Ourmobile devicesplay a pretty big part in our daily lives, especially when it comes to shopping online. This is even more true when it comes to shopping via a dedicated app:According toForbes, 85% of online shoppers prefer nativeecommerce apps在ecommerce websites.
An ecommerce app with an intuitive and highly functional build can help online stores boost their sales. Plus, that coveted spot on a customer’s home page and notifications screen can offer additional marketing opportunities and can help build brand loyalty.
What is an ecommerce app?
Anecommerce app—sometimes referred to as amobile commerceapp—is a piece of software that allows customers to browse and purchase items from an欧宝体育官网入口首页.
Mobile commerceapps are beneficial both forbusiness ownersand their customers. Brands can better engage their customers in a dedicated space and customers can personalize and control their experience. And thanks to platforms like Shopify andEcwid by Lightspeed,mobile app developmentprocess can be pretty painless, too.
Note that an ecommerce app is different fromsocial commerce—the practice of creating sales channels viasocial media, i.e.selling on Facebookor shopping via Instagram. While social commerce is a growing and valuable trend, the termecommerce apprefers specifically to a dedicated piece of software associated with a specific brand.
What are the features of an ecommerce app?
While aspects like presentation and design are somewhat different across different ecommerce platforms, allmobile commerce appshave a few features in common—some that are essential, and those that are nice to have.
Essential features of an ecommerce app
- Search and browse functions.Whether it’s searching for a specific item or browsing the latest products, the point of anecommerce appis to make finding products as easy as possible.
- Shopping carts.Allmobile commerceapps need ashopping cartwhere customers can easily add items, change quantities, and so on.
- Customer support.Sometimes, customers need help navigating an欧宝体育官网入口首页, whether they’ve made a mistake with their purchase, or would like to initiate a return or exchange. That process is a whole lot easier when there’s some level of ecommerce customer service within their mobile app.
Optional features of an ecommerce app
- Push notifications.By enabling push notifications, you cannotify customersabout restocked items, remind them about items still in theirshopping carts, and more.
- Multiple payment options.Having multiplepayment optionscreates an easy and seamless checkout process. It also offers customers some added flexibility—they can choose between paying with a credit card, through a service like PayPal, or perhaps with a buy now, pay later provider like Affirm.
Types of ecommerce apps
When it comes to selling to consumers, there are two different types ofmobile commerceapps:
- B2C.B2C mobile apps are the most commonly usedecommerce appstoday. They connect businesses selling goods and services to individual customers. Examples include apps foronline storeslike Amazon and Nordstrom.
- C2C.Similarly, C2C ecommerce apps connect two or more consumers so they can exchange goods or services with each other. Examples include apps like eBay and Poshmark.
Advantages of developing an ecommerce app
No matter what type of ecommerce app fits your business model, developing an ecommerce app is beneficial for bothbusiness ownersand consumers. Here’s how:
- Speed.Ecommerce appstypically store their data locally onmobile devices, making them speedier and more user-friendly than their mobile web counterparts. Faster load times can lead to higher conversion rates and lower bounce rates—meaning customers are less likely toabandon their cartsand business owners are more likely to increase their revenue potential with a speedy mobile app.
- Visibility.Having yourecommerce appon your customers’ home screens is a big win. And thanks to features like push notifications,online storescan reach their consumers wherever they are—even if they’re interacting with a different app.
Push notifications are an easy way to encourage consumers to return to your app, especially if you use them to offer deals or exclusive discounts. That engagement goes a long way: In a 2021 study,Airshipfound that app users who receive push notifications in their first 90 days have a three times higher app retention rate.
- Personalization.Ecommerce appsallow consumers to personalize their shopping experience, whether it’s saving their sizes or adding their favorite items to a wishlist. In exchange,business ownerscan get greater insight into what their customers want, and tailorreal-timecommunication to a customer’s specific preferences.
- Brand loyalty.Ecommerce appsalso allowbusiness ownersto retain customers and boost brand loyalty. And that loyalty goes a long way: According toeMarketer, app users are three times more likely to make a repeat purchase. And they also make up over three times the revenue of other shoppers.
Final thoughts
There’s a good reasonecommerce appsare so popular. With a few essential tools—push notifications, ashopping cart, multiplepayment options, andcustomer support—these apps make it painless forcustomers to spendtheir time (and their money) with your brand.
Beyond that, a dedicated mobile app can help those in the ecommerce industry boost their visibility, increase their revenue, and establish a sense of brand loyalty at the click of a button. The best part? Customers can personalize their experience to make sure they’re getting exactly what they want.