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Mobile App Development
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Commerce is the fundamental mechanism supporting any economic activity. Technological improvements that facilitate mCommerce and eCommerce development, reduce transaction costs and provide more information to customers leading to efficiency gains for the entire economy.
We are now in the midst of a new wave of efficiency gains resulting from the rapid expansion of mCommerce. There have been significant advances in eCommerce and mCommerce trends based on the technical improvements on large scale.
Table of Contents
eCommerce, also known as Electronic Commerce or Internet commerce is the process of buying and selling goods or services over the internet. It pertains to a website that sells products directly from the website through online transactions that are valid in the mobile-optimized world of the products and services delivered online in all different forms.
Ecommerce business models have allowed businesses to establish a market presence or to enhance an existing market position by providing a cheaper and more efficient distribution chain for their products or services.
Mobile commerce, also known as mCommerce is the process of performing business transactions using handheld mobile devices that are connected through various networks. These business transactions may range from selling and buying goods, making mobile payments, playing online games, downloading audio or video content and using numerous software applications or getting mobile tickets.
M-commerce is considered the next generation of eCommerce making online transactions smoother than ever. As a form of eCommerce, m-commerce enables users to access online shopping platforms without the need to use a computer.
E-commerce and m-commerce both enable online transactions, but they differ significantly in how they cater to users. While e-commerce focuses on desktop-based shopping, m-commerce offers more mobility, convenience, and personalization through mobile devices. Understanding the differences between the two can help businesses create more tailored strategies for their audiences.
| Point of Difference | E-Commerce | M-Commerce |
|---|---|---|
| Device | Desktop, laptops | Smartphones, tablets |
| Accessibility | Requires desktop/laptop internet access | Mobile devices ensure anytime, anywhere accessibility |
| User Experience | Larger screens, keyboard-based interaction | Optimized for touchscreen interfaces, smaller screens |
| Speed of Transactions | Typically slower | Faster transactions via apps, mobile-optimized sites |
| Payment Options | Standard payment gateways (credit/debit cards) | Supports mobile wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay) |
| Personalization | Limited personalization | Location-based services, push notifications |
| App Usage | Mostly web-based transactions | Mobile apps enable seamless, one-tap purchases |
| Location Services | No location integration | GPS-enabled location tracking for personalized offers |
| Notifications | Limited to email or web notifications | Instant push notifications to mobile devices |
| Security | Standard web-based security measures | Multi-factor authentication, biometric security options |
This extended comparison highlights how m-commerce offers greater convenience, personalization, and security compared to traditional e-commerce platforms, making it more suitable for today’s mobile-first consumers.
Mobile phones are the primary choice of buyers for shopping online, more than 48% of customers search for a service or product on Google through their mobile devices. Some statistics convey that more than 77% of US shoppers compare prices on their mobile phones prior to purchasing them from the physical store.
The enormous growth in smartphone usage and the shift towards the handset as a primary device has driven businesses to aggressively push towards mobile-centric strategies. But with so much emphasis on creating a great-looking and high-performing website, are you paying heed to what customers really want?
Be it a website or a mobile app, knowing the importance of aesthetic eCommerce UI designs and implementing it effectively ensures that you provide a good experience to the user. In recent years, market orientation has changed to customer orientation so there is a significant surge in the need to shift from eCommerce to mCommerce. Here are a few other noteworthy benefits of mCommerce:
Time-saving: As mCommerce platforms tend to load faster, it decreases the loading time significantly and usually translates it into increased sales velocity for your business.
Better user experience: The familiarity with smartphones makes it easier for customers to navigate through mCommerce resulting in a smooth user experience.
Brand recognition: It allows the brand to easily turn heads through features such as push notifications, accelerating app retention rate, brand recognition and return on investment.
Data analysis: mCommerce applications make it easier to gather relevant information and data on buyers’ persona, developing a better strategy and conversion rate.
M-commerce provides fast connectivity between mobile users irrespective of their geographical location and time of the day. The rapid growth of wireless and mobile technology has increased the scope of mCommerce in developing countries. M-Commerce covers a large range of transactions, they can all be categorized as one of the three types:
Mobile shopping offers more convenience for customers in reading reviews, comparing prices and making purchases without the need for a desktop computer. With the newfound power of mCommerce, customers can now shop freely through mobile apps while accumulating vast amounts of information pertaining to their immediate shopping needs.
