Unleashing the Power of Mobile Shopping Apps: A Comprehensive Guide for Retailers

October 6, 2023

The Power of Mobile Shopping Apps Guide for Retailers

From increasing sales to building brand loyalty, learn how launching your own app will help your retail business.

BONUS: Find a FREE eBook inside!

Ever wondered about the power packed into those little devices we call smartphones? Well, you're
not alone. With over 300 million people in the US and a whopping 4 billion worldwide using
smartphones, these gadgets have become a part of our daily lives.

But for retailers, these smartphones aren’t just tools for calls and texts. They are keys to unlocking a
world of opportunities. How? Through mobile shopping apps.

And in this blog, we are here to break it down for you. We will show you how mobile apps can
transform your retail business. Whether you’re a small shop or a big chain, there is something here
for everyone.

Why Having a Website Isn't Enough Anymore?

You might think having a website covers all your digital bases. Well, think again. The world is shifting,
and it’s moving fast. Here’s why just having a website isn’t cutting it anymore:

Statistics and Trends Related to Mobile App Usage Say It All

Just think about this - people spend more time on mobile apps than on websites. Stats show that an
average person spends a significant chunk of their digital time within mobile apps. Your customers
are there, and you should be too.

Mobile apps are not only accessible but also offer a personalized, smooth, and interactive
experience. Unlike mobile websites, apps reside right on your customers’ phones, reminding them
of your brand regularly.

Mobile shopping apps literally put your retail business into the pockets of your customers, 24/7.

Top 5 Reasons to Create a Mobile Shopping App for Your Business Today

1. Boost your Sales

First things first – let's talk about business. A mobile shopping app can significantly boost your
revenue. It provides a seamless shopping experience for your customers.

Think about it like this:
they can browse, select, and purchase with just a few taps. Plus, you can send them special offers
and discounts directly to their phones, encouraging even more purchases. Your mobile shopping app
becomes a 24/7 sales representative right in their pockets.

First things first – let's talk about business. A mobile shopping app can significantly boost your
revenue. It provides a seamless shopping experience for your customers.

Think about it like this:
they can browse, select, and purchase with just a few taps. Plus, you can send them special offers
and discounts directly to their phones, encouraging even more purchases. Your mobile shopping app becomes a 24/7 sales representative right in their pockets.

2. Keep your Retail Business Up-to-Date

In the fast-paced world of retail, staying current is the key. Mobile apps allow you to update your
customers about new arrivals, sales, and promotions instantly. No more waiting for them to stumble
upon your website. You can open an entirely new way to send marketing to your customers via push
notifications, and do so directly from your app to their phones. With push notifications you can grab
customers’ attention and keep them in the loop, ensuring they never miss out on anything exciting
happening in your store.

3. Build Brand Loyalty

A mobile app is a direct channel to your brand. It allows you to create a personalized experience for
your customers. You can tailor recommendations based on their preferences and purchase history,
making them feel valued. When customers feel heard and appreciated, they become loyal. Loyal
customers not only keep coming back but also spread the word about your brand, becoming your
best advocates.

Pro Tip: Creating Loyalty Programs

Consider setting up loyalty programs within your app. Reward your customers for their purchases and engagement. Want to know how? Check out the benefits of implementing a loyalty program in retail where we walk you through the process step by step. Loyalty programs not only keep your existing customers happy but also attract new ones, boosting your sales and building long-term relationships.

4. Hook More Potential Customers

Mobile shopping apps expand your reach. They enable you to tap into an even wider audience,
including tech-savvy individuals who prefer shopping on their phones. Moreover, app marketplaces
provide an opportunity for your business to be discovered by new customers. With the right
marketing strategies, your app can become a magnet for potential buyers, increasing your customer
base.

5. Improve the In-Store Experience

Even for brick-and-mortar stores, mobile apps can be game-changing. Implement features like in-
app product scanning, allowing customers to get detailed information about products by simply
scanning barcodes. You can also offer mobile-exclusive discounts to encourage in-store visits. By
seamlessly integrating the digital and physical shopping experiences, you create a cohesive journey
that keeps customers engaged and satisfied.

Incorporating Essential Mobile Shopping App Features

Once you have planned to have a mobile shopping app, you might want to ensure you make use of
these must-have features that can make your app a customer favorite:

A Comprehensive Product Catalog and Search Functionality

Think of your app as a digital showroom. It needs to be well-organized, easy to navigate, and visually
appealing. A comprehensive product catalog with clear categories and a solid search functionality is
essential. Your customers should be able to find what they need swiftly and effortlessly.

