How to build a mobile app for an eCommerce website

Indeed, at least once, we were all tempted to make a purchase online, and no matter how reluctant at first, we gained the courage to press the “confirm order” button and wait impatiently for the courier for a few days. After completing the first order, it has probably become a fad at the end of a hard day’s work to browse online stores to see some potential purchases. However, we would never have thought that this fad could one day become a necessity.

In the context of the global COVID-19 pandemic, eCommerce has become a lifeline even for the most inexperienced of online shoppers and has caused a large proportion of consumers to resort to online commerce, even if they have not done so before. This had a major impact on businesses as well, as they’ve faced the need to rapidly adjust to the changes in consumer behaviour and develop faster, modern e-commerce platforms or even develop mobile apps to satisfy the needs of their customers.

How are web applications different from mobile applications?

The main difference between web and mobile applications is that the user who wants to use the latter must first download it to a phone or tablet, whereas the web app can be used on any browser, no matter the device – with the condition to be connected to the Internet. And while mobile applications can be used even on smartphones or tablets that are not connected to the Internet, their functionalities can be limited depending on the device. Another major difference is that creating web applications from scratch usually takes less time and money than developing mobile applications. Still, if you want to be in full control of the messages delivered to your audience and build your own database, it’s all worth it!  

How to build an eCommerce mobile app

1. Take into account the preferences of the target group

To create a successful mobile shopping app, you need to know your target group’s current needs and wishes. Users usually attach great importance to simple navigation, exclusive offers, short loading time, and smooth processing of purchases. Shopping over the phone is a new pattern, a habit that saves both money and time for the end-user. And businesses have understood this, so they continuously adapt their eCommerce mobile apps according to their customer’s preferences and behaviour: navigation becomes more precise, the product catalogue more intuitive, and the payment process faster. And as people are not used to giving up something that makes their lives easier, the popularity of mobile shopping apps will only continue to grow – making the decision to develop an eCommerce app a very profitable one.

Before starting the mobile app development process, it is essential to know what operating system the target audience uses: iOS or Android. This will help you decide what programming language to use and what features to include in your application. If you want to find out more about this step, we recommend you to read our article on how to choose the right technology when building a mobile app.

2. Keep in mind market trends

It is not a novelty that technology is advancing rapidly, but its evolution is also changing the consumer behaviour of all customers, regardless of industry. Mobile app development is not exempt from technological change – new features are constantly emerging that can be both a competitive advantage and a tool for customer loyalty. For an eCommerce mobile app, these features may include: push notifications, one-click purchases, AR (Artificial Reality) experiences, IoT (Internet of Things), and chatbots. An intuitive and interactive application can increase retention span and even lead to customer loyalty.

3. Keep an eye on the competition

Always keep an eye on the competition and strive to be one step ahead of it. To do this, you need to take considerable time to research each competitor. Having already analyzed the competitors, the trends, and the target group’s preferences, all you have to do is start implementing, taking into account the best practices of mobile UX & UI design.

If you are planning on developing a modern, interactive and intuitive mobile application but have no in-house resources you should contact us. Our expert mobile development team will help you decide on the best solution for your eCommerce business and come up with a  customized mobile app development plan to help you outsource effectively.