Up Your Adalo Account and Choosing the Right Plan

Before building your marketplace, you need to select the right Adalo plan based on your development stage and feature requirements.

Adalo Pricing Overview: Free to Business Plans

Adalo offers five pricing tiers to accommodate different needs:

Free Plan ($0/month)

• Unlimited test apps for development
• 200-500 records per app
• 1 editor
• Publish to web with Adalo subdomain
• Perfect for building and testing your MVP

Starter Plan ($36-$45/month)

• 1 published app
• Custom domains for professional branding
• All Free plan features
• Ideal for launching a single marketplace

Professional Plan ($52-$65/month)

• 2 published apps
• 5 collaborators for team development
• 25GB storage
• Geolocation services (critical for local marketplaces)
• Custom integrations via API
• Best for marketplaces requiring location features

Team Plan ($160-$200/month)

• 5 published apps
• 10 editors
• Priority support
• Xano integration for advanced backend
• Recommended for scaling marketplaces

Business Plan ($200-$250/month)

• 10 published apps
• Unlimited editors
• Special add-on pricing
• Enterprise-level marketplace operations

Note: Pricing shown reflects annual billing (approximately 20% discount) versus monthly billing.

Which Plan Is Best for a Marketplace App

For OfferUp clone development, follow this progression:

Phase 1: Development (Free Plan)

• Build and test your entire app using unlimited test apps
• Validate database structure, workflows, and user experience
• Share previews with beta testers via Adalo's preview app

Phase 2: Local-Only Launch (Starter Plan - $36/month)

• Publish your first version with custom domain
• Focus on local pickup transactions only
• Build initial user base without geolocation complexity

Phase 3: Location Features (Professional Plan - $52/month)

• Add geolocation-based search and filtering
• Integrate Google Maps for pickup locations
• Enable distance calculations and radius search
• Connect Stripe for payment processing

Phase 4: Scale (Team Plan - $160/month)

• Integrate Xano for advanced backend capabilities
• Add multiple editors as team grows
• Access priority support for troubleshooting

Understanding Record Limits and Storage Needs

The Free plan's 200-500 record limit may seem restrictive, but it's sufficient for testing. Once you launch:

• Starter plan: Suitable for 500-1,000 total records (users + listings + messages combined)
• Professional plan: Handles 5,000+ records with 25GB storage for product images
• Team/Business plans: Support larger-scale operations with higher limits

For reference, 1 million+ apps have been created on Adalo, serving 2 million+ users, validating the platform's scalability.

Designing Your OfferUp Clone's User Interface with Drag-and-Drop

Adalo's visual editor makes UI design accessible to anyone who can create a slide deck. The platform's "what you see is what you get" approach means you design exactly how your app will appear to users.

Creating the Home Screen with Product Listings

Step 1: Set Up Your First Screen

1. Create a new app in Adalo and choose "Mobile App"
2. Name it "Local Marketplace" or your preferred title
3. Select your brand colors and fonts
4. Click "Start from Scratch" to enter the editor

Step 2: Design the Home Screen Layout

1. On the default screen, rename it to "Home"
2. Add a Top Navigation Bar (drag from left component panel):
   
   • Title: "Browse Listings"
   • Include search icon button
   • Add profile icon linking to user profile
3. Add Custom List component for product grid:
   
   • Set layout to "Grid" (2 columns)
   • Set to show "All Listings" from database (we'll create this next)
   • Sort by "Created Date" (Newest First)
4. Inside each list item, add:
   
   • Image component (product photo)
   • Text component for title
   • Text component for price (formatted as currency)
   • Text component for location
5. Set list item click action: Navigate to "Listing Detail" screen

Step 3: Add Category Navigation

1. Below the top bar, add a Horizontal List:
   
   • Connect to "Categories" collection
   • Display category name and icon
   • Click action: Filter listings by selected category
2. Add "All Categories" as default option

Step 4: Implement Search Functionality

1. Add Text Input with placeholder "Search for items..."
2. Set visibility: Shows when search icon clicked
3. Configure search action:
   
   • Filter listings where Title contains search text
   • OR Description contains search text
   • Update main list with filtered results

Designing User Profiles and Account Management

Step 5: Create User Profile Screen

1. Add new screen "User Profile"
2. Add user information section:
   
   • Image component: Logged In User → Profile Photo
   • Text: Logged In User → Full Name
   • Text: "Member since " + Logged In User → Created Date
   • Star Rating display: Average Rating
   • Text: Total number of listings
3. Add tabs or sections:
   
