Ecommerce App Development: Everything You Need To Know

Consumers have never-ending wants and desires, and to satisfy your customers and earn abundant profits, you have to think out of the box to compete in this overwhelmingly large ecommerce industry! During the COVID-19 pandemic, when all brick-and-mortar stores were closed, people ran to the Internet to purchase the things they wanted, which gave a drastic rise to the ecommerce industry. Now that the pandemic is over, people still opt for online stores over brick-and-mortar stores for each and every activity, which has certainly necessitated ecommerce app development.  

Ecommerce mobile apps have taken the upper hand in providing everything a customer wants, from purchasing clothes, footwear, accessories, groceries, and food to availing services for car wash and laundry. They just have to open a specific app in their mobile phone, place their order, make payments, and everything they want is delivered to their homes, offices, or anywhere they want. Undoubtedly, ecommerce mobile apps are gaining popularity as today, they have become a blessing for people leading busy lives filled with hustle and bustle. Thus, knowing the hype for ecommerce application development in the market is crucial. Let us provide you with some insights!

According to the data provided by Statista:

• The global ecommerce market revenue will reach US $4.11 trillion in 2023.
• It is expected to rise at a CAGR of 11.51%, resulting in a projected market volume of US $6.35 trillion by 2027.

Another report by the US Department of Commerce shows ecommerce sales were $870 billion in the US in 2021, a 14.2% increase over 2020 and a 50.5% increase over 2019. 

Furthermore, the US spent $1.7 trillion during the last two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, representing a 55% increase in spending online.

This ultimate guide to ecommerce app development will take you through each and every facet, including benefits, business models, types, ecommerce mobile app trends, key features, cost, and much more that will make your decision to develop an ecommerce mobile app more firm and irresistible! 

What Are Ecommerce Apps?

What strikes your mind when you plan to buy apparel online for yourself? Amazon or eBay? No doubt, these mobile commerce applications have shaken the markets with their easy-to-use and convenient features. 

An Ecommerce app, also referred to as an electronic commerce app, is an online platform where businesses and customers can buy and sell products through an electronic medium, i.e., the Internet. Ecommerce apps enable users to browse millions of products through mobile phones, use filters and select the product they want, put it in their shopping carts, make payments, and order them instantly that will be delivered to their doorsteps as soon as possible. 

Ecommerce app can be developed on platforms like Android and iOS. These apps provide ease to the customers where they can make online purchases for variety of products and services while helping businesses to increase their reach through online presence, thereby growing their business and sales twofold. 

Let us know about the most common types of ecommerce apps that are used all over the world. 

Retail And Wholesale

A retailer sells its products and services to the end users or the customers, while the wholesaler sells either to other businesses or customers. However, wholesalers generally sell products in bulk or in large quantities. E-retailing and e-wholesaling refer to the sale of products and services to customers through online stores that require e-catalogs and virtual shopping carts. 

Financial And E-banking

Financial e-commerce apps involve banks, stock markets, and financial institutions so that businesses and customers can carry out their monetary transactions online. For instance, people can check their bank statements, and account balances, pay bills, and transfer money from one account to the other through financial ecommerce apps. Furthermore, online stock trading allows users to trade electronically as well as check analytical reports and charts through the app. 

Online Shopping

Online shopping through mobile apps has created another hype in the industry. Online shopping applications allow users to purchase anything through the app, which is easy, convenient, and inexpensive. This has also created a shift in consumer behavior from traditional buying to online shopping as they get their items delivered to their doorsteps without any difficulty.

Online Booking

Online booking applications are another type where people can easily book hotels, flight tickets, bus tickets, movie tickets, and train tickets through their mobile phones. Customers can reserve seats and pay in advance through the online platform without any hassle. Online booking apps also provide various travel packages for customers at discounted prices.

Reasons To Develop An Ecommerce Mobile App

From the above insights, you must have received a clear vision that developing an ecommerce mobile app can help you increase your business revenue! Let’s dive into the other benefits to help you understand the importance of ecommerce mobile app development in today’s times!  

