Is your E-commerce store struggling to keep up with demand? The mobile age is here and the necessity for fast and effective online stores is increasing. Customers are expecting top-notch customer service and recommendations in every interaction with your business. Do not lose out on profits because your website cannot accommodate the need. Now is the time to build a mobile app for your e-commerce store. Here are the top 5 reasons that a mobile app is better for your e-commerce store:
Consumers Prefer In-App Experiences
According to App Annie, mobile app downloads are expected to reach 258 billion by 2022, which is a 45% increase from 2017. Furthermore, mobile users are spending 90% of their time within apps during use. As mobile usage across the world is increasing, users become more reliant on a successful in-app experience.
Mobile Apps are Faster
On average, retail websites take about 6 seconds to load, but 53% of sites are abandoned if pages take longer than 3 seconds to load. Mobile apps, on the other hand, tend to load much faster with an average expected load time of 2 seconds. As the mobile world grows and expands, users demand fast-loading pages and content. It is important to capitalize on every potential sale, and not lose out because the page is too slow.
Retention rate
Due to the increased loading speeds and personalized content, consumers are more likely to return to a store within an app. The potential for customized recommendations draws users towards a mobile app and can increase return rate. The experience can be better tailored based on pre-existing data from the user. Push or in-app notifications may be used to update consumers on new offers and deals. Users can set preferences within the app and the system can track and monitor engagement in order to better adapt to the consumer’s needs.
Offline Functionality
Apps may store information from a user which can be used to offer a seamless experience offline as well. Capability offline is the largest distinction between a website and a mobile app. Many apps will need access to internet for central tasks such as checkout. Basic content and functionality offline could be the difference between a bounce and a conversion.
Use of Device Features
Mobile apps allow for use of the device’s native features, such as GPS, camera, and facial identification features. This can help reduce the effort needed by a user, thus increasing the overall enjoyment from the experience. The location feature may be used to offer geographically relevant content. These qualities may reduce the time a user must spend within the app, and therefore boost conversions.
Final Thoughts
E-commerce stores and mobile apps have both seen tremendous growth over the last few years and are not expected to leave the business scene anytime soon. Mobile comes first in this age, and it is increasingly important to cater experiences to these users. Still trying to decide what’s best for you? Give us a call at 865-465-4040 and one of our professionals will be happy to help you determine the best fit for your business.
