How to Convert Your Spree Into a Mobile App

Want to take your Spree store to the next level in terms of reach, conversions, and revenue? This post will walk you through the process of turning your Spree store into a mobile app.

With the increasing popularity of mobile ecommerce and the growing number of smartphone shoppers, it's crucial to adapt. Instead of investing in an expensive fully custom native app, you can use a Spree mobile app builder to create a fully-functional, high-quality Spree mobile app at a minimal cost.

Keep reading to learn more.

Why You Need a Mobile App

The total ecommerce market share is now dominated by mobile, accounting for more than 72% and rising from just above 52% in a span of five years.

This aligns with the overall pattern of mobile internet usage, which increasingly favors mobile each year. Presently, mobile holds over 60% of the market share when compared to desktop and tablet.

Moreover, 15% of Americans today exclusively rely on smartphones for accessing the internet. This signifies the future of ecommerce, with customers who are not just mobile-first but entirely mobile-dependent.

While optimizing your site for mobile is a starting point, it's not sufficient. Mobile apps offer a superior user experience, leading to improvements in various crucial metrics, including:

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

Additional data indicates 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, which, on average, have open rates of 20% and click-through rates of 28%.

Furthermore, apps serve as an excellent tool for nurturing loyal, repeat customers.

Do you "need" to transform your Spree store into a mobile app? Perhaps not. However, a Spree mobile app can yield significant benefits for your business.

Can You Create Mobile Apps for Spree?

Launching a mobile app directly from Spree is not available since it is primarily focused on webstores. However, to develop a mobile app using Spree, you'll need additional resources to fill this gap. Here are some possibilities:

1. Look for a third-party Spree mobile app builder.
2. Consider seeking tech-enabled assistance to convert your Spree store into a mobile application.
3. Collaborate with team of reliable engineers who can develop Android and iOS apps and link them to your Spree shop.

Can I Turn My Spree Store into an App?

You have the option to transform your Spree store into a mobile app by utilizing one of the methods discussed earlier.

However, it is recommended that the majority of store owners disregard the third option of hiring developers to build native apps. This recommendation stems from the fact that mobile app development comes with a hefty price tag. The costs involved range from $30,000 to $150,000 for developing a native app, and this figure only applies to one operating system. To ensure a wider reach and maximum impact, it is strongly advised to multiply these expenses by two and create apps for both Android and iOS platforms, a course of action that is highly recommended.

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Creating an app is a time-consuming, complex, and expensive endeavor initially. The complexity increases further when your developers have to build an API and connect the back end of your apps to your Spree store.

Given your budget constraints, it's uncertain that you could afford these expenses, let alone the annual costs of running your app.

The Recurring Cost of Having an App

Launching an app comes with ongoing expenses that many people tend to overlook. Upkeep and maintenance, including OS updates, Spree updates, bug fixes, and adding new features, typically cost around 15-20% of the initial investment each year.

In fact, extensive research conducted by David Cost from Rainbow Apparel while they were in the process of launching their apps revealed that the yearly cost could amount to as much as a million dollars.

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

- David Cost, VP of Marketing at Rainbow Apparel

Let's take a conservative approach and assume that building apps for both mobile platforms costs $150,000. Based on this estimate, the yearly expenses for updates and maintenance would amount to $30,000.

For most store owners, this is an excessive amount to invest. Not to mention the added complexity of managing multiple platforms instead of just a website. It triples the workload whenever changes need to be made to the site, causing unnecessary complications in the workflow.

The Best Way to Turn Your Spree Store into an App

If you're looking for the best option, consider converting your online store on Spree into an app using a mobile app builder.

By utilizing a mobile app builder tailored for Spree, you can convert your existing website into a mobile app that imitates the experience of a native app. Users can easily download and install this app on their mobile devices.

The superior mobile app builders give you a mobile app that offers roughly 90-95% of the functionality of a native app. Furthermore, they provide this at a lower cost and with less hassle. Nonetheless, it is important to be mindful that not all options available in the market are appropriate for developing high-traffic, professional mobile apps that portray your brand positively.

How to Convert Spree to App

For big brands with a plethora of resources like Nike, Target, Zara, and others, there is the option of employing individuals to code your shopping app from scratch.

However, if you don't fall into that category, MobiLoud emerges as the best way to create an app. It's simple, affordable, and fast. Moreover, the ongoing maintenance of your apps becomes more cost-effective and easier to handle.

Let's delve into the step-by-step process:

Step One: Preview Your App or Get a Free Consultation

You have two options for getting started.

1. To see a preview of how your site will look as an app, you can try our MobiLoud builder to generate it yourself.
2. Next option is to schedule a free consultation call with one of our app experts to discuss your project and get an overview of the process.

Whichever option you choose, you'll find that 90% of the work required to create your app is already done, as long as your site is optimized for mobile devices.

If you are looking to optimizing your webstore, simply let us know, and we'll be more than happy to help. This is a critical step to ensure a smooth and seamless process.

Step Two: Work With Our Team to Build Your App

When you're to begin, go and sign up to MobiLoud and start your journey! We assure you a full refund within 60 days for all our plans, and there's no requirement for a long-term commitment.

After onboarding, our team will collaborate with you to set up and customize your app. Keep in mind that a significant portion of the work has already been accomplished. You won't have to start from square one; instead, you'll only need to make a few tweaks to achieve the desired native app appearance and experience.

Once you're happy with the design, we'll begin building your mobile app. We handle all the technical aspects, so you don't need to write any code or have coding expertise.

If you prefer our team to oversee the entire process, from start to finish, we can provide that option too. Our full-service package encompasses all the necessary tasks for configuring, designing, and publishing your app, freeing you from any involvement.

Step Three: Prepare for Launch

When your app is completed, it's time to get ready for its public launch. Having a well-structured plan in place is important to attract people to download your app.

We offer various resources to boost your app's visibility, including assets for app store descriptions, launch announcements for your website and email list, press releases, and more. Additionally, you can activate additional features at no extra cost, 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

Eventually, we'll initiate the launch of your apps on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

The submission process for these app stores is notoriously challenging, especially for individuals and developers who are new to app ownership. However, we have extensive experience and expertise in this area.

Our team will take care of the app submission process with Apple and Google on your behalf. We offer a 100% guarantee of app approval and can handle multiple submissions if required. We will also provide recommendations and implement any necessary changes. You won't need to do anything.

Once your app listings are live, you can officially start receiving downloads and enjoy all the advantages of having your own Spree mobile app.

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

We are in the midst of a mobile revolution. Mobile devices are driving the majority of your revenue, and if they aren't already, they soon will be.

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

Today, transforming your Spree store into a mobile app has become easier than ever, especially when you choose the right approach. Rather than investing tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars in mobile developers, MobiLoud provides a highly accessible and effortless solution.

Here are some key advantages of using MobiLoud's Spree app builder:

• It is significantly more cost-effective than custom app development.
• You can launch professional, top-quality apps in under two weeks.
• Your apps will preserve all the elements that make your website exceptional, from product collections to payment gateways, plugins, tools, themes, and more.
• Everything stays synchronized across web, Android, and iOS platforms. Any modifications you make on your site will be immediately reflected in your apps.
• Submitting your apps to the app stores is hassle-free as we guarantee approval.
• Our team will guide you through the entire process and handle all the complex tasks on your behalf.

This user-friendly app builder, which requires zero coding, empowers you to launch your own shopping apps and secure a place in the app stores alongside the world's leading brands.

Contact us now to discover how we can assist you in launching an app for your Spree store. Schedule a personalized demo, free of charge, and one of our IT specialistswill guide you through the entire process.