   • "Active Listings" (user's current items for sale)
   • "Sold Items" (completed transactions)
   • "Settings" button

Step 6: Build Account Settings

1. Create "Settings" screen
2. Add Form component to update Logged In User:
   
   • Profile Photo (Image Picker)
   • Full Name (Text Input)
   • Email (Email Input)
   • Phone Number (Phone Input)
   • Location (Location Input)
3. Add action buttons:
   
   • "Save Changes" → Update User
   • "Log Out" → Log Out action
   • "Delete Account" → Delete User (with confirmation)

Building the Product Detail and Messaging Screens

Step 7: Design Listing Detail Screen

1. Create "Listing Detail" screen
2. Add image section:
   
   • Image component: Current Listing → Featured Image
   • Enable swipe if multiple images exist
3. Add listing information:
   
   • Text: Current Listing → Title (large, bold)
   • Text: Current Listing → Price (formatted, prominent)
   • Text: Current Listing → Description
   • Text: "Posted " + Current Listing → Created Date (relative time)
   • Text: Current Listing → Location
4. Add seller section:
   
   • Image: Current Listing → Seller → Profile Photo (small, circular)
   • Text: Current Listing → Seller → Full Name
   • Star Rating: Current Listing → Seller → Average Rating
   • Click action: Navigate to seller's profile
5. Add action buttons:
   
   • "Message Seller" → Navigate to Chat screen
   • "Make Offer" → Show offer input modal
   • "Share Listing" → Share action
   • If Logged In User = Seller: "Edit Listing" and "Mark as Sold"

Step 8: Create Chat Interface

1. Add "Chat" screen
2. Add message history:
   
   • Custom List of Messages
   • Filter: Where Listing = Current Listing AND (Sender = Logged In User OR Recipient = Logged In User)
   • Sort by: Created Date (Oldest First)
   • Display sender name, message text, timestamp
3. Add message composition:
   
   • Text Input for new message (multiline)
   • Button: "Send"
   • Action: Create Message → Sender = Logged In User, Recipient = Listing Seller, Listing = Current Listing
4. Add notification: Send push notification to recipient when new message created

Adalo's responsive design capabilities ensure your marketplace looks great on all device sizes, automatically adapting layouts for phones, tablets, and web browsers.

Building the Database Schema for Listings, Users, and Transactions

A well-structured database is the foundation of your marketplace. Adalo's relational database supports the complex relationships needed for multi-sided marketplace platforms.

Setting Up User Authentication and Profiles

Step 9: Enhance the Users Collection

1. Click Database icon in left sidebar
2. Select the "Users" collection (automatically created)
3. Add these properties (click "+ Add Property" for each):
   
   • Full Name (Text) - Required
   • Profile Photo (Image)
   • Phone Number (Phone)
   • Location (Location) - For local marketplace features
   • Bio (Text, Multiline)
   • Average Rating (Number) - Default: 0
   • Total Ratings (Number) - Default: 0
   • Member Since (Date & Time) - Set to creation date
   • Verified (True/False) - For trust and safety

Step 10: Create Sign Up and Login Screens

1. Add "Welcome" screen with two buttons:
   
   • "Sign Up" → Links to Sign Up screen
   • "Login" → Links to Login screen
2. Create "Sign Up" screen:
   
   • Add Sign Up Form component
   • Include: Email, Password, Full Name, Phone Number, Location
   • Add Profile Photo (optional)
   • Submit action: Create User → Navigate to Home
3. Create "Login" screen:
   
   • Add Login Form component
   • Include: Email, Password
   • Add "Forgot Password?" link
   • Submit action: Log In → Navigate to Home

Creating the Listings Collection with Images and Pricing

Step 11: Build the Listings Collection

1. Click "+ Add Collection"
2. Name it "Listings"
3. Add these properties:
   
   • Title (Text) - Required
   • Description (Text, Multiline) - Required
   • Featured Image (Image) - Required
   • Additional Images (List of Images)
   • Price (Number) - Required
   • Category (Relationship to Categories collection)
   • Condition (Text) - Options: "New", "Like New", "Good", "Fair", "Poor"
   • Location (Location)
   • Status (Text) - Options: "Active", "Sold", "Pending"
   • Created Date (Date & Time) - Automatic
   • Views Count (Number) - Default: 0
   • Favorites Count (Number) - Default: 0
   • Shipping Available (True/False)

