Mobile commerce has turned into the preferred way of shopping. With this trend on the rise, offering a mobile digital experience in the form of an app is a necessity if you want to increase engagement, drive sales, and build long-term relationships with your customers. Fair point so far, but due to the complexity of the process, retailers need to know a few key facts before embarking on the journey.

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For that, we decided to write an article aimed at store owners, developers, and eCommerce decision-makers who want to tap into the full potential of mobile commerce. Whether you’re considering your first app or optimizing an existing one, this guide will walk you through the key steps, best practices, and strategies to ensure your mobile app becomes a powerful asset for your online store.

Does Your Online Retail Business Need a Mobile App?

Once smartphones took over the market, mobile commerce has experienced significant growth. In 2024, retail e-commerce sales worldwide reached $6.3 trillion, with mobile devices accounting for a substantial portion of these transactions – specifically, around $2.5 trillion.

In the whole equation, studies show that over 60% of users prefer mobile apps to mobile sites because of speed, convenience, and enhanced user engagement. Additionally, mobile apps have been found to convert at a 157% higher rate compared to responsive websites, leading to greater revenue opportunities for businesses. Features like push notifications, personalized recommendations, and offline access all contribute to that.

Furthermore, thanks to their complex capabilities, apps have a central role in any omnichannel strategy. They can facilitate in-store navigation, offer exclusive in-app promotions, and integrate loyalty programs, creating a seamless shopping journey.

All the stats point to a positive answer to the question, BUT… what businesses need to understand is that the decision for developing an app should not come lightly. First, there is the question; ‘Does my business need it?’, and second, there are the costs involved with both the development process and the follow-up maintenance. Both questions will be answered in the below lines.

Building a Mobile App for Your Online Store

The journey to develop a mobile app for your online store requires careful planning, strategic judgements and calls, and meticulous execution.

ecommerce mobile app

Mobile apps are particularly suitable for medium to large retail businesses that have a steady customer base and operate in communities where digital engagement is high. Budget also matters, as the investment will not stop with app development – there will be constant maintenance and updates, so the company will have to possess a certain level of technical maturity – either in-house or via external partners – which allows them to integrate the app seamlessly with their inventory, CRM, and marketing systems. 

If there is a decision that a mobile digital experience is suitable, the first task should be to draw the primary function of your app. Are you aiming to create a seamless shopping experience, establish a loyalty program to reward repeat customers, or provide robust customer support? …or maybe all. For instance, Starbucks’ app successfully combines ordering capabilities with a loyalty program, enhancing customer retention.

Defining the app’s purpose clearly from the beginning, as well as outlining the list of necessary features, will help you take the right approach when it comes to choosing between native, hybrid, or PWA solutions, with huge cost implications.

For example, native apps, built specifically for iOS or Android, offer superior performance and user experience but can be more costly and time-consuming to develop. Hybrid apps allow for cross-platform functionality, potentially reducing costs and development time. Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) provide a web-based experience that mimics native apps and can be a cost-effective alternative, especially if you don’t need complex features like the ones provided by native apps.

You can find an in-depth comparison between what each technology offers, in our blog article…

Once a decision has been made, the development process involves several key stages, like UI/UX Design and wireframing – creating a blueprint of the app’s layout and navigation – followed by development time, and  testing – ensuring the app is free of bugs and provides a seamless user experience. Each phase requires collaboration between designers, developers, and testers to ensure the final product meets expectations. ​

The Costs

If going for a native app, the cost of developing an e-commerce mobile app can vary widely based on complexity, features, and development approach. Basic apps with limited features can cost between $20,000 to $50,000, with development timelines ranging from 3 to 6 months. ​Moderately complex apps will set you back $50,000 to $150,000, typically taking 6 to 9 months, while highly complex apps can cost $150,000 and above, with timelines extending beyond 9 months.​ Of course, these estimates can fluctuate based on factors such as the development team’s location, chosen technology stack, and specific business requirements. ​

As we explained before, after the launch there will be constant follow-up maintenance and updates, therefore you have to be aware of these monthly costs, which can well reach a few thousands of dollars.

Must-Have Features for a Successful eCommerce App

​Building a successful eCommerce app is a bit more complex than only having a nice design. Certain key features are required to invite shoppers to explore, engage, and return.

ecommerce mobile app

First of all, an app should prioritize seamless navigation and a clean, user-friendly interface. A clutter-free design ensures that users can effortlessly browse products, access their cart, and complete purchases without unnecessary steps. This simplicity enhances user satisfaction but also encourages repeat business. ​

Apps must make full use of a device’s hardware such as the camera, GPS, and accelerometer. This allows for more robust and responsive app experiences that can include features like augmented reality, location-based services, and have the ability to integrate with the user’s contact list for social sharing purposes. 

All these deliver increased Personalization, immersive experiences, a richer, more engaging shopping experience and a frictionless checkout: in one sentence – mobile shopping apps bring in-shop and at-home shopping experiences closer.

Then, a smooth checkout with multiple payment options such as credit/debit cards, digital wallets, and buy-now-pay-later services is key. A simplified one-click checkout together with the app’s capabilities to access location-based features for choosing the best delivery options easily, paired with simple and secure payment options, all these are like the secret sauce for minimizing cart abandonment and boosting conversion rates. ​ 

Native apps have a powerful ace up their sleeve – and this is the push notifications feature. By being able to easily tap into the user’s browsing and shopping behaviour, apps can alert them about promotions, personalized offers, or remind them of abandoned carts. However, it’s crucial to use this feature with care, as overloading users with notifications can lead to app uninstalls. ​

Last but not least, the fact that phones are designed with a strong social purpose in mind is something that app developers should take full advantage of. Incorporating social media integration allows users to easily share their favorite products, reviews, or purchases. This way, you will have your own brand ambassadors shouting out loud about your products; and the cost is… close to nothing.

Additionally, integrating customer loyalty programs within the app encourages repeat business by rewarding users for their purchases and engagement. Features like referral bonuses, exclusive discounts, and reward points can significantly boost customer retention and lifetime value. ​

High-Performance eCommerce Apps and Magento

Magento is seen as one of the most versatile eCommerce platforms when it comes to integrating decoupled mobile apps, thanks to its robust and flexible API-driven architecture. Having REST, GraphQL, and SOAP APIs built into its core, Magento allows seamless communication between a headless frontend – in our case a mobile app, and the backend, ensuring that product data, customer accounts, checkout processes, and orders sync in real time. These robust APIs also facilitate integration with third-party services, such as payment gateways and inventory management systems, enhancing the store’s functionality and user experience. 

One notable example is our agency’s latest project developing the Cupio mobile app. The developers successfully used SwiftUI on iOS and Jetpack Compose on Android, with GraphQL as the API for both platforms, to ensure a clean, friendly shopping experience and at the same time, fast performance and a perfect sync with Cupio’s Magento eCommerce platform.

Final thoughts

The future of commerce is surely mobile, so in conclusion, if you are an online retailer ready to scale, with a steady customer base with a high digital engagement and most importantly – if you have the budget for it, then a mobile app is well worth the investment. When built with clear goals, smart technology choices, and features which engage users and provide unique shopping experiences, it becomes a key driver of engagement, loyalty, and growth.

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