If you are ready to create an app for online shopping to grow your business, you will undoubtedly have plenty of decisions ahead of you. However, there are some things to take into account for making an online store that you probably haven’t considered yet, but will still form an important part of your app’s structure. Let’s take a look at some important factors recommended by the expert software development companies in the USA that you should probably keep in mind to create an eCommerce app.
1. Exclusive Offers
How are you going to get people to download the app once you start online stores? What are the benefits to anyone if they download an app? If you’re going to open an online store app to work with your website, there are many more questions like this that you must answer. After all, you probably already have a very good website that has a host of conversions and engagement. So, getting these loyal customers to switch from the website to the app might be more of a challenge than you initially thought.
An easy way to try to direct traffic on your apps for shopping could be through the use of a pop-up. You can integrate these pop-up tools while you make online store apps. As soon as someone enters the site, either on mobile or on desktop, they could be greeted with a pop-up that informs them that you now have created a shopping app. However, the danger here is that they will still click away without making the switch as apps for shopping include the installation and login process, which for some people, might be an extra mile to take.
Therefore, you need to make sure that you have some sort of incentive in place to help encourage them in installing your shopping apps. A great example that top online shopping apps already use can be simply by having exclusive offers on the app that they won’t be able to pick up anywhere else! They then have the incentive to download the app, and if you have a good user experience waiting for them, they will appreciate your efforts in making an online store app and keep using it.
2. KYC and Anti-Fraud Measures
Yes, it might not be as fun as picking the UI and deciding what the copy on the app will say, but you need to make sure that you have used a good set of anti-fraud measures and KYC checks while creating the best online shopping apps to help protect your customers. You might already have a good set of such checks in place on your website, but you need to make sure that you are following the best security practices when you open an online store app.
For example, what top online shopping app security protocols do you have in place for returns? Allowing returns to be scheduled through an app for online shopping is very convenient, and could even link to a courier directly so they would be able to come and collect your package.
However, it also leaves you open to things such as chargeback fraud – where people abuse your returns policy for their own material gain. You, therefore, need to make sure that you have stringent checks in place while making an online store to ensure that you are not falling victim to these fraudsters and are doing everything in your power to protect your customers. Have good chargeback insurance, regularly update your security, and follow the latest KYC standards used by the best online shopping apps.
3. iOS and Android Compatibility
When constructing online shopping apps for Android and iOS, as leading software development companies recommend, you need to make sure that they are properly compatible with all active versions of iPhone and Android operating systems. If you choose one over the other, you risk cutting off a massive swathe of your demographic simply because they will not be able to download and use your app.
These operating systems are different, and the final product will be hosted on different app stores and will therefore need to meet certain requirements. It is vital that you create two apps that look the same when viewed side by side, but are built underneath to be fully compatible with their chosen operating system. Or, you can also go for the cross-platform app development trend that will help you in building a single app compatible with multiple devices and operating systems. However, native apps vs hybrid apps have feature and performance differences.
Can you just build one native app? Maybe – but it depends on where your target markets are. In the Western world, iOS does tend to be more popular. However, in Asia, it is Android that dominates, with a market share of over 80% in 2021. You need to make sure that you create something that you know your target audience wants to use and that means ensuring that they will be able to access the app in the first place.
If you are still not sure about your target audience, you can always consider getting help from the best ecommerce development companies. The experts will help you in deciding the operating system and guide you through the whole app development process.
Wrapping up
These are just three of the things you need to consider when creating an app. We have curated these tips depending on factors that are now in the trend among top mobile app development companies. App development is harder than much first thing, and it might take several iterations before you have the perfect one ready to launch. Take your time, and make sure that everything is perfect before you offer it to your customers. If you are a small business, go for tools such as low-code app development frameworks or automated app testing tools to save resources. With a little luck and a lot of hard work, customers will love your app – and you will gain a whole new area to grow your business into!
Frequently Asked Questions
By Sakshi Kaushik
Content Writer (B2B Editorial)
A passionate writer and tech lover, she strives to share her expertise with mobile app developers and fellow tech enthusiasts. During her moments away from the keyboard, she relishes delving into thriller narratives, immersing herself in diverse realms.