Step 12: Create Categories Collection

1. Add new collection "Categories"
2. Add properties:
   
   • Name (Text) - e.g., "Electronics", "Furniture", "Vehicles"
   • Icon (Image)
   • Description (Text)
3. Pre-populate with common categories:
   
   • Electronics
   • Furniture
   • Home & Garden
   • Clothing & Accessories
   • Sports & Outdoors
   • Toys & Games
   • Vehicles
   • Real Estate

Step 13: Build Create Listing Screen

1. Add "Create Listing" screen
2. Add Form component connected to Listings:
   
   • Image Picker for Featured Image (camera integration for mobile)
   • Multiple Image Picker for Additional Images
   • Text Input for Title
   • Text Area for Description
   • Number Input for Price
   • Dropdown for Category (from Categories collection)
   • Dropdown for Condition
   • Location Input for Location (can default to user's location)
   • Toggle for Shipping Available
3. Submit button:
   
   • Create Listing
   • Set Seller = Logged In User
   • Set Status = "Active"
   • Navigate to Listing Detail

Designing Message and Transaction Tables

Step 14: Create Messages Collection

1. Add collection "Messages"
2. Add properties:
   
   • Message Text (Text, Multiline)
   • Created Date (Date & Time) - Automatic
   • Read Status (True/False) - Default: False
   • Attachment (Image) - Optional

Step 15: Set Up Relationships for Messages

1. Add relationship: Messages → Users "Sender"
   
   • A User can have many Messages as Sender
2. Add relationship: Messages → Users "Recipient"
   
   • A User can have many Messages as Recipient
3. Add relationship: Messages → Listings
   
   • A Listing can have many Messages

Step 16: Create Offers Collection

1. Add collection "Offers"
2. Add properties:
   
   • Offered Amount (Number)
   • Status (Text) - Options: "Pending", "Accepted", "Rejected", "Countered"
   • Message (Text, Multiline) - Optional note with offer
   • Created Date (Date & Time) - Automatic
3. Add relationships:
   
   • Offers → Users "Buyer"
   • Offers → Listings
   • Offers → Users "Seller" (auto-populate from listing seller)

Step 17: Build Transactions Collection

1. Add collection "Transactions"
2. Add properties:
   
   • Final Price (Number)
   • Payment Method (Text) - Options: "Cash", "Stripe", "In-App"
   • Payment Status (Text) - Options: "Pending", "Completed", "Refunded"
   • Stripe Payment ID (Text) - For payment tracking
   • Transaction Date (Date & Time) - Automatic
   • Pickup Location (Location) - For local meetups
   • Shipping Tracking (Text) - If shipped
3. Add relationships:
   
   • Transactions → Listings (One-to-One)
   • Transactions → Users "Buyer"
   • Transactions → Users "Seller"

Adding Essential Marketplace Features: Search, Filters, and Geolocation

Location-based features are critical for marketplace apps, with 59% of users preferring to buy and sell within their local communities.

Implementing Location-Based Product Discovery

Step 18: Add Google Maps Integration

1. Visit the Adalo Marketplace
2. Search for "Maps" component
3. Click "Install" on the Maps component
4. Obtain a Google Maps API key:
   
   • Go to Google Cloud Console
   • Create new project
   • Enable Maps JavaScript API and Places API
   • Generate API key
   • Add key to Adalo maps configuration

Note: Google Maps integration and geolocation features require a Professional plan ($52-$65/month) or higher.

Step 19: Add Map View to Home Screen

1. On Home screen, add toggle option: "List View" or "Map View"
2. Create "Map View" screen:
   
   • Add Maps component (full screen)
   • Set markers: All Listings (filtered by current criteria)
   • Marker location: Each listing's Location property
   • Click marker action: Show listing preview card
3. Add current location indicator:
   
   • Center map on: Logged In User → Location
   • Show blue dot for user's position

Step 20: Implement Distance Calculations

1. Add "Distance" property to Listings (Number)
2. Create custom formula:
   
   • Calculate distance between Logged In User → Location and Listing → Location
   • Store in Distance property
3. Display distance on listing cards:
   
   • "2.3 miles away"
   • Sort option: "Nearest First"

