New implementations and more advanced features are being introduced every day which boast the incredible advancement of programmers and developers as well.

Standing here in 2021, more than 58% of the planet’s population above 13 years of age uses Social Media mobile applications or web applications. It has been predicted that with more users joining every day, the number will reach 4.4 billion people by 2025, a huge leap from the 3.8 billion active Social Media users now. However, even now, more than 50% of the entire planet uses Social Media with the numbers touching 90% of all mobile internet users.

Most reputed courses and resources for developers cover the creation of Social Media applications, and it is one of the most preferred projects for students and mentors around the world.

Regardless of these implementations of a Social Media environment in browsers as web applications or in smartphones through mobile apps, these are the most popular and extensive applications that can be programmed and deployed for real-world applications. Let us learn the fundamentals of building a Social Media app and what are the things that we should keep in our minds.

What Are The Different Approaches To Building A Social Media App?

First, let us check out the options when talking about building Social Media apps.

1. Developing the App Using Programming and UI Tools

The best approach is to build the app yourself or with the help of expert programmers through the use of Android OS or iOS development environments such as Android Studio, Kotlin and Xcode. One can also choose to use the additional use of UI builders such as Swift UI and other Native UI kits. One can also take the approach of simply using JavaScript and React to build web applications that are governed by the concepts of a social media environment.

2. Software as a Service or Platform as a Service Applications

There are multiple SaaS and PaaS applications that can be used extensively to build or develop Social Media apps for smartphones, the web and even the cloud. PaaS would be more useful for organisation-specific social media or community apps, however, SaaS can be very useful in making customisable applications that can be accessed across multiple platforms easily.

3. Using Tools and Software Which Require No Coding

There are multiple tools and software that are able to build social media apps without the need for programming. However, these tools are limited and cannot be customised extensively. There is also the lack of easy upgrades and advanced features.

Most of these tools and software allow users who do not know coding to build apps using drag and drop features, simple function declarations and a bit of UI designing.

4. Using Open-source Builds and Software

This approach requires coding as well as the ability to host the builds over a server. Using this approach, one can skip the need to build the basic structures and layouts, proceeding to customise the interface and additional features. This is a less time-consuming method, however, one should bear in mind that compared to building apps from scratch, this will limit developers heavily.

Choose The Target Operating Systems

Before delving into the type of Social Media application that one wishes to build, one needs to decide upon the OS of choice or if the app will be a cross-platform one. It can also be a responsive web app that can work on both smartphones and in web browsers. It truly depends on the target users and whether you are building the app yourself or with the help of others. Different Operating Systems or Cross-platform builders involve specific development procedures, sometimes being vastly different, other than the core concepts. So if one wishes to build the application himself or herself, one must first consider which OS environment he or she is more comfortable building in.

If developers then want to expand to other OS systems, they can use migration tools or modify coding and architecture components according to the other target Operating Systems.

Android is the preferred choice for app development as it is comparatively easy with plenty of resources to help in learning android app development for developers in beginning phases.

There are also many more Android users as compared to iOS users, which is another factor that should be considered when working on a restricted budget or with limited time.

Decide Upon What Kind Of A Social Media Environment It Would Be

There are multiple variations of the concept of a Social Media platform. Before delving into developing, one must first decide on the type of platform or social media representation it would be. For most of these, the primary features that allow users to connect to each other are common.

1.   Social Networking Application

These social media apps can be used by people for online interaction, data transactions and information sharing.

2.   Media Sharing Application

These are social media apps that are geared towards users for sharing media such as videos, animated images, photos and files.

3.   Customer-oriented Application

These are social media apps that are built to allow customers and consumers to connect to each other, discuss products and even leave reviews.

4.   Reader Network or Interest-centric Application

These social media applications are to connect users with the same interest. These range from music, books and even objects.

5.   Content Mirroring Applications

These are social media applications that can be utilised for saving content from other sources and sharing them with other users. These applications also allow users to discover content from other places and curate them for others.

6.   Discussion or Community Forum Application

These applications can be used by people to gather when they are in need of answers. These applications are used for finding answers to questions of varying topics and the users are able to communicate with each other to share resources or their knowledge.

7.   Blogging Application

These social media apps are great for people who love to write blogs. These can be built to allow users to write about the things they like or their various experiences. Other users are also able to comment and interact with the bloggers as well.

