So, you've built a Shopify store you're truly proud of.

You offer incredible products, enjoy good traffic to your website and, overall, you'd say things are good.

But they're not great.

‍You may wonder how you can take a step further and be a part of the future of retail, transforming your business and staying ahead of the competition. The answer is simple: a Shopify mobile app.

Mobile apps provide an engaging, convenient shopping experience tailored specifically for smartphones.

In contrast, a mobile website is simply an adaptation of your desktop site.

It's the difference between a croissant made by a pastry chef and a croissant made by a sushi chef. I know which I'd rather eat.

In this article, we're going to cover:

Why you need a mobile app right now
5 signs you’re ready for a Shopify mobile app
How to get a mobile app for your Shopify store

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Why you need a Shopify mobile app right now

The time to launch your Shopify mobile app is now.

The market has shifted, and consumer behaviour has changed. It's no secret that people use mobile devices more than ever. Statistics show that overall we spend over 3 hours a day glued to our phones. In the US, it is even more: 4 hours and 31 minutes daily. That's over 60 days a year!!!

So, with that many hours scrolling through the phone, it doesn't come as a surprise that 73% of e-commerce sales happen on mobile, and 79% of traffic to Shopify stores comes from mobile devices. This percentage is set to increase as the number of smartphone users grows year after year. According to Statista, 85% of American adults use smartphones.

In the UK, the number of monthly active smartphone users is projected to grow steadily and reach 64.89 million in 2025, a sharp jump from 55.22 million in 2018.

Purchases on mobile devices are becoming the norm, and if you don't have a mobile app for your Shopify store, you're missing out on a lot of potential business growth. You already know all that, but is your Shopify store ready to have a mobile app?

‍Yes. And here's why.

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5 Signs you’re ready for a Shopify mobile app

From our experience talking with thousands of Shopify merchants, we've listed 5 reasons why we think you're ready to get a mobile app for your Shopify store.

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1. Launching a mobile app is no longer costly or complicated

Until a couple of years ago, even thinking about having a native mobile app looked more like a dream than a project. It was not only pricey but also required a lot of time and effort. Hiring a developer, designing the app from scratch, and learning all about technology...undoubtedly daunting.

Nowadays, it is possible to create your own app without any coding knowledge or previous experience in the tech industry. This is what "no code app development" stands for: anyone can design and launch native mobile apps through specialised platforms.

All you need to do is to sign up for an app builder service. Some of them, like StoreLab, offer mobile app plans including a fully designed, personalised, and customizable iOS & Android mobile app for your store, helping you boost sales, increase AOV, and drive customer loyalty. All this in a short amount of time, with a wide range of customisable templates to choose from.

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2. You want to stand out from the competition

It's true; some of your competitors might already have an app - one more piece of proof that mobile apps are great for your industry. But that doesn't mean it's too late for you to launch your own. In fact, many brands are still not taking advantage of this powerful tool. Around half (47%) of the top retailers have a mobile app, which is expected.

So there is still a lot of room to grow and compete. Besides, as we mentioned before, launching an app is no longer as expensive or complicated as it used to be. You can easily get started and see results quickly.

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3. Your audience is already on mobile

Knowing your target audience is fundamental. Are your potential customers big on smartphone usage? If so, they are probably already using their devices to browse the internet, read reviews and compare prices before making a purchase.

Launching an app is a no-brainer in this case. If your brand has a relevant social media following, even more! Sprout Social discovered that 70% of Gen X customers, 60% of millennials and 51% of baby boomers would likely purchase from a brand they already follow. Social media is also the #1 way Gen Z prefers to discover new products, according to 38% of those aged 18-24.

So if you have a Shopify mobile app, you are tapping into this massive market of potential customers who are already using their phones for shopping.‍

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4. You want to provide your customers with a seamless shopping experience‍

A well-designed Shopify mobile app will allow customers to browse through your products quickly and make purchases in just a few clicks. Creating a seamless and enjoyable shopping experience should be one of your primary business goals.

The loading time significantly differs between a mobile site and an app, and delays can be pretty frustrating for potential shoppers. On average, a mobile page takes 15.3 seconds to load, whilst an app loads instantly, as the data has already been downloaded to the phone.

"Web pages don't have loading bars. So when the page is slow, the visitor doesn't know if the delay will be another 500 milliseconds or 15 seconds. Maybe it will never load. And the back button is right there," says Andy Crestodina, Orbit Media CEO.

Result: potential shoppers simply leave the page, directly impacting your bottom line and abandoned cart rates. Website conversion rates drop by an average of 4.42% with each additional second of load time (between seconds 0-5).

By no means should you not have a website. On the contrary, having a mobile site is essential - you want to be anywhere your customers are, whether on the phone, tablet, or desktop.

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5. You are ready to increase sales and grow your business

You can fulfil more orders and broaden your target audience. Your current success suggests that there is demand in your industry, that you are capable of delivering a high-quality product, and that you have the means to do so. Launching a mobile app can tap into a larger market of potential customers and increase sales.

A well-designed app makes it easier for customers to find and buy your products, making it perfect for crossing and upselling items. Not to mention that digital marketing campaigns no longer drive the traffic you need to achieve more growth. A mobile app provides your own private marketing channel: push notifications, which are messages sent directly to a user's phone. With push notifications, for example, you can offer exclusive deals and rewards to your customers, bringing them back to the app and making new purchases.

You'll be able to connect with your customers in new ways, strengthening the relationship you have with them.

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Discover 8 more signs it's time to create a mobile app for your Shopify store.

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How to build a mobile app for your Shopify store

The trend is clear: people are using their phones more and more to shop online. Launching a Shopify mobile app should be one of your top priorities if you want to keep up with the competition and grow your business.

From increased convenience to reaching a wider audience, mobile apps offer numerous benefits that can lead to more traffic and sales for your business. If you have the resources necessary to develop and launch an app, it is time to move forward and be at the forefront of the mobile revolution.

When you launch a Shopify mobile app, you're not only joining the future of retail but also setting your business apart from the competition. StoreLab allows anyone to create a professional and fully optimised app to help grow your Shopify store. Get in touch today to develop and launch a high-quality app that will let customers buy your products with just a few taps on their phone screen. Or, book a call with one of our Shopify growth experts.

After creating a mobile app for her Shopify store, Carol, owner of RockThoseCurves, saw a 126% year on year increase in conversion rate, 48% year on year increase in order value, and 1307% year on year increase in online store sales. You can learn more about these incredible results here.

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Shopify mobile app FAQ

What are the benefits of a Shopify mobile app?

There are endless benefits to getting a mobile app for your Shopify store, but here are some of the best:

More conversions: Mobile apps drive 3x more conversions compared to mobile websites. Find out how much revenue a mobile app could make for your Shopify store.
Increased average order value: Mobile apps drive a 15% higher average order value compared to mobile websites. So you’re not only getting more sales, but those sales are worth more, too.‍
Better customer retention: mobile app users have a 90% higher retention rate compared to mobile website users

How do I build a Shopify mobile app for my store?

If you want to build a mobile app for your Shopify store, then StoreLab's Shopify growth service can help.

Both of our mobile app plans includes a fully designed, personalised, and customizable iOS & Android mobile app for your store, helping you boost sales, increase AOV, and drive customer loyalty. Our Shopify mobile app builder is also incredibly easy to use, taking inspiration from the same process you used to set up your Shopify store.

To find out which plan is right for you, book a call with one of our Shopify growth experts.