Discover the Shift from eCommerce to mCommerce Apps

Due to ongoing development in technology, the way we buy things has changed. E-commerce provided people with an option to purchase anything with a few clicks of the mouse. However, because more and more people are now using smartphones, traditional e-commerce has declined.

The reason is m-commerce, a mobile-friendly shopping experience. Top app development companies are now making it possible for businesses to launch their very own apps through which people can shop online through mobile. Let’s see, in this blog, how things have shifted from e-commerce to m-commerce for shoppers and businesses alike.

What is E-commerce?

E-commerce is the short form of electronic commerce. It is defined as an online purchase and sale of commodities and services. Before the advent of smartphones, e-commerce was the only way through which people used to shop online. It helps in accessing stores online through computers, browsing products, adding to the cart, and paying with the help of credit cards or other online payment systems.

Some common examples of e-commerce websites include:

• Amazon
• eBay
• Walmart 
• Zalando 

The e-commerce model works well because consumers can simply shop from their homes. Purchases can be done easily. Many people use their computers for big purchases, like TVs, furniture, or groceries, where they can compare other options also.

What is M-commerce?

M-commerce stands for mobile commerce. It is e-commerce, but with a difference, since it targets the transactions that customers do using smartphones and tablets. M-commerce provides an avenue for people to buy and sell products through apps, mobile websites, and social media platforms.

In fact, more people are now using their smartphones to shop than ever before as mobile apps are optimized to offer better experience. Reports suggest that, in the United States alone, m-commerce sales will reach 856 billion U.S. Dollars by 2027.

Key features of m-commerce include:

• Mobile apps: With Amazon, eBay, and Shopify, shopping is simple to do on mobiles.
• Mobile payments: Services such as Apple Pay, Google Wallet, and PayPal make it easy to pay from mobile.
• Social commerce: Instagram and Facebook allow business companies to sell their products through these apps directly.
• M-commerce totally focuses on shopping being made as easy as it can be. You can do shopping, comparing products, or even payment of bills all using your mobile by pressing a few touches.

M-commerce is becoming the most popular way to shop online due to the widespread use of mobile devices. 

Difference between E-commerce and M-commerce: Comparison Table

Let’s have a look at comparison between e-commerce and m-commerce to highlight their key differences:

Why Brands Need to Shift from E-commerce to M-commerce

People use smartphones for almost everything these days, including shopping. As a result, brands that only focus on regular e-commerce may miss out on a huge opportunity. Brands need to shift from e-commerce to m-commerce as:

1. Mobile Usage is on the Rise
   Everybody has a smartphone, and the number of users who make online purchases via mobile devices is also increasing. If the brand concentrates on m-commerce, it will reach this enormous and increasing group.
2. Customer Convenience
   Mobile shopping is faster and easier. Users can shop when commuting, standing in a line, or simply sitting in the house. It is a simple experience that brands can easily access customers where they are and whenever they need it.
3. Fast Checkouts and Payments
   M-commerce facilitates quicker payment through mobile wallets such as Apple Pay or Google Pay. Cart abandonment is also reduced, and there is a better chance of closing the sale.
4. Social Media Tie-Up
   M-commerce can be integrated with social media. The applications like Instagram and Facebook enable users to shop right from the application. Brands using m-commerce can tap into these platforms to increase sales and engagement.
5. Improved User Experience
   Mobile-optimized sites and applications provide for smoother, easier shopping experiences. Customers buy more when they feel a smooth, easy mobile shopping experience.

By shifting to m-commerce, brands can stay relevant, increase sales, and build stronger connections with today’s mobile-first shoppers.

