You probably chose Sana Commerce because you needed an ecommerce solution that syncs with your ERP automatically to avoid the headache of managing and syncing duplicate data in your tech stack.
As your business grows, you're likely looking for new ways to retain customers and drive repeat orders. Mobile apps tick those boxes.
But Sana Commerce doesn't have built-in functionality to convert your web store into a dedicated iPhone or Android app.
A few years ago, Sana Commerce stopped developing its mobile app and shifted focus to responsive web stores that work across all devices. And when Sana Commerce Cloud launched, the old Sana Mobile features disappeared completely.
The closest thing to a mobile app experience you can offer is a Progressive Web App (PWA). PWAs are essentially websites with some app-like features, such as the ability to work offline and be added to a phone's home screen.
Responsive websites and PWAs both work on phones and tablets, but they're not the same as native apps. You lose three important benefits that make a real difference:
- First, you can't send push notifications straight to your customers' phones.
- Second, there's no dedicated app icon sitting on their home screen reminding them your store exists.
- And third, you miss the higher engagement rates that native apps consistently deliver.
You don't have to settle for just a responsive website or PWA. You can add a native mobile app to your Sana Commerce store without rebuilding your site or touching your ERP integration.
This guide will show you exactly how to do it. By the end, you'll know how to keep Sana Commerce's backend strength while adding the customer retention advantages of a native mobile app.
The Challenge: Mobile Websites Struggle with Customer Retention
Most brands take a straightforward approach to mobile commerce: build a responsive website, and expect customers to come back.
But accessibility doesn't automatically drive engagement. Just having a mobile-friendly site isn't enough, you need a more persistent channel.
Mobile apps give you that persistence, along with better tools to stay connected with customers, deliver personalized experiences, and create the kind of touchpoints that drive repeat purchases.
Mobile websites, on the other hand, face fundamental limitations that make retention difficult. Here's why they can't deliver the same results:
You Can't Reach Customers Directly
Native apps give you direct access to your customers through push notifications that appear on their lock screens.
With a mobile website or PWA, you're playing a waiting game—you need your customer to remember your company, open their browser, type in your URL, and log in. That's four steps standing between you and a sale.
With a native app, you send a push notification and it appears instantly.
PWAs technically support push notifications on iPhones, but only after customers manually add your store to their home screen and turn on notifications.
Downloading an app from the App Store feels natural and takes a few seconds. This difference determines whether you can reliably reach your customers or not.
If you want a deeper look at how brands use push to drive repeat purchases (without spamming customers), check out our push notifications playbook for ecommerce.
Browsers Create Too Many Distractions
When a customer opens a browser, distractions surround them. They've got multiple tabs open, the address bar makes it easy to search for your competitors, and another website is always one click away.
Apps create a completely different environment because they remove all those escape routes. When a customer opens your app, they're in your store with a single purpose: to buy from you.
The interface loads faster, looks cleaner, and exists specifically for placing orders. There's no temptation to look for a comparison store and no tabs pulling their attention elsewhere.
Mobile Websites Don't Stay Visible
A lot of repeat purchases happen through habit. When people reorder, they usually don’t weigh options from scratch, they go with what’s familiar and easy to access.
In a US consumer survey, 22% said they repurchase because it’s part of their routine, and 24% because they know the brand will be available. Your mobile site can't deliver on either if customers can't easily find it again.
PWAs can be saved to the home screen, but the process works against you. Customers have to tap the share button, scroll through options, find "Add to Home Screen," and then confirm. Most people never bother because it feels like extra work for unclear benefits.
Native apps remove all that friction because the majority of mobile phone users understand how App Stores work. They search for your app, tap install, and it's done.
The Problem With Custom Native Apps on Sana
When you decide that you need a mobile app, you might think the only option is hiring an agency to build one from scratch.
For Sana Commerce brands, though, this approach introduces complications that stem directly from what makes Sana valuable in the first place.
Sana's strength is its direct connection to your ERP system (Microsoft Dynamics or SAP). Your pricing rules, customer account structures, and inventory availability all pull directly from that connection.
To build a custom native app using Swift for iOS and Kotlin for Android for a Sana Commerce store, you'd have to:
- Rebuild every feature in native code. Everything that already works in Sana needs to be rebuilt from scratch for mobile devices.
- Recreate the API middleware to communicate with your ERP. The bridge between your app and your ERP system doesn't exist yet. You have to build it.
