How to Convert Your nopCommerce Into a Mobile App

If you want to expand your nopCommerce store's reach and improve conversions, developing a mobile app is crucial.

With the ever-increasing number of people shopping on their smartphones, it's essential to adapt your strategy to a mobile-first approach. Instead of opting for an expensive fully custom native app, you can leverage the capabilities of a nopCommerce mobile app builder. This allows you to create a top-notch mobile app that seamlessly integrates with your existing nopCommerce store while minimizing costs.

Read on to learn how you can transform your nopCommerce store into a mobile app.

Why You Need a Mobile App

Mobile accounted for more than 72% of the total ecommerce market share in 2022, experiencing a rise from slightly over 52% within a span of five years.

This aligns with the overall pattern of mobile internet usage, which increasingly favors mobile each year. Presently, mobile holds a market share of over 50% in comparison to desktop and tablet.

On top of that, 15% of Americans today solely rely on smartphones to access the internet, indicating the future of ecommerce where customers are not only mobile-first but mobile-reliant.

While optimizing your site for mobile is a starting point, it alone falls short. Mobile apps deliver an enhanced user experience on cellular devices, leading to improvements in several key metrics, including:

 
• Higher conversion rates
 
• Increased average order value
 
• Greater number of products viewed per session

Additional data demonstrates that users of ecommerce mobile apps are twice as likely to revisit the store within 30 days compared to those using mobile browsers.

Apps also provide the advantage of utilizing mobile push notifications to their full potential, with higher average opt-in rates, open rates and click-through rates.

This means apps now serve as an excellent tool for fostering loyal, repeat customers.

Simply put, a nopCommerce mobile app can bring significant benefits to your business.

Can You Create Mobile Apps for nopCommerce?

It's not feasible to directly launch a mobile app from nopCommerce, as it is primarily intended for webstores. However, there are ways to overcome this limitation. You may explore the following alternatives:

1. Use a third-party tool designed specifically for creating mobile apps compatible with nopCommerce.
2. Seek assistance from technology-enabled services to convert your nopCommerce store into a mobile application.
3. Collaborate with a team of experienced engineers who can develop Android and iOS apps and establish a connection with your nopCommerce shop.

Can I Turn My nopCommerce Store into an App?

Converting a nopCommerce store into an app can be accomplished using one of the mentioned methods above.

However, it is best for most store owners to disregard the third option of hiring developers to create native apps. The primary reason for this is the high cost associated with mobile app development. Building a native app alone can range from $30,000 to $150,000. Additionally, launching apps for both Android and iOS would double this cost, as it is recommended to have apps on both platforms.

Creating an app is a time-consuming and intricate process that can be quite expensive. This is particularly true when developers need to build an API and establish a connection between the app's backend and the nopCommerce store.

Considering the financial aspect, it is unlikely that you have the budget for this course of action. You must also consider the annual expenses required to maintain and operate the app.

The Recurring Cost of Having an App

A substantial number of people fail to consider the ongoing expenses associated with launching an app. Maintaining and keeping the app up-to-date requires investments for tasks like operating system (OS) updates, nopCommerce updates, fixing bugs, introducing new features, and making improvements. These maintenance costs typically amount to around 15-20% of the initial development cost per year.

In fact, the costs can even go higher. During Rainbow Apparel's app launch, VP of Marketing David Cost conducted extensive research on this matter and discovered that the annual expenses could reach as much as one million dollars.

"If we had unlimited time and money, we would probably opt for a custom native app. However, the maintenance alone would cost us between half a million to a million dollars every year."

Let's take a conservative estimate and assume that building apps for both mobile platforms costs $150,000. Based on this, the estimated annual expenditure for updates and maintenance would be at least $30,000.

For most store owners, this expenditure is excessively high. Not to mention the added challenge of managing multiple platforms instead of solely focusing on their website. It significantly amplifies the workload whenever they want to make changes to their site, needlessly complicating their workflow.

The Best Way to Turn Your nopCommerce Store into an App

The most preferable approach is to leverage a mobile app builder to convert your nopCommerce store into a mobile app.

By utilizing a mobile app builder, your existing nopCommerce website can be seamlessly transformed into a mobile app that operates similarly to a native app. This app can be conveniently downloaded and installed on users' mobile devices.

