Things to remember for online retailers while getting mobile apps developed

Monday, 16 February 2015 |Written by Purpletree |

This is an era of mobile devices and with this, mobile marketing and mobile apps are on rising. Importantly, the multichannel stores are taking great advantage of this. Why not, as stats reveal consumers spend 15 hours a week in the US researching products on their handy devices and 93 percent of these really make purchases.

Retailers have three basic strategies to employ one of such apps for their online business and those are discussed below.

Developing a native app

Native apps are very expensive but it performs better and faster. In the mobile app context, the word native means the app which is written in the native programming language of an operating system like a native app for iDevices would be written in Objective-C programming whereas for Android it would be written in Java programming.

This means the app has to be written more than once directly related to the number of operating systems the retailer is choosing. This makes it more expensive. However, it has better access to phone features such as speakers and cameras.

Retailers need to choose whether want to invest more in the making of the app and go for developing the app.

Developing hybrid mobile applications using JavaScript, CSS, HTML5

There are two advantages for retailers who want to opt for javascript, CSS, and HTML5. The first is that it is less expensive compared to the native apps. Making apps on these are more common and hence folks who develop are less expensive.

Secondly, mobile apps developed in HTML5 can be compatible with any mobile operating system with some minor changes. Usually, such apps depend on Apache Cordova, PhoneGap, and other related products to wrap with native code in bridging the devices and application code too. Hence, investing in one language can help the retailers in attracting customers of Android, iOS, BlackBerry, Windows Phone as well as Amazon Fire OS mobile devices.

Focus on Mobile Web

All mobile users who make purchases online may not browse shopping apps. Some also browse websites on their devices by searching through Google, Bing, and other search engines. For such customers focusing on the mobile web is important, which means the mobile-optimized website.

Data reveals 74 percent of shoppers in the US start with the search and opens search engines like Google and Bing to look for mobile sites.

This is the reason online sellers also need to have a mobile-optimized website. In fact to build one such before building a mobile app.

Choosing the Right Mobile Strategy for Your Business

Every online business has different goals, budgets, and customer expectations. Therefore, there is no single mobile strategy that works for everyone. Before investing in a mobile application, retailers should carefully analyze their target audience and business requirements.

For businesses that receive a large amount of mobile traffic, investing in a dedicated mobile app can provide long-term benefits. On the other hand, smaller retailers with limited budgets may achieve better results by focusing on a responsive mobile website first.

Customer behavior should also be considered. If customers regularly interact with the brand, browse products frequently, or make repeat purchases, a mobile app can create a stronger connection between the business and its audience.

Another important factor is user experience. Mobile users expect fast loading times, simple navigation, and a smooth checkout process. Whether using a native app, hybrid app, or mobile website, providing a convenient shopping experience should remain the top priority.

Businesses should also plan for future growth. A scalable mobile solution can support additional features such as personalized recommendations, digital wallets, customer rewards, and advanced analytics as the business expands.

Ultimately, the most successful mobile strategy is one that balances customer needs, business objectives, and available resources while delivering value to users at every stage of the shopping journey.

Verdict

In the end, to wrap up, it is suggested to consider mobile apps like a tool that online sellers to better engage customers and then lastly to achieve a goal of selling. The app should not be built just for the sake of building and showing a catalog of the seller. It will be a waste of money and time then.