Features That Should Be Built On A Social Media App

Regardless of the type of social media app that one decides to build, all social media apps must follow certain concepts and have specific features in order to truly qualify as a full-fledged Social Media app. Here are the features that must definitely be integrated into your app.

●  Profile

This is a must for a social media app. This feature allows users to put down their basic information and media in an isolated space. Care must be taken when developing the permission required to access this space as the profile owners should get to decide who they wish to share their profile with or if they want to keep it public.

●  Posts

This function can be implemented as blogs, media or text through which users can update or post information about their experiences and themselves.

●  Notification

Notifications are mandatory for users to get notified of comments, updates, messages and connections. Notification functions can be integrated as push notifications in order to slide in as native notification inside an OS or smartphone.

●  Chat or Messaging

This function is compulsory in order to allow users to communicate with each other separately or in groups.

● Adding a Friend or a Connection

This function is absolutely mandatory to make a social media app complete. This function allows users to add each other as connections. This in turn promotes finding friends or people with similar interests and being connected to them online. This can also be implemented as a ‘Follow’ feature.

● Search

This option allows users to search for others for specific posts, pages, topics and hashtags.

● Media Upload

This is a must in order for users to have the ability to share media and files with others. Good social media apps must support most of the common video, image and audio file formats.

● News or Friends Feed

This feature allows users to keep a track of the things that are going on around them, the people they follow (of interest) and their friends as well.

There are a few other things that one can implement in order to make their social media app even better.

• The additional feature of groups, pages and communities.
• A library for resources and a help section as well.
• Ability to monetise the application.
• Additional security functions allow users to feel safe as well as protect their data.
• Adding automated filtration of foul language, spam, harmful files and illegal activities.
• Profile customisation options for users.
• Adding analytics for commercial or ad/marketing purposes.
• Admin feature for users to moderate sections or spaces.

A Few Things To Keep In Mind When Building A Social Media App

Here are a few tips that should be considered before finally starting to develop the application.

• Keep the design simple and user-friendly.
• The platform should be responsive and apps should show consistency across smartphones and web browsers.
• Keeping profile pictures and images results in a circular shape to promote easy discovery.
• Provide users with the options to choose their privacy and security settings.
• Keep colours that reflect your company or purpose and use the colours throughout the app to imprint your application in the minds of users. This also helps in building familiarity and user relationships.
• Provide easy navigation and use easy searching algorithms.
• Understand your budget and what you can deliver. Understand your limitations and then deploy the best possible quality within the boundaries.
• Build prototypes and working models before deployment.
• Extensively test the app before making it go live. Debug and fix glitches or bugs if required.
• Use stable servers to host the application.

Conclusion

Building a Social Media app is not easy, however, with the right tools, resources and experience, one can easily make a fully functional social networking or media sharing application that brings users across the globe together.

Social Media is the future of communication and networking, and building apps will also allow developers and programmers to gain more insight into how to make them function better, implement more features and allow users with similar interests to connect efficiently.

With a market sum of around 4.66 billion active users and 91% of these being mobile users, it is safe to say that online applications have become a worth the while ride. The surge of mobile apps taking care of every possible human need, the tech world has witnessed huge investment rates in the field of voice chat app development with its significant reasons.

Apps like Clubhouse and Discord are the living examples with their worths in billions. Before digging even deeper in the subject you must be aware about the process of being able to join the Clubhouse and yes like Micky’s it is very elite. The very first limitation it bars is its availability, which is solely available for iOS users. Next frontiers up, Clubhouse plays hard to get by not allowing users to simply head to the app store and sign up for the app. The users can only and only get the app if they receive an invitation by an existing user.  And oh yes, like any exclusive club, this one too has a waiting line without any assurance of getting an ‘in’.

If all the odds are in your favor and you make it in the Clubhouse, you will then be given a list of rooms with another list of their users to choose. Once you pick your choice, tap on the room and you will be good to go. As soon as you join the room, all the customers are automatically muted however you do get an option of unmuting yourself whenever you want.

Should you invest in a Clubhouse-like app development?

According to sources all it took was one tap for Elon Musk in a chat and within moments the world was already printing news about the invitation only audio chat app, and just like that the app gained a worth of $1 billion.

