Today's consumers want instant access to everything – including the store where they make their purchases. You can opt for all-around enterprise software solutions, or maybe a warm call transfer is what you're looking for.
Thanks to its powerful and flexible eCommerce platform, Magento has become one of the leading eCommerce solutions for enterprises of all sizes. If you own a Magento-powered eCommerce site, you're likely looking for ways to increase your sales and overall revenue, and building a mobile app can help.
This guide will walk through the process of creating a mobile app for Magento and show you some tips you can use today.
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Why Create a Mobile App for Magento?
The mobile app craze is not showing any sign of slowing down. According to research, the global mobile app market is expected to reach $565 billion and grow at 13.4% from 2022 to 2030.
Users have become very comfortable with apps, and they have come to expect them at every corner. Apps are now ubiquitous, with several services available only through mobile apps.
Consumers are becoming more demanding about brands having dedicated apps for various services, including eCommerce shopping.
If you're an eCommerce store owner or operator looking to crack the code of in-app purchases and subscriptions, then it's time you start thinking about creating your mobile app for your Magento site.
Here’s why you should create a mobile app for Magento:
- A dedicated Magento app for your business will help you get more customer loyalty by providing convenience and easy access to your products and services, even when they're on the go.
- It provides advanced functionality and features, and Magento also offers an API. It's used for integrating your store with mobile apps to make it easier for customers to access your products or services on their phones or tablets.
- eCommerce websites are getting increasingly popular among consumers around the world. As a result, creating an online store has become easier than ever before.
- eCommerce websites have become innovative platforms that efficiently consolidate data about customers, their shopping carts, and even orders.
- With the help of an eCommerce platform like Magento, you can focus on selling goods and hiring virtual staff to run your business.
7 Steps To Create a Magento Mobile App
- Choose, Install and Set up the Right App Builder
- Define the Scope of Your App
- Define the Scope of Your App
- Add the Necessary Features
- Install the Shopping App
- Configure Payment Gateways
- Publish to App Store or Google Play
- Link Your AWwith Your Magento Store and Website
Step 1. Choose, Install and Set up the Right App Builder
Before you can even begin to create a mobile app for Magento, you need to choose the right platform.
You must ensure that your chosen venue is easy to use and compatible with your store and mobile device. It should also have a mobile responsive design to look good on any screen size or orientation.
You'll want to find a platform that boasts native Magento storefront functionality and a robust set of APIs to build your app.
Here are some of the most popular Magento mobile app builders:
- Knowband
- Magestore
- Mininest
- Mobikul
- SimiCart
Step 2. Define the Scope of Your App
Your objectives should align with the business strategy and should be specific enough that you can easily measure success or failure.
- What do you want to achieve with your app?
- How will it be used?
- What will it do, and what won't it do?
- What features will the app require?
- What functionality does it need, and what can be left out?
Step 3. Add the Necessary Features
Add products and categories to your mobile app.
You should do this the same way you would on a desktop website, but with one exception: if you want customers to be able to create wish lists using their mobile devices, you need to include a wish list button on each product page.
Depending on the app you create, your customers will expect a certain level of functionality.
So, before you put the finishing touches on the app and then have to remove some key elements, you should determine the must-have features upfront.
Step 4. Install the Shopping App
If you are responsible for creating the app's code, you will also be responsible for installing it on your website.
On the other hand, if you are partnering with an app builder to make the app, they will likely handle installing the app on your site.
When installing the app code on your Magento site, make some essential modifications to your code. Once you make those changes, you can incorporate the app code into your store.
Step 5. Configure Payment Gateways
Once you have the resources to create a mobile app for your Magento store, it's time to configure payment gateways.
Payment gateways are an integral part of any eCommerce platform. They help merchants process payments securely and efficiently by allowing them to accept different types of credit cards, debit cards and bank transfers.
After deciding which payment gateway best suits your business needs, you can configure it with the App Store Connect console or Google Play Developer Console. It depends on whether you use Apple Pay and other digital wallets such as PayPal or Venmo if needed.
Step 6. Publish to App Store or Google Play
While there are several app stores available, the two most commonly used for eCommerce apps are Apple's App Store and Google Play.