Higher Conversion Rate

Mobile ecommerce applications give freedom to consumers to buy online from anywhere they want. Your ecommerce store even becomes visible to those customers who are living far away from your physical store. As a result, more customers will visit your online store and be willing to purchase products, which will help in getting more conversions. Therefore, mobile commerce app can assist you in gaining higher conversion rates through the online platform, helping you boost your sales and profits. 

Mobility

An e-commerce application can be downloaded and installed on users’ smartphones from anywhere they want. They do not have to travel from one city to another to purchase from your ecommerce store. Moreover, you can also operate your store from any corner of the world without being physically present in one place. You can also share products with your users at a tap of a button by integrating your ecommerce app with social media and other platforms. 

Increased Brand Recognition

An entrepreneur or business owner aims to grow his business and increase brand recognition so that he can earn high profits in the future. Developing an e-commerce app for your offline store will build an undeniable relationship between consumers and the brand. Today, consumers spent most of their time browsing apps online to purchase different products rather than moving out to shop from physical stores. This will also motivate customers to recommend your online store to other people and will help you grow globally. Therefore, ecommerce application development will increase brand recognition and drive your sales. 

Reduce Cart Abandonment Rates

A simple checkout process with a few simple taps reduces cart abandonment rates as the shipping and payment details are already stored in the app. 

If your ecommerce app provides a user-friendly interface with features like guest checkout options, progress indicators, total saving indicators, free shipping, and multiple payment options, there are high chances that your cart abandonment rates will reduce drastically and will build customer loyalty, which will help in boosting your sales and earn more income.

Leveraging Consumer Behavior Data 

The ecommerce app leverages customer behavior data which is undoubtedly a valuable asset for your business. You can gather information about your customers regarding their likes, dislikes, and preferences. You can also track their consumption patterns and provide them with personalized offers and discounts. Besides, you can enhance their shopping experience by providing customized suggestions based on related goods. This will help you gain a wider audience reach, which in turn will boost your sales. 

Better Efficiency And Increased Revenue

Another benefit of ecommerce app development is that you will be able to handle all your business operations, from managing orders to monitoring payment transactions in one place, which will increase your work efficiency. Also, a physical store requires effective employees that may increase your overhead expenses. However, hiring an accomplished ecommerce app development company to build a user-friendly, simple-to-use app for your store will cost you comparatively less as you will only have to pay maintenance charges for your app in the long run. This will increase efficiency, reduce overhead costs, and will lead to increased revenue.  

Top Ecommerce App Development Trends

Big Data

Big data algorithms is an important ecommerce app development trend that is gaining traction as it allows businesses to make informed decisions by collecting data. It allows businesses to accurately predict the behavior and preferences of their users based on past purchases and browsing history. Business organizations offer customers tailored messages and information, further customizing the whole experience in the mobile ecommerce app. Other than this, big data provides a crystal clear picture to customers regarding the ways they can interact and engage with their apps. It provides a personalized experience to its customers, thereby boosting overall sales and profits. 

Augmented Reality (AR) Experience

Augmented Reality (AR) experience has become an incredible ecommerce shopping platform trend, including lifestyle, grocery, health, and whatnot! AR helps to bridge the gap between users and the live shopping experience. AR features in e-commerce applications allow them to virtually try the outfit, footwear, and home furnishing items that offer them an in store experience. For example, IKEA uses AR features to help customers visualize products in their own space before making a purchase. Other than this, Asos uses an AR feature called Virtual Catwalk to visualize 100 Asos Design products and “digitally fit” clothing onto models. 

One-click Purchase

One-click purchase provides customers convenience as they do not have to enter their contact and payment details again and again. This helps in reducing cart abandonment rates as users are able to purchase items and make payments in one click hassle-free. Thus, an easier purchasing process enhances the user experience, which helps in driving more sales. 

