How much does it cost to build an eCommerce mobile app? It’s a common concern for many considering an investment in eCommerce mobile app development. In this article, we will delve deeper into the costs associated with designing an eCmmerce app and explore the factors that can influence the overall budget. Let’s dive right in!
The mobile app market has experienced significant growth in recent years and continues to expand without any signs of slowing down. People increasingly rely on mobile apps for various purposes such as food ordering, communication, shopping, gaming, movie streaming, and more.
According to Statista’s statistics, the total number of app downloads on mobile devices in 2022 reached a staggering 255 billion. Furthermore, users spent a tremendous $186 billion on mobile apps. Considering these figures, developing an eCommerce app can prove to be a well-founded decision for your business.
What is an eCommerce app?
Mobile app consumer spending worldwide from 2022 to 2027 (Source: Statista.com)
eCommerce is the purchasing and selling of products or services over the internet through an eCommerce web or mobile eCommerce app. An app is a piece of software that is intended to do one or more functions inside a particular software environment.
An eCommerce app, also known as an electronic commerce app, refers to a mobile or web application specifically created for online purchasing and selling of goods or services. These intuitive apps streamline virtual transactions, providing users with the convenience of exploring various product listings, adding desired items to their shopping carts, securely making payments, and finalizing purchases – all without the hassle of physically visiting brick-and-mortar stores.
Businesses employ eCommerce applications to broaden their global customer base and provide a convenient online shopping experience. Prominent examples of such applications include Amazon, eBay, Shopify, and Walmart.
The benefits of an eCommerce mobile app
With the staggering number of users accessing the internet via mobile apps today, a well-designed mobile eCommerce app will surely bring numerous benefits to a business. Some of the benefits may include:
Providing a perfect marketing solution
The success of any business is heavily influenced by marketing. In the past, reaching and attracting the right customers required significant financial investments. Unfortunately, traditional methods of promoting brands and products often fall short in terms of effectiveness. Many businesses strive to find a cost-effective solution, and one option is to develop a mobile eCommerce app.
eCommerce mobile app development provides various features that make communicating, storing data, and marketing a company’s products easier. By exclusively offering promotions and incentives to app users, businesses can draw in a wide range of customers and spark positive discussions about their brand. This method enables businesses to share their marketing strategies with customers both efficiently and swiftly.
Capturing loyal customers
The eCommerce app was created to offer users the best experience possible. A unique and remarkable interface is important for gaining customer trust. By being professional and attentive to customer satisfaction, the app expands its user base effectively. This strong foundation is essential for businesses looking to expand their customer base.
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Enhancing the ability to interact with customers
No other platform provides as much interaction density as mobile apps. Therefore, designing an eCommerce mobile app is an effective solution for increasing interaction. With just a smartphone, customers can interact limitlessly, making purchases or using a business’s services at their convenience. There are no time or geographical constraints. A good mobile app can retain up to 80% of customers and increase customer reach by five times the normal rate.
Boosting revenue and increasing profitability for businesses
The business’s ultimate objective is to enhance revenue and profits, maintain strong customer relationships, and secure long-term sustainability. The extensive user base that a mobile app brings is the lifeblood sustaining the business.
To retain and attract customers, businesses must constantly innovate their apps, offering even greater benefits for making purchases and utilizing services.
High competitive capabilities against competitors
Developing an eCommerce app for your business can have a transformative impact, revolutionizing your operations. This innovative tool has the power to shake up traditional businesses that struggle with establishing a strong market presence. Even smaller brands can surpass larger ones and stay up to date with online marketing trends by incorporating a professionally designed app. Moreover, the smooth integration of different software applications provides valuable practical advantages, giving you a significant competitive edge in the industry.
There are several advantages to using eCommerce apps on mobile devices. These benefits go beyond what we list here and include some significant advantages.
Factors influencing the cost of developing a mobile eCommerce app
The complexity and scope of the eCommerce application
One of the factors directly impacting the cost of developing a mobile eCommerce application is the consideration of necessary features. It is crucial to assess which functionalities are truly required and identify any that can be deemed unnecessary. By determining your business needs and eliminating additional features, you can significantly reduce the development cost for an e-commerce mobile application.
Some essential features that should be included in an eCommerce application are:
- User login profiles
- Product Catalog
- Online payment processing
- Order browsing
- Inventory management
- Delivery functionalities, etc.
Experienced companies specializing in e-commerce mobile app development possess a thorough understanding of essential features based on your specific business requirements. To add distinction to your application and enhance the user experience, you might also explore incorporating additional functionalities like AI/ML and scanner integration.
Android, iOS, or both
You need to figure out the best platform for your eCommerce app – whether it should be Android, iOS, or maybe both. The eCommerce mobile app development cost directly relates to the platform you pick since each operating system relies on its own unique programming languages and technologies. For instance:
- Java or Kotlin is used for Android.
- Objective C is used for iOS.
So, it’s best to really get to know your desired audience before picking a platform. Once you’ve done that, you can hunt for a mobile eCommerce app development firm that fits your specific needs. This is a savvy move because it can both help you keep costs down and avoid unnecessary extra charges during the app development process.