You will need to meet specific requirements for your app to be accepted by either app store. One of those requirements is that your app must use a URL scheme.
Step 7. Link Your AWwith Your Magento Store and Website
Once your app is ready, you need to link it with your Magento store. This can be done by creating a custom URL for the app or using a deep linking method.
Create links between your social media accounts, CRM and email marketing software, eCommerce platform and mobile app.
What Is Magento PWA, and Why Do Merchants Need It?
PWA stands for Progressive Web Apps, a new technology that allows you to take your existing store and make it mobile-friendly.
The main benefit of PWA is that users can add products from your store to their shopping cart without leaving the app. They do not need to visit your Magento website or mobile version anymore to complete their purchase.
PWA is a better option than native apps because it has a lower cost and requires less maintenance. Additionally, it allows you to optimize your store for mobile users while offering the same functionality they're already used to.
This can be a considerable advantage, especially if you have a lot of customers who come from mobile devices.
PWA also allows you to take advantage of all the features of a native mobile application. For example, it will be possible for users to log in with their Google accounts, which means that they can continue shopping even if they move between devices.
Magento Mobile App Features
- Customizable Home Screen: Your customers can choose which items they want to see on their home screens through the drag-and-drop option. This makes it easy for them to access only the products that are most relevant to them.
- 24/7 Support: Your customers can contact the store admin anytime, and they will receive a response within 24 hours. This creates a sense of urgency that can help increase sales. What's more, chat support is available on WhatsApp or Zopim.
- Live Website Sync: The Magento mobile app also offers a live website sync feature that allows you to update your store's product inventory, pricing and availability on the go. This feature can benefit businesses that need to make last-minute changes or updates without waiting until they return from work or home.
- User-Friendly Interface: The Magento mobile app offers a user-friendly interface that makes it easy for customers to find what they're looking for. The app includes product filters and search options that make shopping in your store more convenient. The one-tap feature allows shoppers to access the app quickly, while the single-screen checkout provides a seamless shopping experience.
- Wish List: The Magento mobile app includes a wish list feature that allows customers to create a list of items they want to purchase later on. This feature is beneficial for online shoppers who can't find what they're looking for right away, as it allows them to save products that interest them so they can find them later on when they have more time.
Magento With Mobile App: Tips and Guidelines
Once you have your Magento mobile app ready, it is time to learn how to use it effectively. Here are some tips that will help you get started:
- Use push notifications for marketing purposes: Push notifications are a great way to reach out to users who have installed your Magento mobile app. You can use them as an opportunity to promote new products or upcoming sales.
- Incorporate social media into the app: You need to ensure that your customers can connect on social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter while using the Magento mobile app.
- Reach out to influencers: Influencer marketing has become very popular in recent years, and it is a great way to get the word out about your Magento mobile app. You can reach out to influencers by offering them free products or discounts on the Magento mobile app. You can also give them early access to new features that are still in development.
- Add in-app purchases: You should consider adding in-app purchases to generate more revenue from your Magento mobile app. You could sell additional features or content within the app, offer discounts on future products or services, or even give away free items.
- Create a referral program: Another great way to generate more revenue from your Magento mobile app is to create a referral program. It should allow customers to take advantage of an incentive for bringing new users into the app. You can offer rewards such as cash, discounts or free shipping to those who refer to their friends and family members.
- Create an affiliate program: If you have an existing website, then you can also generate additional revenue from your Magento mobile app by creating an affiliate program. The affiliate program should allow users to earn money for referring new customers to your business. You could offer a percentage of each sale generated from the person’s referral.
- Get customer reviews: Customer reviews are another way to increase conversion rates and sales. You can ask customers for feedback on their experience with the app or offer incentives such as free shipping in exchange for a review.
Mobile App for Magento: Takeaways
If you are a retailer, wholesaler or just an eCommerce shop owner, you've probably noticed that mobile apps are all the rage these days.
With users spending more time on their smartphones and tablets than ever before, it is no wonder that many businesses have jumped on the mobile bandwagon.
Creating a mobile app for your Magento store is a great way to increase brand visibility while also making it easier for customers to shop with your company.
An app for your business allows customers to search for and view your products from virtually anywhere and make purchases directly from your company.