eCommerce App Development Guide: Benefits, Features, and Cost

With smartphones and devices at easy reach, online shoppers are reported to shop online more often; by 2024, smartphone commerce alone, a significant touchpoint between consumers and merchants, is anticipated to capture around 44% of entire e-commerce sales.

The eCommerce market will likely only heighten by having every factor in its favor, be it easy shipping, pricing, faster payments, accessibility, etc., with 22.6% of retail sales to be conducted online by 2027. 

Increasing online shoppers to about 285 million by 2025 is the chief driver of ecommerce development. Enterprises increasingly prefer giving an online presence to their retail businesses to extend their reach, expand their customer base, improve customer engagement, and boost revenue.

While comparing whether to go for ecommerce mobile app development or website, we found that 31% of customers choose to shop via an eCommerce app over in-store or through website shopping. 

Be it a merchant or a consumer, building an ecommerce app will be a win-win situation for both. But how to develop an ecommerce app that may result in increased visitors, recurring customers, and sales? 

In this blog post, we will discuss why to invest in ecommerce mobile app development, which type of app you can build, benefits, trends to follow, steps to develop, cost, and more. 

Let’s gear up!

What Is Ecommerce Mobile App Development? – Explaining the Concept

eCommerce mobile app development is the process of creating an app that enables customers to browse products and buy them from an online store. 

The eCommerce app includes features such as search and browses, shopping carts, online payment, and more.

Ahead of the basic version, you can advance your ecommerce app by integrating it with numerous marketing channels, like SMS marketing, email marketing, social media advertising, and push notifications. So forth, your business can become capable of providing consistent customer experience across varied channels.

Why Do You Need a Mobile App for Your Online Store? – Facts & Figures to Prove

Mobile applications can strengthen your online store and provide an easy and convenient shopping experience that motivates customers to purchase more. 

Let’s unveil some statistics that will show the importance of an app for your business:

• Per a recent report, around 85% of shoppers choose apps over mobile websites to shop online. 
• Targeted notifications diminish about 16% of app abandonment. 
• Mobile apps offer a better user experience of approximately 60% compared to websites. 
• Some key factors pushing consumers to pick mobile shopping apps are 30% better access to exclusive products, 51% improved discounts/promotions, 23% enhanced customer service, and 30% better loyalty programs. 

After knowing how significant it is to develop an ecommerce app, you might want to move ahead with what types of apps you should make for your business. Let’s check it out in the next section. 

Types of eCommerce Mobile App Development – How to Get Started 

When choosing to create an e-commerce app for your business, you should consider the type of transactions you expect and enable easy exchange of assets and commodities over the channel. 

The application is anticipated to be a mode of communication between the seller and buyer. 

Here, we will uncover major eCommerce mobile app development types you can prefer for your business.

1. B2C (Business-to-Consumer) Digital Mobile Apps:

As the name suggests, such applications serve their purposes in business to the customer system. It means that there is an eCommerce mobile app that sells goods and services directly to individual customers. Such apps can provide products for fashion, education, electronics, and other industries. Either you can develop one large, all-inclusive marketplace like Amazon, or you can go for a niche-based shopping app that only sells stuff related to one industry.

Characteristics of B2B Apps

• Wholesale Pricing 
• Bulk Order 
• Integration with Business Software

2. B2B (Business-to-Business) eCommerce Apps:

The B2B eCommerce mobile apps mainly comprise apps used for purchasing between business-to-business purposes only. The best example of such an app is eWorldTrade, where companies and individuals can buy goods in large quantities. Such a marketplace is not limited only to shopping in large amounts. These marketplaces can sell items of large capacities as well. For example, such platforms may also sell large machinery and equipment for industrial purposes. The scope of such applications is limitless.

Characteristics of B2C Apps

• Streamlined Checkouts
• Consumer-Centric Features
• Integration with Marketing Tools

3. C2C (Consumer-to-Consumer) eCommerce Apps:

So talking about C2C focuses on the business’s purpose to the customer system. It works as a business model where one customer purchases goods or products from the other customer from a third-party company or platform. This helps the sellers reach a vast number of potential buyers. Some of the most common examples of the C2C mobile application can be Etsy, eBay, and many more.