Chatbots

Chatbots are another important component that increases user satisfaction. There are many instances when people are not able to order a particular product, or they are not satisfied with the item delivered to them. However, users can resolve their issues 24/7 through chatbots, which provide personalized solutions to their issues. 

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial Intelligence is widely used in ecommerce apps to provide a rich customer experience. Some AI features that have escalated the level of shopping through mobile devices are mentioned below:

• Voice assistants that enhance customer experience. 
• Google and Microsoft that use advanced algorithms to improve search engines. 

Social Media Commerce

Today, ecommerce platforms are well integrated with social media platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, and many more, due to which social media commerce has gained a lot of importance recently. Social media commerce allows businesses to integrate their online products into social media platforms so that users can purchase the product while browsing the app. Therefore, social media commerce provides a personalized experience to users, helping them to track prices and buy products quickly. 

Blockchain Integration

Blockchain integration is another mobile ecommerce app development trend due to its cost-effective payment process feature. Blockchain helps to keep track of all the assets and transactions, eliminating security issues. It increases data privacy which aids in making ecommerce apps more secure. Also, the risk of third-party apps reduces due to its decentralized architecture. The development of mobile ecommerce apps with blockchain integration brings transparency and lessens the risk of fraudulent transactions and fake information. 

Steps To Build An Ecommerce App

Market Research

Knowing about your competitors in the ecommerce industry will always keep you one step ahead. Let’s learn about the top ecommerce apps examples that have taken the world by storm through their top-notch features and impressionable designs. 

Amazon

Amazon (Android, iOS) is one of the best mobile shopping apps used widely by users. The Amazon app allows users to browse products, select items through e-catalogs, put them in virtual shopping carts, and make payments through multiple secure gateways, including debit/credit cards, UPI, mobile wallets, etc. Amazon app provides a wide range of articles, from clothes, footwear, and appliances to furniture, household items, and vehicle parts. It is fast and simple to use, providing features like one-tap login, face ID login, filter products, chat support, real-time tracking, push notifications, and many more. 

eBay

Headquartered in San Jose, California, eBay (Android, iOS) is an online platform that connects millions of sellers and buyers in one place. eBay allows users to buy, sell, and window shop using a mobile application. In this app, users can list products for sale so that other customers can bid an auction on the go. Other than this, it provides a wide range of products, including fashion, home & garden, fitness & sports, electronics & tech, and cars & motorcycles at cost-effective prices. eBay provides a seamless user experience with amazing offers and discounts on the ecommerce app.

Walmart

Walmart Inc.(Android, iOS) is an American-based multinational online retailer and is a leading industry that provides its customers to buy almost everything, including groceries and pharmacy items. Users can directly order various items, schedule grocery deliveries, browse a range of products, and get them delivered to their doorsteps. It offers easy-to-use features, including virtual try-ons, fast deliveries, curbside check-ins, and secure payment methods. Walmart app also provides various offers, discounts, and weekly deals for its users.

Etsy

Etsy (Android, iOS) is another online global marketplace that provides a wide range of vintage and handmade products. It follows a consumer-to-consumer business model where buyers can purchase all the unique products listed in the app, and crafters can sell their well-customized handmade products to earn a decent amount of income. The Etsy ecommerce app has a wide variety, including vintage clothing, homemade jewelry, craft supplies, art prints, and personalized gifts. 

Target

Founded in 1962, Target (Android, iOS) is one of the largest American discount retailers that sells products such as apparel, furniture, home-decor, groceries, toys, electronics, and hygiene products. Target app allows customers to order their favorite shopping items, and offers same-day delivery to its customers’ doorsteps. It also gives various offers and discounts while you shop online from the app.

Set The Goals/Planning

After your market research is complete, and you have known about your competitors, it’s time to identify your target audience. Understanding who you’re building the app for will help tailor the app’s features, design, and marketing efforts to resonate with potential users. Start asking some questions to yourself while finding your target audience for your ecommerce app development process.

• Who will be the main users of your mobile app?
• What problems are you solving for your users?
• How will your app help the users?

