How Much Does It Cost to Develop an eCommerce App?

Tuhin Bhatt

Co-founder of Intelivita

  Published on October 6, 2021

  12 min read

The mobile has become one of the crucial needs, especially for those who want to be on top of the game.

Now, many users are demanding mobile apps over other devices which leads to many entrepreneurs puzzled about the cost of eCommerce app development.

It becomes vital for you to have a mobile app, to operate any business. The mobile app is the best platform that drives internet traffic worldwide.

So, if you want to seek more information on the eCommerce development process, cost, and its effectiveness for your business, you are at the right place.

The modern eCommerce sphere is not restricted to the desktop experience. In 2018, mobile traffic to eCommerce stores spiked up to nearly 65%.

While at the same time, new stats of the Canada mobile retail commerce sales displayed that buyers prefer eCommerce mobile app features to buy at eCommerce websites.

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eCommerce Apps Statistics

It is fair to get an idea that a mobile eCommerce application is a digital product aimed at enhancing the shopping experience on cell phones. As per the one estimation, by 2024, the number of U.S. smartphone users who will purchase through cell phones will increase to 308.4 million.

The number of U.S. smartphone users in 2024 who will purchase through cell phones

While many users prefer to shop online using the desktop, 40% of those who opt for mobile apps for eCommerce is still a huge figure.

Also, many users will check the availability of the products and offers by the smartphone apps no matter where they will purchase.

The eCommerce app development cost will depend on many factors.

Benefits of Creating an eCommerce App for Business Application

There are multiple benefits of using eCommerce applications.

While you may wonder how much it costs to develop an eCommerce mobile application, you may want to consider it for following reasons:

  • Visibility

As per the studies, Indian users are prone to devote around 169 minutes each day to their smartphones.

Thus, brands can boost their visibility by having the mobile app and market it to be on the customers’ mobile screens.

  • Customer Engagement

Irrespective of your business, you will have to connect with your potential audience.

The mobile app will allow you to engage with your customers by building a strong tie with them.

  • Accessibility

The customers can access the mobile app anywhere, anytime at their convenience and flexibility.

  • Sales Channel

The mobile app will give you the biggest sales channel to ease the ordering process by which buyers can purchase anytime.

  • Product Display

With the mobile app, you can display your product range to your customers.

You would be able to display the series of your product by appalling pictures, unlike traditional selling.

  • Direct Marketing Channel

Your mobile app will work as the direct marketing channel without any barriers.

You can communicate offers, discounts, deals via push notifications and other features that allow you to interact with users.

  • Brand Building Tools

The cost of creating an eCommerce mobile app is nothing compared to the brand leverage it offers.

You will have the control to make it stylish, interactive and user friendly while also marketing your logo.

Businesses can try inviting your customers on the app every once in a while, by placing an offer.

  • App Rewards

You can sow the seeds of loyalty, which will come to fruition in the long run.

You can always reward your loyal customers and build a strong tie with them.

  • Better Personalization

You would recognize your customers by their preceding order history and suggest services and products accordingly, like providing a personalized section to every customer.

The points mentioned earlier make it clear that having a mobile app is almost-mandatory for all businesses to survive in the market.

Now, let’s look into factors helps you determine how much does it cost to develop an eCommerce mobile app.

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Factors That Will Decide the eCommerce App Development Cost

  • The eCommerce App Platform

You have to be accurate while choosing the platform, as it could be iOS or Android

It is possible to build the app for multiple devices, and your cost will differ depending on the platform and devices you opt for.

For Canadian customers, the Android users occupy 46% of the total smartphone market share. While for iOS market share estimates are around 53%.

Moreover, time to build the app will matter while calculating the cost. Building a native app or hybrid app increases the cost.

Native apps are expensive compared to hybrid ones as they are quick.

These things will determine how much it costs to create an eCommerce application.

  • The App Functionality

Once you decide on the platform next, you will have to choose the technical specification you require in the app.

Functionality/features needed will add the extra cost alongside the basic requirements.

According to the type of features like social sharing, app analytics, third-party payment integration, deep-link, coupon code, referrals & loyalty program, pin code registration, wish list, and so forth, the cost differs.

You will need to hire a mobile app developer who provides top features as per your business requirements. Accordingly, it helps calculate the cost of admin panel development, backend development etc.

  • Design of The App

The app’s design is as important as the functionality of the app when it comes to eCommerce apps.

The appalling interface, splash screen, banners, visual effects etc., attracts customers to your app. Designing costs can vary from CAD $2,000 to $30,000.

Developing the Android eCommerce app can take up to $21,000 to $100,000, including the design, annual app store fees, app store registration costs.

Creating the iOS eCommerce app can take up to $9,000 to $90,000. These costs are for native apps.

If you consider hybrid eCommerce app development, its cost will take up to $25,000 to $150,000, including the backend programming, wireframing, database, app screen designs, admin application, APIs etc.

The costs mentioned above can differ depending on the online eCommerce stores like PrestaShop, Magento etc.

Understanding Business Requirements

You will find apps that are SaaS (software as a service) based. You need to consider the eCommerce app cost as a one-time fixed cost which varies from vendor to vendor.

The cost also includes a set-up fee with includes the following –

  • Developing the app icon and splash screen of the app.
  • Efforts to make the app live.
  • Feature detailing and product training explanation.
  • Customized app colour with the backend system.
  • App submission on the iOS and android store.
  • Data populating training.

The set-up will take up to $1,500.

The recurring cost will differ from the plan you choose. It could be professional, enterprise, starter, advance, etc.