Now we have already mentioned that this app is strictly available for iOS users but with a turn of events, Clubhouse is already believed to be developing an Android version which in future will entertain a user base of a largest smartphone users network ever. When this study was being made Clubhouse already had won a user base of 2.4 millions and half of the downloads were made in the month of January 2021 itself.

Even if we disregard Elon’s engagement with the app, the graph of Clubhouse’s popularity has still elevated a significant inclination. The major selling point of apps like these are their user experience being smooth and friendly, its sense of standing out from the herd of apps and how it already honeycombs a considerable fraction of the user base. By far top top android app development company and their services have already the resources to build such apps.

What are the features of a voice chat application?

1. Onboarding

Once you make it into the Clubhouse you will be required to fill in your real name and your photo, consider it as an onboarding pass. Once you pick your choice, tap on the room and you will be good to go. As soon as you join the room, all the customers are automatically muted however you do get an option of unmuting yourself whenever you want.

2. Feed

In the ‘Feeds’ section you will discover a list of threads which are rooms. You will easily be able to access the name of these rooms and then the list of people who are already in it.

3. Rooms

The room is the place where conversations occur. You can peruse rooms, join existing rooms, and make your own. To do this, you need to tap the “Start Room” button at the lower part of the screen. In a room, you can lift your hand to considerately intrude on the speaker or request to talk. On the off chance that you need to leave the room, you can declare your exit or press the “Leave quietly” button. In addition, the people who are presenting have an option of welcoming others to talk in the room.

4. User Profiles

User profiles are small information boxes of users which represent them by their name, picture with a short description. You can see any user’s profile when you enter a room and discover someone talking. Further, you will also be able to learn which other groups the presenter is part of and who invited him for the discussions.

5. Clubs

This feature is much like the functioning of Facebook groups, from here you can join clubs with people who have alike interests. In clubs you can also add members and suggest topics for discussions.

6.  Search

Like any other social media search tool, this option allows you to discover chat topics and other users you might want to subscribe to.

7 Upcoming for you

In this part, you can see forthcoming conversations. The forthcoming ones appear as though a timetable of occasions for you with discussion titles, start times, speakers, and short depictions of themes. Tapping the bell symbol shows a suggestion to begin a visit.

How much does it cost to build an app like Clubhouse?

The expense of voice chat apps relies upon a colossal number of components. Among them are application includes, the intricacy of the plan, the hourly pace of your improvement group, project size, tech stack, number of the group administrator on the task, time period.

The pivotal factor that impacts a last cost is the hourly pace of engineers. The hourly rate thus relies upon the location of the team. The best option is to contact a web-app development company

While Objective-C was the default language for iOS app developers for years, in 2014, Apple brought Swift, a more powerful, simple new language for developing iOS apps. Down the line in seven years from then, iOS app developers still struggle to make the right choice between Objective-C and Swift.

Though Swift is more powerful, can it fully replace Objective-C? Are our iOS developers still considering Objective-C as a better tool for iOS app development? To answer these questions here, we will try to explain both languages’ pros and cons and compare their strengths. Let’s start with a brief introduction.

What is Objective-C?

Objective-C is the object-oriented programming language that Apple used for years, way back from the ’90s. Apple used the language for both macOS development and iOS development. It was the standard default language for all Apple iOS and macOS apps.

Pros

•   Objective-C is the most mature language as it has been the default language for Apple software OS for more than three decades.
•   Objective-C has already tested and tried solutions across a multitude of apps and offers an extensive open-source library along with detailed documentation.
•   Dynamic typing of Objective-C helps to simplify the code based on the developer’s intent.
•   As a language existing for decades, it supports all the older versions of iOS and macOS.
•   Having been there for so many years, it offers unmatched stability, and so it doesn’t require updates very frequently.

Cons

•   Objective-C comes with a significant learning curve because of its complex syntax and object-oriented programming paradigms.
•   Fewer developers are using this language just because there are several more accessible options available in the market.
•   It is devoid of the latest and most sophisticated features for modern apps.
•   Having been there for so many years, it is targeted by hackers more often.

What is Swift?

Swift as the following generation programming language was launched by Apple at the Worldwide Developers Conference in 2014. The language offered an easier way to develop Apple iOS apps and showed many new features and enhanced stability.

