What Are the Best Mobile Apps for eCommerce Startups in 2023?

Many businesses relied on websites that customers could visit using the phone’s built-in browser when smartphones first became widely available so they could make purchases right from their mobile devices. However, such websites were rife with errors and didn’t genuinely have a good UX strategy.

Apps for e-commerce came in handy in this case. As more individuals make purchases using their phones, eCommerce apps—as opposed to eCommerce websites—have gained great importance. In order to give their customers a special and distinctive experience, businesses must integrate people into their stores. 

If your business is a startup, it is crucial. Even many mobile app development companies demand that new business owners incorporate these apps into their online stores. In this blog, we will discuss the best mobile apps for startups. So let’s dive in!

What is an e-commerce app?

An eCommerce app is an app that lets customers browse and buy products directly from their phones. E-commerce applications that are integrated with e-commerce platforms or storefronts are also available to help business owners manage and run their online eCommerce stores more efficiently.

Why are eCommerce Apps important for your startup?

Before getting into the best mobile apps for your business, we need to know why they are important. Mobile apps are crucial for eCommerce startups due to several reasons:

Wider reach

With millions of people primarily accessing the internet through smartphones, having a mobile app ensures your business reaches a broader audience and increases your potential customer base.

Enhanced user experience

They are designed for mobile devices, offering faster load times, intuitive navigation, and better performance. This leads to improved user satisfaction and increased engagement, ultimately boosting conversions and sales.

Personalization and engagement

By utilizing features like push notifications, personalized recommendations, and in-app messaging, you can engage with your users in real-time, deliver targeted promotions, and foster customer loyalty.

Increased sales and conversion rates

With Mobile apps, your startup can offer a streamlined purchasing process, making it easier for customers to browse products, make purchases, and track orders. The simplicity and convenience of mobile apps result in higher conversion rates than mobile websites. Additionally, features like saved payment information and one-click checkout, encourage repeat purchases and drive customer loyalty.

Utilizing device features

You can also use the existing features of mobile apps to your advantage. Features such as GPS, camera, and accelerometer provide enhanced functionalities. For example, integrating GPS allows you to offer location-based services, such as displaying nearby stores or providing personalized recommendations based on the user’s location.

Brand building and customer loyalty

Here is the best one, by having a mobile app for your business, you will have a prominent brand identity which will in return, build customer loyalty. A well-designed, branded app creates a consistent user experience that aligns with your eCommerce business. It also allows you to establish direct communication channels with your customers, fostering stronger relationships and increasing trust in your brand.

Data collection and analysis

This data can be used to make informed business decisions, optimize marketing strategies, and improve the overall user experience. By understanding your customers’ preferences and shopping patterns, you can effectively tailor your offerings to meet their needs.

The Best Mobile Apps for eCommerce Startups

Here are some of the most valuable and in-demand mobile applications for online retailers that streamline mobile eCommerce for start-ups:

• SEO: Image Optimizer Page Speed

In this digitalization era, you need to have a dominant online presence as a startup. SEO: Image Optimizer Page Speed speaks for itself. Using this, you can simply optimize your eCommerce store for improved search engine rankings, giving you quicker loading time, improved SERPs ranking, and increased conversion rates. It entails ALT tag optimization, Google structured data, site verification, meta tag optimization, and SEO research.

• Shopify Flow

Installing Shopify Flow is cost-free for entrepreneurs whose stores are powered by Shopify, Advanced, or Shopify Plus tiers. It allows business owners to develop automated workflows, tasks, campaigns, and procedures for use in their mobile applications and online stores. The tool also helps you handle orders, loyalty and retention, risk and fraud, marketing, inventory and merchandising, and buyer experience.

• Pirate Ship

High transportation costs cause companies to lose a significant portion of their income. Pirate Ship can help you specifically with this. Your only expense is your own shipping; you don’t pay a monthly subscription. It is free to download and negotiates rates with USPS and UPS on your behalf so that you can reduce shipping costs and increase earnings. 