Mobile banking refers to the ability to transact money from mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets, etc. It allows you to send money to other parties irrespective of their location. Mobile banking has emerged as a wireless communication channel for creating value by customers in banking transactions.
These payment methods are becoming more and more common among all age groups. Especially with Covid 19 customers are becoming more cautious about social distancing and are preferring digital wallets and mobile payment apps for paying whatever they are purchasing.
Whichever eCommerce development guide you follow, the idea of shifting from an e-commerce platform to a mobile platform can be staggering. Although, through different supporting platforms the transition can be made swift. As your mobile application and eCommerce website will share the same database, you won’t have to worry about establishing a whole new data center.
Moreover, it’s vital that your mCommerce app offers an end-to-end user experience through pleasing aesthetics and high-end functionalities.
Let us walk you through the shift from eCommerce to mCommerce.
The most crucial step is to make your mCommerce platform mobile-friendly. For instance, Shopify provides unique and convenient mobile management for your store. Using it, retailers can manage their product inventory, fulfill orders, view traffic and figure out sales directly from their mobile devices.
These customized applications allow flexibility in design as well as functionalities. Before you take the big leap of faith in shifting from eCommerce to mCommerce, make sure to discuss your needs with your technical partner.
A user-friendly application with a smooth shopping experience is not all that is needed to build a successful mCommerce application accelerating sales. Recent advances in mCommerce enable users to conduct commercial activities anywhere and anytime.
In this new environment, the development and designing of an appropriate application constitute both a necessity and a challenge at the same time in order to support the user.
The best option is to choose a specialist mCommerce development company with an extensive portfolio and relevant domain experience in delivering successful projects.
As customers are becoming more demanding not just in the way they choose to buy but also in the ways they wish to communicate with businesses, a lot of traditional online experiences simply aren’t enough so mCommerce owners need to integrate live chatbots. In fact, more than 50% of customers say that they’re more likely to shop with a business that they can connect with via chat.
Canned responses are predefined email notifications for frequent replies with which the support reps can reply to emails hassle-free. They can be sent to the frequently raised requests and reduce the response time while providing a personal touch to the request.
You can feasibly manage your mCommerce store by streamlining various processes. It can lower costs by reducing the expenses associated with hiring and back operations efficiently. Outsourcing not only lowers operational costs but streamlines functionalities so that you can handle other important aspects of your business.
M-commerce has several benefits over its fixed counterparts because of its unique in-built characteristics promising exceptional business market potential and greater efficiency. Here are the benefits of mCommerce:
Ubiquity: The use of wireless devices enables the user to receive information and conduct transactions anywhere, at any time.
Accessibility: Mobile devices enable the user to be contacted virtually and the user also has the choice to limit their accessibility to particular persons or times.
Localization: The emergence of location-based specific applications will enable the user to receive relevant information on which to act.
Convenience: The portability that comes along with mobile phones and wireless devices helps in storing data to access any information.
User-Friendly Interface
A mobile commerce app must provide an intuitive, easy-to-navigate interface with responsive design for different screen sizes. The layout should be simple, with clear menus and a streamlined checkout process to reduce friction for users.
Secure Payment Options
To foster trust, your app should support multiple secure payment gateways, including mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay. Encrypted transactions and PCI compliance ensure that customer data is protected at every stage of the purchase process.
Personalization Features
AI-driven personalization is key for engaging users. The app should offer product recommendations based on users’ browsing habits, purchase history, and preferences. Additionally, location-based services can provide personalized offers and real-time push notifications, making the app more relevant to each user.
Fast Checkout Process
Long, complicated checkouts are a major barrier to mobile shopping. Implement a one-click checkout option and allow guest checkouts for users who don’t want to create an account. Store payment details securely to facilitate fast repeat purchases.
Seamless Integration with Social Media
Social media integration allows users to log in using their social accounts like Facebook or Google, making account creation easier. The app should also enable users to share products and promotions directly on their social platforms, encouraging organic marketing.
Push Notifications
Push notifications are essential for keeping customers engaged with the app. Notify users about new offers, discounts, and order updates in real-time. Ensure notifications are personalized and sent at optimal times to encourage interaction without being intrusive.
In-App Search and Filters
An efficient search engine within the app is crucial for enabling users to find what they need quickly. Implement advanced filters that allow users to sort products by category, price, or other specifications to enhance the discovery experience.