Characteristics of Customer-2-Customer (C2C) Apps

• Trust-Based System
• Secure Communication Channels
• User-Driven Content
• Integrated Payment Systems
• Responsive online store app interfaces

4. m-Commerce Apps:

These apps allow users to shop and make purchases using mobile devices. These are examples of user-friendly apps. Businesses are moving in this direction to have more visibility in the market with the customers. And so are optimized for smaller screens and touch-based interactions.

5. In-App Purchase Apps:

In-app purchase (IAP) refers to the ability for mobile app users to purchase additional content, features, or virtual items within the app, rather than having to pay for the app itself. This allows app developers to monetize their apps by offering additional value to users. It can also help increase engagement and retention by enabling users to access new content or features. In-app purchases can be made using various payment methods, such as credit cards, debit cards, or mobile wallets. They can also be made using virtual currency or tokens, often used in gaming apps.

6. Subscription-Based Apps:

Subscription-based apps are mobile apps that require users to pay a recurring fee, typically on a monthly or yearly basis, to access their full functionality or content. These apps usually offer a free trial or a limited version to allow users to test the app before subscribing. Some examples of subscription-based apps include Apple Music, Netflix, and Hulu.

7. eCommerce Aggregator App

A digital marketplace that allows multiple sellers to provide a wide range of products or services under one roof. Some examples of marketplace apps include Uber, Upwork, fiver, and many more.

Characteristics of eCommerce Aggregator App

• Integrated Review and Rating Systems
• Unified User Experience
• Wide Product Range
• Vendor-specific Promotions
• Secure Payment Gateways

8. On-Demand Apps:

On-demand apps, also known as “Uber for X” apps, refer to mobile applications that allow users to request and receive a service or a pro

You can consider these eCommerce apps while building an app for your business.

Benefits of Creating an App for Your Ecommerce Store

Mobile commerce app development is beneficial for improving customer experience and boosting sales. The app’s features can’t be found in a mobile browser, such as loyalty programs that drive repeat customers, push notifications that alert for special offers, and one-click checkout options for convenient and faster transactions. 

E-commerce app development benefits a business in many ways. Let’s talk about some below:

1. Brand Recognition

One of the best advantages of creating an ecommerce application is increased brand visibility. It is an easy way to create a bond between customers and the brand, as most customers spend a lot of time online on their mobile phones. They often share the service and the things they find captivating in the application for the review or if they are stuck deciding. Or whether they like it so much. So sharing more and more can also make different people visit and install the application and automatically increase the recognition of the brand. 

2. Detailed Analytics

So here comes the easy way to reach out to customers. Creating a mobile shopping app can include many features customized by knowing the company’s requirements. Application usage allows you to monitor the customers’ activity and extract critical information to make the app more relevant and user-friendly, create personalized content, and develop many marketing strategies in an advanced manner. You can also add pop-ups and promotional discounts or coupons for particular people according to the time they spend there to promote positively. 

3. Contactless Payments

It makes the payment process a lot easier for the customer. A solution that gives the business and the customer control over payments and communication through text and the internet raises overall customer satisfaction to encourage repeat business. Customers like how simple it is to use their phone as a form of payment without having to download an app or remember another password to a website. Offering more convenient ways to pay boosts business revenue and satisfies customers at checkout with a straightforward click-to-pay method. Any company that wants to remain competitive in the modern digital world must prioritize removing customer friction.

4. Better Efficiency and Increased Revenue

Mobile phones are considered the most user-friendly devices for people and are one of the easiest ways of spreading business to a bigger crowd. Despite being a little complex process, the execution is the reason for increasing sales significantly. The concept is pretty simple: the more customers, the more the order will be placed, which means more profit for the company. You can also add multiple features like push notifications and reminders of the sales and discounts to encourage the customer to visit at a particular time. Having a look will also result in better order efficiency. 

