How to start ecommerce app using flutter

Starting an e-commerce app with Flutter involves both business planning and technical execution. Below is a clear, step-by-step roadmap from idea to launch, with Flutter-specific guidance.

1. Define Your E-commerce Model

Before coding, be clear on:

• Type: B2C, B2B, Marketplace (like Amazon), or Single Store
• Products: Physical / Digital / Subscriptions
• Payments: Cards, UPI, PayPal, Stripe, COD
• Delivery: In-house, 3rd-party (Shiprocket, Shippo, etc.)
• Regions: Local or international

✅ This affects backend, payments, and legal requirements.

2. Tech Stack Overview (Recommended)

Frontend

• Flutter (Android, iOS, Web)
• State Management:
  • Beginner: Provider
  • Intermediate: Riverpod
  • Advanced: Bloc

Backend (Choose One)

Database

• Firebase Firestore
• PostgreSQL / MySQL (for custom backend)

3. Core Features You Must Build

User Side

• Login / Signup (Email, Google, Phone)
• Product listing & categories
• Search & filters
• Product details
• Cart & checkout
• Payments
• Order tracking
• Wishlist
• Push notifications

Admin Side

• Product management
• Inventory management
• Order management
• User management
• Discounts / coupons
• Analytics dashboard

4. Flutter Project Setup

flutter create ecommerce_app
cd ecommerce_app
flutter run

Essential Flutter Packages

dependencies:
  flutter:
    sdk: flutter
  firebase_core: ^2.0.0
  firebase_auth: ^4.0.0
  cloud_firestore: ^4.0.0
  firebase_storage: ^11.0.0
  provider: ^6.0.0
  http: ^1.0.0
  razorpay_flutter: ^1.3.5 # or stripe

5. App Architecture (Recommended)

lib/
├── models/
├── services/
├── providers/
├── screens/
│   ├── auth/
│   ├── home/
│   ├── product/
│   ├── cart/
│   ├── checkout/
├── widgets/
└── main.dart

✅ Clean architecture helps scaling later.

6. Backend Example (Firebase)

Firestore Structure

users/
products/
categories/
orders/
carts/

Product Model (Example)

class Product {
  String id;
  String name;
  double price;
  String image;
  int stock;

  Product({
    required this.id,
    required this.name,
    required this.price,
    required this.image,
    required this.stock,
  });
}

7. Payment Integration

Choose based on country:

• India: Razorpay, Cashfree
• Global: Stripe, PayPal
• Mobile Friendly: In-app payments + Webhooks

⚠️ Never handle payment logic fully on the client—use backend validation.

8. Security & Performance

• Use Firebase Security Rules
• Protect admin routes
• Use pagination for products
• Compress images
• Enable caching

9. Testing

• Unit tests (business logic)
• Widget tests (UI)
• Test payment flow in sandbox mode

10. Publish Your App

Android

• Google Play Console
• App signing
• Privacy policy (mandatory)

iOS

• Apple Developer Account ($99/year)
• App Store Review Guidelines

11. Monetization & Growth

• Ads (optional)
• Subscription plans
• Discounts & referral programs
• Push notifications (Firebase Cloud Messaging)