Pros

•   Swift is known for simplicity and ease of use and ensures very concise coding.
•   Swift is an open-source language and can be used in both profitable and non-profitable app ventures.
•   Swift is loaded with many modern features, optimized memory handling, dynamic libraries, improved app monetization, etc.
•   Swift involves less coding, and hence it offers more ease while ensuring faster build time.

Cons

•   Just because it is a relatively new language, it comes with more frequent updates resulting in a loss of time and money for app projects.
•   Being a new language, it is not compatible with older iOS versions launched before iOS 7.0 and macOS 10.9.

Objective-C vs Swift: Comparing Features and Capabilities 

Now that we have known the pros and cons of the two languages let us compare their key features and capabilities one by one.

Development capabilities 

When you use Objective-C for developing iOS or OS X apps, you need to use the Xcode IDE. Apart from that, you also can use AppCode or Visual Studio Code Xcode working underneath. Xcode offers the development environment loaded with everything for iOS app development, including tools, pre-built elements, compilers, APIs, and frameworks.

Developers using Swift get Cocoa Touch’s power that helps building apps for Apple Watch and Apple TV besides regular iOS apps. Apart from that, you developers also get the help of Swift Playgrounds allowing easy learning of coding and testing small application parts. Swift is also flexible to enable you to work in the same Objective-C environment.

Compatibility 

Objective-C, as the old language is compatible with old iOS versions as well as the newest ones. Swift, in complete contrast, requires a minimum iOS 7.

UI Development 

When it comes to UI development, Apple came up with SwiftUI as the most potent UI design tool to help developing native UI for multiple Apple platforms. It has a clear edge over Objective-C allowing writing code and seeing the changes instantly in the preview.

Development Speed 

Swift requires fewer lines of code when it is compared with that of Objective-C. Any app converting to Swift from Objective-C could reduce code to a great extent. This results in a faster development pace.

App Performance

According to Apple, Swift is 2.6 times faster compared to Objective-C. The leaner code of Swift makes it lightweight for faster loading speed. Simple syntax and the ability to check code type during compilation further gives Swift based apps a performance boost.

Community & support

Though Objective-C still gets support from Apple, it is not an open-source language and gets less frequent updates. Swift, in contrast, is an open-source language and gets broader support apart from getting frequent updates from Apple. Swift right now has the default language for apple apps and boasts of a much bigger community and robust support than Objective-C.  

Tools

Objective-C, as an old language, received over the years a plethora of tools from Apple and several third-party developers. On the other hand, Swift, as the open-source language, continues to offer access to all kinds of tools for every development purpose created by third-party developers and contributors on a continuous basis.

Documentation

Both languages come with robust and detailed documentation. Objective-C, having been there for decades, offers the vastest documentation. On the other hand, Swift is continuously updated, and developers can find a lot of resources for the language.

Developer talents 

Swift stands as one of the most popular languages and attracts a high number of aspiring developer talents. Objective-C, in comparison, is much less popular as it is already viewed as an outdated and old language. Since Apple made Swift the default iOS language, Objective-C continued to experience decreasing popularity.

Conclusion

Swift is already the reigning language for iOS developers, and Objective-C is now sparingly used. So, it is pretty evident that Swift will be the natural choice for most iOS app developers.

How much does it cost to create on-demand apps? How to design ones that can bring in expected returns? A genuine concern for every business dabbling in mobile applications! Here’s a quick guide at cost estimation for on-demand apps to help you answer that for your business and venture at hand. 

The on-demand economy, i.e., the access economy, stands on the foundational pillars of convenience, speed, and ease of service. The market is filled with web apps that serve particular user needs with prompt assistance and make millions in the process. Take Uber, DoorDash, PostMates, or Airbnb, for example.  

But, not all make it to the top-tier, regardless of how much money and time you put in them. (Think Pronto, DoorMint, or The Happy Home Company.) 

The reasons vary, but proper cost estimation remains a decisive factor in determining the effectiveness of any on-demand mobile application’s prospects. Let’s dive into a simple guide for understanding the on-demand application development process and the factors that can help you create a near-accurate cost estimation.

How Do You Create An On-Demand App That Inspires Returns? 

