How to Convert ThriveCart Into A Mobile App

You can increase your revenue and reach a broader customer base by converting your ThriveCart store into a mobile app.

The surge in mobile ecommerce means businesses need to adapt to evolving consumer preferences. While developing a customized native app can be expensive, there's an alternative solution: using a mobile app builder for ThriveCart.

By using a mobile app builder, you can effortlessly create a fully operational and top-notch mobile app for your ThriveCart store without breaking the bank.

Continue reading to uncover the step-by-step process.

Why You Need a Mobile App

Mobile dominates over 72% of the ecommerce market, experiencing a significant increase from slightly above 52% within a span of five years.

This aligns with the overall pattern of mobile internet usage, which increasingly leans towards mobile devices each year. Mobile now makes up more than 50% of the market share compared to desktop and tablet.

Plus, 15% of Americans currently rely solely on smartphones for accessing the internet. This signifies the future of ecommerce, where customers are not just prioritizing mobile but are exclusively dependent on it.

While optimizing your website for mobile is a good starting point, it's not enough. Mobile apps provide a superior user experience on mobile devices, resulting in improvements in several key metrics, including:

 
• Enhanced conversion rates
 
• Increased average order value
 
• Greater number of products viewed during each session

More evidence suggests that users of ecommerce mobile apps are twice as likely to return to the store within a 30-day timeframe, when compared to those on mobile browsers.

Mobile apps also offer push notifications, which typically achieve an open rate of 20% and a click-through rate of 28%.

Mobile apps also serve as a valuable tool for nurturing loyal, repeat customers too!

Is it essential to transform your ThriveCart store into a mobile app? Maybe not. However, a ThriveCart mobile app can provide significant advantages for your business.

Can You Create Mobile Apps for ThriveCart?

It's not possible to directly publish a mobile app from ThriveCart. ThriveCart is specifically designed for webstores. If you want to create a mobile app using ThriveCart, you'll need an additional solution to bridge the gap.

Here are a few options:

1. A third-party mobile app builder specifically for ThriveCart.
2. A technology-enabled service to transform your ThriveCart store into a mobile app.
3. A team of developers to build Android and iOS apps and connect them to your ThriveCart store.

Can I Turn My ThriveCart Store into an App?

You can transform your ThriveCart store into an app using one of the methods mentioned earlier.

Still, it's advisable 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 can range from $30,000 to $150,000, and that's just for one operating system. Keep in mind that you'll need to multiply this cost by two to launch apps for both Android and iOS, which is recommended.

App development is a time-consuming, complex, and expensive process. It becomes even more challenging when developers have to create an API and establish a connection between the backend of your apps and your ThriveCart store.

You'll need a sizeable budget for such an endeavor, and that's not even considering the yearly costs of maintaining and running your app.

The Recurring Cost of Having an App

Many people overlook the ongoing expenses involved in launching a mobile app. Keeping the app up-to-date and well-maintained requires regular investments, such as updating the operating system, implementing ThriveCart updates, fixing bugs, and adding new features. These maintenance costs typically amount to about 15-20% of the initial development cost each year.

In fact, the cost could potentially be even higher. David Cost from Rainbow Apparel conducted extensive research during their app launch and discovered that the annual maintenance cost could reach as high as a million dollars.

"If we had unlimited time and money, we would probably opt for a customized native app, but the maintenance alone would cost us half a million to a million dollars per year."

- David Cost, VP of Marketing at Rainbow Apparel

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

For most store owners, this is an overwhelming amount to spend. Moreover, managing multiple platforms, in addition to your website, can be a major headache. It significantly increases the workload whenever you need to make changes to your site, needlessly complicating your workflow.

The Best Way to Turn Your ThriveCart Store into an App

Converting your ThriveCart store into an app using a mobile app builder specifically designed for ThriveCart is the most sensible choice.

By using a mobile app builder for ThriveCart, you can transform your existing ThriveCart website into a mobile app that closely resembles a native app. This app can be downloaded and installed on users' mobile devices.

The leading mobile app builders provide you with a mobile app that offers 90-95% of the features found in a native app, but at a more affordable price and with less inconvenience.

