Ecommerce App Development Cost: Complete Guide (2023)

Mobile ecommerce apps have become the preferred choice for consumers due to the convenience and comfort they offer. Today, people can do anything with just a few taps, whether it is purchasing groceries online or availing on-demand laundry services. They just have to download the specific app, browse the products and services, put it in the virtual shopping cart, make payments, and receive their deliveries at their doorsteps. However, developing an ecommerce app requires a lot of time, resources, and proper budget planning. Therefore, it is necessary to know about the cost estimates required in different phases of app development. 

But first, let’s provide you with some market trends that will explain the need for developing an ecommerce app to scale your business in this digital world. 

According to the data provided by Oberlo, it is estimated that 218.8 million US consumers will shop online in 2023, which is almost 65% of the US population. Furthermore, it is expected that there will be approximately 230 million ecommerce shoppers in 2026. 

The above data must have provided you clear evidence that people have switched to online shopping drastically. Therefore, ecommerce app development has created a buzz in the market due to the staggering response from consumers. However, developing an ecommerce app requires proper planning and implementation that includes a detailed understanding of various aspects like benefits, features, technology stack, ecommerce app development costs, and much more! 

If you want a thorough study on various ecommerce app development aspects, click here to gain deeper insight into Ecommerce App Development: Everything You Need To Know.

Through this all-inclusive guide, we will help you dive into the factors that affect ecommerce app development cost structure and the ways you can reduce it. Additionally, we will provide you an insight into the risks and challenges in developing an app and how you can grow your ecommerce app in today’s digital era. Let’s indulge ourselves in taking advantage of this guide and building the most cost-effective ecommerce app today! 

Factors Affecting The Cost Of Ecommerce App Development

Ecommerce development cost depends on various factors like location, type of team, features, designs, and third-party integrations. Some of the most important factors are mentioned below in detail. 

App Development Platform

Choosing the right platform depends on the audience you want to target and the budget to develop an ecommerce app. You can develop your ecommerce app for Android, iOS, or both. After choosing the platform, it is also essential to choose the appropriate development approach, whether to opt for native or cross-platform apps.

• Native apps are built particularly for running on a single platform, either Android or iOS. You can take advantage of all the device features as it is developed for a single platform. However, the native app development approach is a bit expensive as developers have to make different code bases for each platform. 
• Cross-platform apps have a single code base and can run on multiple platforms, including Android and iOS. The cross-platform development approach offers a more uniform experience and is cheaper to build but may involve additional challenges. 

Moreover, a well-chosen technology stack, comprising frontend, backend, and database management tools, contributes to the app’s performance and scalability. Balancing all these factors is essential in regulating overall development costs and building an exclusive ecommerce app. 

App Designing

App designing is another important factor that should be taken into consideration while estimating the cost of your ecommerce app development. There are millions of apps in App Stores, however, only some apps have a great number of downloads. Integration of User experience (UX) /User interface (UI) design technology in building ecommerce apps will help attract more customers to your app due to eye-catching and impressive designs. If your app provides seamless navigation, animations, and high-resolution graphics, then your app will stand out, which will undoubtedly increase customer engagement. 

App Features And Functionality

Ecommerce app features and functionality can influence the pricing of ecommerce mobile app development, which depends on the number of features and functionalities you want to add to your ecommerce app. If your app includes advanced features like voice assistants, detailed product descriptions, etc., then the cost of such an app will be more. Furthermore, implementing complex functionalities require more time, effort, testing, and high maintenance.

Some of the important features that should be included in your ecommerce app are:

• Easy user login/signup 
• Inventory management
• Multiple payment options
• Real-time tracking
• Push notifications
• Admin dashboard
• Analytical dashboard
• Reviews and feedback

Some other advanced features that you can add to your ecommerce app are:

• Livestream shopping
• Augmented Reality (AR)
• AI Voice Assistance
• Social Media Integration
• Membership and Loyalty Programs

Plenty of other features can be included in your app according to your target audience and business goals. 

Higher the number of features, the higher the development cost. However, it totally depends on you which features you want to include according to the complexity level you want in your ecommerce app.

Want to know about all the features in detail? Delve into our blog post, Ecommerce App Development – Everything You Need To Know!

Third-party Integrations

Third-party integrations will help to connect external applications to your ecommerce app via APIs (Application Protocol Integrations). Third-party integration apps help to save your time and effort as you do not have to build it from scratch. Including some third-party integrations will help you reduce development costs and boost your revenue. Some essential third-party integrations you should include in your ecommerce app development are payment gateways, navigation tools, social logins, and logistics. 