Building Advanced Search and Filter Options

Step 21: Create Advanced Filters Screen

1. Add "Filters" screen (modal or slide-up)
2. Add filter options:
   
   • Price Range: Min and Max number inputs
   • Distance Radius: Slider (1-50 miles)
   • Category: Multi-select checkboxes
   • Condition: Multi-select checkboxes
   • Shipping Available: Toggle
   • Sort By: Dropdown (Newest, Price Low-High, Price High-Low, Nearest)
3. Apply button:
   
   • Update Home screen list with filtered results
   • Close filters modal

Step 22: Implement Search Functionality

1. Add search bar to Home screen top
2. Create search logic:
   
   • Filter listings where:
     
     • Title contains search term (case-insensitive)
     • OR Description contains search term
     • OR Category name contains search term
3. Add search suggestions:
   
   • Show popular searches
   • Display recent searches from Logged In User

Step 23: Add Saved Searches

1. Create "Saved Searches" collection:
   
   • Search Terms (Text)
   • Filters Applied (JSON or separate properties)
   • Notify When New (True/False)
2. Add relationship: Saved Searches → Users
3. On Filters screen, add "Save This Search" button
4. Send push notifications when new listings match saved searches

Using Google Maps for Pickup Locations

Step 24: Designate Safe Meetup Spots

1. Create "Meetup Locations" collection:
   
   • Name (Text) - e.g., "City Hall", "Police Station"
   • Location (Location)
   • Type (Text) - "Police", "Public Place", "Community Center"
   • Hours (Text)
   • Verified (True/False)
2. On Transaction screen, add map showing:
   
   • Recommended meetup locations (filtered by proximity)
   • Markers color-coded by safety level (police stations highlighted)
3. Click location: Auto-fill as pickup location

Step 25: Add "Get Directions" Feature

1. On Listing Detail screen, add "Get Directions" button
2. Configure button action:
   
   • Link to external URL: https://maps.google.com/?q=[Latitude],[Longitude]
   • Opens Google Maps app with directions to pickup location
3. For web users: Embed Google Maps with directions panel

Integrating Payment Processing with Stripe for In-App Purchases

OfferUp generates approximately $89.4 million in annual revenue primarily through transaction fees and promoted listings. Adalo's Stripe integration enables you to implement similar monetization.

Setting Up Stripe for Marketplace Transactions

Step 26: Install Stripe Component

1. Go to Adalo Marketplace
2. Search for "Stripe Payment"
3. Click "Install"
4. Obtain Stripe API keys:
   
   • Create account at Stripe.com
   • Get Publishable Key and Secret Key from dashboard
   • Add keys to Adalo Stripe configuration (use test keys initially)

Step 27: Configure Payment Collection

1. Create "Payments" collection:
   
   • Amount (Number)
   • Stripe Charge ID (Text)
   • Payment Status (Text) - "Pending", "Completed", "Failed"
   • Service Fee (Number) - Calculate as 12.9% of amount or $1.99 minimum
   • Seller Payout (Number) - Amount minus service fee
   • Created Date (Date & Time)
2. Add relationships:
   
   • Payments → Transactions (One-to-One)
   • Payments → Users "Buyer"
   • Payments → Users "Seller"

Step 28: Implement Transaction Fee Logic

Following OfferUp's model:

1. Create formula for Service Fee:

Maximum of:

- Transaction → Final Price × 0.129 (12.9%)

- 1.99 (minimum fee)

2. Calculate Seller Payout:

Transaction → Final Price - Service Fee

3. Display fee breakdown to users before checkout

Creating Secure Checkout Flows

Step 29: Build Checkout Screen

1. Create "Checkout" screen
2. Add order summary:
   
   • Listing title and image
   • Final price
   • Service fee (transparent display)
   • Total amount
3. Add Stripe Payment component:
   
   • Amount: Transaction → Final Price
   • Currency: USD
   • Save payment method: Yes (for repeat users)
4. Add payment form fields:
   
   • Card number
   • Expiration date
   • CVC
   • Billing zip code
5. Submit button: "Complete Purchase"

Step 30: Configure Payment Actions

1. On successful payment:
   
   • Create Payment record
   • Create Transaction record
   • Update Listing → Status to "Sold"
   • Send notification to seller
   • Navigate to "Order Confirmation" screen
2. On failed payment:
   
   • Display error message
   • Update Payment → Status to "Failed"
   • Allow retry

Handling Transaction Records and Order History

Step 31: Create Order Confirmation Screen

1. Add "Order Confirmation" screen
2. Display:
   
   • Success message
   • Transaction details
   • Seller contact information
   • Pickup location and time
   • "Message Seller" button
3. Add to calendar option (for scheduled pickups)

