How to Create an Ecommerce App: 10 Key Steps to Follow + Examples
Here are 10 essential steps to guide you through the eCommerce app development process, from conception to launch:
1. Identify the target audience
Identifying your target audience involves researching the age, preferences, and purchasing habits of your ideal customer to ensure that the app meets their specific needs.
A well-defined audience profile leads to more focused and effective product design and functionality.
For example, a B2B e-commerce app tailored to construction companies could include one-click bulk material ordering and real-time tracking of equipment delivery with detailed notifications.
2. Set clear goals
You should set clear goals for your eCommerce app based on what your business aims to achieve. Additionally, you need to see what performance metrics, such as engagement, conversions, and sales growth, will be used to evaluate the success of the app.
For example, an eco-boutique app should focus on eco-conscious shoppers, simplifying their search for sustainable, ethically made clothing. Success is measured by specific metrics such as a 25% increase in daily active users and a 15% increase in conversion rates.
3. Select the right platform
Choosing the right platform, whether iOS (Apple App Store), Android (Google Play), or both, depends on the device preferences of your target audience. This decision influences the scope and effectiveness of your application.
For example, if the majority of your target audience uses iOS, prioritizing Apple's App Store could maximize your app's visibility and adoption.
4. Define the feature set
When defining your feature set, it is essential to select features that fit your business goals and user preferences.
This way you can ensure that your app offers an effective user experience.
For example, an electronics e-commerce application can include detailed product specifications, comparison tools, and customer reviews for informed purchasing.
What are the essential features your eCommerce app should have?
Although each eCommerce app is unique, a successful eCommerce app typically has the following characteristics:
A quick and easy registration process
User account management
Advanced search bar and filter
Simple navigation
Product details with high quality images and videos
Customer feedback
Shopping basket and wish list
Cash and secure payment systems
Shipping options
Push notifications
Track delivery status
Customer Support
Customer loyalty programs
Returns management
Plus, some advanced features customers can expect starting in 2024:
Personalized recommendations
Product/service preview using augmented reality
Social media integration
Offline mode
Voice and image search
Multilingual and multi currency support
5. Plan the process and budget
When planning the process and budget for an e-commerce application, start by defining the scope of your project, the development phases, and the features and knowledge you need.
You can then assign timelines and cost estimates to each phase, allowing you to create an overall budget that covers the entire eCommerce app development lifecycle.
Additionally, if you choose to outsource your eCommerce application development to a nearshore software development partner you can benefit from accelerated project timelines and reduced costs
6. UI and UX
The success of your eCommerce mobile app largely depends on its UX and UI as these two elements directly affect the user experience.
Here's how:
UX app design focuses on the overall feel of the app and how easy it is for users to achieve their goals, while UI app design addresses the specific elements that users interact with, such as buttons and icons.
For example, an e-commerce mobile app for a clothing brand may have a clean, minimalist user interface and an intuitive user experience that allows users to easily filter products by size, color, and style.
7. Build a Minimum Viable Product (MVP)
Creating an MVP involves developing a basic version of your eCommerce mobile app with only the most essential features. This focused approach allows you to launch the product quickly and test your basic concept in the real market.
For example, the MVP of a grocery delivery e-commerce app may include only essential features like adding items to cart and a simple checkout process.
8. Collect user reviews
Once the MVP is launched, collecting user feedback is essential to understanding its effectiveness and areas for improvement.
How is this information collected? Your internal development team or third-party app custom software development company can collect this data through surveys and user testing sessions.
For example, if users of a newly launched grocery delivery app report having difficulty navigating product categories, the team can use this information to refine the app's UX design in subsequent updates.
9. Perform quality testing and publish the app
Quality testing is a critical phase where the mobile app is rigorously tested to detect bugs, performance issues, and user experience glitches. This process includes various tests such as functional testing, usability testing, and security checks.
For example, in a grocery delivery app, testers would simulate user interactions, check the security of the payment gateway, and ensure efficient performance under different conditions.
Once the e-commerce mobile application has successfully passed all the quality tests and meets the required standards, it is launched on the market.
10. Iterate based on information and data
After launching the app, the next step is to introduce continuous improvements based on user feedback, user analytics, and mobile app performance metrics.
For example, if data shows that grocery delivery app users frequently abandon carts at checkout, the eCommerce development team could iterate the checkout process by implementing one-click payment methods to streamline the process.
Now you may be wondering:
How long does the eCommerce app development process take?
If you require custom software development services, the process can take anywhere from 3 to 12 months or more, depending on the complexity of the mobile app, the features, the experience of your team, and the level of customization required. Alternatively, budget a maximum of three months if your business prefers a standard or basic app building solution.
Remember that outsourcing your eCommerce app development can speed up timelines by having a larger team of experts with advanced knowledge and resources.