What is a Native App?

A native app is a mobile app made for one specific platform (typically iOS or Android), which users download directly to their phones.

Native apps are different from other mobile solutions, like hybrid apps and Progressive Web Apps. Hybrid apps wrap web code in an app shell. Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) make websites feel like apps. Native apps are built from scratch for each platform, using Swift (for iOS apps) and Java/Kotlin (for Android apps).

Native frameworks let apps use all phone features, like the camera, GPS, push notifications, and secure storage. Native apps also run faster and smoother than other options.

The Distinction Between Native Apps and Hybrid Apps

Technically, a native app is different from a hybrid app (or a cross-platform app, like an app built using React Native or Flutter).

However, the term "Native App" is often used to describe all mobile apps that users can download and run locally on their phones.

So you'll generally see apps broken down into two categories:

• Web apps (including Progressive Web Apps): interactive websites that run in the browser.
• Native apps (including hybrid and cross-platform apps): mobile apps that a user can download from the app store and use on their phone.

For a deeper look at the differences between Native, Hybrid and Web apps, check out this article.

Why Mobile Apps Matter for Online Stores

Mobile apps (including native and hybrid apps) convert better, and contribute significant revenue potential for ecommerce businesses (and other types of online business).

Brands see 2-3 times higher purchase rates in apps than on mobile websites. Some brands report app users spend 4-7 times more over their lifetime.

Why Do Apps Convert Better Than Mobile Websites?

Native apps work better because they're built for phones. They load faster. Scrolling is smoother. Touch responses happen instantly. These small improvements add up when you're shopping on a small screen.

Apps also remove common shopping headaches. Users stay logged in, payment info stays saved, and checkout takes just a few taps with Apple Pay or Google Pay. On mobile websites, users often re-enter info and deal with slower loading speeds.

There's also a mental difference. When someone downloads your app, they're choosing to connect with your brand. The app icon reminds them of you every day. The full-screen experience feels more focused than a web browser.

Data backs this up. Brands see about 63% more sales in apps than on mobile web. App users also browse more products and engage more with content.

How Apps Build Customer Loyalty

Apps excel at keeping customers coming back. As ads get more expensive, and traditional retention channels like email are becoming saturated, apps give brands a direct line to their best customers.

Push notifications are the star feature. Unlike emails that get lost in crowded inboxes, push messages appear instantly on phone screens. They have much higher open rates. Brands can send timely alerts about new products, restocks, or sales.

Beauty brand Recode Studios gets 17% of people to buy when they send cart reminder pushes. You can't do this with mobile web users.

Apps also work great for loyalty programs. About 42% of people download apps to show brand loyalty. And 60% stay loyal because of app-only perks. The cycle reinforces itself. Your best customers download the app. They get the best deals, and their loyalty grows even stronger.

Apps can personalize better than websites. Since users stay logged in, you can greet them by name. Show their loyalty status. Display products based on what they've bought before.

This makes shopping feel more personal, and improves the user experience - driving higher conversion rates and retention.

The Business Case for Apps

Native apps have the potential to drive real business results for online brands.

Let's look at real results from different brands.

• Hobbiesville found that 10% of customers use their app. But those customers bring in 40% of revenue. The app converts 3 times better than their mobile site. Push messages work twice as well as emails.
• BrüMate saw 43% more conversions in their app. Sales per visit were 56% higher. Within months, the app drove 10-20% of all sales.
• Rainbow Shops gets 10% of online revenue from their app. App shoppers have 7 times higher lifetime value. They spend 10% more per order.

The pattern is clear. App users buy more often and spend more money. As long as you can keep startup costs and overhead low, the return makes sense.

How to Build an App Without Breaking the Bank

High costs used to stop brands from building apps. But new tools have changed that.

Instead of building custom native apps, many brands now convert their mobile website into an app. They use special frameworks or service providers, like MobiLoud, which costs 95% less than building from scratch.

The difference in quality between a native app and a hybrid app (which is what you get with a service like MobiLoud) is rapidly decreasing.

Sleefs said their hybrid app was "99% as good as native." They got 30% higher order values and 40% better conversions through their hybrid mobile app.

You don't need fully custom apps to see results.

Start small. Launch a basic version of your mobile site as an app. Add native features like push notifications. Then improve based on user feedback.

This lets you start making money from your app without huge startup costs.

One key is to make sure your app connects to your existing systems. Customers should have the same experience everywhere.

Hybrid apps make this easy. You can maintain one shared codebase, and ensure the experiences are fully synced across all platforms.

When going live, launch to your best customers first. Email loyal shoppers with an invite and first-purchase discount. They'll give you feedback before you launch to everyone.

Making Your App Successful

Building an app is just the start. Success comes from ongoing work to keep users engaged. Here's how top brands do it.

Push Notifications - Your Secret Weapon

Push notifications need strategy. Nobody wants spam on their phone. But done right, they're incredibly powerful.