How Much Does it Cost to Build a M-commerce App

The price of making an m-commerce app depends on many factors. These include the app’s features, UI/UX , and the complexity of the project. Some factors that increase price are:

• App Features
  The more the features you want in your app, the higher the cost will be. The cost of basic features like product listing, search functions, and payment gateways is low while advanced features such as personalized recommendations, augmented reality, and multi-language increase the cost.
• Design and User Experience
  The design of the application plays a great role in the price: from a more simple and straightforward design to a custom, user-friendly design with animations, smooth transitions, and branding elements. It will be correspondingly cheaper or more expensive.
• Platform (iOS, Android, or Both)
  You have to decide if you want your app to be available for different OS users. The cost of creating an app for a single platform is lesser. For an app to be created for both iOS and Android platforms, development time and resources are more leading to higher price. 
• Development Team
  The cost will also depend on whether you hire an in-house team, a freelance developer, or a development agency. Agencies usually cost more but offer a full service. Freelancers can be more affordable, though they may lack skills.
• Maintenance and Updates
  The cost of maintenance and updates is continuously added after development. The inalienable parts are bug fixing on a regular basis, addition of new features, and updating, keeping it compatible with recent devices and operating systems of any mobile application.

The cost of building an m-commerce app can vary a lot. To make things affordable, some e-commerce development companies offer mobile sites that are optimized to run smoothly on smartphones. It’s important to plan your budget and work with in-house or outsourced developers to ensure a smooth, successful app launch.

Role Of AI in Transforming M-commerce

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is playing a big role in changing how m-commerce works. Here’s how AI is transforming mobile shopping:

• Personalized Shopping Experience
  AI helps in offering a more personalized shopping experience through the analysis of customer behavior, preference, and past purchases. This helps brands to recommend products that customers are more likely to buy, thus making shopping easier and more enjoyable.
• Chatbots and Customer Support
  AI-powered chatbots are ready 24/7 to serve customers for any questions or issues they may have. They can guide the user through shopping, answer some very basic inquiries, and can even take orders. This improves customer service and makes it faster.
• Smart Search
  AI improves the search feature in m-commerce applications. It understands what the user is looking for and shows better results, even if the search terms are vague. AI can also predict what a user might want next based on their browsing history.
• Fraud Detection and Security
  AI shields both customers and businesses from fraud. Through its analysis of buying patterns, it is able to recognize strange activities and can block suspicious transactions. This adds extra security to the m-commerce applications.
• Voice Commerce
  With the rise of voice assistants like Siri and Google Assistant, AI is helping customers shop using voice commands. This makes the shopping process even more convenient, especially when users are on the go.

In short, AI is making m-commerce smarter, safer, and more tailored to individual customers, improving both the shopping experience and business outcomes.

Covert Your eCommerce Website to Mobile App

The number of smartphone users is increasing day by day. Businesses should make their eCommerce websites accessible as mobile apps. Many IOS and Android development companies provide this service. Converting your website into an app can help you reach a larger audience, increase engagement, and boost sales.

When to Choose Native App Development?

Native app development means creating an app for a specific platform like iOS or Android. Choose this option if:

• Performance is a priority: Native apps work faster and smoother, offering a better user experience.
• Advanced features are required: If your app requires access to device features like the camera, GPS, or sensors, then native apps are best.
• You need a high-quality, custom design: Native apps can offer more design flexibility and a unique look and feel tailored to the platform.

When to Choose Cross-Platform App Development?

Cross-platform app development lets you create a single app with native support for both iOS and Android. Choose this option when:

• You want to save time and cost : It is faster and cheaper to develop one application for both platforms than developing two different native apps.
• You need a simple app: A cross-platform app is a viable option if the app doesn’t require too much complexity or a high performance requirement.
• You want to reach a wider audience quickly: Since the app is available on iOS and Android, you can reach more users without spending extra resources.

Both options have their benefits, so it depends on your budget, timeline, and features you need for your eCommerce business.

FAQs on Shift from E-commerce to M-commerce

Let’s Summarize

With this shift from e-commerce to m-commerce, online shopping is no longer the same. As customers increasingly use their smartphones, the business world has started to adapt to m-commerce. A mobile-friendly shopping experience is more convenient and accessible, allowing brands to reach a larger audience and increase sales.

Moving to m-commerce can help your business stay competitive. As smartphone users continue to grow, adapting to this shift will be necessary for almost all businesses.

Neil Jordan

Hey! I'm Neil Jordan, a technical consultant with extensive experience in web development, design, and technical solution management. My research focuses on web development and various technologies. I have a diverse background in providing various IT service consulting.