But keep in mind, not all options available in the market are suitable for building high-traffic, polished mobile apps that reflect your brand positively.

How to Convert Your ThriveCart Site Into an App

If you're a major brand with big budget at your disposal – like Nike, Target, Zara, and others – you may choose to employ individuals to develop your shopping app from the ground up.

If you don't have the means, MobiLoud is undoubtedly the best choice for app development. It's easy, cost-effective, and speedy. Additionally, maintaining your apps is more economical and hassle-free in the long run.

Here's how it works, step by step.

Step One: Preview Your App or Get a Free Consultation

You have two options to get started:

1. Try out the MobiLoud builder to generate a complimentary preview of how your site will appear as an app.
2. Alternatively, you can schedule a free consultation call with one of our app specialists. They will provide valuable insights about the process and discuss your project in detail.

Regardless of the method you choose, you'll realize that 90% of the app creation work is already completed, as long as your site is optimized for mobile devices.

If you require assistance with optimizing your site, please let us know. We are more than happy to lend a hand! This step is crucial to ensure a smooth and seamless process going forward.

Step Two: Work With Our Team to Build Your App

If you're ready to start building, next is to sign up to MobiLoud. Rest assured, all our plans include a 60-day money-back guarantee, and there's no long-term commitment required.

After you've signed up, you'll  work alongside our team to personalize and fine-tune your app. It's important to note that a significant portion of the development work is already finished. You won't be starting from square one; instead, you'll be making minor modifications to ensure your app has the appearance and functionality of a native application.

Once design is approved, we'll begin the development of your mobile app. Our team will handle all the technical aspects, saving you from the need to write code or have knowledge of coding.

If you'd like, our team can handle everything for you, from start to finish. Our comprehensive package includes all the necessary steps to configure, design, and publish your app, freeing you up to focus on other things.

Step Three: Prepare for Launch

After you've finished building your app, it's time to prepare for its launch to the public. It's crucial to have a solid plan in place to encourage people to download and try out your app.

We offer a variety of resources to enhance your app store descriptions, launch announcements on your website and email list, press releases, and more.

You can also take advantage of extra features at no additional cost, such as clever app banners and exclusive app discounts, to motivate existing customers to make purchases through the app.

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

Finally, we'll release your apps on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

The process of submitting apps to these app stores is famously challenging, especially for first-time app owners and developers. However, we have extensive experience with the process and are well-versed in its complexities.

Our team will handle the entire app submission process with Apple and Google on your behalf. We guarantee 100% approval for your app and will manage multiple submissions if necessary. We'll also provide recommendations and implement any required changes, taking care of everything so you can sit back and relax.

Once your listings are live, you can officially start generating downloads and reaping the rewards of having your very own ThriveCart mobile app.

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

We are in the midst of a mobile revolution. Most of your current revenue likely comes from mobile, and if it doesn't, it soon will.

Having a mobile-optimized website for your ThriveCart store is not enough. To maximize your revenue from mobile users, it's crucial to offer your own branded app.

Today, transforming your ThriveCart store into a mobile application is easier than ever, as long as you follow the right way. Instead of investing tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars in mobile developers, MobiLoud provides an incredibly accessible and straightforward solution.

Let's explore some key advantages of using MobiLoud's ThriveCart app builder:

 
• The cost is significantly lower compared to custom app development.
 
• You can launch a professional, top-notch app in under two weeks.
 
• Your app will encompass all the outstanding features of your website, from product collections to payment gateways, plugins, tools, themes, and more.
 
• Everything stays in sync across the web, Android, and iOS. Any modifications you make on your site will be immediately reflected in your app.
 
• You won't have to worry about submitting your app to the app stores – we guarantee approval.
 
• Our team will guide you through the entire process and handle the heavy lifting, so you can focus on other aspects of your business.

With our straightforward app builder, which requires no coding, you can effortlessly launch your own shopping apps and position your store alongside the biggest brands in the app stores.

Reach out to us now to discover how we can assist you in launching an app for your ThriveCart store. Schedule a free, personalized demo, and one of our IT professionals will guide you through the entire process.