The majority of business has become online today. With the advancement of technology, people shifted to shop things and avail services through their handheld devices, i.e., mobile or tablets. Various businesses offer online services regarding advice, services, groceries, clothing, lifestyle, and other limitless things through e-commerce platforms. However, reliable reports suggest that more than 85% of smartphone users prefer mobile apps instead of e-commerce websites for almost all purposes.
As per the collective outcome, it was found that nearly 35% of mobile phone sales are made via the app. However, as a surprise, less than 10% of the retailers and small business owners offer a mobile app! And, talking about reliable and competent apps, then the situation is much more miserable.
The Growing Importance of Mobile Application
The ever-expanding demand for online shopping, which has already gained momentum during the pan world lockdown in 2020, has forced the traditional businesses to adopt the same. To increase their sales, they would have to think about building and maintaining a well-performing mobile app.
The first impression is the last and long-lasting impression, which could be in the form of the customer experience offered by the app of e-commerce companies. That makes it more crucial to have a UX-enabled and updated e-commerce app that could match the customer’s expectations.
By looking at this importance, one would consider what it takes to develop a good e-commerce app. So, let’s attempt to understand the steps involved in developing a good e-commerce mobile app through this blog.
8 Factors in the App that Could Enrich the Experience of the Customers
Once a business decides to go for successful eCommerce Mobile App Development, it must address the ongoing trend and consider a few key factors that make an app effective.
1. Simplicity and consistency of navigation
The consistency of an app takes away the extra load of learning the process every time. It helps the users prioritize what they want to view, leading to a positive response.
The app must be consistent on Visual (buttons, fonts, etc.), Functional (navigation, etc.), and External (Design) fronts.
Some commonly used features such as double-tap zoom could be utilized in a new app to build rapport with customers, and it would make the app consistent in performance.
2. Simplicity of the design of the app
A business owner must arrange the items that it offers and allied services and options in a small space. The User Interface provides the first impression of the app on the customers. The clear and simple design of an app accommodates all necessary things in a small space to fit into the small screen of a smartphone or tablet.
- User-friendly UI (User Interface) will help the user to navigate easily.
- The limited text and animation make it easy for the customer to focus on the objective of buying.
- Proper content management of the app would help the customers to be at ease while shopping.
- The required number of clicks to buy a product must be as low as possible.
- UI of the app must be compatible with a variety of devices and Operating Systems.
3. Fast options for login and checkout
The swiftness of time taken between login and check out plays a huge role in e-commerce. The increasing speed of the internet has taken away people’s patience, and the same is applied for an app, so it is essential to get loaded quickly.
- The quick login process helps the business to retain its customers.
- A user must not type the same particulars repeatedly; this could force him to switch to another app; autocorrect and auto-fill options would help an app retain the users.
- Login options using social media help in two ways, first by easing the login procedure, and secondly, it advertises for the business and app.
4. Cart and Checkout
The cart must be visible to the user every time, so the customer can make a mindful decision instead of abandoning the shopping at the last moment. Besides, the checkout options should also be quick and user friendly
- The user must have the option to change and modify the order as per the customers’ will.
- The absence of a short and simple checkout process would ruin the customer’s mood, and the chances of cancellation increase significantly.
5. Ease of accessibility
The smartness of smartphones is making the users lazy, so it applies to window-shop too. The e-commerce app developers must place useful elements that encourage users to take specific options and input using one hand only.
All app elements must be in the user’s thumb-friendly zone to let the user access the app easily.
A few things that could be prominently placed in the thumb-friendly zone are added to cart, checkout, and payment options.
A well-categorized listing of products and services would help the app keep the user with it for a longer time.
6. Feature to add a favorite or add to Wishlist
Before making a final choice, buyers love to ‘add to ‘favorites or ‘add to their Wishlist’ all they want for them, to make the best out of them as per their budget. The presence of this tab has immense importance behind a successful e-commerce app.
7. Security of the user
E-commerce apps ask for many details from customers ranging from their particulars to their financial credentials like card details, etc.
The mobile phone and e-commerce platforms are prone to security risks. The absence of a good quality firewall setting in the e-commerce app could lead to a huge loss to the security of the customer’s personal and financial assets. The security feature is related to trust, and a secured payment gateway of a safe wallet would make a customer loyal to the app.
Along with internal security, an e-commerce app must comply with the country’s data security law, or else it would lead to huge penalties. It is a dual-edged sword that would give great credibility if handled well, the loss of the business and market base would begin.
8. Quality of customer service
Issues and grievances are part of any business, no matter what services are being offered. The customers might come with the question, which they may not have understood while accessing the app.
The proper channelized interaction between users and e-commerce representatives is significant for the app’s successful running. The support could be provided through the mail, chat, or call, combining two or more than two channels.
The ease at which customer’s grievances are resolved would decide the future stability of a given e-commerce app.
Summing up
You could see how important the mobile application of an e-commerce company is in daily life. To serve the masses with an ambition to expand the business, e-commerce companies can’t compromise quality. They can’t stay easy and take the risk of being overrun by their competitors.
Some guidelines must be in the mind of app developers to make an app as per the requirement of e-commerce companies and local customers. The ease of accessibility of the app adds immense value to its beginning in grabbing the customer hold. Hence a successful e-commerce app must have mentioned criteria to help it stand well in the market.