On-demand apps are an excellent, creative, and potentially profitable tool to accommodate modern-day consumers’ needs. And, the process to create one is very straightforward at a glance. 

• Validate Your App Idea For A Target Audience 
• Prepare A Clear Business Model For The App 
• Determine The Platform, Technology, Resources, And Tools
• Establish A Timeline 
• Establish Specifications For Intended Consumer Experience 
• Prepare For App Store Optimization 
• Prepare For Monetization 
• Install Security Measures 
• Launch And Maintain App Performance 

However, the devil is in the details! That’s why you should not expect to become the next Uber the moment you launch an on-demand application. 

The on-demand mobile app development industry is gaining momentum, but the COVID-induced global trend shifts have led the way to intense competition. In such market circumstances, the parameters of success in this industry have moved from idea and execution to battle-scale preparation. It’s become a prerequisite to beat the rising competition while fulfilling user demands and generating revenue. 

And, how can you achieve that? 

Simple- Take stock of the investment and match it with the market prospects for your project. That’s where cost estimation for your on-demand app becomes a necessary process. 

Types of On-Demand Apps 

Before discussing the factors that impact on-demand app development costs, it is critical to clarify that they apply to different types of on-demand apps individually.

So, much like Uber, if your on-demand mobile application involves an end-user, a service provider, and a third-party administration mediator, you must perform cost calculation and estimation for all three modules to get a comprehensive ballpark figure. 

How Much Does It Cost To Create On-demand Apps

As much as you would like a straight-up cost breakdown with exact figures in place, the best anyone can offer you is a ball-park guess, albeit well-informed. 

The reason- There are different types of on-demand apps intended for a diverse range of audiences and impacted by many factors.

As a business, when you hire dedicated mobile app developers for any project, it’s wise to obtain a forecast of the costs you’ll incur. With mobile or web applications, that involves a thorough breakdown of the various reasons that impact app development in your domain, region, and industry. 

1.  Team Involved

Any mobile app development process involves certain resources, i.e., developers, testers, analysts, UI/UX designers, QAs, process specialists, project managers, and so on for every other specialization your app needs. In different economies, their rate of services vary. For instance, you can hire dedicated mobile app developers in India for $10 to $50 an hour. In the USA, this can cost you anywhere between $60 to $125 an hour. 

This hourly rate can fluctuate on the basis of your application’s complexity, volume, and timeline. It can also change depending on the resource’s experience, expertise, and specialization. iOS app developers may demand higher prices than Android mobile developers in some regions and vice versa. 

Do the math before you proceed! Keep a buffer as well for unexpected requirements mid-development. 

2. Major Features 

Every feature in an on-demand mobile application carries a development cost. These vary by the nature and complexity of the module/feature, hours needed to develop it, and the region you choose to hire dedicated mobile app developers from. 

Keep in mind that these numbers merely reinforce the idea that your investment depends on different types of on-demand apps. There are several cost differentiators enclosed within, for instance.

• The cost of regular stability updates
• Third-party app integrations 
• Content sources 
• Visual elements and their complexity in the app 
• Hardware feature integration for smartphones (includes GPS, sensors, AR/VR tech, etc.) 
• Post-launch technical support 

Once you acquire an idea of the expenses likely to occur in developing your on-demand mobile app idea, you can manage and allocate the funds accordingly. 

3. Technology Stack 

On-demand mobile application development services can be categorized by the devices and technology platforms they function on. These would mainly include iOS, Android, React, Xamarin, Node, Flutter, Ionic, and the likes. Additionally, the nature of your mobile application may require integration with high-end technologies, like Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, Blockchain, or Artificial Intelligence. 

These technologies offer certain advantages, fit different application needs, and vary in their development expenses. 

4. Processes Involved 

On-demand applications are usually more concentrated in their usage and nature of intended users. And yet, the maintenance costs they incur are similar to that for any other business app. 

• Backend data hosting 
• App hosting web server 
• Performance monitoring 
• User analytics gathering 
• App store registration 
• Device-specific updates 
• Region-wise license registration and updation 

When you sit down to figure- how much does it cost to create on-demand apps – simultaneously work to determine the cost to maintain your application, keep it live, functioning, and stable.

The Final Bit-How Do You Create On-demand Apps With a Higher Likelihood of Success?

