How much does it cost to build a shopping app?

Considering launching a mobile app for your e-commerce store?

At IMSHOP.AI, with a track record of over 150 shopping apps across different retail sizes, we understand the intricacies involved.

Let’s break down all the sensitive questions about shopping app development:

• How long does it take to launch an e-commerce app?
• What's the cost to launch a shopping app?
• What resources does an e-commerce brand need to create an app?

Price: The cost can range significantly from $30,000 to $700,000, depending on the app's complexity, features, and customizations.

Time: Development time can take anywhere from 6 months for a basic ecom app to over a year for highly sophisticated shopping apps.

Team Required: A substantial in-house team is necessary, including a project manager, head of e-commerce, as well as design, marketing, and product specialists.

Pros:

• Freedom implement advanced features like AR, custom animations, and gamification.
• Freedom to design a super-customizable app that aligns perfectly with your brand identity.
• The ability to implement complex functionalities tailored to specific business needs.

Cons:

• Requires significant financial investment and a dedicated team on the retailer’s side.
• The final cost often exceeds the initial estimates due to project scope changes.
• After launch, you face ongoing maintenance, the need to update for new OS versions, and continuous development to meet customer needs, tying you to the studio indefinitely.
• All processes you need to build from scratch.

Price: Often more expensive than outsourcing due to the need for a comprehensive in-house team.

Time: Similar to hiring a studio, though potentially longer due to the learning curve associated with building a team and expertise.

Team Required: A large team of iOS/Android developers, app marketing experts, and other mobile-specific roles.

Pros:

• Complete ownership of the app without the need to rely on external agencies.
• Flexibility to pivot and adapt the app development process as per internal timelines and strategies.

Cons:

• Typically more expensive as it involves hiring a diverse team of iOS/Android developers, as well as marketing and analytics experts.
• Requires in-depth knowledge and competencies in mobile app development, which is different from web development.
• All processes and workflows must be built from scratch, requiring a significant investment in time and expertise.

Price: Monthly fees from $200 to $1,000.

Time: Quick; can be a matter of weeks to set up and launch.

Team Required: Minimal; possibly one or two individuals to manage the setup and content.

Pros:

• Fast and affordable for small and mid-size companies.
• Good for testing market fit for your app.

Cons:

• Limited customization and capabilities;
• User experience may suffer, revealing that the app is builder-made.

Price: $5,000 to $16,000 for launch, with flexible subscription plans starting from $1,600/month.

Time: Approximately 6 weeks to launch a native shopping app on both iOS and Android.

Team Required: At least one person in charge, a tech expert for website integration, and a marketer for content and communications.

Pros:

• Offers studio-quality app at a builder's price point.
• Integration with existing CRM, CMS, and loyalty programs.
• Ongoing support, updates, and new feature releases.
• New features every week, such as targeted push notifications and personalized offers.
• Personal product manager that teach your team how to grow your revenue through mobile channel.
• Serves as an experimentation lab, allowing for rapid testing of new features without extensive time and financial commitments.

• Cons:
• Initial versions lack fully custom designs.
• Requires some development work from your side for app-website integration.

To sum things up, each approach to developing a shopping app comes with its own set of advantages and limitations.

That’s why we developed IMSHOP to provide retailers with a studio-like app at builder's price.

To see how your e-commerce app will look and function, book a personalized demo with our team.
Our team will create a downloadable version tailored specifically for your brand, allowing you to see and interact with your app before making any commitment.