For instance, suppose most of your customers use iOS. In that case, it may not make financial sense – or add much value to your business – to develop an Android app. On the other hand, if your target audience uses both platforms, you’ll need to invest the necessary money and manpower into developing for both.
Choosing the right development platform can substantially cut costs and ensure that your app works perfectly for the people it’s intended for.
Integration or use of third-party APIs
Developing small features in an application can lead to increased development costs. Take, for instance, the online payment feature. Creating it from scratch demands considerable effort and resources, ultimately driving up app development experiences. However, there is a more cost-effective eCommerce mobile app solution. By leveraging existing third-party APIs, you can seamlessly integrate the desired payment functionality, saving time and money.
You can create a list of the most important features that you believe are essential. Afterward, engage in discussion with the development company regarding the possibility of integrating these features using third-party APIs. This approach can help reduce costs and save valuable time.
Once your app is launched, it becomes essential to maintain and improve it. However, unlike physical products, software can encounter less visible issues. Identifying and resolving these complexities often requires technical expertise. If you lack the necessary knowledge, collaborating with an app development company is advisable to ensure a smooth running of your app and receive support when needed.
Maintenance of your application
Once your app is live, it’s vital to keep improving and fine-tuning it. But, compared to physical products, spotting problems in software isn’t always easy. Untangling these tricky issues can demand some serious tech skills. So, don’t sweat it if that’s not your forte – partnering up with an app development company can be a real lifesaver. They’ll keep your app running smoothly and be on hand for support whenever you need it.
The maintenance of an application typically involves the following activities:
- Identifying and addressing errors or issues within the application, including interface errors, functionality issues, and security vulnerabilities.
- Regularly updating the application to enhance performance, ensure compatibility with new operating system versions, and introduce new features.
- Ensuring that the application is protected against security vulnerabilities and cyberattacks.
- Supporting users and resolving issues when they face application difficulties.
- Optimizing the performance of the application is crucial for ensuring smooth and efficient operation across different devices.
- Conducting regular checks and monitoring the application’s activities to detect and address issues promptly.
UI/UX Design
The cost of software UI UX design can vary depending on multiple factors. Generally, it ranges from $5,000 to $10,000 or higher. These factors include feature planning, the quantity and complexity of features, the complexity of visuals, and the design team’s expertise.
To estimate the eCommerce mobile app development cost of designing a specific project, you must first create a detailed plan. This plan should clearly outline the desired features, user journeys, and visual elements that will be included in your application. Afterward, calculate the estimated time required for each design step within the user journey. Finally, multiply this time by the hourly rate of the design team.
Please note that the provided cost estimate is of a general nature. However, it’s important to understand that the actual price may differ based on the specific requirements of your project and the pricing structure implemented by the design company you choose to collaborate with.
Location of software development partner
In each country, the design fee levels vary. Businesses often have a mindset of seeking lower prices, but it is advisable to opt for a professional design service that offers reasonable pricing. Choosing an excessively cheap design service may compromise the quality you receive. If you’re looking for optimal pricing while ensuring a skilled workforce, countries like Vietnam, India, China, Malaysia, or the Philippines can be considered for outsourcing eCommerce mobile app development projects.
Steps to develop an eCommerce app on a budget
- Start with an MVP (Minimum Viable Product): Focus on developing the most crucial features first and gradually add additional features to reduce initial development costs.
- Utilize existing platforms: Consider using pre-built eCommerce platforms to save time and development costs.
- Outsourcing development: Hire a development team from regions with lower labor costs to reduce the overall development expenses.
- Embrace open-source technology: Explore open-source software to avoid purchasing proprietary software licenses and cut down on development costs.
- Reuse existing source code: If you’ve previously developed a similar app, reuse relevant source code to save on development costs.
- Opt for fixed-price contracts: Collaborate with a development team that offers fixed-price contracts to manage your budget effectively and avoid unexpected expenses.
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eCommerce mobile app development cost
The eCommerce mobile app development cost varies depending on several factors, including the features, the app’s complexity, and the development company’s location. Here are some hourly rates for mobile app developers in different regions:
- United States: $50-$150/hour
- Western Europe: $40-$60/hour
- Eastern Europe: $25-$50/hour
- Vietnam: $10-$25/hour
- India: $18-$39/hour
Based on the complexity of the project, the cost of developing an eCommerce app can range as follows:
- $10,000 – $50,000 for a basic e-commerce app
- $50,000 – $150,000 for a medium e-commerce app
- $150,000 – $500,000+ for a complex e-commerce app
Please note that these are average price ranges, and the actual cost may vary depending on the project’s specific requirements and the development company’s location.
Outsourcing eCommerce app development services
If you’re interested in the exact cost of developing a mobile eCommerce app, Nexle is here to offer you a prompt consultation. The eCommerce mobile app development cost in Vietnam, especially with Nexle Corporation, is considerably more affordable than other regions worldwide. At Nexle Corporation, we guarantee project success and prioritize customer data security. With over 10 years of experience in software outsourcing and having completed over 300 projects for various countries globally, our team at Nexle Corporation is well-equipped to meet your needs.
We are a top mobile development company based in Vietnam. With our extensive experience, we specialize in various fields such as eCommerce, social media platforms, healthcare, F&B, and more. For further information, please reach out to us at sales@nexlesoft.com or +1 951 888 9080.