The terms might change as per the service provider depending on when and how you choose to outsource app development.

For example, The starter plan will cost approximately $1490 monthly, including the splash screen, custom icon, branding, different modes of payment like debit/credit card, net transfer, COD, free payment gateway, push notification feature, and graphic design tool access. This can manage up to 1000 products on your e-store

The professional plan will cost around $2990 monthly, including the starter plan features, application analytics, mobile website, and bulk import.

You will see products in the app can be up to 5000.

The advance plan will cost roughly $5990 monthly, including all professional plan features and products up to 100,000 in the app.

For small businesses, it is advisable to create a SaaS-based app as it will be affordable and easy to use. There are plenty of service providers in the market that are offering SaaS-based apps.

You can choose the best one after analysing products, pricing of the app and other offerings if you are unsure of how much it costs to develop an eCommerce mobile app.

While large businesses should opt for one-time development cost apps as they are well-versed financially.

They can also customise apps as per their requirements.

App Functionality

The prices will differ with basic and advanced eCommerce features:

App Functionality, Basic and Advanced Features

Now you will have to go into the core of the eCommerce website.

Whether you want to build a simple or advanced store, it will require some basic features.

If you choose to build a simple website, you will have to discover the best features.

Basic Features – Product management, a payment module, shopping cart, etc.

Advanced Features – personalized suggestions, coupons and discounts, multiple languages, etc.

Here, add-ons and plugins can be crucial if that fits your eCommerce app development cost.

You will find them cost-free, and paid add-ons will improve the site functionality.

App development is the crucial stage in the developing process.

It will involve a number of app features that you install, the number of recruited developers, the app’s complexity, etc.

You should keep in mind that eCommerce app development costs will not include app promotion, update costs, and support and maintenance.

You must purchase the license for your business which can increase the price.

You will have to consider time while developing the app.

As if you require a native app, it will take around 1000-1500 hours to build.

If you do not have a web store, you can opt for ready-made CMSs like WordPress and create the store.

The cost of building an eCommerce app of such kind will cost you less.

Before developing a mobile app, you must dwell on a few mobile app ideas to figure out how much it costs to develop an eCommerce mobile app as it would help you manage your finances better.

To calculate the total time of building the eCommerce app and the development process structure, you can divide it by different work types.

Particulars Hours
Design 120 to 200 hours.
Android/iOS (front-end) 450 to 550 hours.
Back-end development 320 to 400 hours.
Non-development 200 to 250 hours.
Total 1090 to 1400 hours.

Here we are using the average hourly rate of Canada which is $40.

The total cost of eCommerce app development would be roughly $40,000 to $60,000.

If you are still stuck on how much it costs to develop an eCommerce mobile app question, you have the answer.

Want to know eCommerce app cost at Intelivita?

Cost-Effective eCommerce App Development Solution by Intelivita

A good company like Intelivita will always deploy tested and modern technologies to build the mobile eCommerce app.

It would help them deliver the best security, performance, features, and scalability.

Our dedicated eCommerce app developers help gauge eCommerce app development cost beforehand.

Also, this comes with assurance to support and maintain the app with the help of the right technologies.

Recruiting developers at Intelivita is possible on the following models.

  • On-site Engagement Model

Here, our developers will directly visit your premises to use your infrastructure during your eCommerce app development.

  • Off-site Engagement Model

It is the opposite of the on-site model. In the off-site engagement model, the developers will work from their company. They will keep you in the loop about the progress while developing your app.

  • Hybrid Engagement Model

The hybrid engagement model is the admixture of the off-site and on-site engagement models where developers will occasionally visit your premises to conduct the entire development process.

If you are looking to engage with Intelivita on any of these models for eCommerce app development, connect with us.

FAQs

Q1. How long will it take to build the eCommerce app?

The exact time that an eCommerce app takes to develop relies on the product requirements and goals.

Creating the first version of the minimum viable eCommerce app might take up to 3-4 months.

Building it into the medium complexity app generally takes up to seven months.

Also, development and improvements are crucial parts of the process that you cannot neglect.

So, you will have to be ready to adapt to the change in your eCommerce app.

Q2. Is it possible to convert my eCommerce website into an app?

Yes, with the help of a mobile eCommerce app development company, you can build a mobile app.

It would decrease the prices and demand less time to hit the market.

Q3. How can I develop the eCommerce mobile app?
  • Recognize a niche and analyze the market opportunities.
  • Determine the product development platform.
  • Create the product design (UI/UX) strategies for effective user experience.
  • Develop app skins, create API and merge, write codes.
  • Test and launch.
Q4. Are there any security risks involved with eCommerce mobile apps?

You should always keep in mind the three security dimensions: integrity, confidentiality, and availability.

As a business owner, you must develop a good strategy that can make your site transactions safe.

Employ data encryption methods for each transaction to avoid any hacking.

Conclusion

All of the aforementioned factors will provide an answer on how much it costs to develop an app. Understanding the customer requirements, efficient planning, and the targeted audience will help you build a top-notch e-commerce platform.

A well-known and trustworthy technology partner will provide high-end e-commerce application development services.

These applications will give first-rate UI to your customers. If you are in Canada, you can recruit mobile app developers in Toronto.

If you are nurturing the best business app ideas, our team of qualified professionals in mobile app development are perfect to deliver your requirements.

Co-founder

Tuhin Bhatt is a co-founder of Intelivita, a leading Web and Mobile App Development Company. He helps passionate entrepreneurs build amazing tech products. Tuhin being a peoples man who has a passion to share his technical expertise with clients and other enthusiasts.

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