Do you really need a mobile app for your ecommerce store?
Not every store needs a native iOS or Android app. Here is a breakdown of when it drives revenue and when a mobile-optimized web app is enough.
We often get asked by mid-sized retailers if they should build a mobile app. Our answer is usually: "It depends on your retention rate."
Native Apps vs Progressive Web Apps (PWAs)
If 80% of your traffic is new visitors from Google or Instagram, a native app won't help you. People don't download apps to make a one-off purchase. In this scenario, a lightning-fast Progressive Web App (PWA) with a flawless mobile checkout is a much better investment.
When a native app is a goldmine
If you have high repeat purchase rates (like supplements, fashion, or B2B supplies), a native app is incredibly powerful. Push notifications have a significantly higher open rate than email, and an app sitting on a customer's home screen creates incredible brand loyalty and friction-free ordering.
Views expressed are those of the author and do not constitute legal or financial advice.