The top mobile app builders provide you with a mobile application that delivers 90-95% of the functionality found in a native app, but at a more affordable price and with reduced complications. However, it's important to note that not all available choices in the market are suitable for building high-traffic, professional mobile applications that effectively represent your brand.

How to Convert nopCommerce to App

If you happen to be a prominent name with ample resources available, such as H&M, Nike or Amazon, you could consider hiring professionals to create your shopping app completely from scratch.

But if you don't fall into that category, MobiLoud emerges as the top choice to building an app. It's a user-friendly, budget-friendly, and fast solution. Additionally, the long-term management of your apps becomes significantly more affordable and effortless.

Let's now explore the process in detail.

Step One: Preview Your App or Get a Free Consultation

You have two options to begin:

 
1. You can personally try out the MobiLoud builder and see a preview of your site as an app for free. Access it here.
 
2. Alternatively, you can set up a complimentary consultation call with one of our app specialists. They will provide an summary of the process and discuss your project at length so you know what to expect.

Either way, you'll notice that nearly all the work involved in creating your app is already done, as long as your site is optimized for mobile devices.

If you require assistance in optimizing your site, simply let us know. We're more than happy to help! This step is crucial to ensure a seamless process throughout.

Step Two: Work With Our Team to Build Your App

When you're ready to start the building process, simply sign up to MobiLoud. Rest assured that all our plans offer a 60-day money-back guarantee, and there's no obligation for a long-term commitment.

Once you've signed up, our team will collaborate with you to configure and design your app. Remember, a significant amount of the groundwork has already been completed, so you don't have to start from scratch. Just a few adjustments are needed to give your app the look and feel of a native one.

Once you're happy with the design, we'll take charge of building your mobile app. We handle all the technical aspects, eliminating the need for you to write code or have any coding knowledge.

If you prefer a completely hands-off approach, our team can manage the entire process from start to finish. With our full-service package, we'll take care of everything needed to configure, design, and publish your app, allowing you to sit back and relax.

Step Three: Prepare for Launch

When your app is built, it's time to gear up for its public release. It's essential to have a solid plan in place to encourage people to download your app.

We provide a range of assets to assist with your app's launch, including materials for app store descriptions, announcements for your website and email subscribers, press releases, and more. Furthermore, you can leverage additional features at no extra charge, such as smart app banners and app-exclusive discounts, to motivate your existing customers to shop using the app.

Step Four: Launch and Submit Your Apps to the App Stores

Lastly, we'll submit your apps to the Apple App Store and Google Play Store for launch.

The submission process for these app stores can be challenging, especially when you're new to app ownership and development. However, with our extensive experience and knowledge, we've successfully navigated this process countless times and you can rest easy knowing you're in good hands.

Our team takes care of the entire app submission process and we guarantee 100% app approval. We also provide recommendations and implement any required changes if multiple submissions are needed.

Once your app listings are live, you can officially begin attracting downloads and enjoy all the advantages of having your own nopCommerce mobile app.

Wrapping Up – Why You Should Use MobiLoud to Convert Your nopCommerce Store into a Mobile App

The mobile revolution is happening right now. Most of your current revenue is likely generated through mobile devices. If not, it will be very soon.

Your nopCommerce store needs more than just a mobile-optimized website. To maximize your earnings from mobile users, it's crucial to offer your own branded app.

Today, transforming a nopCommerce store into a mobile app has become easier than ever, provided you follow the right approach. Instead of spending tons of financial capital on mobile developers, MobiLoud offers an affordable and user-friendly solution.

To recap, here are the key benefits of using MobiLoud's nopCommerce app builder:

 
• It costs only a fraction of what custom app development would require.
 
• You can launch professional, high-quality apps in less than two weeks.
 
• Your apps will encompass all the great features of your website, including product collections, payment gateways, plug-ins, tools, themes, and more.
 
• Everything stays synchronized across the web, Android, and iOS platforms. Any changes you make on your site will immediately reflect in your apps.
 
• You can rest assured that your apps will be approved in the app stores - we guarantee it.
 
• Our team will be there for you every step of the way, handling all the complex tasks so you don't have to.

This simple app builder, which requires no coding, enables you to launch your own shopping apps and position yourself in the app stores alongside the biggest brands in the world.

Contact us now to learn more about how our team can assist you in launching an app for your nopCommerce store. Schedule a free, personalized demo, and one of our app pros will guide you through the entire process.