Using Shopping Apps to Boost Profits Small e-Commerce Entrepreneurs

The pandemic has transformed the shopping experience, forcing retailers to redefine their strategies. How can shopping apps help entrepreneurs increase their revenues and cut costs in the post-COVID era?

According to BigCommerce, nearly 63% of consumers do all of their shopping online. By launching an app, you could increase retention rates, take care of your customers’ private data, and provide them with a better shopping experience. Here are several ways that shopping apps benefit e-commerce businesses.

Increase every day repeat purchases

Creating your own app allows for targeted messages and real-time alerts on hot deals, discounts, and new products. Most app builders, such as Vajro, EasyMobile, KUKApp, Tapcart, and many others offer push notifications as one of their features. Increasing repeat purchases could keep your business afloat in the post-pandemic world.

Provide better service to your B2B clients

Apps are also helpful if your customers include other businesses or bigger retailers. First of all, a B2B shopping app for distributors and wholesalers could speed up order processing. Second of all, it’s a useful tool if you are planning to introduce automated fulfillment. And, finally, apps reduce the costs of engaging with your B2B clients. Competition in the consumer segment tends to be even tougher.

Improve customer retention

With retail giants and small businesses both aiming to increase their presence online, the digital market is getting crowded. In 2021, the pandemic continued to drive the cost of customer acquisition. For example, Facebook advertising costs have exceeded pre-pandemic highs. With online competition increasing, it’s becoming difficult for small retail businesses to attract new customers. For this reason, most brands are now focusing on retaining the shoppers they have, rather than constantly acquiring new clientele.

Facilitate contactless pickup

If you have a brick-and-mortar location, you could follow the lead of big-box stores, many of which turned to curbside pickup during the pandemic. With the Target and Nordstrom apps, customers receive an alert when their order is ready. They can let the store know they are on the way, check-in upon arrival, and receive a contactless delivery directly to their car. With their own apps, small businesses could provide customers with a similar service.

Know your customers

Given the ever-growing competition for consumer attention online, people value privacy more than ever. They are reluctant to share their personal data and put pressure on businesses to keep their information safe. Google has even started phasing out the use of third-party cookies, making it harder to target consumers with ads. At the same time, apps are inherently safer than websites.

Shopping apps are more affordable for businesses than ever. With so many app builders available on the market, e-commerce entrepreneurs can choose from a vast selection and launch their own customized apps for less than $100 a month. And it’s fast, too. With a ready-made solution, it only takes a few hours to build a customized app for your business.