Anand Kumar Mishra
12 Mins to Read
Table of content
A Comprehensive Guide to eCommerce Mobile App Development
When e-Commerce first started to take off in 2005, the main concern for store owners was whether they needed to create an e-Commerce website. This question seems rhetorical in 2022. However, because not every existing shop owner has access to these apps, now is the ideal time to create an e-commerce mobile app development and maximize profits.
The question of why to launch an e-commerce app is no longer relevant; instead, the focus should be on the best way to achieve it. In this article, we will cover everything there is to know about eCommerce App Development.
What is an eCommerce Mobile App?
An eCommerce app is a software that allows customers to browse and buy products from an online store.
Apps for mobile commerce are advantageous for customers and business owners alike. In a dedicated place, brands can better engage their customers, and customers can customize and manage their experience.
Remember that an e-commerce app is distinct from social commerce, establishing sales channels through social media, such as selling on Facebook or purchasing on Instagram. While social commerce is a valuable and expanding trend, the word “eCommerce app” primarily refers to specialized software linked with a particular firm.
Types of eCommerce Mobile Apps
It’s crucial to familiarize yourself with the most common forms of eCommerce mobile apps if you want to create your own. This will assist you in selecting a more effective and long-term business model for your enterprise. In addition to ensuring phenomenal business growth, it will assist you in better audience targeting.
Online Shopping Mobile App
Amazon is undoubtedly the most well-known of these mobile apps; every ordinary customer is familiar with the Amazon mobile app, where they may buy everything from a toothbrush to a brand-new iPhone. Therefore, this kind of mobile app idea is the greatest choice if you want to sell common consumer goods.
B2B eCommerce Mobile App
The majority of B2B eCommerce mobile applications are only used for business-to-business transactions. Alibaba is the best illustration of such an app, allowing businesses and consumers to make bulk purchases. Such a market can also be used to offer things with big capacity; thus, it is not just confined to large-scale purchasing.
B2C eCommerce Mobile App
As their name implies, these apps provide business needs for the customer system. It simply means that an eCommerce mobile app offers direct sales of products and services to specific clients. Products from fashion, education, technology, and other industries can all be found on these apps. You can either create a single, sizable, all-encompassing marketplace like Amazon or choose a specialized shopping app that exclusively sells products associated with a single industry.
eCommerce Aggregators Mobile App
A mobile app that acts as a middleman between customers and service providers and delivers the requested service to customers on behalf of the primary service provider is known as an eCommerce aggregator. The best examples of such a business strategy are movers and packers apps and food delivery apps.
Auction/Bidding eCommerce App
Due to their capacity to draw in a more extensive consumer base and lower the cost of auction venues and auctioneers, auction and bidding eCommerce apps have become increasingly popular in recent years. However, many general shopping apps and other service-based e-commerce applications also use the idea of such a business model. For instance, eBay is a platform for shopping and an auction and bidding site.
Ticketing & Booking eCommerce Mobile App
You can use this eCommerce mobile app to purchase tickets for any event, including movies and music festivals. Users can reserve tickets through apps for events like concerts, travel, hotels, and parties. People may socialize and explore new things quickly and easily through this medium.
A step-to-step guide on How To Build an ECommerce App
Step 1: Research
It starts with the research phase. To examine the trends and behaviours of the target market, conduct user interviews and competitive research. It also helps define the ideal app platform and a feature set that is as relevant to your target audience as is practical.
Step 2. Set The Goals
The foundation for creating an eCommerce mobile app is establishing your company’s objectives. The following three questions can help you set goals:
- What issues am I trying to address?
- To whom am I trying to market this?
- If it is a success, how do I know?
Step 3. Choose The Right Platform
Consider the development costs, the inventory, the CMS, the database, and a scalable framework while making your choices.
This knowledge makes it much simpler to choose whether to release an iOS app, an Android app, or both. It goes without saying that you must focus on the mobile platform used by your target market.
Tech stack is critical to turning a brilliant idea into a successful product.
