In 2023, businesses are more focused on providing convenience. That’s because customers are looking for simple and easy ways to shop online, which has massively increased the online retail market.
Research on the global e-commerce economy has shown a growth rate of 8.9% for 2023. This rate is likely to increase to $7 trillion by 2025.
Despite the popularity of the online retail market, many are not aware of what it takes for successful e-commerce mobile app development. If you are also one of them, this blog will help you.
Each step involved in building an e-commerce mobile app dictates whether you are going to be successful or not. To help you beat the cutthroat competition in the e-commerce business, we have listed 7 steps of app development.
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7 Steps for Developing an Impactful E-commerce Mobile App
Learn how to build a successful and scalable e-commerce mobile app in just 7 steps:
1. Thorough Market Analysis
By conducting detailed market research, you can lay strong foundations for e-commerce app development. Before starting the e-commerce app development process, you need to understand whether your app will be comprehensive or focus on a specific niche. Clearly defining the domain will help you create strategies, choose features, and target the right audience.
As the market competition in the e-commerce industry is soaring high, it’s unlikely to create an app that’s not available in the market. That’s why you need to prioritize the USPs of your services or app.
Next, you need to focus on the demographic. It means you must correctly identify the set of people whom you plan on targeting. You can then proceed to find the preferences of your audience through social media and online forms.
Lastly, you must pay attention to the customer’s buying behavior to keep up with their changing needs. Take into consideration the industry standard insights to create a much more realistic goal.
2. Competitor Analysis
After doing market research and finding your target audience, you need to conduct a competitor analysis. Find out the worthy competitors who are selling the same product as you. Likewise, find the apps with a similar Unique Value Proposition as you.
Following this, you must conduct a SWOT analysis to look at your competitor's audience, products, and strategies. This step will help you understand what’s working for your competitors and what they are lacking. You can also go through their app reviews to know how the shoppers feel about them.
Avoid getting carried away with the competitor analysis process and picking up a competition that is too difficult to handle. Be mindful that table-toppers have strategies and market understanding like no one else. So, instead of seeing them as your competition, you must learn from them. Focus on your available resources and strengths that can help you win.
3. Choose Technology and Platform Wisely
When transitioning your idea from the research to the planning phase, you need to select the right platform and technology. Depending on your needs and requirements, you can choose between a native and a hybrid app.
Your decision to choose technology and platform is likely to depend on factors like user experience and performance, app features, development time, and more. Hire the best e-commerce app development company to help you find the most appropriate tech and platform.
4. Choose a CMS (Content Management System)
You need to choose a robust CMS because e-commerce apps by default have vast inventory catalogs and databases. Every product comes with a bunch of information, relevant videos, and images. So, make sure the CMS you choose is capable of enhancing user experience and is also mobile-friendly.
If you already have a CMS to take care of the backend, all you need to do is ensure it is mobile app-friendly. But if you don’t have one, you can go with the popular CMS options, like Shopify, Magento, and WooCommerce. Make sure the CMS you choose is a comprehensive solution for all needs.
5. Select the Essential Features
Once you are done with the research and backend part, your focus should be on selecting the best features for your e-commerce app.
Firstly, you must choose the basic features that will keep your app functioning. The set of basic features includes a shopping cart, secure mobile payment options, a product catalog, and a login button.
Following this, you should focus on adding advanced features to give your e-commerce app a competitive edge. It includes adding a wishlist button, advanced search options, a barcode scanner, push notifications, one-tap buy, augmented reality, product review, and shipping status.
By integrating advanced features, you can make your e-commerce app stand out from the crowd.
6. Better UI/UX Strategy
Did you know that better UI/UX strategies can help you enhance customer experience and improve sales?
The best way to improve your app’s UI/UX is by adding an easy login and smooth checkout option. This way, you can significantly reduce the abandonment cart rate. Next, you can include intuitive gestures by focusing on how customers often use their phones.
Following this, you can show your customers the security measures you take to reduce their anxiety. Stay on top of UI/UX trends to rightly cater to the unique needs of your audience.
7. Estimate Cost
Lastly, estimate the e-commerce app development cost by taking into consideration factors like features to add and skills & experience of the hired app developers. Besides this, you must think about the ongoing costs required for regular updates and maintenance.
Conclusion
If you are in search of a reliable company that can offer the best e-commerce app development services, Protonshub Technologies should be your choice. The company works with a team of dedicated professionals who have good app development understanding and experience.
By working with Protonshub Technologies, you can be rest assured about the quality of service that you receive. With a 93% retention rate and 80+ full-time specialists, the company is ready to take on any kind of e-commerce app development project.