Choose A Business Model

While developing an ecommerce mobile application for your business, it is essential to know about various business models that operate in this industry. This will help you understand which business model you will follow for your next big idea! 

Business to Business (B2B)

In a business-to-business model, a company sells its products or services to other businesses. In most cases, the exchange of products, services, and information is between the wholesaler and online retailers. Businesses opting for the B2B model have large quantity orders.

Example: Amazon (Android, iOS)

Business to Consumer (B2C)

As the name implies, the business sells its products and services to the end users or the customers. The business transactions are mainly between online retailers and the users who will be consuming that particular commodity. The customers have the choice to buy any product from a variety of items, and the business owner delivers it to the consumer’s doorsteps. 

Example: Walmart Inc.(Android, iOS)

Consumer to Business (C2B)

Consumer-to-business ecommerce model allows customers to sell their products and services to the company. For instance, a professional can provide his expertise to the company through his developed skill set, and the company will pay him for his service.
Example: GitHub(Android, iOS)

Consumer to Consumer (C2C)

In the consumer-to-consumer business model, the customer sells his product or service to another individual through an online platform. The marketplace owner charges a commission fee from the seller on every sale he makes through the platform. 

Example: eBay (Android, iOS)

Add The Features To Your Ecommerce App

To make your ecommerce app stand out from the rest, it is essential to include the below-mentioned features in different panels of users, vendors, and admins. Let’s take a look at all the key features.  

User Panel

• Quick Onboarding

Your app should provide quick onboarding, such as registration and login with email id, phone number, and password. Also, your app should be integrated with social media so that customers do not have to enter details every time they log in. 

• Easy Product Filtering

Your app should have instant search functions, easy product filtering, and automated suggestions for easy navigation. The app should also offer customers to filter the products according to their preference based on size, price, brand, color, etc.

• Real-time Tracking

The users should be able to get real-time tracking status through the app. This gives a sense of security and confidence to users and also informs them about the shipping process and expected date of delivery of their item.

• Multiple Payments

There should be multiple payment gateways for a convenient checkout process. The customers should be able to find their preferred mode of payment, including debit/credit cards, mobile e-wallets, UPI, e-banking, and cash on delivery.

• Push Notifications

There should be a push notification feature in your app that would keep the customers updated about various offers, sales, discounts, and other essential info. This will keep the users engaged.

• Review And Ratings

The customers can rate and share their experiences without any hesitation in the reviews and ratings tab provided in the ecommerce app. This will also help other users make an informed decision regarding purchasing products and availing services. 

Vendor Panel

• Order Management

Vendors should receive instant order alerts made by customers so that the order can be processed without any delay. Order management will help in keeping track of the orders that are processed and shipped in a coordinated manner.

• Catalog Management

Your e-commerce app should provide an uncomplicated process for vendors to list their products for an enhanced shopping experience for users, such as product snips, image searches, barcode scanners, and product knowledge panels. 

• Manage Delivery Locations

There are thousands of orders that come flooding in during the day, and all the orders are to be delivered to the correct locations provided by the customers. Vendors can check and manage different delivery locations through the app so that business operations are handled in a coordinated manner. 

• User Profile Management

Vendors should be given access to check profiles and other details of customers, service providers, and delivery agents so that they can keep a record of the activities through the ecommerce app. 

• Vendor Account Reports

A vendor may be shipping thousands of products in a day. Also, he must be receiving some of the returns. Therefore, it is critical for a vendor to track his daily, monthly, and yearly sales and performance to get a crystal clear picture of his position in the online ecommerce industry.

Admin Panel

• Inventory Management

Inventory management is a critical feature that should be included in your apps. This will help admins keep updated about the availability of stock and provide correct data to the users regarding the inventory. 

• Category Management

Your app should allow the admin to check and edit categories and sub-categories depending on the demand and sales of any product listed by the vendors.

• Real-time Notifications

Admins should receive notifications as soon as a customer places an order or a vendor dispatches the order. Also, he should receive notifications regarding various transactions that are taking place through the ecommerce app. This will keep the admin informed about all the business operations happening through the app. 

