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“Online shopping is the ultimate way to indulge your shopping addiction.”

– Molly Tarlov

In the digital age, online shopping has become an integral part of our lives, offering convenience, variety, and the thrill of retail therapy at our fingertips. Behind every successful online shopping experience lies a well-crafted mobile application, tailor-made to enhance user experience. However, for those contemplating the creation of such apps, the pressing question remains: How much does online shopping app development cost?

The cost of developing an online shopping app is a multifaceted topic that depends on many factors. Basically, it can cost around $ 10,000-$25000 or more.

Global retail e-commerce sales were estimated at 5.2 trillion dollars in 2021. By 2026, this amount is expected to have increased by 56%, totaling roughly 8.1 trillion dollars. By looking at these stats, it is clear that investing in online shopping app development can be fruitful for businesses.

Thus, this blog post will delve deep into the intricacies of online shopping app development costs, unraveling the various factors that can sway your budget in one direction or another.

Table of Contents

What is Online Shopping App Development?

Online shopping app development is developing mobile applications to allow users to browse and select products from e-commerce platforms and purchase them via their smartphones or tablets.

The process includes designing a user-friendly app interface, implementing secure payment gateways and optimizing it for different mobile platforms. Online shopping apps can consist of grocery delivery apps, auction apps, medicine delivery apps, etc. The online shopping app development cost varies widely depending on features, platform compatibility and complexity.

So, if you plan to develop a grocery delivery app, choosing an experienced e-commerce or grocery app development company and thoroughly strategizing the app’s functionality is crucial to managing shopping app development costs effectively.

Why Investing in an Online Shopping App is Profitable For Businesses?

Investing in e-commerce app development is increasingly crucial for companies, regardless of size. To excel in the ever-evolving digital economy, businesses must allocate resources towards creating e-commerce apps that cater to consumer demand.

Here are some statistics to provide insight into the online shopping market, which can inform your decision when considering online shopping app development solutions.

With roughly 35 million downloads that year, Amazon’s e-commerce app was the most popular online shopping app in the US on iOS and Android smartphones.
Global retail e-commerce sales will reach more than 5.7 trillion dollars in 2022.
The size of the worldwide shopping application market, estimated at USD 868.4 million in 2021, is anticipated to rise at a 14.0% CAGR from 2022 to 2028.
Online marketplaces will be the primary source of global purchases as of 2022.
More than 70% of all retail website visits globally in 2023 came from smartphones, producing more online orders than computers and tablets.
Over half of all online sales, or $4.02 trillion, were made using mobile devices in 2022.

Even if the statistics are motivating, you should employ an online shopping app development company to launch your online shopping app because the next wave of innovation won’t let you meet the expanding expectations of end customers with the conventional business strategy.

How Much Does Online Shopping App Development Cost?

Now, you must think, “How much money does it cost to make an app?”. Well, it depends on the number of variables that must be considered throughout the development process and the company you select, which will affect the cost of E-commerce shopping app development.

To accurately determine the online shopping app cost, it is necessary to conduct a thorough analysis and study of all the elements listed below. Let’s look at the table below that showcases the online shopping app development cost according to app complexities.

App Complexity	Cost Estimation	Time Duration
Simple app	$10000-$15000	2-4 months
Moderate app	$15000-$22000	5-6 months
Complex app	$25000 or more	9 months

However, for a rough estimate, the basic cost to develop a mobile app for online shopping would be around $8,000, while the moderate version will cost anywhere between $13,000-$18,000.

Moreover, when you create shopping apps with AI-powered technology, you must spend $25,000 to build them. This includes features such as voice search, AI-based chatbots with machine learning, highly personalized recommendations, etc. So, consult with a reputed mobile application development company to know the exact cost estimation.

Factors Affecting The Online Shopping App Development Cost

Businesses are increasingly turning to app development as a way to increase their revenue and reach more customers. The cost to develop a shopping app can be affected by several factors. Now, let’s discover the essential elements that affect the development costs of the app recommended by an online shopping mobile app development services provider:

1. App Design

It is essential to pay attention to the design and functionality of your website for it to grab the attention of your audience. The design must be appealing, and attention should be paid to each feature and detail. It also includes the latest technology and multiple components to make it more attractive.

The cost to make a shopping app that supports multiple operating system versions will increase. Your design is also influenced by the platform that you use for your app – the Play Store App Store.

2. App Development Platform

You must first select the platform to reach your target audience to estimate the cost of developing a simple shopping app. Android is the most popular app platform compared to iOS or Windows. Profit margins are very high. According to statistics, Android has a more extensive customer base.

Android apps cost more because they take longer to make shopping apps and must be tested on different devices. Consider these factors while selecting the platform for your app.

3. Payment Gateway Integration

Payment gateway integration is a critical feature of an online shopping application. Integration of a payment gateway can be time-consuming and complex, increasing the development cost. Payment gateway integration costs can vary depending on the provider of the payment gateway and the degree of customization needed.

4. App Functionality

The online shopping app development cost can be affected by the functionality of a shopping app. The more functions an app has, the longer and more laborious the development process is. For example, product catalogs, shopping carts, payment gateway integrations, push alerts, and user profile management are additional features that raise the cost to make online shopping apps.

5. App Maintenance

For long-term success, it is vital to maintain an online shopping application. The cost of app support can vary depending on how complex the app is, how many updates are required and what level of customer service you need.

App maintenance costs should be considered with the assistance of mobile app support and maintenance services during the development process to ensure that the app is functional and current.

