Did you know that you can boost your revenue and expand your customer base by converting your ePages store into a mobile app?
With the rise of mobile ecommerce, it is crucial for businesses to adapt to changing consumer preferences. While creating a custom native app can be expensive, there is a cost-effective solution: using an ePages mobile app builder.
By leveraging a tool like this, you can effortlessly develop a fully functional and premium-quality mobile app for your ePages store without draining your resources.
Read on to learn the step-by-step guide!
With a remarkable growth rate, mobile has conquered more than 72% of the total ecommerce market - a substantial rise from its previous share of just over 52% in a span of five years.
This aligns with the general pattern of increasing mobile internet usage, which leans more heavily towards mobile each year. Mobile currently holds a market share of over 50% compared to desktop and tablet.
Additionally, 15% of Americans now exclusively rely on smartphones to access the internet, indicating a shift towards the future of ecommerce, where customers are not only mobile-first but also mobile-only.
Merely focusing on mobile optimization is a beginning, but it's insufficient. Mobile applications deliver a superior user experience on smartphones, leading to enhancements in various key metrics, such as:
Additional data highlights that users of mobile apps for ecommerce are twice as likely to revisit the store within a 30-day period when compared to those who rely on mobile browsers.
Mobile apps also provide the benefit of using mobile push notifications, which achieve an average open rate of 20% and a click-through rate of 28%.
Mobile apps also serve as an effective tool for nurturing loyal and repeat customers.
Is it required to turn your ePages store into a mobile app? Maybe not, but an ePages mobile app can provide substantial benefits for your business.
Publishing a mobile app directly from ePages is not possible. ePages is designed exclusively for webstores. However, if you want to develop a mobile app using ePages, you'll need an additional solution to bridge the gap.
Here are a few options:
If you have an ePages store, you have the option to transform it into an app using one of the methods mentioned above.
Even so, most store owners should not consider the third option of hiring developers to build native apps. The primary reason for this is the high cost associated with mobile apps. Building a native app can range from $30,000 to $150,000, and that's only for one operating system. You will need to multiply this cost by two to launch apps for both Android and iOS (which is recommended).
Developing an app is a time-consuming, complex, and expensive process in the first place. It becomes even more challenging when your developers need to create an API and establish a connection between the back end of your apps and your ePages store.
Considering the costs involved, it is unlikely that you have the budget for this, especially when you take into account the annual expenses of maintaining and running your app.
Many people overlook the ongoing costs associated with launching an app. Maintaining and keeping the app up-to-date, including operating system updates, ePages updates, bug fixes, and introducing new features and enhancements, typically requires around 15-20% of the initial development cost each year.
In fact, the expenses can be even higher. David Cost, the VP of Marketing at Rainbow Apparel, extensively researched this when they were launching their own apps and discovered that the annual maintenance cost could reach up to one million dollars.
"If we had unlimited time and resources, a custom native app would be our preference. However, the maintenance costs alone would range from half a million to a million dollars per year."
- David Cost, VP of Marketing, Rainbow Apparel
Let's take a conservative estimate of $150,000 for developing apps for both mobile platforms. Based on this estimate, the yearly cost for updates and maintenance would amount to approximately $30,000.
For many store owners, this amount is simply too much to invest. Plus, managing multiple platforms going forward, in addition to the website, can be a major headache. It triples the workload whenever you need to make changes to your site, needlessly adding complexity to your workflow.
If you're looking for the most suitable option, consider converting your ePages store into an app by using an ePages mobile app builder.
With the assistance of an ePages mobile app builder, you can effectively convert your ePages website into a mobile app that closely mirrors a native app. This app can be conveniently downloaded and installed on users' mobile devices.
The most trusted mobile app builders equip you with a mobile app that presents around 90-95% of the features typically associated with a native app, all at a more affordable cost and with less hassle.
But, not every option on the market is suitable for developing high-traffic, polished mobile apps that effectively showcase your brand.
Well-established brands with considerable resources – such as Nike, Target, Zara, and others – may decide to employ experts to build their shopping app entirely from the ground up.
If you don't have the same resources as these brands, MobiLoud is the best way to go for app development. It's a straightforward, affordable, and efficient choice.
It also allows for more cost-effective and hassle-free app maintenance.
Here's an outline of the process!
There are two ways to get started:
Regardless of the approach you choose, you'll notice that 90% of the app development work is already completed if your website is optimized for mobile devices.
If you require assistance with optimizing your site, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. We're more than happy to provide the support you need. This crucial step ensures a smooth and seamless process moving forward.
If you're all set to begin, sign up to MobiLoud. All of our plans include a 60-day money-back guarantee, and there's no requirement for a long-term commitment.
Once you're on board, our team will assist you in customizing and designing your app. Remember that a significant portion of the work has already been completed! Rather than starting from scratch, you'll only need to make a few modifications to achieve the desired native app appearance.
When you're pleased with the design, we'll start building your mobile app. The technical side of things will be handled by us, so you won't need to engage in coding or possess any coding skills.
If you'd prefer our team to oversee the entire process, we can accommodate that as well. Our comprehensive package covers all the necessary steps to configure, design, and publish your app, allowing you to take a hands-off approach.
Once we've completed the development of your app, it's time to prepare for its public release. Having a well-crafted launch strategy is vital to driving app downloads.
We provide various assets to enhance your app store descriptions, create engaging launch announcements for your website and email subscribers, and even assist with press releases.
We also offer complimentary additional features like intelligent app banners and exclusive discounts to incentivize your current customers to shop via the app.
Finally, we'll launch your app on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
The submission process for these app stores is notoriously challenging, especially for those who are new to app ownership and development. However, we have extensive experience with thousands of submissions and in-depth knowledge of the process.
Our team will handle the entire app submission process with Apple and Google on your behalf. We offer a 100% guarantee of app approval and will manage multiple submissions if required. Additionally, we provide recommendations and make any necessary changes as part of our service. You won't have to lift a finger.
Once your app listings go live, you can officially begin receiving downloads and start enjoying the numerous benefits of having your own ePages mobile app.
The mobile revolution is here. Most of your current revenue likely comes from mobile users, and if not, it will soon.
Having a mobile-optimized website for your ePages store is not enough. Having your own branded app will maximize your earnings from mobile users.
Nowadays, transforming your ePages store into a mobile app is easier than ever, as long as you approach it the right way. Instead of spending tens (or hundreds) of thousands of dollars on mobile developers, MobiLoud provides an incredibly accessible and straightforward solution.
Here are a few of the main advantages of using MobiLoud's ePages app builder:
Our straightforward, code-free app builder empowers you to launch your own shopping apps and secure your spot in the app stores alongside global powerhouse brands.
Don't hesitate to reach out to us now to discover more about how we can assist you in launching an app for your ePages store. Schedule a free, personalized demo, and one of our app pros will guide you through the entire process.