Post-development Costs

• Maintenance and Support

App maintenance and support after the app launch are necessary for regular updates and bug fixes so that users remain engaged in your app, thereby increasing the retention rate. You must occasionally add new features to your app to attract new customers. Hence, ecommerce app maintenance cost is an ongoing cost with the changing market trends. 

• Marketing and Promotion

Marketing and promotion after the app launch is another crucial factor in increasing brand awareness among customers and gaining a wider audience reach. When your ecommerce app has been launched in the Apple Store and Play Store, you will have to promote your app using various marketing strategies. You can go for social media and influencer marketing or opt for paid advertising options like Google Ads and Facebook Ads to increase your reach. 

Cost Analysis According To The Complexity Of Ecommerce App

The complexity of an e-commerce app largely dictates its development cost. The more complex the app, the more time and resources are needed to build it. Here’s a breakdown of cost estimates based on the level of complexity:

Basic Ecommerce App

A basic ecommerce app typically has a simple design and includes essential features like product listing, search functionality, user registration, and a basic checkout process. These apps might also include simple reviews and rating systems. 

Basic ecommerce app development may cost you between $1,000 to $10,000.

Moderate Complexity Ecommerce App

A moderate complexity app includes all features of a basic app, along with several more advanced features. These could include integrated payment systems, user profiles, social media integration, push notifications, chat support, and product tracking. These apps may also offer personalized product recommendations based on user behavior.

Moderate ecommerce app development may cost you between $10,000 – $20,000.

Complex Ecommerce App

A complex ecommerce app includes all the features of a moderately complex app, plus high-end features like Augmented Reality (AR) experiences, advanced analytics, Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities for personalized shopping experiences, and integration with complex backend systems or third-party services. They also require a more sophisticated UX/UI design and a robust backend for superior performance and scalability.

Complex ecommerce app development starting cost will be $20,000 and above. 

Cost Breakdown According To The Location Of The Team

Another crucial factor to consider while estimating costs for your ecommerce app is the location of the team you have chosen. The cost of developing an ecommerce app differs from location to location. For instance, developing an ecommerce app in India costs comparatively less than in the USA. Based on your budget, you can choose the appropriate location from where you want to hire the developers. 

The table below summarizes the cost breakdown of ecommerce app development based on the complexity of the app in varied locations. 

From the above factors, it must be clear that there are many factors that affect the cost and the importance of investing money in each factor to develop a high-quality app in this competitive era. Therefore, if you want to develop an ecommerce app from India, the cost may start from $999. APPWRK IT Solutions, one of the leading mobile app development companies, has been successful in building many mobile apps globally, including US clients, starting from $999. Contact us today for further assistance! 

How To Reduce Ecommerce Mobile App Development Cost

From the above cost estimations, it must be clear that ecommerce mobile app development requires ample time and money. Thus, it is crucial to find different ways to reduce the cost and develop a high-quality app that catches the eyes of the users. Some of the methods by which you can optimize ecommerce app development costs are mentioned below.

Go With A Simple App Design

You can reduce ecommerce app development costs by opting for a simple app design. You can use a minimalistic and simple graphic design that will help to cut your app development costs and will provide eye-catching visuals to the users. However, you can add other effects and animations gradually after your app has been launched and successfully running. 

Hire An Expert 

You can hire an ecommerce app development company that will help you reduce your costs significantly. An ecommerce app development company provides you with a pool of talented and experienced app developers that guides you to get a clear understanding of the whole development process. This reduces the wastage of time and resources as you will be aware of the step-by-step proceedings during design, development and post development phases, and can easily provide feedback regarding any modifications from time-to-time. Choosing a mobile app development company ensures a quicker and cost-effective solution while maintaining high quality as the top priority.

Select Limited But Essential App Features

Another way of reducing ecommerce app development costs is to include only essential features in your app. Lesser features will help the users understand the navigations and other functions with ease, attracting them to stick to your simple-to-use app. Adding advanced features to your app initially will increase the overall development cost, therefore, you can go for limited but essential app features to lower the cost and can add more features gradually. 

Conduct Beta Testing

Conducting beta testing can also help you optimize your ecommerce mobile app development cost as it helps to remove technical issues beforehand. You can easily detect the bugs and other issues before the app launch through beta testing, which will reduce the chances of failure of the application. This will help to ensure that the quality of the app is high, which will help to lessen further support and maintenance charges in the future. 

