How Much Does It Cost To Build An E-commerce App?

Have you ever wondered what budget you need to create your very own e-commerce application? In a world where online shopping is the new normal, having an e-commerce application can be a game-changer for your business. In fact, the global e-commerce market is predicted to hit US$6,478.00bn by 2029. That's a lot of potential customers! But before you start counting your profits, let's talk about how much does an ecommerce app cost.

Get ready to crunch some numbers and discover what it really takes to build an e-commerce solution that will make your customers swoon!

What is an E-Commerce App?

Before answering the main question - how much does it cost to develop an e-commerce app - let’s find out what it actually is. An e-commerce application is a mobile solution that brings the shopping experience right to your fingertips. With an e-commerce app, you can browse through countless products, compare prices, read reviews, and make purchases without ever stepping foot in a physical store. And the best part? You can do all of this while lounging on your couch in your pajamas! Popular examples like eBay, Amazon, and Etsy have revolutionized the way we shop. It is now more convenient, accessible, and fun than ever before. From fashion and electronics to groceries and home goods, there's an e-commerce application for everything under the sun. These apps often include personalized recommendations as well as push notifications. These functions keep consumers engaged and encourage repeat visits.

What Are The Benefits Of Having An e-Commerce App?

In the digital age we live in, shopping has gone mobile. Customers are increasingly turning to their smartphones to browse, compare, select, and purchase products on the go. For a company that sells online, having a dedicated application has become a necessity rather than a luxury. Let's explore the key benefits of an e-commerce solution for your business.

Ease of use

With a well-designed application, buying products becomes a seamless and effortless process. Customers can easily browse through your product catalog, apply filters to find exactly what they're looking for, and complete the purchase with just a few taps on their screen. Unlike a website, which might require customers to navigate through multiple pages and enter their information repeatedly, an app can store user preferences, payment details, and shipping addresses, making the checkout process a breeze.

Sales growth

An application isn't just convenient for shoppers. It's great for your bottom line too. Here's why:

Apps create super loyal customers. When your icon is right there on their home screen, they'll think of you first. They're more likely to open your application and buy again and again.

Plus, you can send push notifications right to their phone. Having a sale? Got new items? Nudge them to open the application and take a look. It's like a direct line to your best customers.

Mobile shoppers also tend to spend more. The easier it is to buy, the more they'll splash out. Night owls can order stuff at 2am. Early birds can browse before breakfast. Impulse buys are just a click away. This 24/7 availability is like rocket fuel for your revenue.

Brand awareness

An application isn't just a sales tool. It's a mini billboard in your customer's pocket. Having your own e-commerce app can greatly enhance the recognition and visibility of your brand. Every time customers scroll past your icon, they see your logo and remember your brand. It's subtle but powerful marketing.

You can also use your app to build community. Share your story, your values, your vision. Turn customers into fans who keep coming back, not just to buy, but to engage. An application takes your brand from distant and forgettable to up-close and personal.

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Why Develop a Mobile App For Your Ecommerce Business?

Okay, so e-commerce applications are clearly a great asset. But should you build your own or use a generic e-commerce platform? Here's why investing in your own application pays off.

You're in control. With your own application, you call the shots. You decide what it looks like, how it works, what features to include. You can also tailor the app to your specific customers. Know they like certain products or features? Put those front and center. Cater to their needs and preferences.

The bottom line? Building your own e-commerce app is an investment that pays dividends. More sales, more loyalty, more brand power.

Factors That Affect the Cost of Ecommerce Mobile App Development

Crafting an e-commerce software solution isn't cheap. Many things can make the price go up or down. Let's look at the main factors that change how much does ecommerce mobile app development cost.

UI/UX

The look and feel of your application is super important. It's the first thing users see. It needs to make a solid first impression to keep them coming back.

Expect to pay around $7,000 to $15,000 for a basic UI/UX design. For something fancier with animations and custom graphics, it could be $25,000 or more. The more screens and features, the higher the price.

App Features & Complexity

The features you want in your application have a big impact on cost. Basic solutions with functionality like user registration, search, and payments usually cost $30,000 to $70,000. Advanced features like real-time inventory management, personalized recommendations, or augmented reality product visualization will require greater development effort and specialized expertise. The more complex the app logic, the more development time needed. And time is money. Expect to pay $100,000 or more.

Be smart about which features you really need. Prioritize the ones that matter most to your users and business. As your budget allows, you can always add more later.