5. Reduced Cart Abandonment Rates

It is noted that when the customer gets the perfect and easy process of checkout, it lowers the abandonment rates. It also allows the customer to track the order as it feeds the details of the payment and shipping. This allows customers to trust the application and also rely on it. And this will also result in boosting sales, and more customers will come well-prepared and may buy from the store upon reaching it. 

6. Sustainable Shopping Initiatives

An eCommerce app development can support local businesses, attract socially conscious consumers, make retail businesses more sustainable, and diminish environmental impact. Features like delivery optimization options, second-hand product marketplace, etc., can be more helpful.

7. AI-Powered Personal Shopping Assistant

AI-assistant in an app personalizes the shopping experience and eases the buying journey for customers, leading to increased customer satisfaction and higher conversions.  Features like smart product search and filtering, chatbot purchase and support, and more appear as an add-on. 

Which eCommerce Platform to Prefer for Developing Mobile App?

Choosing the right platform for your ecommerce business is an essential step in ecommerce app development. There are some features that users look for to include in the store app of their business, such as user-friendly, convenient checkouts, easy payment options, wish list sections, and an accessible platform, and the place people prefer the most is mobile phones. But choosing the best one for your business seems a daunting task. Don’t worry; we have listed some of the best platforms you can select to make an ecommerce app for your business and add appropriate features. 

eCommerce App Development Components

The building blocks of e-commerce application development and components help create a user-friendly and functional online shopping experience. By working collaboratively, these componenets let the consumers browse products, add them to carts, pay online, checkout securely, and manage orders. 

Let’s unveil a list of top eCommerce app development components below that you can consider for your app:

1. Secure Payment Gateways

In eCommerce systems, security is the biggest challenge, especially when it includes money-relevant transactions. 

Here, the integration of secure and reliable payment gateways protects your customer data and builds trust. 

2. User-Friendly Interface

A user-friendly and easily navigable interface is a must for any eCommerce app. For that, you need to pick intuitive and clean designs that can let the users easily navigate and get the products they are looking for. Key factors can be a simple layout, captivating call-to-action buttons, and easy-to-understand language. The objective here is to provide a unified and improved customer experience to encourage repeat visits. 

3. Mobile Responsiveness and Performance

Small businesses looking to drive quality leads and sales need to have a mobile responsive design. Whatever device or screen- size users use to run your app should witness a seamless experience. Your app must ensure quick load time, optimized speed, and low downtime. 

4. Advanced Search and Filtering Power

A capability to rapidly locate products adds to the improved user experience. You can achieve this with advanced search and filtering features that enhance app usability and satisfy customers. 

By including these ecommerce app development components, you can make your mobile apps competitive, user-friendly, and easily navigable, improving customer experience, which boosts conversions and sales. 

eCommerce Mobile App Development Trends In 2024

Every moment, the trends and technologies catch up with the new wave. Your app must stay well-prepared to match their dynamic steps to stay competitive. 

Here is the list of top eCommerce development trends that you should watch to grow out of the proposition. 

1. Big Data

As the number of users in this industry grows daily, big data algorithms are becoming more critical for ecommerce app development. For example, if we discuss any shopping application, it starts predicting what you want to buy next and recommends products that you might like. This raises questions like “How did the app know what you like? “Well, these days, it is hardly a secret to the application what you want as they use trackers to track users’ actions and use big data algorithms to make a relevant recommendation. 

How Big Data Analytics Is Impacting The eCommerce Industry?

2. AR Experience

Augmented Reality is the pathway between in-store experience the ecommerce shopping. It allows the customer to choose the product in their preferred condition and select the right product for the first time, including features like online try-on, interactive user manual, and social media filters. 

The Impact of AR and VR on eCommerce: A Look at the Future of Shopping

3. One-click purchase

It is user-centric and is a must for online app store development. It allows the user to purchase multiple times without entering the payment details numerous times and can purchase the items in one click. This also encourages them to have a better buying experience and business revenue. 

4. Chatbots

It is less beneficial when there is the presence of AI and VR, but it needs to consider the things that can be done using chatbots. It gives the users a personalized approach to the company and allows them to connect with the team 24*7 whenever they find any difficulty regarding any product. 