Risks And Challenges Of Developing Mobile Commerce Application

An ecommerce app is exposed to many risks and challenges during app development that should be taken care of. Some of them are mentioned below.

Security Concerns And Compliance

One of the primary challenges of building an e-commerce application are ensuring robust security measures. E-commerce apps deal with sensitive customer information, including personal details and credit card information. A single security breach can have devastating consequences, including financial losses, damage to brand reputation, and loss of customer trust. Therefore, e-commerce app developers need to prioritize implementing advanced security protocols like SSL, data encryption, two-factor authentication, and secure payment gateways. 

Delivering A Seamless User Experience

Providing an intuitive and engaging user experience can be a significant challenge. With the vast array of e-commerce apps available, users won’t hesitate to abandon an app if it doesn’t meet their expectations. This requires paying attention to details like load times, easy navigation, efficient search functionality, smooth checkout processes, and quick customer support. At the same time, the app needs to provide a personalized experience, with tailored recommendations and offers based on the user’s browsing and purchasing history. Achieving this balance between functionality and personalization is not a trivial task.

Scalability And Performance

As your e-commerce business grows, your app must be able to scale seamlessly to accommodate an increase in user load and transactions. If your app slows down or crashes during peak times, it can result in lost sales and unhappy customers. Therefore, building an app with a strong and scalable backend architecture is crucial. However, ensuring consistent performance across different devices and operating systems, handling large product catalogs, and managing high traffic loads can be challenging. It requires a strategic approach to infrastructure planning and a continuous effort in performance monitoring and optimization.

Bonus Tips: Successfully Grow Your Ecommerce Application

Growing your e-commerce application is a continuous process that requires constant monitoring, analysis, and improvements based on market trends and user feedback. Some of the tips you can follow to expand your ecommerce app are:

Understanding Your Audience

Successful growth of your e-commerce application starts with a thorough understanding of your audience. Your app should not just be about selling products but about solving problems and providing value to your users. Conduct market research to identify your target audience and understand their needs, behaviors, and pain points. Analyzing user data from your app can offer valuable insights into user behavior and preferences. This information can be used to enhance your app’s features and deliver a personalized experience, thereby driving user engagement and loyalty.

Optimizing User Experience (UX)

A seamless, intuitive, and enjoyable user experience is critical for the success of your e-commerce application. No matter how good your products are, poor UX can drive users away. Pay attention to every aspect of the UX – from the app’s loading time to the navigation, search functionality, checkout process, and customer support. Implementing features such as personalized recommendations, user reviews, and multiple payment options can also enhance the user experience. Regularly collect and act on user feedback to continually improve the UX.

Implementing A Strong Marketing And Retention Strategy

Growing your e-commerce application is not just about attracting new users but also retaining existing ones. Implement a comprehensive marketing strategy that includes App Store Optimization (ASO), SEO, social media marketing, email marketing, and content marketing. Leverage user analytics to deliver personalized marketing campaigns. Additionally, push notifications and loyalty programs can be effective tools for user retention. Regular updates, offering exclusive deals and discounts, and exceptional customer service can further help in building a loyal user base. 

APPWRK IT Solutions: Get Experts’ Hands On Your Ecommerce App Development

Choosing the right ecommerce app development company that provides you with a high-quality app at an affordable price is another critical piece of work that needs proper analysis and research. However, we have made your work easier! APPWRK is available for you 24/7 to build the finest ecommerce app with progressive features, cutting-edge designs, and a highly scalable technology stack at the minimum cost possible! 

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. Our highly skilled and technically proficient team of mobile app developers will build a tailor-made ecommerce app to help you achieve great success in your future business pursuits.

Conclusion

With the advent of technology, people have shifted their shopping preferences from brick-and-mortar stores to online stores, which has led to the massive emergence of ecommerce app development. Developing an app for your ecommerce business needs a change in strategies as well as some investments. Therefore, it is crucial to get your hands on the cost structure of ecommerce app development so that you can move forward with your business plan in an effective and coordinated manner. 

This comprehensive guide has explained cost estimates for each and every factor that affects mobile ecommerce app development to give you enhanced knowledge. Moreover, we have equipped you with different methods to reduce your ecommerce app development costs and ways to select the right mobile app development company in your long-term journey of ecommerce business. Contact us to get exclusive ecommerce app development solutions at an affordable price equal to as low as $999 from our experts!

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