How to Convert Your OpenCart Site Into A Mobile App

Do you want to launch a mobile app for your OpenCart store?

With the rapid growth of mobile ecommerce, more and more customers are using their smartphones to shop. If you want to reach more potential customers and build a successful and resilient online business, a mobile app is quickly becoming a must-have.

Though it's complicated and expensive to build custom native apps from the ground up, turning your OpenCart store into a mobile app is easier than you think. You already have a great mobile user experience on your website; you just need a tool to help you convert your web experience into a mobile app.

Read on and we'll explain how to do that, and why MobiLoud is the OpenCart app builder you need.

Can You Create Mobile Apps for OpenCart?

Directly publishing a mobile app from OpenCart is not possible as it is designed for webstores. To create a mobile app using OpenCart, additional tools are required, such as:

1. A third-party OpenCart mobile app builder.
2. A technology-enabled service that can transform your OpenCart store into a mobile app.
3. A team of developers to construct Android and iOS apps and link them to your OpenCart store.

Picking the right option is crucial, as the wrong choice can lead to a sub-standard app, or a massive investment that requires significant upkeep and maintenance.

Can I Turn My OpenCart Store into an App?

You have the option to transform an OpenCart store into an app by using one of the methods mentioned above.

However, it's recommended that most store owners avoid the third option (which involves hiring developers to build native apps). This is mainly because mobile apps are pricey to develop. Building a native app costs between $20,000 to $150,000 – and that's just for one operating system. You'll have to double the cost to launch apps for both Android and iOS (which you should).

Developing an app is time-consuming, complex, and costly in the first place. It becomes even more so when your developers have to create an API and link the backend of your apps to your OpenCart store.

It's likely that you don't have the budget for this – and that's not even taking into account the annual expenses to maintain your app.

The Recurring Cost of Having an App

Many people overlook the recurring costs that come with launching an app, like maintenance, bug fixes, and new features. With OpenCart updates and upkeep, these expenses can amount to about 15-20% of the initial cost each year.

According to David Cost from Rainbow Apparel, these costs can even reach up to a million dollars per year.

“If we had unlimited time and money, we would probably go for a custom native app, but that is half a million to a million a year to maintain.”

So, let’s say it takes $100,000 to build apps for both mobile platforms. The estimated cost for updates and maintenance is around $15,000 annually (and that’s being conservative).

This is too costly for most store owners. Additionally, managing multiple platforms can be a big headache, and it triples the work you have to do when making changes to your site. It’s better to stick to just your OpenCart website to avoid unnecessary complexity and workflow issues.

The Best Way to Turn Your OpenCart Store into an App

The ideal solution is to transform your OpenCart store into an app with the help of an OpenCart mobile app builder like MobiLoud.

By using an OpenCart mobile app builder, you can convert your existing OpenCart website into a mobile app that functions similar to a native app, and can be downloaded and installed by users on their mobile devices.

The top mobile app builders provide a mobile app that offers 90-95% of the features of a native app, but at a lower cost and with fewer difficulties. However, it's important to note that not all options available are appropriate for creating professional mobile apps that receive generate traffic and conversions and reflect well on your brand.

How to Convert OpenCart to App

When you're a major player like Nike, Target, or Zara, you have the resources to hire your own team to code your shopping app from scratch.

But for smaller businesses, that's just not feasible. That's where MobiLoud comes in as the top choice for app building - it's easy, cost-effective, and quick. Plus, keeping up with maintenance is much simpler and more affordable in the long run.

If you're curious about the step-by-step process of using MobiLoud to build your app, let's break it down for you.

Step One: Book a Demo

Start with a free demo.

Here you'll chat with one of our project managers about your site, the goals you have for the app, and what the process will look like.

We'll also share an interactive preview of your site as an app. You'll find that as long as your site is optimized for mobile 90% of the work to build your mobile app is already done for you.

Book your free demo now

Step Two: Work With Our Team to Build Your App

When you're prepared to start building, sign up for MobiLoud. All plans come with a 60-day money-back guarantee and do not require a long-term commitment.

You will collaborate with our team to configure and design your app. Keep in mind that most of the work has already been done. You won't have to create a new UI from scratch; simply make a few adjustments to make it look and feel like a native app.

When you're satisfied, we'll begin constructing your mobile app. We handle all technical aspects, so you don't have to write code or know anything about coding.

If you prefer our team to manage the entire process, start to finish, we can do that as well. Our full-service package includes everything required to configure, design, and publish your app, allowing you to be entirely hands-off.

Step Three: Prepare for Launch

After building your app, it's time to prepare for its launch to the public. A launch plan is crucial to draw people to download your app.

We offer various resources for app store descriptions, launch announcements for your website and email list, press releases, and other materials.

You can also leverage features like smart app banners and exclusive app discounts to encourage your existing customers to make purchases through the app.

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

Eventually, we will release your apps to the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

The process of submitting your app to these stores is notoriously challenging, especially for inexperienced app owners and developers. Nevertheless, we have gone through the process countless times and know it thoroughly.

Our team manages the app submission process with Apple and Google. We offer a 100% app approval guarantee and will handle multiple submissions if needed, as well as recommend and implement any required changes. You don't need to do anything.

Once your listings are live, you can officially begin receiving downloads and enjoying all the advantages of having your own OpenCart mobile app.

Why You Need a Mobile App

Mobile commerce accounts for more than 72% of the ecommerce market share, which has grown from just over 52% in the past five years.

This trend is consistent with the increasing use of mobile internet, which has surpassed desktop and tablet with a market share of over 60%.

In addition, 15% of Americans now solely access the internet via their mobile devices, cementing the fact that the future of ecommerce is mobile-first consumers.

Although optimizing your OpenCart website for mobile is a step in the right direction, it is not enough alone. Apps provide a superior user experience on mobile, which leads to increases in key metrics, such as:

• Conversion rates rise
• Average order value increases
• More products viewed per session

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Furthermore, data shows that ecommerce mobile app users are twice as likely to revisit the store within 30 days compared to those using mobile browsers.

In addition, mobile apps offer full use of mobile push notifications, which have an average of 20% open rates and 28% click-through rates. Furthermore, mobile apps are a fantastic tool for retaining loyal, repeat customers.

It may not be necessary to turn your OpenCart store into a mobile app; however, a mobile app for OpenCart can bring significant benefits to your business.

Use MobiLoud to Convert Your OpenCart Store into a Mobile App Today

The mobile era is here, and if you're not already cashing in on mobile revenue, it's high time you did.

Your OpenCart store needs more than just a mobile-friendly website. You should be providing your own branded application if you're looking to maximize mobile user revenue.

Nowadays, turning an OpenCart store into a mobile app is more accessible than ever before. Instead of spending tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars on mobile developers, MobiLoud makes it super easy and affordable.

Here are some key benefits of using the OpenCart app builder by MobiLoud:

• The cost is only a fraction of the price of custom app development.
• You can launch professional, high-quality apps in under a month.
• Your apps will retain all of the website's key features, from product collections to payment gateways, plugins, tools, themes, and more.
• Everything is synced across web, Android, and iOS. Any modifications you make on your site will be reflected in your apps right away.  
• You don't need to worry about submitting your apps to app stores - we guarantee approval.  
• Our team will guide you through the whole process and take care of all the heavy lifting, so you don't have to.

MobiLoud's user-friendly app builder requires no coding and enables you to launch your own shopping apps, putting you in the app stores alongside the world's leading brands.

Get in touch with us today to learn more about how we can help you launch an app for your OpenCart store. Book a free, personalized demo and one of our app specialists will guide you through the whole process.