Segment Your Messages

• Don't blast everyone with the same message
• High-value customers should feel like VIPs
• New users need different messages than loyal fans
• Someone who bought shoes doesn't need baby clothes alerts

Use Smart Targeting

• Location matters: promote rain boots when rain is coming to their area
• Behavior matters: remind someone about items in their cart
• Timing matters (send lunch deals at 11 AM, not midnight)

Make It Personal

• Use their name
• Reference their past purchases
• Mention their loyalty status
• Show you know what they like

Personalization That Converts

Since users stay logged in, you can create magic. Here's what works:

Smart Product Display

• Show items in their size first
• Display their favorite categories up front
• Hide products they never buy
• Feature complementary items to past purchases

Easy Reordering

• One-tap reorders
• Show "buy again" buttons for consumable products
• Send reminders when they might run out
• Make subscription setup simple

Curated Collections

• Create "Picked for You" sections
• Use quiz results to guide recommendations
• Show trending items in their style
• Feature new arrivals in their preferred brands

Loyalty Programs That Work

Apps and loyalty programs are perfect partners. Here's why:

App-Exclusive Benefits

• Give app users early access to sales
• Offer bonus points for app purchases
• Create app-only products or colors
• Send surprise rewards through push notifications

Seamless Integration

• Show point balance prominently
• Make redemption one-tap easy
• Display progress to next reward level
• Celebrate milestones with special offers

VIP Treatment

• Create tiers that unlock in-app features
• Give top customers a special app experience
• Offer concierge chat for best customers
• Provide exclusive content or tutorials

Fresh Content Strategy

Apps need reasons for people to open them. Successful brands update regularly:

Product Launches

• Debut new items in-app first
• Create countdown timers for drops
• Allow pre-orders for app users
• Show behind-the-scenes content

Flash Sales and Deals

• Run app-only sales weekly
• Create time-sensitive offers
• Use push alerts for surprise deals
• Reward daily check-ins

Valuable Content

• Add style guides and lookbooks
• Create how-to videos
• Share user-generated content
• Build community features

Interactive Elements

• Add wishlists and boards
• Enable social sharing
• Create polls and quizzes
• Let users rate and review

The key is consistency. Update something every week. Give people a reason to open your app regularly. Soon it becomes a habit. And habits drive sales.

Tracking Success

To get an idea of your mobile app's performance, watch these key metrics:

• ‍Downloads and Active Users: Track daily and monthly active users. Good apps retain 20-30% of users after 30 days.‍
• Conversion Rates: Apps typically convert 2-3 times better than the mobile web.‍
• Order Values: Track average order values in your app (mobile apps generally drive more value per session/order than mobile web).‍
• Lifetime Value: This is your most important metric. App users often spend 4-7 times more over time. ‍
• Revenue Share: Successful apps drive 10-30% of online sales (some categories see even higher percentages).‍
• Push Performance: Track push open rates and conversion rates, as well as optin rates (you should aim for at least 60-70% optin rates for push notifications).

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• ‍Don't assume people will find your app. Promote it on your website. Email customers about it. Give reasons to download.‍
• The app can't be worse than the website. Users expect apps to work better, not worse. Poor apps, with recurring bugs or missing features, hurt your brand.‍
• Don't forget maintenance. Apps need updates for new phone features and bug fixes. Plan for ongoing costs.‍
• Don't overspend at the start. Prove the concept with a simple app before adding expensive features.‍
• Follow app store rules. Each app store store has specific guidelines to follow. Breaking them delays launch or gets your app removed.

The Future of Shopping Apps

Several trends are shaping the future:

AI Integration

Artificial intelligence will transform how apps understand and serve customers.

This isn't science fiction. It's happening right now.

Apps will get smarter at recommending products. They'll use weather, trends, and preferences to personalize shopping. Apps will guess what you need before you know.

AR Shopping

Augmented Reality removes the biggest online shopping fear: "Will this work for me?" Native apps can use phone cameras in ways websites can't.

New apps will let you try on makeup virtually. See furniture in your room. All this will make apps much more useful than websites.

Better Web Apps

PWA technology is improving. More brands will use both - PWAs for everyone and native apps for best customers. We'll become used to seeing more app-like experiences on the web.

Privacy Focus

First-party data becomes more valuable as tracking gets harder. Apps provide this data, but customers want transparency.

Apps collect valuable data with permission. As long as this permission is granted, and apps are transparent about how they collect and use data, apps will become a crucial tool for brands to use to understand their customers.

More Features

Apps might expand beyond shopping.

While more common in Asia, the super app concept is spreading. Apps are becoming more than shopping destinations.

Think resale features or social communities within shopping apps, as well as mobile payment solutions (like Alipay in China).

Your Next Steps

Native apps are no longer optional for serious online brands. They drive more sales, create loyal customers, and provide a direct connection to shoppers.

Success comes from using app strengths well. Push notifications, easy checkout, and personalization create real value. Start simple, measure everything, and improve based on data.

Remember that apps need ongoing attention. Plan for marketing, updates, and new features. The brands winning with apps treat them as living products.

As mobile shopping grows and ads get pricier, apps offer a path to better customer relationships. The question isn't if you need an app. It's whether you're ready to build one that truly serves your customers and grows your business.

Ready to turn your website into a high-performing mobile app?

MobiLoud helps ecommerce brands launch fully branded apps that drive more conversions, higher order values, and better retention (without rebuilding from scratch).

We handle everything for you, from setup to App Store approval, with ongoing support to guarantee ROI.‍

If you want to launch your own mobile app (in less than 30 days), start by getting a free preview of your app now.