Now that you are acquainted with different on-demand app development cost differentiators, the first step to that goal would be thorough R&D. You can use this list to create a rough idea of what you want your app to be like and how much each of those specifications is going to cost you. 

• App complexity 
• Development platform 
• Target device(s)
• Type of on-demand app (Native/Hybrid/Web)  
• Nature of app services (Free/Paid/Both) 
• Development team resources (outsourced offshore/local teams) 
• App maintenance 
• Niche-specific development costs (eCommerce/Food/Social Media/Logistics, etc.) 

Pro-Tip: Always compare regional costs for resources, infrastructure, and services. As already discussed in the article, you will find that the expense for a few on-demand mobile app development services in India is lower than that in the USA. It could be true for other regions as well. Depending on your project’s flexibilities and your business preference, regional cost calculations can help cut the final figure by a considerable value. 

And of course, don’t compromise on quality! Good luck with the project!  

This article is contributed by Rohit Bhateja –  is heading the Digital Marketing & Business Transformation team at SunTec India and loves helping people & brands plan, optimize and implement strategies. The author is a technology enthusiast, IT professional, and advocate of intelligent business development, specializing in queries related to hire Indian mobile app developers.

E-Commerce is the buzzword in the world of the internet, and if we truly look at its pace of growth, it looks the sky is the limit for modern-day e-commerce business. At present, it is all about online shopping and people are embracing the trend more progressively. And, this trend is equally dominating all the industries, all across the world. The power of the internet and mobile phone technology made it possible for companies to reach their customers anytime, anywhere in the world. But, using mobile phones as the targeted device has tripled the revenues of business companies, since it allowed businesses to stay at the fingertips of their customers, while constantly persuading them to purchase through notifications and communicating with them through social media handle and chat options, etc. 

It is no secret that enormous usage of smartphones has given a great push to mobile eCommerce because our lives are dominantly ruled over by mobile phones and applications in it. According to a recent study, more than 96% of adults in the U.S use a mobile phone and have uninterruptable access to the internet connection. And to the recent statistics, around 81% of the global population owns a mobile phone. If you look around, you will find almost everybody having these devices, and their hands glued to them. 

Being a business owner, you need to determine the opportunities around you and exploit them aptly. But, if you are still not convinced, then let us tell you a simple answer i.e. if you want to propagate your business then your e-shop has to be on the mobile app, even if it is already present on a website. Because, with a website alone, your business can never reach its full potential. And, if you review the latest e-commerce trends, then you will quickly come to know that everyone is heading directly to mobile commerce. 

Some people may also wonder if having mobile commerce is a must these days? The answer is YES! 100%. Too often, we consult business owners who show complete content with their sales, growth rate, and revenues generating from their e-commerce websites; and that is why they never feel the need to need an e-commerce mobile application. 

The reason we always give them to inspire is that they don’t feel the need yet, because they are unaware of the potential of a mobile application. But, this is only one reason; there are plenty more that can help your business being relevant and successful in the year coming ahead. To guide you at our best, we have listed 10 important reasons that why your business needs a mobile e-commerce application in modern times. 

#1. Mobile E-Commerce Is Trending Up

Sales generating from mobile eCommerce are completely taking over the market. If we look at the sales metrics about what devices are customers using to shop, the smartphone and tablets appear at the top of the list. About 67% of total eCommerce sales across the globe come from generating from mobile devices, and this number is expected to cross 75% by the end of 2025. Mobile eCommerce is trending because people find it more convenient to shop anytime, anywhere while simply using their mobile phones. As the mobile eCommerce trend is coming up every year, and mobile sales are dominating the market, the best way for your business is to get a share in the pie too, by getting your business a functional mobile eCommerce app. 

#2. Customer Are Preferring Using Mobile E-Commerce Apps

If you don’t have a mobile app for your business, but still generating eCommerce sales from mobile devices, thinking that people are reaching your site using tablets and smartphones. And the sales data generating from it making you satisfied, then trust us, you are barely scratching the surface. Don’t get us wrong, but this the truth. Having a mobile-friendly website is a must, whether you have a mobile app or not. Because more than 85% of the users mentioned in a survey that mobile websites should look and work better than their desktop versions. Furthermore, about 88% of users are less likely to return to the site if it delivers a bad experience. All these problems can be overcome by making good, highly-functional mobile applications once and for all. 78% of mobile eCommerce shoppers agreed to the fact that they prefer using a mobile application over a mobile website. With better speed and convenience, mobile apps are undoubtedly delivering a better shopping experience. Hence, having a mobile app has become inevitable because no matter how responsive your mobile website is, a mobile application always delivers a more efficient and responsive user experience. 

