All thanks to social media platforms for bringing in the fact that people love to shop, irrespective of time and place. With the touch of digitization, almost all the brick and mortar commerce shops are stepping up their game by revamping it into top-notch e-commerce solutions.
It started with e-commerce websites, but the inclination is more towards e-commerce mobile applications. E-commerce mobile apps come with the slogan “shop-on-go” that is attracting most of the smart buyers to shop anytime and anywhere. It allows people to shop online, using any device, and in the comforts of their home.
Like I said, who would like to spend the precious time of their weekends standing in long queues? Well, promoting your brand via an e-commerce mobile app is a real game-changer for your business in so many ways.
Recently, there is a great demand in the market that is making e-commerce start-ups more inclined to invest in e-commerce mobile apps first and then websites. Let me be clear with you that developing a simple yet engaging e-commerce mobile app is not a big deal today, especially when there are several powerful tools, technologies, frameworks, and platforms playing around.
Now the question arises which platform is suitable for your e-commerce business? A reliable e-commerce app company can guide you throughout the process and let you decide the platform based on the business requirements. Android and iOS are one of the most popular platforms that are used worldwide.
How to Decide whether to launch an e-commerce app on Android or iOS first?
There are advantages and disadvantages of both the platforms. However, some crucial factors can ease the process of selecting the right operating system for your e-commerce business.
- Audience
Building an app highly depends on the target audience’s geographic and demographic characteristics. For example, Android devices have the largest global share, however, iOS apps attract users with higher customer spending. If you are targeting a broad global audience then Android e-commerce app development can be a smart move. Hover, if you are looking for a niche audience, especially residing in Western Europe or North America, then going with Apple is the best bet.
- Timeline
Apple has a closed ecosystem that means you are developing for a few standardized devices. Thus, it is faster, easier, and cheaper to develop an iOS app, and it takes 30 to 40% longer for android app development. If you hire an Android app development company, make sure they provide you a roadmap for the development process to know the approximate deadline of the project delivery.
- Desired Features
If your app idea has several features and you are thinking of flexibility, then Android can be the best choice for you. As Android is open-source, it offers more flexibility to customize the app as compared to iOS. However, being in an open environment, your app is more susceptible to malware. So, you need to take extra measures to keep your app safe.
- Revenue Goal
If one of your goals is app monetization, then you should consider a few things like:
- Apple users are likely to spend more and are more likely to pay for apps except for one category that is utility apps. Android app development outperforms in this section.
- Asian users spend more on in-app purchases, and China is one of the biggest contributors to iOS app revenue
If you want to monetize your e-commerce mobile app without ads, but with subscriptions or freemium models then iOS e-commerce app development is your best choice.
How Much an Ecommerce App Development Cost?
With so many factors coming into play, the approximate cost of developing e-commerce apps is around $10K to $150K. Although the price is dependent on the platform you choose to build your app however if the scope is aligned with supporting maximum devices and operating system versions on iOS and Android, the cost of developing an e-commerce app will be almost similar. The e-commerce app development companies will charge according to the number of hours that a project takes to build and launch in the marketplace.
Another way is to use the e-commerce app cost calculator tool and get quotes instantly. All you need to do is answer a few questions based on the business requirements to get quotes from renowned e-commerce web development companies that are offering the tool. It is a known fact that more the development time, the more will be its development cost. A simple e-commerce app that includes some basic functions like shopping cart, order placing, payment information collection, etc. takes up to 600 to 900 hours to build the app. With increasing complexity like the integration of augmented reality, artificial intelligence, or big data analytics, the development time is increased by 2x times than a simple e-commerce app. However, a full-fledged e-commerce app can bring positive outcomes for your business in a short time.
Summary
Whether you choose an Android or iPhone app development company, you can enjoy the immense benefits of developing a mobile app for your e-commerce business. Hiring a top-notch app development company is the key to gain a competitive advantage in the marketplace. With the support of experienced e-commerce developers, you can build a robust e-commerce mobile app that not only raises awareness about your brand but increases sales over time.
