
Steps to Develop an eCommerce App
eCommerce has become a crucial sales partner for businesses in the current digital world. Today, an increasing number of consumers are shifting to online shopping. To cater to this, companies are now focusing on creating engaging and powerful eCommerce apps to reach their target audiences.
Therefore, developing an intuitive eCommerce app is essential. It involves various steps, including feature integration, understanding market trends, gathering consumer insights, and analyzing competition.
In this article, we will explore the key steps, essential features, and changing eCommerce app development trends, along with key insights for businesses seeking a reliable software development company.
Why are eCommerce Apps Important?
Mobile commerce accounts for 73% of all eCommerce sales. The reason behind this is that eCommerce apps enable businesses to offer a customized, easy, and quick shopping experience directly to consumers through their smartphones. eCommerce apps also work towards boosting engagement and increasing customer retention with the help of push notifications, product recommendations, and secure payment options.
Steps to Develop an eCommerce App Effectively
Consider this 7-step guide to help you develop your eCommerce app successfully.
- Analyzing the market and application planning
Start by conducting a thorough market research to understand the changing market dynamics, user needs, strategies used by competitors, and the potential gap in the market. Once complete, define your application’s unique selling proposition (USP) and create a detailed project plan centered around it.
- Pick the right platform for development
The second step requires you to decide which platform to pick. Do you want to develop for iOS, Android, or both? Take help from your software development company in India determining the right platform, which will impact your reach and the technology to use. It is best to opt for a cross-platform development process to reduce time and cost.
- Designing the app’s UI/UX
App design plays a crucial role in retaining users on the app. A practical design ensures that the app is both attractive and intuitive, thereby garnering interest. Create a clutter-free layout, seamless navigation, and optimize loading speed to ensure your app’s efficiency.
- App development and third-party integration
This is a crucial step in the app development process. This step includes both front-end and back-end development. Make sure your front-end is fast and responsive as it is user-facing. Back-end development ensures data processing, third-party integrations, and the setup of CRM systems.
- Test your app for quality assurance
Rigorously test your app to ensure it is working flawlessly. Test it for performance, usability, compatibility, and security across multiple devices and platforms.
- Launch your app
Once your app successfully passes all the quality tests, launch it on the app stores for the consumers. Promote it through multiple marketing channels to increase its visibility.
- Post-launch maintenance
After the launch, your app will still require constant updates. Focus on post-launch maintenance to resolve bugs, update features, and ensure compatibility with evolving operating systems (OS).
Must-Have Features for an eCommerce App
Listed below are the key features of an e-commerce app. Use this as your guide to create an impressive app.
- Ensure seamless user registration and profile management
Sign-up and login options should be easy and quick. You can also include social media integrations to allow users to start shopping instantly.
- Integrate advanced search and filters
This is a crucial feature that enables ease of use in the app. Search functionality with advanced features help consumers quickly search the product, cutting down added layers of search. This quickens the sale process and improves the overall customer experience on the app.
- Create a clear product listing and description
Your products need to have a clear title, description, images, reviews, and other relevant information to help consumers initiate a purchase.
- Seamless cart and checkout process
Allow users to edit products easily in their carts and ensure the checkout process is seamless to avoid any last-minute bounce back from customers.
- Make sure to use secure payment gateways
Select and integrate secure and reliable payment gateways to facilitate smooth transactions for users.
- Enable push notifications
When you hire software developers to build your app, be sure to discuss in advance how to implement in-app marketing and enable push notifications to market your app efficiently later on.
- Order tracking
Enable AI and blockchain technologies to create a seamless customer order tracking experience.
- Create customer support options
Customer support options, such as in-app chatbots and support channels, aim to resolve customer queries promptly and foster trust.
- Create a “wishlist” section
A Wishlist is a feature that allows customers to bookmark their favorite products and save them for future purchases.
- Ratings and Reviews Section
Create options to allow users to share ratings and reviews. This boosts credibility and also provides an opportunity for further improvement
eCommerce App Development: Emerging Trends
Trends in app development are continuously evolving. Here are top eCommerce trends that you must consider while developing your app.
- Machine Learning and AI
Artificial intelligence helps customers with personalized recommendations, instant chat support, and intelligent search results. It helps in customizing the shopping experience and increasing the conversion rate.
- Emergence of Augmented Reality (AR)
AR is making its mark in the e-commerce world and transforming the buying experience for online shoppers. It helps them visualise the products in a real environment.
- Voice Commerce
With intelligent voice assistants gaining popularity, such as Siri and Alexa, ordering through a voice assistant is also becoming a trend.
- Integration of a mobile wallet
Integrating mobile wallets, such as Google Pay, makes it convenient for buyers to make purchases instantly.
- Social eCommerce
You can also let your buyers buy directly through social media channels by integrating social channels in your app.
How to Choose the Right eCommerce App Development Partner
Your decision to hire mobile app developers should be based on multiple factors, as this will directly impact the success of your application. Look for developers that have a proven track record, a great work portfolio, positive client reviews, and experience in your domain to build your app effectively.
Conclusion
To develop an e-commerce app successfully, it requires strategic planning, effective execution, and a long-term vision. The correct set of features will significantly impact user retention by boosting satisfaction and trust. To create a seamless experience, ensure that you partner with a capable mobile app development company in India that understands your business dynamics.