Step 32: Build Order History

1. Create "My Purchases" screen:
   
   • List of Transactions where Buyer = Logged In User
   • Show: Listing image, title, price, date, status
   • Filter options: Active, Completed, All
2. Create "My Sales" screen:
   
   • List of Transactions where Seller = Logged In User
   • Show: Listing image, buyer name, price, status
   • Add "Mark as Delivered" button
3. Click transaction: Navigate to Transaction Detail with full information

Implementing User Messaging and Notifications

Step 33: Build In-App Chat System

1. Create "Conversations" screen:
   
   • List of unique conversation threads
   • Filter: Messages where Sender = Logged In User OR Recipient = Logged In User
   • Group by: Listing
   • Show latest message preview
   • Display unread count badge
2. Click conversation: Navigate to Chat screen (created earlier)

Step 34: Add Real-Time Message Updates

While Adalo doesn't support true real-time WebSocket connections:

1. Add Countdown Timer component (set to 5 seconds)
2. On timer completion:
   
   • Refresh Messages list
   • Reset timer
3. This creates pseudo-real-time updates every 5 seconds

Setting Up Push Notifications for New Messages

Step 35: Configure Notification Permissions

1. On app launch (Welcome screen):
   
   • Add action: "Request Notification Permission"
   • Explain value: "Get notified when buyers message you"
2. Store permission status in User profile

Step 36: Trigger Message Notifications

1. When new Message is created:
   
   • Send push notification to Recipient
   • Title: "New message from [Sender Name]"
   • Body: First 100 characters of message
   • Action: Open Chat screen with this conversation
2. Respect notification preferences:
   
   • Add user setting: "Receive message notifications"
   • Only send if enabled

Step 37: Implement Notification Hub

1. Create "Notifications" screen:
   
   • List recent notifications
   • Types: New messages, offers received, listing sold, etc.
   • Mark as read functionality
2. Add notification badge icon to main navigation
3. Display unread count

Automating Alerts with Zapier or Make

Step 38: Connect Zapier for Email Notifications

1. Visit Adalo's Zapier integration
2. Create Zap:
   
   • Trigger: New Message in Adalo
   • Action: Send Email via Gmail
3. Email template:
   
   • Subject: "New message about [Listing Title]"
   • Body: Message content and link to app
4. Alternative: Use Make integration for more complex workflows

Step 39: Set Up Abandoned Cart Recovery

1. Create Zap:
   
   • Trigger: Listing viewed but no message sent (24 hours)
   • Action: Send reminder notification
2. Message: "Still interested in [Listing Title]? Message the seller now!"

Testing Your App Before Publishing to App Stores

Adalo's free plan offers unlimited test apps, making it perfect for thorough quality assurance before launch.

Using Adalo's Free Plan for Unlimited Testing

Step 40: Create Test Environment

1. Your development app remains on Free plan
2. Add comprehensive test data:
   
   • 10-15 sample users (buyers and sellers)
   • 30-40 sample listings across categories
   • Multiple conversation threads
   • Various offer statuses
   • Completed and pending transactions
3. Test with Adalo previewer:
   
   • Desktop preview for layout testing
   • Download Adalo app to test on actual devices

Step 41: Conduct User Acceptance Testing

1. Invite beta testers:
   
   • Share preview link
   • Provide test credentials
2. Test core user journeys:
   
   • New user signup flow
   • Create and publish a listing
   • Search and browse listings
   • Message seller and negotiate
   • Complete mock transaction
   • Leave rating and review
3. Collect feedback via form or survey

Testing Across iOS, Android, and Web

Step 42: Platform-Specific Testing

Test on multiple devices and platforms since Adalo components work across all platforms:

1. iOS Testing:
   
   • iPhone (various sizes: SE, 14, 14 Pro Max)
   • iPad
   • Check gesture interactions, navigation, keyboard behavior
2. Android Testing:
   
   • Multiple screen sizes and OS versions
   • Test back button behavior
   • Verify camera/photo picker integration
3. Web Testing:
   
   • Desktop browsers (Chrome, Safari, Firefox)
   • Mobile browsers
   • Test responsive breakpoints

Step 43: Performance Testing

Following Adalo's performance guidelines:

1. Test with realistic data volumes:
   
   • 500+ listings
   • 100+ users
   • 1,000+ messages
2. Monitor load times:
   
