The Ecommerce sector is booming with potential- global online shopping is rapidly increasing and will account for almost 41% retail sales by the end of 2027, 18% higher than in 2017. The growth parameter shows the significance of ecommerce. Social commerce is expected to cross $2 trillion mark, hinting at a significant shift toward seamless digital buying experiences. If we look at the USA ecommerce industry alone, it’s nearing $4,650. If you want to build an ecommerce app, there are numerous factors that affect the cost, such as features, platform, and others. In this blog, we discuss types of ecommerce apps and factors that influence total cost.
Different Types of eCommerce Apps and Their Development Costs
- Single-Store Apps
These apps contain product catalogs, engaging cart checkout, and an integrated payment feature, and are developed for a single brand. The cost of such apps can range between $30,000 and $80,000. Shopify is one of the best platforms to support single-store apps. A Shopify app developer can construct an app that support a seamless shopping experience faster.
- Multi-Vendor Marketplace
As indicated by its name, this app is created for multiple sellers, dashboards, and inventory tools, and is supported by a multi-vendor marketplace. These sophisticated apps, such as Flipkart or Amazon, cost between $80,000 and $180,000.
- B2B App
Business-to-Business apps are designed specifically for businesses and distributors. With the use of such an app, businesses make large orders, operate multi-user accounts, and come with exclusive pricing. Typically, prices fall between $60,000 and $150,000.
- Subscription-Based Apps
These apps offer services or products with an integrated secure payment gateway and management tools. Development costs fall between $50,000 and $130,000.
- Niche Marketplace
Apps that are category-specific with curated product listings and smart search filters. The estimated cost to develop ranges from $40,000 – $100,000.
- Social Commerce App
These kinds of apps are popular among the young generation as they feature influencer stores and sharing. Such apps usually cost between $70,000 – $140,000.
Cost Factors Influencing Ecommerce App Development
- Feature Complexity
The app development cost depends primarily on its feature complexity. The number and kind of features included in the development process affect the cost very much. A basic mobile app comes with limited functions, such as real-time tracking, recommendations, and multilingual support. The more complex the features, the higher the time and effort required to implement all of them. Partnering up with an experienced app development company ensures that the right features are integrated with cost-effectiveness. This gives space to businesses to scale gradually, without overspending on unnecessary complexities. The following table explains the ecommerce mobile app development cost in detail:
- Customization Level
Another important factor is the requirement for customization level. In the app industry, off-the-shelf solutions are certainly cheaper, but such solutions are not able to capture true brand identity or consumer requirements. On the other hand, custom development involves creating tailored functionalities such as customized dashboards, a smooth user journey, which require more time and skills. Plus, such mobile apps can improve user engagement and long-term scalability. Additionally, when you work with a skilled ecommerce app developer, they can align every important function and enhance overall usability. Not only this, but choosing the correct balance between custom features and standard modules influences investment in an ecommerce project.
- Third-Party Integration
Another factor that affects the development of an ecommerce app is third-party integration. A secure and seamless payment method is crucial. And businesses often require shipping APIs, marketing tools, CRM systems, or accounting software integration.
Each of these connections requires extra development time, security compliance, and thorough testing. Compared to, if you are looking to launch a business quickly, joining hands with a specialized Shopify app development agency can simplify integration with several plugins. This methodology decreases development time while at the same time ensuring robust performance and compatibility with potent business tools.
- UI/UX Design
When calculating the cost of developing an e-commerce app, app design is yet another crucial component to consider. Only a small percentage of the millions of apps available in app stores have received a significant number of downloads. Because of their striking and remarkable designs, e-commerce apps that integrate user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design technologies will draw in more users. Your software will stand out if it has smooth navigation, animations, and sharp graphics. This will surely boost user engagement.
- Security and Compliance
Security is one of the most important features in an app. An app must comply with GDPR and DSS, or any other state data protection law that demands investment in powerful encryption, fraud prevention, and secure payment systems. A consumer expects to receive data and financial transactions that require additional testing and monitoring, thus increasing development costs. Businesses that manage large-scale transactions often need a more advanced framework. Joining hands with an experienced professional company in BigCommerce app development secures proper implementation. It can seem costly in the initial stages, but strong security saves money by diverting any data breaches.
- Maintenance and Support
After the app launches, regular updates and bug fixes are required for app maintenance and support in order to keep users interested and boost retention rates. To draw in new users, you must periodically update your app with new features. As a result, the expense of maintaining an e-commerce app remains constant due to shifting market trends.
How To Reduce Ecommerce Mobile App Development Cost
It should be evident from the cost estimates above that developing a mobile app for e-commerce takes a significant amount of time and money. Finding various methods to cut costs while creating a top-notch software that attracts consumers is therefore essential. The following list includes some strategies for minimizing the costs associated with developing e-commerce apps.
- Use a Basic App Design
Choosing a simple and easy-to-create app design helps save the costs associated with developing an e-commerce app. A clean and minimalistic graphic design can help you save money on app development while giving customers visually appealing content.
- Employ a Professional
You may drastically cut costs by working with a development company. A pool of skilled and knowledgeable app developers can help you with the entire development process. CodKnox is a reputable and experienced e-commerce app development company. We assist our clients in understanding the detailed steps involved in the design, development, and post-development phases, and can readily offer feedback on any changes made from time to time. This minimizes the waste of time and resources. Selecting a mobile app development company guarantees a more rapid and economical solution while keeping quality as the primary concern.
- Choose Only Vital Features
Including only necessary functionality in your app is another strategy you can utilize to lower the cost of developing an e-commerce app. Users will be more likely to continue with your easy-to-use software if it has fewer features that make it easier for them to understand the navigation and other features. Initially, adding sophisticated features to your app will raise the total cost of development; however, you can reduce the cost by implementing only the most necessary elements and then adding more features over time.
Wrapping Up
Choosing the best ecommerce app development company is another crucial task that requires careful consideration and investigation. You need to hire a company that holds the expertise and can create a dedicated ecommerce mobile application. The CodKnox team is available 24/7 to help you create the best e-commerce app at the lowest possible cost, complete with innovative designs, cutting-edge features, and a highly scalable technological stack! If you also want to develop an engaging app, get in touch with us to begin the process.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is ecommerce app development?
eCommerce app development is the process of creating mobile applications that enable businesses to sell products online, offering seamless shopping experiences.
Q2. How much does it cost to develop an ecommerce app?
The cost of an ecommerce app depends on numerous factors such as features, the platform chosen, third-party integration, developers’ skills, and other important aspects. However, on average, the app cost can range between $10,000 and $250,000.
Q3. How much time does it take to create an ecommerce app?
The timeline of app development relies on several elements, such as the location of the development team, features complexity level, and the developers’ skills. On average, it can take 3 to 6 months to develop an ecommerce app.