• Manage Promotions And Rewards

Admins can provide promotions and rewards to their regular customers that will encourage them to jump into the app again and again. For instance, the admin can provide 10 reward points on online purchases of $100 to their customers. Such promotions and rewards increase customer retention, thereby driving sales upward. 

• Reporting And Analytics

The admins should be provided with personalized dashboards so that they can analyze and check the reports in a real-time environment. Such data would help in checking the performance of the overall activity and provide useful insights for improvements in your app.

Technological Aspects Of Ecommerce App Development

Choosing the right technology stack for your ecommerce app is an important task that will help you determine effective functioning, optimal page loading time, and responsive design. If your ecommerce app does not provide flawless performance, the customer retention rate will reduce, leading to a loss of revenue. Therefore, it is necessary to get in touch with various components of the technology stack.

There are two main components of the technology stack: 

Front-end Technology Stack

Front-end technology stack is for the clients, i.e., the customers can see and engage with the online store through the app. It is responsible for the mobile app’s design and navigation, providing a rich user experience and seamless user interface. Principal elements of front-end tech stack are:

• HTML, CSS, and JavaScript: These programming languages create and make web pages interactive and allow to implement dynamic features on web pages.
• ReactNative or Flutter: These are one of the best cross-platform development frameworks that develop apps with a single codebase on both Android and iOS, saving time and resources. 

Back-end Technology Stack

Back-end technology stack is for the server side of software development. It refers to the app’s inner workings, which the users cannot see. Principal elements of the back-end tech stack are:

• Node.js, Django, or Ruby on Rails: These are popular back-end frameworks that offer scalability, performance, and ease of integration with various databases and APIs.
• MongoDB, PostgreSQL, or MySQL: These databases provide a solid foundation for storing and managing your app’s data.

The table below shows some of the commonly used technology stack used for ecommerce app development. 

Create UX/UI Design

Creating an effective UX/UI design is one of the first and most crucial steps in building an ecommerce app. The User Experience (UX) design focuses on the overall functionality and structure of the app, ensuring it is intuitive and user-friendly. The User Interface (UI) design, on the other hand, deals with the visual aspects of the app, including color schemes, typography, and button placements. A well-designed UX/UI not only makes your app aesthetically pleasing but also improves navigation, engagement, and ultimately, conversion rates. Always keep your target audience in mind and design for their preferences and needs.

Quality Testing

Another important step in ecommerce mobile app development is to conduct rigorous testing to evaluate the desired quality of the app. Quality assurance will ensure that there are no bugs and defects in your app to provide an ideal experience to end-users with optimal performance and security. Based on the feedback, the required alterations and tweaks should be made.

Post-Launch Support And Maintenance

After the ecommerce app is launched in both the app stores for Android and iOS, it is essential to keep your app updated to cater the needs of your target audience. Regular maintenance and updates are essential to keep your app running smoothly and to address any security vulnerabilities or bugs. Ongoing support ensures your app remains compatible with evolving technologies and platforms. Moreover, periodic updates with new features and improvements can enhance user satisfaction and retention.

Market Your Mobile Commerce App

Another crucial step in e commerce app development is the marketing strategies that you follow after the app is launched on the platforms. You can partner with influencers to market your ecommerce mobile application or utilize paid advertising options such as Google Ads, Facebook Ads, or App Store ads to target potential users. Moreover, social media integration can help you to increase your customer base through Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.

Ecommerce Mobile App Development: Things To Keep In Mind

Building an ecommerce app is a complex process and requires a significant amount of planning and consideration. Here are some key elements that should be kept in mind during the development process:

Data Security

Whenever a user logs into any ecommerce app and makes an online purchase, there is plenty of sensitive information that has to be filled, such as, shipping address, debit/credit card details, phone number, etc. Hence, it is your responsibility to safeguard customer information and so, security should be your top most priority.