Third-party Integrations

Most ecommerce applications don't stand alone. They connect with other systems to do things like:

• Process payments (Stripe, PayPal)
• Manage inventory and shipping (ERP software)
• Handle customer support (Intercom, Zendesk)
• Send out notifications and emails (Mailchimp, Twilio)

Third-party tools usage saves time and prevents headaches. You don't have to reinvent the wheel. Yet, integrations can get pricey, so choose wisely. Each integration requires careful planning, development, and testing to ensure smooth compatibility and functionality. Some integrations may also incur additional costs, such as transaction fees or subscription charges.

How Much Does It Cost to Develop an eCommerce Mobile App?

So, how much does it cost to build an e-commerce app? The answer to this question is not a simple one, since the cost of developing E-commerce apps can vary significantly because it depends on various factors. However, by breaking down the different stages of app development and exploring the associated costs, we can gain a clearer understanding of the financial investment required.

App Designing

The design phase is where the visual appeal and UX take shape. This stage involves creating prototypes, wireframes, and high-fidelity designs that bring your app's concept to life. The cost of app designing can range from $5,000 to $30,000, depending on the design complexity, the revisions required, and the experience level of the designers involved. Investing in a well-designed app is crucial, as it directly impacts the engagement and retention of the users.

App Development

This is the phase where the magic happens—your app's features and functionality are brought to life through code. The cost of e-commerce app development is influenced by the complexity of functionality, the tech stack, and the expertise of the development team. As we’ve mentioned above, costs for developing e-commerce apps with basic features can range from $30,000 to $70,000. However, if your app requires advanced features like real-time inventory management, personalized recommendations, or augmented reality, the cost can escalate to $100,000 or more. It's essential to prioritize the features that align with your business goals and budget constraints.

App Maintenance

Launching your ecommerce application is just the beginning. Maintaining and updating it is an ongoing process. Maintenance involves fixing bugs, addressing user feedback, and adding new features to keep your product relevant and competitive. The cost of maintenance can vary depending on the complexity of your project and the frequency of updates required. On average, you can expect to allocate 15-20% of your initial development cost towards annual maintenance. This means if your e-commerce mobile app development cost was $60,000, you should budget around $9,000 to $12,000 per year for maintenance.

Benefits of Building Your E-Commerce App

Let's delve into the perils of investing in a tailor-made e-commerce application for your business.

Control and customization. When you build your own e-commerce app, you have complete control over every aspect of the user experience. You don't have to compromise or settle for a generic, one-size-fits-all solution. Instead, you can create a product that truly reflects your unique value proposition and resonates with your target audience.

Competitive advantage. While many businesses rely on templated solutions, your unique application will stand out and grab attention. It demonstrates your commitment to innovation and customer-centricity. By offering a bespoke app experience, you show that you understand your customers' needs and preferences and are willing to go the extra mile to meet them. This can help you attract new customers, retain existing ones, and establish yourself as a leader in your industry.

Scalability and growth. As your business grows and evolves, your e-commerce app needs to keep pace. With a custom-built solution, you have the flexibility to add new features, integrate new technologies, and scale your app as your customer base expands. You can implement loyalty programs without being constrained by the limitations of a pre-built solution.

Integration with existing systems. Building your own e-commerce app allows you to seamlessly integrate it with your existing business systems and processes. Whether you have a specific inventory management system, CRM software, or accounting tools, you can ensure that your application works in harmony with these systems. This integration streamlines your operations, reduces manual data entry, and minimizes the risk of errors.

Enhanced security and data privacy. With a custom solution, you have greater control over the security measures and data privacy practices implemented. By prioritizing security and data privacy, you build trust with your customers and demonstrate your commitment to their safety and well-being.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the cost of building an e-commerce application depends on various factors such as features, complexity, and development approach. At Stfalcon, we have extensive experience in developing e-commerce apps catering to diverse needs. Our work on the Bingebooks project showcases our ability to create feature-rich, user-friendly applications that prioritize essential functionalities while keeping possible scalability in mind.

By leveraging the power of cross-platform frameworks like Flutter, we can efficiently build solutions for multiple platforms, reducing e-commerce app development costs and time without compromising on quality.

Read the full case study

If you're considering building an e-commerce application, we encourage you to reach out to us. Our team of experts will work closely with you to understand your unique requirements, provide you with a detailed cost estimation, and guide you through the entire development process.

The price tag for making an eCommerce application can be tricky to figure out. It depends on a bunch of things. But don't worry, we'll break it down for you.