- Maintain two separate codebases forever. Your iOS app and Android app are completely different. Updates to one don't automatically apply to the other.
This approach typically costs six figures upfront and takes 6-12 months to launch. And that's before considering the maintenance overhead.
Every time you update a pricing rule in your ERP, you need developers to manually update the iOS and Android apps separately.
Otherwise, your mobile app users may see different prices than your web customers. The same goes for inventory counts, customer discounts, and product catalogs.
Each change requires coordinated updates across three platforms: your ERP, your iOS app, and your Android app.
The Solution: MobiLoud - Native Apps Powered by Your Sana Commerce Store
MobiLoud offers a third way: instead of settling for mobile-friendly web/PWA only, or investing in a costly custom native build, you can launch real iOS and Android apps powered by your existing Sana Commerce store.
We don't build a new app from scratch. Instead, we convert your existing Sana Commerce web store into a fully native mobile app.
We take your existing specialized, ERP-integrated website and turn it into real iOS and Android apps. You get the native elements users expect (tab bars, navigation, push notifications, splash screens) while your website remains the engine.
Built for Sana’s ERP-Driven Storefront
Because MobiLoud uses your existing web store, your Sana storefront functionality carries into the app:
- Complex ERP Pricing? It works, because it’s the same storefront logic.
- Real-Time Inventory? It updates in real time, just like your site.
- Customer Portals & Order History? Already there.
- Third-Party Add-ons? If they work on your site, they typically work in the app.
You get the full benefits of a native app without creating a new mobile codebase to maintain.
A Fully Managed Service
MobiLoud is not a DIY builder where you drag and drop buttons. We are a service for established brands.
We handle everything:
- Configuring the app design to match your brand.
- Building the iOS and Android binaries.
- Submitting to Apple and Google (and handling the back-and-forth if reviews require changes).
- Ongoing updates and maintenance.
You keep managing your website. We ensure your app runs smoothly.
Want to see it in action? Get a free app preview of your store or schedule a consultation.
The Process: The MobiLoud Setup and Launch Strategy
Launching your mobile app with MobiLoud is designed to be efficient and hassle-free for your team.
1. Book a Demo: It all starts with a personalized demo with a MobiLoud specialist. You'll talk through what you want to accomplish, see exactly how the platform works, and check out real apps we've built for other brands.
2. Setup and Design: Next, our team works directly with you to configure your app and handle the technical details. We'll integrate everything with your Sana Commerce site and make the optimizations needed so your store works properly as a native app.
3. Development and App Store Deployment: This is where MobiLoud takes over completely. Our developers build your app packages and manage the entire submission process for both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
4. Launch and Grow: Your app typically goes live around 4 weeks and your customers can start downloading immediately. After launch, we provide ongoing support and push regular updates when necessary to keep your app compatible with new iOS and Android versions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does MobiLoud work with my specific ERP integration?
Yes. MobiLoud runs your existing Sana Commerce website as is, which means your ERP connections keep working exactly as they do now. Live pricing updates, stock levels, and customer-specific catalogs all function the same way in the app. You don't need to rebuild any integrations or create new connections for mobile.
Is this just a PWA?
No. You get a real native app that customers download from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
Do I need a developer to maintain the app?
No. MobiLoud is a fully managed service, which means we handle all the technical work. We take care of maintenance, iOS and Android updates, and any troubleshooting that comes up. Your team just manages your website content like you already do.
How long does it take?
Most apps go live in under four weeks. The timeline depends mainly on how quickly you can provide your assets (like logos and app descriptions) and how long Apple and Google take to review your submission.
Ready to Launch Your Sana Commerce App?
With MobiLoud, you can turn your Sana Commerce store into premium iOS and Android apps without rebuilding anything or touching your ERP integration.
Your Sana storefront is already a powerful machine: optimized, ERP-integrated, and proven to work for handling complex orders, contract pricing, and customer-specific catalogs.
MobiLoud takes that exact same experience and puts it on the App Store and Google Play. You get the native features that drive repeat orders: a spot on your customers' home screens and push notifications that bring them back.
Since it's a fully managed service, you skip the cost and time of custom app development. You also avoid the ongoing maintenance that comes with managing developers and keeping up with platform updates.
Book a free consultation today or get a free app preview and we’ll show you exactly how your Sana Commerce store will look and behave as a native app.
