Building an eCommerce app is no longer just a nice-to-have – it's a must-have for any serious online retailer. With the rise of mobile commerce and the importance of delivering a seamless customer experience, creating a dedicated shopping app can be a game-changer for your business.
Why Build an eCommerce App?
In today's mobile-first world, it's no surprise that m-commerce sales are expected to reach between $2.5 trillion and $6 trillion in 2026. With slow loading times and clunky navigation frustrating shoppers, dedicated shopping apps offer a solution. These apps not only provide a better customer experience but also drive real revenue growth – with some brands seeing conversions up to three times higher than mobile websites.
The Benefits of an eCommerce App
But the benefits don't stop there. Apps can retain customers through push notifications, driving repeat purchases and improving Customer Lifetime Value (LTV). In fact, app customers tend to spend between 3-4x more than online store shoppers, with a 15% higher average order value.
Defining Your eCommerce App Goals
Before you start building your app, it's essential to define its focus. Is your main goal to create a platform that converts better and makes it easier for customers to complete purchases? Or do you want to gain access to push notifications to improve customer retention and reduce reliance on SMS, email, and paid ads?
Step 1: Define Your eCommerce App Goals
Take the time to work out what's essential for your business. Think about who your target customers are and what they expect from your brand. This will help you shape your app's focus.
Target Customers
Consider the demographic of your target audience – their shopping habits, where they spend time online, how they like to be communicated with, and what they want from a dedicated shopping app. Use data from your existing eCommerce website to guide you.
KPIs
Set KPIs that align with your app's goals. Common ones include number of installs, weekly and monthly active users, average order value compared to your online store, conversion rate compared to your online store, average app customer spend, and revenue generated from push notifications.
Step 2: Define Your eCommerce App Features
Now that you've decided on the focus of your app, it's time to define its features. From syncing with your website and backend to push notifications and more, here are the must-have features every eCommerce app should include:
Sync with Your Website and Backend
Ensure product information, pricing, imagery, and stock levels stay up to date in real-time by integrating your app with your eCommerce platform via an API.
Push Notifications
Take advantage of unlimited, free push notifications with advanced segmentation and targeting. With open rates of up to 90%, you can drive repeat purchases and improve customer retention.
By following these steps and defining your eCommerce app's focus, features, and KPIs, you'll be well on your way to creating a successful shopping app that drives real revenue growth for your business.