   • Home screen: Should load < 3 seconds
   • List screens: Use pagination (10-20 items per load)
   • Images: Ensure proper compression
3. Optimize based on results:
   
   • Limit repeating group records
   • Avoid nested calculations
   • Use countdown refresh sparingly

Common Marketplace App Issues to Check

Step 44: QA Checklist

‍

Verify these critical elements:

‍

• User authentication (signup, login, password reset)
  ‍

• Image uploads work on mobile and web
  ‍

• Location permissions granted and working
  ‍

• Search filters apply correctly
  ‍

• Map markers display accurately
  ‍

• Message delivery is reliable
  ‍

• Push notifications trigger properly
  ‍

• Payment processing completes successfully
  ‍

• Transaction records create accurately
  ‍

• Ratings calculate and display correctly
  ‍

• Conditional visibility rules work (show/hide elements)
  ‍

• Navigation flows logically between screens
  ‍

• Error messages display for invalid inputs
  ‍

• Loading states show for async operations
  ‍

Publishing Your OfferUp Clone to iOS, Android, and Web

Once testing is complete, you're ready to publish your marketplace to millions of potential users. Adalo enables you to publish to stores from a single build.

Publishing to the Apple App Store: Requirements and Costs

Step 45: Prepare for App Store Submission

1. Enroll in Apple Developer Program:
   
   • Cost: $99/year
   • Visit developer.apple.com
   • Complete enrollment process
2. Gather required assets:
   
   • App icon (1024×1024px)
   • Screenshots (various iPhone sizes)
   • App preview video (optional)
   • Privacy policy URL
   • Support URL
3. Write App Store listing:
   
   • App name (30 characters max)
   • Subtitle (30 characters)
   • Description (4,000 characters)
   • Keywords (100 characters)
   • Category: Shopping

Step 46: Configure iOS Build in Adalo

1. In Adalo, go to "Publish" tab
2. Select "iOS"
3. Enter:
   
   • App name
   • Bundle identifier (e.g., com.yourcompany.marketplace)
   • Version number (1.0)
   • Upload app icon
4. Click "Publish to App Store"
5. Adalo builds your app and provides IPA file
6. Upload to App Store Connect via Transporter app

Step 47: Submit for Review

1. In App Store Connect:
   
   • Create new app listing
   • Add screenshots and description
   • Set pricing (Free with in-app purchases)
   • Submit for review
2. Review time: Typically 24-48 hours
3. Address any feedback and resubmit if needed

Deploying to Google Play Store

Step 48: Set Up Google Play Developer Account

1. Register at play.google.com/console
2. One-time registration fee: $25
3. Provide business information and tax details

Step 49: Publish Android App

1. In Adalo, go to "Publish" → "Android"
2. Configure:
   
   • App name
   • Package name (e.g., com.yourcompany.marketplace)
   • Version code (1)
   • Upload icon
3. Click "Publish to Google Play"
4. Download AAB file from Adalo
5. Upload to Google Play Console
6. Complete store listing:
   
   • Screenshots (phone and tablet)
   • Feature graphic
   • Description
   • Category: Shopping
7. Submit for review (typically approved within hours)

Launching Your Web App with Custom Domains

Step 50: Deploy Web Version

1. In Adalo, go to "Publish" → "Web"
2. Free plan: Publish to yourapp.adalo.com subdomain
3. Starter plan ($36/month) or higher:
   
   • Click "Add Custom Domain"
   • Enter your domain (e.g., marketplace.com)
   • Update DNS settings at your domain registrar:
     
     • Add CNAME record pointing to Adalo
   • Verify domain
   • Enable HTTPS (automatic)
4. Click "Publish" to push updates live

Step 51: Configure Web App Settings

1. Set homepage route
2. Configure meta tags for SEO:
   
   • Title
   • Description
   • Social sharing image
3. Add Google Analytics ID for tracking
4. Enable manual publishing for web apps to control when updates go live

Note: Domain costs range from $10-$45 annually depending on TLD (.com, .app, etc.).

Scaling Your Marketplace: Managing Users, Data, and Performance

As your marketplace grows beyond initial launch, you'll need to consider data management and performance optimization. Adalo supports apps serving 2 million+ users with proper architecture.

