A few years ago, mobile became the preferred way of web browsing over desktop. There is no doubt that we are surrounded by smartphones and optimising for mobile is an absolute must to drive sales. In fact, more than 60% of all internet traffic now comes from mobile devices. By failing to satisfy mobile shoppers, you’re really missing out on making significant profit.

Recent data shows that 92.3% of internet users access the web through their mobile phones. In physical stores, 81% of shoppers use their mobile devices to look up product reviews, compare prices, or locate alternative stores. There’s simply no getting away from the critical role of mobile in the shopping experience!

There are two main ways for consumers to make purchases using their mobile devices – from mobile websites or directly from mobile apps. If you’re reading this, you probably have a mobile-friendly website in place. Now you’re wondering; how can I increase my mobile conversion rate? Luckily, we have the answer to that. Launching a mobile app for your eCommerce store is a great opportunity to drive even more sales and maximise your revenue, simply because mobile shoppers spend twice as much money as other customers!

If the above hasn’t convinced you yet, why don’t we go over mobile conversion rate optimisation and how mobile apps can help you effectively drive more sales and grow your eCommerce business?

The rise of In-App shopping

Mobile commerce is increasingly becoming the backbone of eCommerce, with a significant shift towards in-app shopping. As of 2024, 69.4% of internet users use at least one mobile shopping app on their devices. This trend has been fuelled by the convenience and user experience offered by dedicated shopping apps. Notably, 54% of mobile commerce transactions are completed within apps, compared to 46% via mobile browsers. This underscores the importance of optimising for mobile apps to capture this growing market.

Moreover, 88% of consumers have at least one shopping app installed, and 31% prefer in-app shopping over traditional in-store experiences. This preference is driven by the enhanced features apps offer, such as personalised content, faster load times, and the convenience of stored payment information. Shopping apps not only streamline the purchasing process but also offer exclusive deals and rewards, making them a compelling option for modern shoppers.

The impact of apps is further highlighted by the substantial 18% year-over-year growth in time spent on shopping apps. There are many reasons why consumers prefer mobile apps to a mobile site, and here are some of them:

  • Convenience
  • Speed
  • Storage of settings and preferences
  • Rewards for using it
  • Content is more personalised
  • Finding better deals
  • More entertaining

More than half of consumers think that mobile apps are faster and more convenient. Customers are becoming more demanding and they are going to choose the easiest way to shop, and it better not be with your competitor, right? In order to encourage people to download and use your app you need to make it as user-friendly as possible, to ensure your loyal customers keep coming back for more.

What is an Ecommerce Conversion Rate?

Conversion rate is a key metric that measures the effectiveness of your website or mobile app in turning visitors into customers. Specifically, it refers to the percentage of users who take a desired action, such as making a purchase, out of the total number of visitors to your site.

To calculate the conversion rate, you can use the formula:

Conversion Rate (%) = (Number of Conversions / Total Number of Visitors) x 100

For example, if your eCommerce site had 1,000 visitors in a month and 50 of them made a purchase, your conversion rate would be 5%.

Top Tips to Increase Conversion Rate Through Mobile Apps

Analysing your conversion rate and user behaviour are key factors to running a successful eCommerce store, both on desktop and mobile. How many people are visiting your site daily? How many abandon their carts without completing a purchase? The lower the number, the more you have to improve. So, let’s take a look at how to boost your ecommerce conversion through your mobile app.

Simplify the forms

No one likes filling out forms, especially at the checkout! So, you need to find ways to make this as easy and convenient as possible to increase your conversion rate.

To enhance user experience, ensure forms are optimised for mobile by using vertical alignment and breaking down lengthy forms into multiple steps.

You can also implement features like auto-fill and securely save customer details, allowing users to easily retrieve their information for future purchases.

Adding a progress bar can also keep users informed and reduce drop-offs!

User-friendly approach

First impressions really matter, that’s why it’s essential to nail your mobile app design.

A well-designed app encourages users to engage with your content. Focus on a clean, intuitive interface that prioritises usability. Ensure your app’s navigation is simple and that key information is easily accessible.

Regularly analyse user behaviour data to understand and improve customer journeys. Integrate features like chatbots or customer support options within the app to assist users in real time, preventing abandonment during the decision-making process.

Visible call-to-actions

CTAs are what drives customer journeys and interactions on your site and app.

They should be strategically placed and visually distinct from the rest of the content. Use high-contrast colours, bold fonts, or animations to draw attention.

Test different CTA placements and styles to see what works best for your audience. Ensure CTAs are concise and convey a clear message, encouraging immediate action.

Speed comes first

Page load time is critical, with 53% of users abandoning a site that takes longer than three seconds to load.

Optimise your app’s performance by compressing images, minimising JavaScript, and using efficient caching.

Implement Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP) technology where possible to further enhance speed.

 Fast loading times improve user experience and reduce bounce rates, crucial for higher conversion rates.

Include various payment methods

Inputting your credit card details on a mobile device can be very frustrating and can take much longer than doing it on a desktop. You need to make it as smooth as possible.

Offer a range of payment options, such as Apple Pay, Google Wallet, and PayPal, which are popular among mobile users.

Ensure these methods are seamlessly integrated into the checkout process. Consider implementing one-click checkout for returning users to further streamline the process. This reduces friction and helps in minimising cart abandonment.

Autocomplete and Personalisation

When users find what they were looking for, they are more likely to convert.

Use autocomplete features in your search function to suggest products as users type. This reduces the effort needed to find items and enhances the shopping experience.

Personalise the app experience by using data analytics to offer tailored content, recommendations, and special offers based on user behaviour and preferences.

Storing and remembering user preferences can make subsequent shopping experiences more pleasant and efficient.

Benefits of Having an Ecommerce Mobile App

Mobile commerce has made shopping even more convenient, but what about the benefits of mobile apps? The newest applications use AI for customer service that delivers instant interaction with your customers and an efficient problem-solving process. Ikea Place app and Sephora are top businesses that use augmented reality to enhance customer experience even further. Here are some other proven advantages of mobile eCommerce apps.

  • Different payment options. With mobile apps, customers can now use different payment solutions such as Apple Pay, PayPal One-Touch, Visa Checkout and Amazon Pay.
  • Higher average order value. Mobile apps have an average order value of 10% higher than mobile websites.
  • Lower cart abandonment rates. Mobile apps simplify the checkout process and cart abandonment rates are lower than on both desktop and mobile sites.
  • Higher conversion rates. Apps Thanks to apps being super easy to use, their conversion rates are 130% higher than on mobile sites.
  • Speed. Apps are known for their incredible speed, which matters to most of the online shoppers. 57% consumers said they prefer apps to mobile sites, because they are faster.

Takeaway

This article is the real proof that eCommerce depends on mobile, and this is where your main focus should be. Thanks to the data above, we know that customers prefer using mobile apps and that’s where they spend most of their money. Cart abandonment rates are much lower when compared with desktop and mobile sites, and conversion rates are higher, which mattes the most. This is the right moment to start thinking about building a slick mobile app for your eCommerce business to engage your audience and drive more revenue with one of the best mobile app development agency, Appnova.

Let us know your favourite eCommerce mobile apps in the comments!

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