Most of us keep our entire lives in our pockets. To anyone living in the US, it should come as no surprise that over 97% of Americans now have smartphones.
We look at our phones hundreds of times every day, which is why so many businesses are competing for our attention. In today’s mobile world, business owners can choose to join that trend or fall behind.
Let’s talk about the importance of mobile app development and how you can use it for your eCommerce store.
Benefits of Using a Mobile App for Your eCommerce Platform
Before we discuss how to get started, it’s important to know why. Here are some of the key benefits of using a mobile application for your eCommerce store.
Standing Out From the Competition
While there has been a sharp rise in eCommerce stores online, their acquisition of quality mobile apps has lagged behind. This is a great way to stand out from your competitors and build a loyal customer base.
However, this won’t be the case forever. More and more eCommerce stores are acquiring mobile apps, so it’s important to get ahead while you can!
Customer Preferences
Now, we aren’t suggesting that all customers prefer using a mobile app. However, having the option available for those who do can make quite a difference, especially for retention. An app is much easier to remember to go back to than a website.
Still, small changes in customer retention can have enormous consequences. Did you know that a 5% increase in retention can result in a 95% increase in profits? A mobile app right on your existing customers’ home screens is a great way to facilitate customer retention!
An Extra Marketing Outlet
By offering notifications for promotions, full cart reminders, and more, you have an extra outlet for marketing to existing customers. Notifications and in-app promotions are great ways to get your messages out to your customers.
Not only is it an additional marketing outlet, but potentially a more effective one. Younger generations are far more likely to use mobile devices and apps while shopping. If your target audience is Millennials and Gen Z, you’ll have an easier time reaching them with an app!
More Control
Websites, social media, and other platforms are fantastic for certain tasks. However, few platforms offer the same level of control as mobile apps. This is a great opportunity for building a recognizable brand, driving users to intended destinations, and so much more!
Over time, this can lead to higher conversion rates, and potentially a greater return on investment than with a traditional website.
In-App Exclusives
Apple Pay, Google Pay, in-app purchases, app-exclusive promotions, and more. There are just a few ways you can offer quality to your loyal customers.
You can easily improve the customer experience through a mobile app. Offering support lines, live chat, and all of the user features they need will go a long way. The easier users can find what they want, the higher their conversions will be.
Personalization
Including everything mentioned above, mobile apps are by far the best way to individualize your customers’ experiences. You can base their experience on their preferences, shopping history, and more. This is a great marketing, retention, and experiential tool that will pay dividends for a long time.
Don’t believe us? Personalized marketing campaigns can yield up to 50% higher returns than similar campaigns without personalization.
Developing a High-Quality Mobile App
Now that you know some of the key benefits of using mobile apps in your eCommerce strategy, you may wonder how to get started. Here’s what you need to know about developing a quality eCommerce app.
Develop a Clear Brand
Again, an app is the best possible outlet for building a clear and recognizable brand. Use this to your advantage.
There are certain brands that anybody in the country could name just by their color scheme. However, you don’t have to compete with Amazon. No matter how niche your target audience is, you can still develop a clear and recognizable brand among them.
Moreover, this will have long-lasting benefits. Familiarity among your target audience will almost always lead to higher conversions. Keep your app consistent with your persona, messaging, color scheme, and more on your website, app, and your overall digital presence.
Hire the Right App Development Services
Anybody with experience in website coding can theoretically develop a mobile app. However, that doesn’t mean they’re right for the job.
Instead, you need an experienced eCommerce app development team. Developing a user-friendly and professional eCommerce platform is not something you can just “pick up” overnight. You need a team of UX/UI professionals with relevant experience for your needs.
Always ask to look at their portfolio, check the team’s testimonials or case studies, and ask for references if you have any specific concerns. Finding the right team is a small investment in the future of your company, so don’t take the decision lightly. Once you’ve found the right team, get started!
Build a Mobile App Today
Now that you know why a mobile app is so important for your eCommerce store, you can hopefully put these tips to use. The sooner you do, the sooner you can see these benefits. Developing a large-scale acquisition of a user-friendly app doesn’t happen overnight, so get started as soon as possible for the fastest results!
Stay up to date with our latest tips for your business, and don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions or for help with your strategy!