Android e-commerce apps should take into account the following:
- Programming Language (Java/Kotlin);
- UI Framework;
- Android UI.
- App development tools (Android Studio);
In regards to iOS, consider the following:
- Programming Language (Objective-C or Swift);
- IOS Development Tools (XCode, AppCode);
- UI Frameworks.
For cross-platform apps:
- React Native (JS);
- Flutter (Dart)
- Xamarin (C#).
Step 4. Define Feature Set
You already have feedback from customers, expert opinions, trends, and the desire to surpass your competitors, so you now have a better knowledge of the problems your product has to answer and the features that can please the end users.
To help you choose which product feature should be prioritized first, you can use well-known prioritization frameworks and approaches.
Step 5. Create UI/UX Design
UX and UI design offers the chance to be distinctive. Your brand’s voice and identity will be communicated to your target market through innovation. Customers are left with a lasting impression of your business when you use appealing color schemes, eye-catching graphics, and seamless page transitions.
Step 6. Build MVP
You must concentrate on the most critical elements of your eCommerce software during the MVP stage. Instead of launching a fully-fledged product immediately, opt for an ongoing product review, which inspires further revisions.
MVP attempts to discover what customers think of the product, shorten development time, lower risks, and more effectively employ resources.
Step 7. Gather Feedback
It’s time to start getting user input once the MVP is made available. To gather feedback and identify areas for improvement, you must monitor how users engage with your app. To understand what works and what doesn’t for your target audience, feedback collection is essential while developing eCommerce apps.
Step 8. Iterate
Iterating is a crucial last step. The most notable names in the eCommerce app market demonstrate that design is never static. Instead, it is continually changing and responding to the demands of the market and the user.
Features of eCommerce Mobile App Development
Essential features
Several necessary features that few apps can function without will also need to be included in your eCommerce app.
The MVP, or minimum viable product, is the bare minimum to present your product to your intended market. These elements meet the essential functionality that users anticipate from online stores.
Your eCommerce mobile app needs to contain the following features:
- Search functionality
- Filter products
- Add to a wishlist
- A dedicated payment system
- User profiles
- Smart authorisation
- Clear checkout process
- Easy registration
- Push notifications
- Support and feedback
- Reviews & Ratings
- Admin Dashboard for analytics to take important business decisions
Advanced features
Although advanced features are optional, they can make your eCommerce mobile application development stand out. The following items are included in advanced eCommerce application features:
-
- Voice search
- Image search
- Behavior tracking
- Multilingual and currency
- Role-based dashboard
- Product recommendation
- Chatbot for customer support
- Marketing tools
- Efficient CRM systems
- Business intelligence
Why invest in an eCommerce Mobile App?
Source: Statista
As the need for eCommerce apps grows, working with eCommerce app development companies enables you to develop customer-centric apps that make it simple for customers to make purchases, fostering a sense of loyalty and confidence.
By 2040, over 95% of purchases are anticipated to be completed online, according to the study, which is now in progress as we speak in 2022. Hopefully, this has helped you gain a more comprehensive understanding of the eCommerce sector and its potential.
The entire sales value will surpass 600 billion USD in the United States alone by 2024. The convenience of online shopping is the only factor contributing to the global success of eCommerce companies.
E-Commerce stats
How is eCommerce better than traditional commerce?
Largest eCommerce platforms in the world
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- Amazon
- Jingdong
- Alibaba
- Shein
- Rakuten
- Shopify
- Wayfair
- eBay
- Zalando
Why choose Apponward?
The complexity of starting an eCommerce business varies, just as the platforms you have at your disposal. Whether you begin with a complex platform or a turn-key solution, you might discover that you require further assistance with mobile app development at some time throughout your business.
eCommerce mobile app development, whether for the web or mobile, is essential for a long-lasting e-business. E-commerce applications are also the most innovative way to market your goods online and provide a fantastic platform for online sales.
Do you intend to create an e-commerce application? Apponward’s promising team of Mobile App developers offers the best services worldwide. Our extensive network of service and solution experts is available to assist you.