5. Social Media Commerce

The ecommerce platform is more into the trend of social commerce these days. Here also, the user experience plays a vital role. The businesses integrate with social media websites and allow the users to purchase the products while browsing the platform. Social commerce allows the user to buy the thing in one click right at that moment and helps track that.  

6. Metaverse

The metaverse is the combination of connectivity between the virtual enhanced physical Reality and physically persistent virtual space. So to get access to the virtual world, it is much needed to use virtual and augmented Reality with the help of specialized intelligent glasses and headsets. With the help of VR, the user can experience 360-degree experience in computer technology. 

7. Blockchain

Blockchain is a distributed record of transactions that make it easier to track assets and record transactions in a business network. An asset may be physical (such as a home, car, money, or land) or intangible (intellectual property, patents, copyrights, branding). It also allows people to pay for different things like tolls, parking, etc. 

Revolutionizing eCommerce Using Blockchain Technology

8. Internet of Things (IoT)

It is the network of physical objects embedded in the sensors, software, and many other technologies that facilitate communication between the devices and the cloud. Due to some high bands and computer chips, it is possible to have many devices connected to the internet. Even daily-use products can also be managed with the help of the IoT. Things are getting smaller and more innovative due to the presence of IoT. Some examples of IoT in the eCommerce business are voice support and beacon alerts. 

How the Internet of Things (IoT) can help your eCommerce Business?

9. CRM (salesforce)

Customer relationship management is the way to manage the relationship and interaction between the interaction with customers and potential customers. The goal is simple here to improve the relationship of the business. It helps in enhancing profitability, streamlining processes, and also stay connected to the customers. One of the most used is salesforce CRM. It is often used to analyze customers’ data and will make more informed decisions. 

10. Artificial Intelligence (AI)

It is the process of making the machine integrate in this way so that they can think more relevant as humans. It makes the device capable of doing things an average human can do, like visual recognition, decision-making, and many more. You can integrate the AI in the ecommerce app with these functions. Voice Support, Image Search, AI-Powered Chatbot, User Behavior Tracking, Product Recommendation.

General Features Required In the mCommerce App Development

Including some must-have features in your mCommerce app can make your app useful, offering a hassle-free shopping experience, customer loyalty, customer targeting, etc. 

Advanced Features To Consider While eCommerce App Development

Starting with basic features is a good decision in the initial phase of ecommerce app development. But you can’t go like the same for a long. Including advanced features later after experiencing a surge in your app downloads will surely boost your revenue. 

What are Some Best Practices for Designing and Developing an eCommerce App?

Opting for e-commerce application development is not competent enough to thrive in the growing eCommerce market. Your app should hold that caliber to capitalize on the opportunities, which every second ecommerce venture usually lags. 

Consequently, when building an e-commerce app, you need to ensure you follow the best practices for designing and developing that can push your solution towards boosted conversions. 

For Designing an eCommerce App

1. Consider Speed Factor

An ideal load time an app takes to load is two seconds. Finding your app taking more than that may make the users abandon your page. 

Facts say that around 40% of users abandon a page if it takes more than the ideal load time. 

2. Image Zoom Functionality

Users habitually zoom images for a closer view of the product and other items. Ensure your app supports this functionality and communicates it to your customers precisely. 

3. Embrace Minimalism

Stick to the minimalist design for your app that may allow easy navigation and effortless discovery of the desired products. The simple design facilitates new users in finding what they are looking for smoothly. 

4. Upload Top-Tier Images

While designing your ecommerce app, you should consider showcasing high-quality images from different angles to make your brand stand out. 

5. Diverse Payment Options

Prefer offering multiple payment modes to users for their convenience, be it credit and debit cards, e-wallets, or global transfer solutions. This elevates the chances of complete purchases. 

For Developing an eCommerce App

1. Craft User-friendly Interface

An intuitive and consistent user interface is the critical element that impacts the success of your ecommerce apps. A visually appealing interface helps with increased user retention, which is essential to business growth. 

