How to Create a Mobile App for an Online Store?

In recent years, online commerce has been rapidly developing. Many users are used to doing everything via smartphones, so mobile apps for online stores are becoming more popular. Compared to websites, apps are much more practical and convenient. You can make purchases with just one click. Navigation and product search are optimized for touch devices, and you can place an order in just a few taps. Fast payment processing, push notification settings, and convenient authentication methods all highlight the benefits of mobile apps for online stores.

According to Grand View Research, online sales account for 20% of total retail sales. In the past few years alone, this figure has increased by 6% and shows no signs of slowing down. It is expected that by 2025, over 82% of sales will be conducted via mobile devices. This makes the development of a mobile app for an online store more relevant than ever for modern businesses.

How Can an App Help Your Business?

Creating a store app can bring numerous benefits to your business. Key advantages include:

  • Broad Reach: The app is accessible to many users across the country, attracting new customers who may not have been aware of your store.
  • Increased Sales: Quick payments, push notification settings, and 24/7 access to the products make the purchasing process more convenient and practical.
  • Enhanced Loyalty: Offer exclusive discounts and loyalty programs to app users and regular customers. Personalizing offers and responding quickly improve the service quality for each customer.
  • Competitiveness: Today, most of your competitors already have mobile apps. Lacking this advantage may discourage potential buyers.

Creating an online store app will boost brand recognition, improve customer service quality, and provide valuable customer data to enhance your service.

Comparing Online Store Services

There are many popular mobile services for online stores on the modern market:

  • Nike: This brand’s mobile app is an example for many online stores. It features filters, product cards with information, and personal recommendations. Each customer can consult with experts and receive exclusive rewards. The app is fully user-oriented.
  • ASOS: A unique online store offering a wide range of its own products and those from other popular brands. The app includes a convenient catalog, smart image search, 3D visualization of each product, and a virtual assistant. It also supports various payment methods through electronic wallets.
  • AliExpress: This is the largest mobile app that allows you to buy products from manufacturers in China, Russia, Europe, Turkey, and other countries. It features product search by photo, group purchases, and joint purchases. In the mobile app, users receive special deals and offers, interactive games with bonuses, and a section with coins.
  • Shein: This is an app for a major Chinese marketplace specializing in clothing. It offers thousands of different products from leading manufacturers. The interface is simple and intuitive. Users can browse and find products using easy filters. Another feature is the ability to read reviews from other users.

To create an app for an online store, it's essential to study the best examples on the market and understand what advantages your app will have.

Template Solution or Custom App?

Before creating an online store app, you need to decide on the development methods. There are several options: a template solution or a custom app. Nowadays, many ready-made modules can be used to build your app. This is not only practical but also less costly for the business. Using ready-made administrative panel solutions for managing online store content, payments, and other processes allows for the rapid development of your marketplace. As a result, you get a unique solution in the shortest possible time, but not without challenges in customization and configuring working modules. This approach is recommended only for small marketplaces, testing a hypothesis, or presenting an MVP project.

Key Features of an Online Shopping App

Developing a mobile app for a store requires considering many details. It's crucial to implement these key features:

  • Fast and Intuitive Registration: This process should be as simple and quick as possible for the user. It should include the option to register via social media.
  • Catalog: A clear structure and informative product cards help customers find the products they need and make informed decisions when analyzing the assortment.
  • Search with Filters: Even the simplest catalog may not always help find the needed item. Therefore, it's essential to set up a search system with filters so that customers can always find products that match their preferences.
  • Ratings and Reviews: Users should be able to read customer reviews and select products based on ratings, considering the opinions of other buyers.
  • Shopping Cart: Managing the cart contents should be easy and straightforward to avoid mistakes during the ordering process.
  • Quick Payment: The payment process is a critical moment for the customer, so it should be quick and completed in just a few clicks.
  • Delivery Time Selection: The ability to choose the time and place of delivery makes the service convenient for the user, allowing them to place orders without disrupting their plans.
  • Order Tracking: Tracking the order makes it easier to tolerate extended delivery times, monitor the delivery process, and, in case of any issues, contact support for a quick resolution.
  • Personal Account: Since online stores often require personal information from the customer and offer various bonus and referral programs, users should be able to easily manage this data and find everything they need in the profile section for making fast and beneficial purchases.

Creating a mobile shopping app requires considering all these components and developing them at the prototyping stage of the project. However, there is no perfect recipe, so you can always think of new, unique solutions that will become the hallmark of your software product.

Steps to Create an Application for Your Store

Let's explore how to create an application for your store. The project implementation timeline and cost depend on the complexity of the application, design, team size, collaboration terms, team location, and the number of supported platforms. All timelines and prices are discussed individually and outlined in the contract.

1. Research the Market. At this stage, it's essential to thoroughly study competitors, their strengths, and weaknesses. It's also important to determine the main requests of the target audience and overall segment trends. Consider how your application will differentiate itself from competitors.

2. Define Key Application Features. Based on market analysis results, select features that align with your business goals. You can choose not only basic but also additional features.

3. Design UI/UX. At this stage, focus on the application's appearance and user interaction specifics. The user interface should be clear, simple, and engaging. Avoid creating overly complex designs.

4. Write Code and Launch the First Version. After designing and approving the design, you can start development. Writing code is a crucial stage that should be entrusted to professionals. Meanwhile, testers check the functionality of implemented modules and send them for improvement. This allows developing a working product within the set deadlines.

5. Gather Feedback and Update the Product. Collecting feedback is vital during application development. Release the first test version and gather all necessary information. Focus on what needs to be changed to enhance user convenience.

6. Release Updates. Developing a mobile application for an online store is a lengthy process. It's essential not only to launch it but also to update it regularly. This stage continues throughout the entire project lifecycle.

Conclusion

Developing applications for stores is an excellent and modern solution that elevates commerce to a new level. In 2024, this topic is more relevant than ever, as businesses strive to attract new audiences and improve service quality. With smartphones and the internet becoming increasingly accessible and new mobile communication technologies emerging, starting the development of your own product is advantageous. If you want to launch your service, submit your request. We'll gladly help you create a functional mobile application for your online store.