How to Decide if You Should Build an App for Your Ecommerce Store?

When more than 70% of your ecommerce traffic comes from mobile devices, it's a strong signal to consider an app.

Despite having a good mobile website, an app can offer a much better user experience, which is reflected in key metrics; for instance, users typically view 4.2 times more products per session in an app compared to the mobile web.

Learn more about App vs Mobile Website.

A common question is about the minimum site traffic needed for launching an app.

Typically, sites with 50k monthly visits are in a good position to develop an app. However, this isn't a strict rule.

It's more about understanding the potential audience for your app. Even with less than 50k monthly traffic, an app could still be successful, especially if you have a strong community on social media or an established offline presence.

It also makes sense for B2B stores that may not receive 50K monthly website visitors but have a loyal customer base making significant purchases regularly.

It's especially true for offering tailored features like individual pricing agreements — features we at IMSHOP.AI have already developed for our 20+ B2B clients.

If your focus is on improving user experience and retaining customers, an app can be a key asset.

Apps offer a level of personalization and engagement that websites cannot, which is crucial for maintaining customer loyalty.

Learn more in this article: how IMSHOP.AI help retailers grow retention 2X and more.

For businesses with a physical store, a mobile app is essential for a comprehensive omnichannel strategy. It bridges the gap between online and offline shopping, enhancing the ROPO (Research Online, Purchase Offline) effect.
This approach leads to a seamless shopping experience and can boost overall sales.

If your store specializes in high-value products that require a longer decision-making process, an app can provide a more detailed and engaging platform for these products, aiding the customer's decision-making journey.

Developing an app typically leads to higher conversion rates due to the enhanced mobile user experience.
This results in a 3x higher conversion rate for apps in comparison with mobile sites, and 1.5x more than desktop sites.

If at least two of these points resonate with your ecommerce strategy, it's worth considering an app for your store.

Read in this article how much it cost to launch a shopping app where we compare most common ways how a retail brand can build an app.