You can implement strong encryption for all data exchanges within the app to prevent data breaches. Furthermore, you can incorporate strong user authentication mechanisms, like two-factor authentication, to prevent unauthorized access.

Scalability

Your ecommerce app should be able to handle increased traffic and transactions as your business grows. You can choose a server architecture that can scale up (or down) quickly based on demand. Also, your database should be able to handle an increasing volume of data over time.

Stability

Stability in an ecommerce app is crucial for providing a seamless and reliable user experience. An unstable app can lead to user dissatisfaction, negative reviews, and potential loss of business. Consider following points during ecommerce mobile app development.

• The architecture of your app should be designed to handle a high volume of data and traffic. This includes efficient code, a reliable database system, and a scalable server setup.
• Unhandled errors can cause crashes, making your app seem unstable. Implementing robust error handling mechanisms is essential to ensure that any issues are caught, reported, and fixed promptly, minimizing disruption to the user.
• Regular performance testing under different loads and conditions is vital to assess the stability of your app. This allows you to identify potential issues that could cause your app to crash or slow down.

Cost Of Developing Mobile Ecommerce App

To develop an ecommerce app for your offline store, you require detailed knowledge of cost estimations so that you can make alterations according to your budget requirements. The mobile ecommerce app development cost depends on various factors that are mentioned below:

App complexity: App complexity depends on the number of features you want to add, the design complexity and customizations you want to choose, and other third-party integrations you want to include in your ecommerce app. Based on the above points, you can develop your ecommerce app with different levels of complexity. 

Team type: You must know the cost of various team types so that you can make a decision regarding the type of development team you want to hire for your ecommerce app development. Types of teams that you can choose from are:

• In-house
• Outsource
• Freelance

Geographical location: Another important factor that you should keep in mind is the geographical location of the app development company that you are hiring because different locations charge different prices for ecommerce app development.

Mobile app platforms and development approach: The cost of developing an ecommerce app on an Android or iOS platform varies. Also, the ecommerce app development cost is different for the different development approaches that you choose, whether native or cross-platform.

Based on the above factors, it must be clear that ecommerce application development requires proper cost estimations. If you want ecommerce app development services from India, the cost may start from $999. APPWRK IT Solutions, a leading mobile app development company, has a proven track record of building successful mobile apps for clients worldwide, including those in the US, with the price starting from just $999! Contact us today for further assistance.

APPWRK IT Solutions: A Simplified Process To Build An Ecommerce App for Your Store

This ultimate guide to ecommerce app development must have helped you understand the need for an ecommerce app for your store. Do you know there are approximately 7.1 billion smartphone users worldwide? Taking advantage of the huge pool of potential customers through an ecommerce platform can help your business grow exponentially. However, developing a custom app with a seamless user interface and responsive design requires a technically equipped ecommerce app development company so that your ecommerce app stands out from the rest of the crowd. APPWRK aims to provide you with the top ecommerce app developers that will help you gain a competitive edge over your competitors. Our team is available 24/7 to understand your business goals and requirements that will make your ecommerce app development journey easy and smooth. 

APPWRK IT Solutions is a mobile app development company and a trusted partner in your long-term growth and progress journey. Our expert mobile designers and developers have completed over 2000 projects that have helped businesses scale up development, design, and digital marketing proficiency. We assure you to provide the finest ecommerce app development services to upscale your business.

Wrapping Up

If you want to upscale your ecommerce business and boost your sales, developing an ecommerce app for your store is a one-stop solution to all your problems. This ultimate guide has provided you an insight into the various details, including benefits, business models, types, popular ecommerce apps, features, and much more which has made you aware of each and every important aspect that is needed to compete with the top ecommerce apps like Amazon and eBay. 

Developing an ecommerce app for your online store will offer numerous marketing opportunities. Today, people want everything at their fingertips, whether they want to order clothes, book a ride, or want groceries and other food items on their doorsteps. This has given a massive rise to ecommerce app development in recent years! 

Contact us and soar your profits by developing a customized ecommerce app for your store! 

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