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Remember the days when we all used to go to physical stores for shopping clothes? We had to deal with the big crowds and hope clothes our size were in stock. Well, eCommerce has changed this by bringing shopping to our mobile screens. And now, the eCommerce mobile app has taken convenience even further, allowing businesses to reach their customers anytime, anywhere.
The convenience, accessibility, and better user experience offered by mobile apps have revolutionized how customers shop.
If you have an eCommerce website and you do not have a mobile app, then you are missing a lot of opportunities. With more people shopping on their phones, having a mobile app is crucial.
In this blog, we will review the impact mobile apps can have on eCommerce businesses. But before that, let us briefly talk about why having a website is not enough.
Why You Need More Than Just a Website in Today’s Market
eCommerce businesses have now changed, and having a good website is not enough. You can use best shopify apps for ecommerce store. However, since customers expect a smoother and better shopping experience, it is necessary to have a mobile app for your eCommerce business. If you don’t have one, then they will go to your competitor.
A mobile app can give you better ROI as compared to a website because of the following reasons:
- Mobile apps are faster and more convenient to use than websites.
- The chances of customers abandoning their carts on websites are higher than on the apps due to their slow load time and hard-to-navigate UI.
- Mobile apps can send push notifications, which boost engagements by 88% compared to sending emails.
The way customers shop is changing, and if you do not keep up with the latest trends, your business will fail to make more profits.
The Impact of eCommerce Mobile Apps on Online Businesses
Mobile apps are the best way to increase your business’s sales and keep customers engaged. eCommerce apps help businesses grow while making shopping easier and more fun for customers.
Let’s break down the impact of mobile apps on eCommerce businesses.
1. Helps Gain Competitive Advantage
Investing in mobile apps can give a significant competitive advantage, as having a dedicated app will set your business apart. Mobile apps help your business stand out and reach more customers, especially those who prefer to shop on mobile.
They also allow you to increase your brand recognition and make the shopping process more convenient and seamless for the customers. For example, if a customer wants to buy a new phone online, an eCommerce mobile app can give them recommendations based on what they previously liked and suggest similar models.
Ensure you improve your app store ranking so your app ranks higher than competitors in the same niche.
2. Give Access to Wider Customers as They Like to Use Apps More Than Websites
As per StatCounter, in February 2025, 62.23% of all internet traffic came from mobile devices, while 35.91% came from desktops. It shows that most people like to use mobile apps more than websites.
Some reasons can be that they work 3x faster than websites and can provide a personalized experience. They also load quickly and are easier to browse than websites. So, with mobile apps, you can reach a wider audience.
3. Boost Conversion Rate
Mobile apps help businesses increase sales by providing a smoother and more engaging shopping experience than websites. Mobile apps not only help you increase your brand and product visibility, but they also help the customers discover more products they might like.
By leveraging mobile apps, you can boost the growth of your business and increase your profits.
For example, if you have an online clothing store, a mobile app can help customers find and save their favorite items. The app can also send reminders when those items go on sale or suggest similar clothes they might like. This makes shopping easier and encourages more people to buy, helping you increase sales.
4. Allows Better Interaction with the Customers
eCommerce mobile apps are a powerful way to interact with customers and build long-term relationships. Having mobile apps keeps your customers inside your brand ecosystem without any distractions. With features like push notifications, in-app messaging, and exclusive offers, you can keep users engaged and drive repeat visits and purchases.
These apps can provide special deals, discounts, and loyalty rewards, encouraging users to stay connected and make repeat purchases. Imagine you run an online grocery store with a mobile app. You send notifications about special discounts and share in-app messages about your loyalty program. This keeps customers coming back and builds stronger connections with your brand.
5. Makes the Payment Process Simple
Mobile apps simplify the buying process. Instead of entering their address and payment details with every purchase, users only need to do it once, and the app will save their information. This feature enables them to purchase just one click, which reduces the chances of them leaving their selected items in their cart.
Examples of eCommerce Businesses Succeeding with Mobile Apps
Many leading brands have leveraged mobile apps since they know that these apps impact their industry greatly.
Let’s take a look at how companies like Amazon, Shein, and Sephora have harnessed the power of mobile apps to enhance user experience, boost engagement, and increase revenue:
- Shein: The eCommerce giant from China has seen incredible growth over the years. In the first quarter of 2025, Shein’s mobile app saw around 28 million downloads worldwide. It goes on to show that people prefer mobile apps over websites. This gave Shein access to a broader audience, thereby improving its chances of getting more sales.
- Amazon: Mobile app users make up 42% of Amazon’s smartphone visits, yet they account for nearly 85% of the time spent on its mobile platform. This highlights that app users are significantly more engaged than those using a mobile browser.
- Sephora: Sephora’s mobile app takes shopping to the next level with AR (Augmented Reality), allowing customers to try their products virtually before purchasing. It allows them to interact with their customers on a personal level. To further promote this feature, Sephora Southeast Asia implemented a targeted marketing campaign, resulting in a 28% increase in user adoption and a 48% rise in overall traffic to the AR feature.
These examples highlight the power of mobile apps in eCommerce. By integrating a mobile app into your business, you can also significantly increase your profits.
Conclusion
Mobile apps have become a powerful driver of growth for eCommerce businesses. As technology evolves, investing in a mobile app is essential to remain competitive in the digital landscape. By leveraging mobile apps, you can enhance the customer experience, strengthen loyalty among existing users, and attract a broader audience—ultimately fueling your business growth.