Customer Support and Chatbots
The app should offer 24/7 customer support through chatbots for immediate assistance, especially for common inquiries such as order status or refunds. An easy-to-access FAQ section and the option to escalate issues to human representatives are also important.
Multi-Language and Multi-Currency Support
To cater to a global audience, your app should provide multi-language options and allow users to transact in their local currency. This feature makes the app more inclusive and increases its appeal in international markets.
Order Tracking and Management
Customers value the ability to track their orders in real-time. The app should offer detailed tracking information, allowing users to view the delivery status and estimated arrival times, as well as options to modify or cancel orders easily.
By incorporating these must-have features, your mobile commerce app can provide a seamless, personalized, and secure shopping experience that meets the demands of modern consumers.
Creating an m-commerce app can range anywhere from $20,000 to $100,000 or more, depending on various factors. Let’s break down the key elements that affect the cost.
App Complexity
Basic apps are more affordable, but advanced features like AI-driven recommendations or integrated payment systems can increase the price significantly.
Platform Choice
Developing for both iOS and Android is costlier than building a hybrid app that works across platforms.
Development Team
Freelancers or in-house teams are often cheaper, while agencies may charge more but provide comprehensive services.
Third-Party Integrations
Adding payment gateways and APIs can increase development and maintenance costs.
Maintenance and Updates
Ongoing costs include regular updates, feature additions, and bug fixes to keep the app running smoothly
AI is revolutionizing m-commerce by enhancing customer experiences through personalization and data-driven insights. By analyzing user behavior, AI delivers tailored product recommendations and personalized offers, making shopping more engaging and relevant. These are key AI use cases improving the user journey.
AI optimizes inventory management and streamlines supply chains, predicting demand more accurately and ensuring stock availability.
AI also powers intelligent chatbots, offering 24/7 customer service, increasing user satisfaction, and boosting retention rates..
To fully leverage AI for m-commerce, partnering with AI development service providers is essential. These experts can help integrate AI technologies like personalized recommendation engines, chatbots, and predictive analytics into your mobile commerce platform. With their support, you can enhance customer experience, automate key processes, and improve inventory management. AI development services can also assist in the seamless integration of AI-powered features, ensuring they align with your business goals and deliver optimal performance, helping you stay competitive in the mobile commerce landscape.
By 2024, the number of mobile shoppers in the US is expected to exceed 187 billion. Moreover, the worldwide mCommerce share in eCommerce is expected to reach 72.9% globally in the next couple of years.
The most important factor in online purchasing is user experience. Research shows that customers prefer mobile apps over eCommerce stores because they find them more convenient, product loading and browsing are quicker; also, the checkout is easier, content is more personalized, user information gets stored and they tend to find better deals.
However, mCommerce is so much more than that. This new trend has given wings to brand new industries and services and is helping existing ones to soar in new directions.
The market of mCommerce is changing rapidly because of technology. Customer engagement through mobile apps goes one step ahead of the previous years, every year. Conclusively, developing a mCommerce platform is a great way to turn first-time shoppers into loyal advocates.
The cost of developing an m-commerce app can range from $20,000 to over $100,000, depending on factors such as complexity, features, and platform choice.
Key cost factors include app complexity, platform (iOS, Android, or both), development team type, third-party integrations, and ongoing maintenance.
Native apps offer better performance but are costlier to develop. Hybrid apps are more affordable and work across multiple platforms, but they may have limited functionality.
Depending on complexity, developing an m-commerce app typically takes 3 to 9 months from planning to deployment.
Key features include a user-friendly interface, secure payment options, fast checkout, personalization, push notifications, and real-time order tracking.
You can reduce costs by opting for a hybrid app, using pre-built templates, outsourcing development to more affordable regions, and minimizing advanced features.
M-commerce offers greater convenience, faster transactions, location-based services, and personalized push notifications, making it more suited to the mobile-first generation.
The world is now very much compact, we call it Global Village as a result of digitization and this impresses him! He likes to explore the nooks and corners of the incessantly modernizing world and marvel technologies. He leads the Digital Marketing Team at Prismetric. His passion for digital trends taught him the knack of reaching the huge digital mass to find business opportunities instantly. He writes articles about digital, technical and marketing tactics for business enhancements.
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