2. Opt for a Reliable Payment Gateway

A safe and secure payment gateway protects customer’s sensitive data through encryption and reduces fraudulent transactions via digital signatures. 

3. Finalize Apt Features

After you analyze your target audience and your market objectives, choose to go with appropriate features, like a shopping cart, product catalog, and easy checkout procedure. 

4. Conduct Rigorous Testing 

Before you launch your app, ensure it undergoes rigorous testing to address issues, rectify errors, and let the app perform as expected before it reaches the end users. 

5. Promote Your App

After releasing, don’t leave your app alone; run promotional campaigns and advertisements to drive increased downloads, conversions, and sales.

How to Develop an E-Commerce App?

An e-commerce application development demands the following steps to emerge with a user-friendly, intuitive, easy-to-navigate, and engaging application. 

Here, we have jotted down the steps to develop a high-performing app that can attract increased downloads, repeat users, and boosted sales.

Step 1- Plan and Requirements

The first thing you have to start with to create an ecommerce app for the business is writing the requirements and then creating a plan of what items you want. To keep the whole process organized and structured, it is required to have a plan prior. You can get things done faster and better by sticking to a good and prepared plan. To explain all your needs to the design team, all the design and development things must be appropriately noted. Generally, this list can have these types of things to be included. 

• Main needs and goals
• Overview of a complete project
• The audience you are targeting
• Features required to add
• Non-functional details
• Prohibitions and recommendations
• Questions

(There are multiple platforms you can choose from to develop your application for ecommerce, like Magento, open-source/ adobe commerce, shopify, shopware, bigcommerce, woo-commerce, etc.)

Step 2- Select Your Development Partner

Now when you complete all your process of collecting and making the list of the data required to put in the application. You currently have to proceed to the next step: choosing a good eCommerce app development company that can provide you with a professional team that can provide you with the perfect application for your project. Now the point that arises here is how to find an ideal couple. Here is some point you can find a group in several ways: 

• You can take the help of social networking sites.
• Compare the services of the top-ranking site.
• Look for good reviews and qualified people
• Choose Emizen tech for fruitful collaboration!

Step 3- eCommerce Product Discovery

Product discovery is the process of studying the target audience, their requirements, and their expectations. The information obtained helps make high-quality, profitable, and fast application development in this process. At this time, it is necessary to have better communication between the team and the company. The things included in this process are when the project is handed to a good development team.

• Discussion of the project in the in-house team to fulfill all the needs of the ecommerce company.
• Competitive market analysis
• Setting deadlines according to the complexity and the requirement. 

This helps the entire team to work together and involves all of them together, like the product manager, UI/UX developer, solution engineer, or architect, and required qualified experts in the project. 

Step 4- Building a UI/UX design 

The experience in ecommerce must go beyond in-person shopping, so to enhance these things, you have to go for the ecommerce UI/UX design to stand out among the others. The design at the end will be your business voice, what you will show to the customers. Smooth transitions, color schemes, and appealing visuals are some of the things that can instantly grab the attention of the customer landing on your application. It is the thing that can make or break something in the first impression. So focus on this feature to make things perfect for the application. 

Step5- Design an MVP

A minimum viable product is a version of the application that offers the primary function of the application on which it can run. It is the way of testing the application for trial purposes. This reduces and saves the long-making process and money also at the same time. This also helps to know what things are required and how things will work in the full-fledged mobile application. This gives a chance to correct, add or remove items that are not important to users. 

Step 6- Gather Feedback

Once the MVP is ready, it’s time to take the feedback from the real audience by introducing this application version to the actual audience. When it is introduced among these, here comes the real challenge as the user will face the difficulties that must be corrected in the application, and after all the things are resolved, then comes the work of doing the work on the full-fledged app development. 

Step 7- Maintain and Launch the Application

This is the last step of the application development when you have an MVP ready for the application. And after gathering all the feedback from the audience and everyone, it’s time to do the work on the full-fledged ecommerce mobile app development. This will improve the quality and reach of the application.

