How to build an eCommerce app: basic steps and key features to implement
Every digital merchant has to build an ecommerce app. And while there were many doubters in the past, nowadays, plenty of people want to know how to build an ecommerce mobile app to succeed.
If you’re an online seller who wants to build an ecommerce app on android, this article is the one for you. We will show you how to make an ecommerce app with a few basic steps and show you some best practices in building e-commerce applications.
Mobile device usage has only increased — now, it’s almost impossible to conduct daily life without your smartphone in hand. The rate of mobile growth is something that has never been seen before, and the world now has more cellphones than people. As devices become more accessible, mobile application development is no longer the privilege of large corporations with big budgets. It’s now something that any brand can take advantage of to connect with existing and potential customers.
But what are the steps that you ought to take to succeed? Let’s find out.
1. Come up with an idea
Don’t start coding right away. Think of an idea, do some research and gain feedback from your potential customers before you start. An ugly app costs a lot more than an ugly website — to fix its problems, you’ll have to keep updating it. If it doesn’t perform well, you’ll lose customers. Before you start coding, make sure you know what your customers want.
2. Shortlist the vital app features
Take the time to think through the features you want to build into your e-commerce app or site. The shortlist of app features should reflect both the needs of your brand and what customers want from a shopping experience. A perfectly seamless, beautifully executed shopping experience is all about listening to customer needs and building useful features around them.
Variety of payment options
Ecommerce owners should include a payment method for everyone — even those without a bank account. While payment methods like PayPal may be convenient, businesses also need to accept all major credit cards, as well as debit cards and e-wallet transactions. In fact, all transactions completed on your store can be paid for with the digital currency of your choice — be it Litecoin, Bitcoin, or Ethereum.
Social Media integration
Social media integration keeps your brand in front of your customers, regardless of whether they’re logged in to your store or not. By signing them into your site with just one tap on social media, you ensure that they’ll see the latest deals, products and news.
Fast and easy checkout stage
Don’t let your customers choose only to abandon their carts and leave your e-commerce site. Make the payment process convenient and error-proof, and make sure that shoppers don’t have to fill out their details every single time they buy something from your site.
Synchronization
With so many things to launch and build, it can be challenging to prioritize features. With e-commerce apps, it’s easy to limit time spent on the synchronization feature, especially when you’re dealing with multiple mobile and desktop platforms. However, this feature offers significant advantages for businesses that want to grow sales by cutting down on development time (and costs) and increasing customer satisfaction levels.
3. Work on the app design and additional functionalities
Commerce application development is only the first step in creating a successful e-commerce app. The method for designing a practical, functional, and well-designed online store is very complex, especially when factors like security, functionality, search engine optimization (SEO), site loading speed, and more enter into the mix. It’s easy to assume that these different variables work together harmoniously — but in the end, they are just pieces of the puzzle.
Summary
If you want to know how to build an ecommerce mobile app, look no further than hiring an experienced team. Experts can help you in each application stage, adding extra value to your end product.