Guy scrolling on mobile app with tablet and app_Alumni-Hall

User Accounts and Personalized Profiles

User accounts are like golden tickets to personalized experiences. You can create mobile apps and
encourage customers to create accounts where they can save their preferences, order history, and
payment details securely. Personalized profiles enable you to tailor product recommendations,
making the shopping experience unique and engaging for each customer. With mobile apps, you can
even let your customers create an account and login with one click, by offering social media login
options.

Shopping Cart and Secure Checkout Process

A seamless shopping cart and a secure checkout process are non-negotiable. Customers should be
able to add and remove items easily from their carts when shopping via your mobile app. And when
it comes to payment, ensure the process is smooth, secure, and trustworthy. Another huge benefit
of mobile apps is how easy it is to allow your customers to use their digital wallets, for example
Apple Pay which is already set up on their iPhone. Accepting these payment methods makes the
check-out process frictionless and faster for your customers to pay.

Push Notifications and In-App Messaging for Promotions and Updates

You can stay on your customers’ radar with in-app messaging and push notifications. You can timely
notify your customers about ongoing promos, new arrivals, and special discounts. And even
personalize your messages based on their preferences to increase their impact and relevance.

Integration with Payment Gateways and Multiple Payment Options

When it comes to payments, flexibility is key. Integrate your app with various payment gateways like
PayPal, Stripe, or others, and offer multiple payment options such as credit/debit cards, digital
wallets, such as Apple Pay and Google Pay, and even cash on delivery. The more options you
provide, the more customers you cater to.

Customer Reviews and Ratings

Customer feedback is priceless. Allow customers to leave reviews and ratings for products they have
purchased. Positive reviews build trust and credibility, while constructive criticism helps you
improve. Engage with your customers’ feedback, showing them that you value their opinions.

These essential features form the backbone of a successful mobile shopping app. Each feature plays
a vital role in enhancing user experience, fostering trust, and ultimately boosting your sales. By
integrating these elements seamlessly, you will be well on your way to creating an app that
customers not only download but also love to use.

Marketing and Promoting Your App

Once you have got your app ready, how do you ensure that your potential customers know about it
and use it? Here are some practical strategies to make it work for you:

Pre-launch Marketing Strategies

Before your app hits the virtual shelves, build some buzz around it. You can do this by offering sneak
peeks, running teaser campaigns, or even holding a small contest to create some anticipation.
Engage with your audience and make them curious about what your app has to offer.

Leveraging Social Media and your Website for App Promotion

Social media is your best friend here. Spread the word about your app on platforms like Facebook,
Instagram, TikTok and Twitter. Also, use your own website to market your app and get more of your
existing customers to download it. Engage with your customer and your social followers; tell them
why your app is worth their time, and offer exclusive promotions available only in your mobile app.
Moreover, consider collaborating with influencers, as they have a large following they can promote
your app to a wider audience.

App Store Optimization (ASO) Techniques for Better Visibility

When people search for something in the app store, you want your app to pop up, right? That’s
where App Store Optimization (ASO) comes in. Think of it as making your app store listing attractive
and easy to find.

Pro Tip:

Just like ASO is essential for app visibility, SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is crucial for
your online store's visibility. If you're curious about how SEO can benefit your eCommerce business, check out these Top 4 SEO Strategies for Retailers. It's like making your store shine brightly in the vast online universe.

Post-launch Marketing Strategies and User Engagement Tactics

Once your app is live, the journey doesn’t end here. Keep the momentum going. Engage with your
users by sending them updates, exclusive offers, and discounts through your app. Encourage them
to leave reviews. A happy customer is more likely to spread the word and keep coming back for
more.
Remember, marketing your app is not just about selling; it's about creating a community of users
who genuinely love what you offer. So, put on your marketing hat, be creative, and let the world
know about your fantastic new app!

Key Takeaways for Mobile Shopping Apps

To sum it all up, here’s a quick rundown of how smartphones are changing the way we do retail now:

Smartphones are literally everywhere in our lives, which makes it crucial for businesses to
have mobile apps to better connect with their customers.
If you really want your mobile shopping app to win the hearts of your customers, make sure
it is equipped with all the essential features including a comprehensive product catalog, user
accounts and personalized profiles, secure and frictionless checkout process, push
notifications, in-app messaging, and multiple payment options.
Once you have your app ready you can leverage the power of social media and use your
eCommerce website to help get your app in front of a wider audience.

Feeling like you would like to take a deeper dive into this? You can learn even more in our FREE
Mobile Shopping App eBook which is full of practical tips and strategies to help you win BIG.
Download your FREE copy here and start your app journey today.