An online shop’s mobile application is the same as responsive web design
Here’s what usually happens: you ask about mobile applications and 90% of the answers will be related to responsive web design. To clear this up: mobile applications have nothing in common with websites. They are developed natively for mobile devices with a specific operating system, e.g. Android or iOS. In order to use them, users first have to install them from the App Store or Google Play. Then, they access them simply via an icon on the desktop of their mobiles—not through a mobile browser, and not by entering a domain into the address bar.
The biggest obstacle? Users have to install the app
People have been going crazy for mobile apps and the number of downloads in app stores continues to grow every day. Users have gotten used to them, so the idea of installing them doesn’t really present an obstacle. According to a survey by Compuware, 85% of users prefer applications to mobile websites.
Besides, shopping applications often offer benefits like first-purchase discounts to motivate users to download them.Metalshopdecided for this type of reward system, and within first two days 102 customers installed its app, and the conversion rate jumped to 11%.
Only big online shop can afford to create their own mobile application
Until recently, demanding development methods made having one’s own mobile application a privilege reserved for giants like Amazon and eBay. Gradually, however, applications from smaller shops have begun to make it onto the market.
The latest addition to this industry is the creation of these apps as a licensed service which includes complete development, publishing, operation, and lifetime updates. Asymbo has provided this service, for example, to U-Acko.cz, the official dealer of Under Armour in the Czech Republic. And the return on investment? The profit from the application managed to cover the costs of the yearly license in the first first two months after launching.
If an online shop has a responsive website, it doesn’t need an m-shop
A mobile application is an alternative to a responsive website that helps increase the number of repeated purchases, profit, and sales from mobile devices. It accelerates mobile shopping and supports the credibility of the brand while improving customer loyalty. It’s purpose is not to draw everyone’s attention, but it does attract a strong group of users who trust the online shop and would like to establish a closer relation with it.
On average, users spend more time in app than on mobile websites. And they more often finish their visit by placing an order.
People only use their mobiles to choose products, not to purchase them
Hypothetical: Frank Newman wants to buy a tablet. He reads through reviews on his way home from work, while walking the dog or at a family party. Finally, he chooses one and wants to buy it immediately! In this moment, do you think he’s going to opt to wait and find the product all over again, just so he can complete his purchase on his laptop? That is hard to imagine.
Sometimes, however, online shop don’t give him any other option, as they don’t provide an option for him to make the purchase comfortably from his mobile.
Running a mobile application for retailer is more demanding than running an online shop
The owner of an online shop doesn’t need a team of several specialists in mobile applications. We take care of the development and publishing of your app, and ensure that users can download it directly from the online shop simply from their mobile phones.
In addition, we keep the mobile application running and in good condition 24/7/365 and also implement improvements and updates. What kind of responsibilities does that leave for the owner of the online shop? Nothing related to the mobile app, that’s for sure! Our current clients really enjoy how much more time they have for work they love, like developing interesting marketing strategies.
