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Retail Mobile applications have become a ubiquity for several consumers, especially after the pandemic, they have become something of a lifeline just, like social media. The need for custom mobile application development is now growing quicker than ever before.
The burgeoning mobile platform has also changed the way retailers and customers communicate. Retail applications help bring consumers updates on new products, promotions, and discounts right at their fingertips. As a result, customers are 59% more loyal to companies that have a mobile app supporting the brand and services.
The battle for customers’ attention has been a never-ending saga from the time commerce and trade were established.
Now, with over 2 million apps accessible in the App Store today, there is no guarantee that your app will make the featured list. But it is high time you ensure your app has the necessary features that would increase your chances in this customer-winning battle.
Must-Have Features
Friendly User Interfaces:
Simple, easy-to-use apps usually enjoy good brand recall amongst mobile commerce apps. Easy access registration is a plus, that directly leads to greater conversion rates and an increased volume of purchases. A rapid customer service messaging option with a live person or a chatbot is more engaging. What’s more important is that the app should give a detailed product description that minimizes the likelihood of impulse purchases, client dissatisfaction, and product returns. Customers should also be able to read or leave product reviews to establish trust and improve client loyalty.
Various Payment Options:
The payment environment on your app must be highly diversified for customers to easily complete their transactions. Various payment choices like Google Pay, Apple Pay, PayPal, and other payment platforms should be integrated with your app for simple & easy payment experiences. Additionally, before proceeding to the payment screen, giving consumers an order summary of their purchase & payment details reduces the possibility of returns or order errors and consequential negative impacts on user experience.
Tracking the Shipping status:
Another useful but oft disregarded feature online retailers need to make a definite add to their app is shipping status updates, from order placement to customer delivery. Nearly 86% of shoppers agreed that it is important for companies to provide an estimated delivery date of the item on the product page or in the shopping cart. And almost 75% of them said they are more likely to buy when this is the case.
Push Notification:
Push notifications can notify users about new product updates, saved goods returning to stock, flash promotions, and tailored marketing efforts, among other things. The key to engaging your brand with your consumers is these subtle but powerful nudges.
Loyalty Programs:
Customers can earn points to redeem them as discounts or be rewarded for purchasing or referring your business to someone by providing consumers promotional codes, and encouraging them to download and use the app in your interactions. It’s a clever strategy to use a dedicated mobile commerce app to retain and keep your clients engaged by driving loyalty.
Upcoming Trends
Social responsibility and sustainability:
Environmental concerns and social responsibility have gotten a lot of attention lately. According to an IBM study, 57% of customers are prepared to modify their buying patterns to help lessen negative environmental consequences. Many online retailers incorporate environmentally beneficial and long-term sustainable practices by reducing their digital carbon footprint, utilizing environmentally friendly materials, going paperless wherever feasible, and using biodegradable packaging and recyclable supplies.
Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL):
BNPL is short-term financing that allows customers to purchase now and pay for them later, usually in interest-free installments. Although the BNPL concept has been around for a long time, the pandemic’s dramatic impact on consumer buying patterns has given this trend a huge boost. This eCommerce trend will significantly develop in the near future, especially with the younger generations.
Omnichannel Retail:
Omnichannel is a novel approach to commerce that provides customers with many buying alternatives combining them to provide a consistent experience across diverse channels. Offering both online and offline channels to clients, rather than fully replacing the brick-and-mortar store with an online shop, is a good way to use both sale channels and benefit the long-term success of your business. Recently, brands are ramping up their DTC (Direct to consumer) sites and mobile omnichannel capabilities with an option of buy-online, pick-up in-store (BOPIS). Currently, 84% of brands offer BOPIS on their DTC sites.
AI Chatbots:
Chatbots are gaining more traction nowadays in retail businesses. Although chatbots have become a commonplace aspect of life, they have yet to permeate the mobile environment fully. Chatbots aren’t used in the bulk of apps on the market today. Chatbots are increasingly becoming an important marketing tool to solve shopping concerns and encourage clients to have a smooth experience, as they are powered with more personalized help.
Voice/ AR shopping:
Voice and AR shopping are the recent mobile commerce innovations that many business owners tend to overlook. After the popularity received for voice assistants Siri and Alexa, voice shopping is estimated to reach $45 billion by the end of 2022. Customers can now use the voice assistant to look for goods and even complete the entire purchase process, making online shopping considerably easier and more exciting. Furthermore, AR is the most cutting-edge technology for giving online buyers a realistic feeling of what they’re buying, making it easier for them to make a purchasing choice. In the current online battle, it’s clear that AR and voice shopping will be a big benefit for your online presence.
The Eleviant Advantage
Eleviant, as a prominent app developing partner, specializes in custom mobile commerce app development that caters to your unique business goals. Our expert team offers a holistic approach with all incorporated features alongside the trends that are progressing. We aim to create a smooth and natural flow from the planning to the execution of the app. Our processes are quick, intuitive, and transparent.
Final note
Apps for retail stores are transforming businesses with all of these comprehensive features to make shopping a more enjoyable experience. However, to build a long-term successful app, you’ll need to provide a lot of value to your consumers’ needs through rolling out updates and achieving high engagement and retention rates for your business. If you are looking for a multifaceted app development partner to create or upgrade your app, talk with our experts today!