Key Features of Online Shopping App Development

Features significantly impact development complexity and cost, as each added function requires coding, testing, and potentially additional server infrastructure. So, as per the marketplace app development services provider, below are the crucial features that you must integrate into your online shopping app:

1. Register or Login

Before using an app, customers must first sign up. Users may register using their social network and e-mail ID; when the authentication procedure is through, they can log in. Users who are currently registered can access the app using those credentials. They have to integrate each user’s information into a profile.

2. Push Notification

This must-have feature will keep your users engaged in your app for longer. This feature allows your app to show your customers the latest offers, discounts and deals on your products and services and order and payment details. It is vital to know that integrating push notification functionality in your app can increase the online shopping app development cost.

3. Multiple Payment options

If you’re creating an online shopping app like Catch, this feature is essential. Your app must be able to process payments quickly and efficiently. A payment integration method must help you provide a flawless checkout experience. The user must be able to pay with credit cards or debit cards along with Paypal, eWallet and other methods. This will increase customer loyalty.

4. Social Media Login

Sign-up allows users to sign in to and log into your eCommerce app using the same credentials they use for their social media accounts. Logging in with Facebook or Gmail is possible. These features are convenient for users.

5. Chatbots For 24/7 Customer Support

Chatbots make any eCommerce app interactive by answering general questions from customers. This will not only enhance user experience but also save you a lot of time. So, you must hire a reputable company and avail of their on-demand app development solution to customize this feature in your app.

6. Role-based Dashboard

These dashboards show only data relevant to a specific admin’s role. These dashboards were explicitly designed to display real-time application data on multiple dashboards, ensuring better data understanding.

7. Real-time Analytics

In general, online shopping applications have an enormous user base. This makes it complex to operate and monitor app data manually. You can use real-time analytics to determine your app’s performance in terms of transactions, users online, and trending items.

8. Exclusive Discount & Coupons

Referral points, flat discounts and coupons are all ways to encourage customers to use online shopping apps. Apps are more engaging and offer customers a better shopping experience.

This feature helps online vendors improve their shop app for business by allowing them to display special offers and coupons. So, if you want to incorporate this feature in your app, you must consult a coupon app development services provider.

9. Utilizing AI

By tracking the behavior and eCommerce analytics of users, an AI-integrated app can assist online retailers in leveraging voice support, image searches, and product recommendations by tracking their previous actions.

How to Reduce Online Shopping App Development Cost?

Various businesses have a question about how to make a shopping app. Well, the process of developing an app for mobile commerce can be expensive. Fortunately, it is possible to reduce the cost without compromising quality. Here are some tips to help you reduce the costs of creating an online shopping mobile app.

1. Choosing Open-Source Platforms

Open-source platforms are one of the best ways to reduce costs for developing online shopping apps. These platforms provide free software that may be personalized to suit your business needs. You would spend only a limited amount of money to create an online shopping app. Open-source platforms give you access to a large community of developers that can assist you in any way.

2. Simplifying App Design

Simplifying the design of an app is another way to cut the cost of developing an online shopping app like Shopee, Amazon etc. Accordingly, rather than attempting to include each function, you need to focus on the application’s essential features and functionalities. The cost of developing an app can be significantly reduced by streamlining the design.

3. Hire an Ecommerce App Development Company

A company that develops eCommerce apps can reduce the costs of creating an online shopping application. You may get an advantage from the expertise of an ecommerce app development company by hiring them and following their advice.

By performing the tasks yourself, even if you have little or no knowledge, you can avoid various mistakes. It will significantly reduce development costs without sacrificing quality.

4. Limiting App Features

Another way to reduce the online shopping app development cost is crucial attributes. For example, when you invest in an app like AJIO online shopping app development, it is critical to minimize the costs by focusing on essential features and functionalities. However, it also ensures that the app will have more straightforward movement usage, necessary for a positive customer experience.

5. Conducting Beta Testing

Beta testing is a great way to cut the cost to create your shopping app. Testing the application before release will help you find issues and pinpoint problems. It will ensure the app is excellent and functioning, lowering future support and maintenance expenses.

Final Thoughts

So, if you own a retail store, you should expand it online to be competitive in this fast-paced digital environment. The only practical approach to boost consumer base and revenue is through an online marketplace or shopping app development.

However, the online shopping app development cost might be extreme, but it can have an enormous benefit for businesses. Thus, it is crucial to work with a seasoned and reputable iOS or Android app development firm that will assist you through the entire process and guarantee the accomplishment of your project.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How Much Time Does it Take To Build an Online Shopping App?

You must wonder, “How much is it to create an app?”. Depending on its complexity and features, an online shopping app’s development time might vary considerably. A simple app may take 2-4 months, while a more complex one with unique features and thorough testing may take 6-9 months or longer. To know the exact time estimation, you must consult with an accomplished clothing design software development company.

2. What Are the Benefits of Developing an Online Shopping App?

Developing an online shopping app for your e-commerce business offers several key benefits, including increased customer engagement, 24/7 accessibility, personalized shopping experiences, improved brand visibility, and the potential to reach a wider audience.

In 2023, mobile online sales exceeded $2.2 trillion, accounting for 60% of all online revenues. With these stats, it is clear that investing in online shopping app development can be beneficial for businesses in the coming years.

3. What Platform Should We Choose When Releasing an Ecommerce App: Android or iOS?

The choice between Android and iOS for an e-commerce app depends on your target audience and budget. Consider developing both to reach a broader user base, but start with the platform that aligns with your primary user demographic.

4. How to Create Online Shopping Apps?

To create online shopping app, you should follow these steps: