Do you own an E-commerce web store? Is it on Shopify? Are you thinking to go with mobile app now? Then this is the comprehensive blog for you. You have already made the right decision by opting for Shopify as your development technology for your e-commerce store. Shopify is leading the charts and it one of the top choice for e-commerce website development as per the latest statistics in 2024. Let’s dive into some statistics before we proceed further.

  • Shopify alone holds the marketshare of 10.32% of the total e-commerce development industry. This makes it 4th of the top 5 e-commerce platforms worldwide.
  • Shopify boasts 29% of the e-commerce platform market share in the United States alone as of 2024.
  • At present, there are about 4M+ e-commerce stores and websites which run on Shopify.
  • Of the Top 1M websites in the world today, 23% are Shopify websites.

Source:

https://www.yaguara.co/shopify-market-share/

Shopify can easily be considered a saviour of small industries as it’s quite affordable and easy for the home based companies, small scale industries, and mid sized companies to develop their own store on Shopify and manage it compared to the heavy and costly Magento and other e-commerce technologies.

However, there is one more interesting stat to consider when we talk Shopify websites.

  • About 24% of the traffic on Shopify stores comes from mobile phones.

This number is quite significant that lately e-commerce store owners have come up with a solution of deploying their Shopify web store directly to mobile app. The reason for this is obvious due to the issues the customers might face accessing the website through mobile browser and also to leverage various aspects of mobile app.

Today we will explore the cost of turning your shopify website into mobile app starting at 3500USD.

Pre-requisites for turning Shopify store into a mobile app

To convert your Shopify web store into a mobile app, there are several pre-requisites and considerations you should keep in mind:

  • Shopify Store Setup: Your Shopify store should be fully set up with products, collections, payment gateways, and shipping methods configured. The store should also be functioning smoothly and optimized for desktop and mobile browsers. If you are finding it difficult to manage and setting up, approach a shopify development company to assist you with that.
  • Shopify API Integration: Familiarize yourself with Shopify's APIs, as you'll need to connect your app to your Shopify store for real-time data synchronization, including products, orders, and customer data.
  • Design Assets: Prepare design assets like logos, banners, and product images optimized for mobile devices. The design should align with your brand identity while providing a smooth user experience.
  • App Store Developer Accounts: Set up developer accounts with Apple App Store and Google Play Store. You’ll need these to publish your app on iOS and Android platforms.

Methods of turning Shopify website into a mobile app

Turning a Shopify website into a mobile app can be done through various methods, depending on your budget, technical expertise, and desired app features. Any of these methods you choose will surely guarantee a good mobile app that will facilitate your customer experience and user base. Let’s look into each method in detail to get an idea:

  • Using a Mobile App Builder:

Mobile app builders like Shopney, Tapcart, and Plobal Apps allow you to convert your Shopify store into a mobile app without coding. These platforms typically offer drag-and-drop interfaces, making it easy to customize the look and feel of your app, integrate Shopify features, and add functionalities like push notifications, analytics, and more. Though these builders don’t require coding but, you will surely need a shopify development company to ensure that the entire process is carried out perfectly and all the APIs are matched properly.

Monthly subscription costs can range from US$50 to $500+ depending on the platform and the features included. For example, basic plans might include limited customization and features, while premium plans offer advanced functionalities like custom branding, advanced analytics, and dedicated support. Using this approach, you can typicall launch the mobile app within 1-2 weeks. A shopify consultant’s fees starts from 3500 USD for this approach compared to the custom app development approach.

  • Shopify Plugins and Extensions:

Shopify plugins like Vajro, MageNative, and others offer a more streamlined way to create a mobile app by leveraging existing Shopify features. These plugins often provide templates and basic customization options, with direct integration to your Shopify store. These pulgins are available directly from the shopify plugin store to install with your current website setup. This might require an engagement and consulting from shopify consultants.

Typically range from $30 to $200 per month, depending on the features and level of customization. Some plugins charge a one-time setup fee, usually ranging from US$100 to $1,000. Similar to the mobile app builder method above, this approach also takes about 2 weeks to deploy your shopify app. A Shopify consultant's fees start at $3,500 for this approach, in contrast to the custom app development approach.

Convert your Shopify website into mobile app today.

Contact us to know more. Contact us

  • Custom app development:

Custom development involves building a mobile app tailored specifically to your Shopify store’s needs. You can choose between native apps (separate development for iOS and Android) or cross-platform apps (single codebase for both platforms using frameworks like React Native or Flutter). This approach is mostly preferred for the huge stores who want to keep the data within their setup and want to have a control over all the functioning of the App.

For a fully custom mobile app, expect to pay anywhere from US$15,000 to $45,000. This varies depending on the complexity of features, design, and the experience level of the development team. Ongoing maintenance and updates typically cost 15-20% of the initial development cost annually.

As we explored about the pre-requisites and the methods for turning shopify website into a mobile app, the question now might arise on why to do so? What are the advantages of creating a mobile app from shopify website? So, let’s have a quick look on the advantages of turning your shopify store into a mobile app.

  • Enhanced user experience: Mobile apps are design to cater to smaller screens hence, it’s designed in a way to provide better navigation and faster loading times compared to a mobile website. Apps can provide a personalized experience by remembering user preferences, offering tailored recommendations, and enabling easy access to frequently used features.
  • Increased customer engagement: Mobile apps allow you to send push notifications directly to users' devices, keeping them informed about new products, special offers, and updates. This can lead to higher engagement and more frequent visits.
  • Offline access: Unlike websites, mobile apps can offer offline access to certain content or features, such as product catalogs or saved items, improving user convenience even without an internet connection.
  • Access to device features: Mobile apps can leverage native device features like GPS, camera, microphone, and biometrics, enhancing functionality and creating new opportunities for user engagement. Apps can incorporate AR features to allow users to visualize products in their environment, creating an interactive shopping experience.
  • Increased customer retention: Apps enable more frequent interactions with customers through notifications, updates, and promotions, helping to build long-term relationships and increase retention rates.
  • Better performance: Apps can store data locally on the device, reducing the need to load information from the server repeatedly and providing a smoother user experience. Mobile apps typically load faster than websites, offering a more seamless and responsive experience. This can significantly improve user satisfaction and retention.

Conclusion

In conclusion, transforming your Shopify web store into a mobile app can significantly enhance your business’s reach and customer experience. With mobile traffic accounting for nearly a quarter of Shopify’s site visits, this transition is not just beneficial - it's essential. Whether you choose a mobile app builder, Shopify plugins, or opt for custom app development, each method offers unique advantages that cater to different business needs and budgets. By providing an optimized user experience, increased engagement, offline access, and leveraging device features, a mobile app can elevate your e-commerce business, ensuring it stays competitive in today’s mobile-first world. Investing in this transformation could be the next step towards scaling your business and maximizing customer satisfaction.