• Instafeed

Using the official Instagram app, Instafeed, you can display shoppable Instagram feeds on your online store. It offers a free version that supports video and has an auto-optimized layout, grid or slider support, and compatibility with all devices and styles. For an additional $5.99 per month, in addition to everything else included in the free version, you can create reels, tag products, use more advanced profile features and layouts, and manage up to three different feeds.

• QuickBooks Online Global

QuickBooks Online Global links your eCommerce store to your QuickBooks Online International account for easier bookkeeping. It aids in monitoring capital inflows and outflows, increases tax deductions, has automated invoicing, synchronizes inventory and accounting data, and computes sales automatically. Businesses that conduct business outside of the US can also use it.

• Mailchimp: Email Marketing

Mailchimp offers an email marketing e-commerce application to help business owners create and automate targeted email campaigns. Its free plan supports up to 2,000 contacts. It includes email marketing, a marketing CRM, a creative assistant, sign-up forms, landing pages, social media posting, Facebook advertising, Instagram advertising, postcards, domains, and other adverts. In addition to all of that, you also get email templates, multi-step journeys, bespoke branding, A/B testing, and 24/7 email and live support.

The Mailchimp Premium subscription offers users support for up to 10,000 contacts and capabilities, including a customer path builder, send-time optimization, behavioral targeting, custom templates, complex segmentation, unlimited seats, and role-based access.

• Klarna On-Site Messaging

Customers can spread their payments for goods with Klarna On-Site Messaging by using a credit alternative known as “buy now, pay later” (BNPL). It connects directly with the store’s admin panel and may be customized to operate with your website.

5 Best eCommerce Platforms for Startups in 2023

Now that we know the benefits of the best mobile apps for startups, we list some platforms for you that will help you kick-start your journey. Each platform has its own strengths and considerations, so let’s explore them briefly:

• WooCommerce

WooCommerce is a plugin for WordPress, which allows you to transform your WordPress website into an eCommerce store. It provides extensive customization options, flexibility, and a wide range of extensions and themes. WooCommerce is a good choice if you prefer more control over your online store and have some technical knowledge or access to WordPress developers.

• Shopify

Shopify is a fully hosted eCommerce platform that offers an easy-to-use interface and a comprehensive set of features. It provides a complete solution, including hosting, security, payment gateways, and inventory management. Shopify store development is user-friendly and suitable for startups without extensive technical expertise. It also has a large app marketplace, allowing you to add functionality to your store.

• Squarespace

Squarespace is a website builder that includes eCommerce functionality. It offers visually appealing templates, drag-and-drop design, and a user-friendly interface. Squarespace is known for its elegant and modern designs, making it a great choice for aesthetics-focused startups. However, it may have some limitations regarding advanced eCommerce features and scalability.

• Wix

Wix is another popular website builder that provides eCommerce capabilities. It offers a simple drag-and-drop interface, a wide selection of templates, and a range of features to create and manage an online store. Wix is beginner-friendly and suitable for startups with limited technical knowledge. However, similar to Squarespace, it may not offer as much scalability or advanced eCommerce functionality as dedicated platforms like Shopify.

• Dorik

Dorik is a newer website builder that focuses on simplicity and speed. It offers a visual editor and a range of pre-built templates, making it easy to create a website quickly. While Dorik is not an eCommerce platform, it supports eCommerce functionality through integrations with payment gateways. It may be suitable for startups looking for a lightweight and straightforward website builder with basic eCommerce capabilities.

Conclusion

When choosing the best platform for your startup, consider your technical expertise, budget, scalability needs, desired features, customization options, and long-term growth plans. It’s also helpful to explore each platform’s pricing structure, customer support, and community resources to ensure they align with your requirements.

Overall, the best mobile apps offer eCommerce startups a competitive edge by providing a convenient, personalized, and engaging shopping experience. They enable startups to reach a wider audience, increase sales, and build strong customer relationships, leading to long-term growth and success in the eCommerce industry.