#3. It Provided Higher Conversion Rates

Getting to the numbers once again, KPIs is what every business wants to boost, at the end of the day. Tracking down your conversion rate is the best thing to do, to realize the difference that mobile app and mobile app conversions bring in. If you realize your conversion rate for some time, you will surely get to know that the mobile app is the winner. A study by GitHub has also revealed that users view 286% more products and add them to their shopping carts, and at an 85% higher rate when they are using the mobile app than browsers. So the bottom line is simple. Better conversion rates translate into better revenues and certainly, mobile apps drive higher conversion rates. 

#4. It Helps You Gaining A Competitive Advantage

According to market experts, your mobile website is disadvantaged if you do not have a mobile app. As mentioned in point # 2, customers would rather prefer shopping from the mobile application, so it is only a matter of time that they are buying from your mobile site. But the fact is that if you are still getting any sales from mobile devices, then you are fortunate enough, but it cannot last very long. Conversely, if you are becoming the first mover to build a mobile eCommerce app, then it will give you a competitive advantage over other market players. It is simple if a customer is pulled between yours and your competitor’s site, then having a mobile app will give them an extra reason to lean towards it and hence buying from your mobile app.

#5. It Helps Improving Your Marketing Communication 

Sales metrics often get you excited when you are thinking of any big decision about your business. And mobile app eCommerce shops will certainly not disappoint you when you will look at the projected sales that can be generated from the platform. Apart from this, a mobile application is a dream for marketers, and by improving your marketing campaigns, you will finally be able to generate more profits from your prospective and existing customers. Features like push notifications play a crucial role in user engagement. According to a study, more than 60% of mobile app users open push notifications. Hence as compared to traditional email marketing or social media marketing, using push notifications features on mobile apps your brand message can appear directly on the screen of your mobile user and can direct users straight to the app appealing to them to buy. 

#6. Mobile E-Commerce Apps Boost Average Order Value (AOV)

As already discussed above, mobile apps improve conversion rates and user experience, but it also improves average order value (AOV) since, people view more products while using mobile apps, which provides a better opportunity for the companies to present their offerings. Mobile apps have higher AOV as compared to mobile browsers and desktops. 

#7. Delivers Personalized Shopping Experience

Personalization is a very crucial element for the success of eCommerce. And, mobile eCommerce apps take personalization to the next level. With a mobile commerce app, you can easily track the purchase and browsing history of your customers and hence make product recommendations accordingly. This as a result creates a personalized shopping experience for your customers. 

#8. Helps Increasing Customer Loyalty 

To make your customer spend more and more, all you need is a customer loyalty program. Ecommerce mobile apps increase the chance to make your customer participate in this program by regularly using the app and spending more and more money to reach the targets. There are plenty of loyalty program tactics that brands are frequently using to generate and boost their sales. 

#9. Reduce Rate of Cart Abandonment

Cart abandonment is a serious problem for eCommerce businesses. And it is one of the most significant KPI that you should always be tracking. Cart abandonment can be frustrating because usually, the customer walks away just before a couple of clicks to finalizing the purchase. Apart from the top reasons defined by the technological, market, and psychological experts, the biggest reason is the poor user experience. And this is what mobile apps need to eliminate. By reducing any kind of friction and number of steps through the checkout process, the cart abandonment rate can be significantly reduced. 

#10. Provide Enhanced Customer Services

Research has shown that people tend to willingly pay more for exceptional customer service. About 73% of buyers are found to be spending more and shop for a longer time due to good customer services and user experience. So, this is one of the factors that a business must address while designing a mobile eCommerce app. 

In sum, we can say that every business nowadays needs a mobile application development because it is simply what your customers and your market are demanding. 

This article is contributed by Sam Khan – is a Professional Digital Marketer at Code Creators Inc. Which is providing mobile application development, SharePoint, website development, and IT services.