Understanding Adalo's Data Request and Storage Limits

Step 52: Monitor Usage Metrics

Different plans have different capabilities:

1. Record limits:
   
   • Free: 200-500 records total
   • Starter: Supports 500-1,000 records
   • Professional+: 5,000+ records with 25GB storage
2. Data requests:
   
   • Adalo processes 20 million+ requests daily across all apps
   • Each screen load, database query, and action counts
   • Monitor your usage in Adalo dashboard
3. Storage:
   
   • Professional plan: 25GB (sufficient for 10,000+ product images)
   • Compress images before upload
   • Use external image hosting for large catalogs

When to Integrate External Databases (Xano, Airtable)

Step 53: Evaluate External Database Options

‍

As you scale past 5,000 records, consider:

‍

1. Xano integration (requires Team plan $160+/month):
   
   • Unlimited record storage
   • Advanced database operations
   • Custom API endpoints
   • Server-side logic and calculations
   • Best for: High-growth marketplaces with complex data
2. Airtable sync:
   
   • Spreadsheet-style data management
   • Easy collaboration with non-technical team
   • Powerful formulas and linking
   • Best for: Content-heavy catalogs, editorial workflows

‍

Step 54: Implement Hybrid Architecture

‍

1. Keep user authentication in Adalo's built-in database
2. Move large datasets to external sources:
   
   • Listings → Xano
   • Product categories → Airtable
   • User-generated content → External database
3. Use Custom Actions on Professional plan to connect:
   
   • Create API endpoints
   • Map data fields
   • Handle authentication

Scaling from Starter to Business Plans

Step 55: Plan Your Growth Path

Follow this upgrade timeline:

1. Launch (Starter - $36/month):
   
   • 1 published app
   • Custom domain
   • 500-1,000 users
   • Basic features only
2. Add Location Features (Professional - $52/month):
   
   • Geolocation services
   • Google Maps integration
   • 2,000-5,000 users
   • Custom API integrations
3. Team Expansion (Team - $160/month):
   
   • 10 editors for collaboration
   • Xano integration
   • 10,000+ users
   • Priority support
4. Enterprise Scale (Business - $200/month):
   
   • Unlimited editors
   • 50,000+ users
   • Special pricing on add-ons
   • Dedicated support

Why Adalo Is Your Best Partner for Building a Thriving Marketplace

Building a marketplace app is about empowering makers to bring their ideas to life, and Adalo embodies this mission perfectly. With 1 million+ apps created on the platform, Adalo has proven that you don't need a technical background to build sophisticated applications that serve real users.

The Adalo Advantage for Marketplace Builders

True Mobile-Native Apps Without Compromise

OfferUp's success stems from its mobile-first strategy, and Adalo is the only major no-code platform that publishes authentic native iOS and Android apps alongside responsive web versions. Unlike web-app builders that wrap mobile sites in containers, Adalo creates genuine mobile experiences that users expect.

Proven Template Accelerates Your Launch

Adalo's marketplace includes a ready-to-use OfferUp clone template called "Saleworthy," giving you a head start with pre-built screens, database structure, and workflows. You can customize this template to your specific niche—whether you're building a campus marketplace, sustainable fashion exchange, or local services directory.

Built-In Database Eliminates Dependencies

While some no-code platforms require external database subscriptions from day one, Adalo's built-in relational database handles everything your marketplace needs. You can always upgrade to Xano or Airtable integrations later as you scale, but you won't be forced into additional subscriptions just to launch.

Component Marketplace Extends Functionality

The Adalo component marketplace offers 50+ premium components that have undergone rigorous testing to work seamlessly across all platforms. Whether you need advanced maps, payment processing, chat interfaces, or custom UI elements, these components snap into your app without coding.

Accessible Pricing for Every Stage

Starting with an unlimited free tier for development and testing, then scaling to just $36/month for your first published app, Adalo's pricing empowers makers at every budget level. This stands in stark contrast to traditional development costs of $50,000-$150,000+ or alternative platforms that lock essential features behind enterprise tiers.

Join a Community of Marketplace Makers

You're not alone in your journey. Adalo's community includes thousands of makers who have built successful marketplace apps, sharing insights, templates, and support through forums and the App Academy. The platform's 99%+ uptime ensures your marketplace stays accessible to users, processing over 20 million data requests daily across the platform.

As the secondhand economy reaches $306.5 billion by 2030, makers who act now can capture tremendous value. Adalo removes the technical barriers that have historically prevented great ideas from reaching the market, embodying the belief that anyone should be able to create an app regardless of their technical expertise.