How Much Will It Cost to Develop an Ecommerce Mobile App?

The exact cost to develop an ecommerce app depends on the complete project details, the number of features and functionalities you need to include, the app’s complexity, etc. 

On average, the cost of building an eCommerce mobile app starts from $20,000 to $2,00,000. The figure may fluctuate based on varied factors, as discussed below:

1. App’s Complexity

You can build your app with simple, moderate, and complex complexities. With the increasing complexity, the price of the app development also increases. Talking about complex apps are crafted for specific domains to meet the structured objectives of the users with increased technical complexity, which ultimately multiplies the cost. 

2. Features

The complexity of the app features affects the development cost. The increasing number and complexity of features you must include in your app impacts the price. 

3. Hired Developer’s Region

With the changing region, the cost of developers per hour also varies. You should check the price of every area and then make a final decision for your app. 

4. Development Platform

Developing an app to run on one platform will obviously cost you less but wouldn’t help expanding your business. You can start with one and then choose to build on multiple platforms later. 

While developing an e-commerce app for your business, consider these factors to avoid going out of budget or experiencing issues. 

Latest Designing Tools and Development Tech Stack to Make an eCommerce Mobile App

Latest Designing Tools and Development Tech Stack to Make an eCommerce Mobile App.

What Are Some Of The Challenges Associated With Developing An Ecommerce App?

With every new beginning comes challenging jobs that hinder the pathway to success. Similarly, while you create an eCommerce app, varied challenges come to the surface. 

This section will discuss potential challenges and possible solutions to help you with the seamless app development process. 

Challenge #1: Outstand in Competitive Ecommerce Market

Solution: Make your app unique so that it may stay ahead of the curve. For that, aim to offer exclusive features, stay with a specific niche, and prioritize increased user experience. Work on making your app well-recognized in the crowd and your target audience’s expectations. 

Challenge #2: Matching Steps with Technological Advancements

Solution: Choose a scalable architecture to base your app to let it easily tolerate elevating growth and integration with the latest technologies. Besides, remember to stay updated with the e-commerce trends, emerging technologies, and user dynamic behavior to keep your app competitive. 

Challenge #3: Foster a Loyal Customer Base

Solution: You can reward your returning customers with discounts and exclusive offers to incentivize future purchases. You can also integrate your eCommerce app with other marketing channels, such as social media or email, to target promotions for a unified experience. 

Challenge #4: Increase User Engagement and Conversions

Solution: Using the data accumulated by your app, you can analyze your customers’ behavior and buying patterns and accordingly suggest products and promotions that can make their shopping experience more engaging. 

Ensure you are aware of such challenges while you develop an app for your business so that you stay all set to confront them without affecting the process. 

How Can EmizenTech Help You in Developing the Ecommerce Mobile App Development?

For an eCommerce app development, one should choose a leading ecommerce development company with years of experience, expertise, teams of professionals, required resources, and an engaging portfolio. 

Numerous companies are there around the world you can go with for your ecommerce mobile app development. Opting for one can be challenging for you; allow us to ease it. 

You should go with EmizenTech, a reliable and trusted company with a proven record of building user-friendly eCommerce apps ruling the global market. 

Still in confusion?

Key Highlights of EmizenTech

• Clutch Awarded and Recognized 
• Agile Development Approach
• Adhere to Applicable Regulations
• In-depth Requirement Analysis
• Global Client Base
• Expert Domain Knowledge
• Serve Varied Industry Verticals
• 24/7 Technical Support
• Bug-Free Coding
• Fastest Time-to-Market, etc.

Conclusion

eCommerce app development demands extensive knowledge and understanding of the market and target audience to emerge with a visually appealing, competitive app that can thrive and drive increased downloads. 

On these grounds, you should hire an eCommerce development company to seamlessly run your ecommerce business with a mobile app that can help you reach your target audience and expand your customer base. 

While wrapping up, we hope you find this blog helpful in every aspect essential for a smooth eCommerce app development process. Still, if you need help, feel free to connect with our team; we are happy to help you. 

FAQs About eCommerce App Development