Why having just a mobile-friendly website isn’t enough in 2023 | Vajro

An estimated 5.44 billion people are using smartphones in 2023 contributing to over 80% of global traffic coming from mobile devices. In this digital world, having a mobile-friendly website is imperative because

• You could miss out on a significant amount of traffic without one.
• Your website may not rank well in search results as Google considers mobile-friendliness as a ranking factor. This could lead to lower visibility, reduced traffic, and lower sales.

However, if your goal is to provide the best user experience then having a mobile-optimized website is not sufficient. This is where a mobile app can help. In this blog, we’ll delve into the importance and benefits of having a mobile app for your e-commerce business and also cover how you can get started with one.

Websites vs. mobile apps: What's the difference?

Let's start with the basics. As you might already know, a website is a digital platform that can be accessed through browsers, both on desktop and mobile devices. While both can be accessed through mobile devices, apps are specifically designed for mobile devices, meaning they provide a faster, secure, and more customized experience for users.

If you run an e-commerce business, you've likely asked yourself: Should I invest in a website or an app? The truth is, you need both for different reasons. Check out this blog written by e-commerce experts to understand this better.

Take this fun and interactive quiz to learn whether or not your business truly needs a mobile app and how much revenue you’re leaving on the table without one. Plus, you might just learn something new about your business along the way. And who doesn't love a good quiz, right?

Take the quiz!

Benefits of implementing a mobile app alongside your Shopify e-commerce website

Improved user experience

Mobile apps offer a more streamlined and user-friendly shopping experience than traditional websites. They offer features that you can leverage, like push notifications, location services, in-app messaging, and camera access. In addition, mobile apps allow you to own and use first-party data to tailor product recommendations and offers based on your customers’ past purchases and saved preferences.

Gartner’s report on ‘Customer Experience (CX) Strategy’ claims that companies that prioritize customer experience generate 60% higher profits than their competitors.

Increased customer retention

By providing a convenient shopping experience with a mobile app, you can make customers feel valued and appreciated. This can lead to increased loyalty, repeat purchases, and positive reviews. With a mobile app, it’ll also be easier for you to adopt loyalty programs to provide customers with discounts, reward points, and incentives for purchasing through the app.

According to a study by Bain & Company, increasing customer retention rates by 5% increases profits by 25% to 95%

Increased sales

At the end of the day, most e-commerce businesses strive to increase sales and revenue. With contextual push notifications and a faster checkout process, mobile apps help reduce cart abandonment, thereby increasing sales. They also provide opportunities for upselling and cross-selling, in-app discounts, and live selling, which can further increase your engagement, sales, and retention.

Better analytics

Mobile apps can provide better analytics than traditional websites because you get access to the first-party data (information that you directly collect from your customers). You can easily track user behavior within the app and gain insights into customer preferences and usage patterns without the need for tracking third-party scripts. This can help you make data-driven decisions about product enhancements, marketing strategies, ad targeting, and more.

Competitive advantage

While many e-commerce businesses may have mobile-friendly websites, not a lot of them have a mobile app. If you optimize your customers’ shopping experience through an app, they’ll thank you for it and you'll look like a tech-savvy superstar. Plus, who doesn't love a little makeover?

Turn your Shopify store into a mobile app in 60 minutes

While having a mobile app is undoubtedly a great way to enhance your business, it presents a few challenges in planning, design, development, testing, and upkeep. First, skilled developers who know the latest technologies and platforms are hard to find and expensive to hire. You must also ensure your app’s compatibility with a wide range of mobile devices, operating systems, and screen sizes to ensure a consistent user experience. Lastly, your app should be easy to use, visually appealing, and regularly updated post launch–all requiring continuous investment and time.

So, how do you go about creating an app without all the hassle? The good news is, you don't need to start from zero. With Vajro, you can instantly turn your Shopify store into a mobile app in just a few easy steps and with zero coding knowledge. This means that you can keep all of the features and functionality of your website, while adding the convenience and personalization of an app.

Step 1: Sign up for Vajro

Go to this page and click the "Add app" button on the Vajro App. Connect your Shopify store with the app so it has access to all the products on your Shopify store.

Step 2: Customize your app

Customize your app to match your brand and style with our intuitive design editor and drag-and-drop widgets. You can also enable push notifications, in-app discounts, live selling, and payment gateways.

Step 3: Publish your app

The final step is to publish your app to the app stores. Vajro provides a simple process for submitting your app to both the App Store and the Play Store.

Still feeling overwhelmed? Let us do it for you!

Conclusion

Do you have a mobile-friendly website and still not see the progress you were expecting? Well, it’s time to embrace the power of a mobile app in 2023 to meet the demands of customers with Vajro.

A mobile app can help you provide a seamless and personalized shopping experience that will keep your customers returning for more. You can leverage push notifications to inform customers of sales, new products, or other important updates. You also track your customers' preferences and behaviors, allowing you to provide personalized recommendations and make more informed business decisions.

On the whole, it shows that you're a forward-thinking business that's committed to providing the best customer experience.