A Guide to eCommerce Android App Development

The process of eCommerce Android app development entails identifying the target audience along with determining the essential features of the app.

Updated 14 March 2024

Ashish Chauhan
Ashish Chauhan

Global Delivery Head at Appventurez

An e-commerce app development is extremely relevant for businesses who are looking to expand their reach and with the global market soaring to unprecedented heights, now is the perfect time to explore this lucrative avenue. 

An e-commerce app is an online app that makes it easy for consumers to browse and place an order while providing the luxury of payment, at their convenience. It becomes important that modern businesses reshape their online store strategy to fit in the line of changing requirements of the customers and the rapid pace of technology. 

In this blog, we will explore different aspects of eCommerce Android app development, including how to build one, along with the significant features, functionalities, and benefits of collaborating with an ecommerce app development company to craft an app that will increase user engagement. 

Market Overview of eCommerce Applications

When you decide on developing an eCommerce app for your business, the first and foremost thing that you should do is analyze the market. 

There is no doubt that online shopping has become extremely popular in the past few years as they are faster and more convenient than the traditional form of shopping. As per the report, retail eCommerce sales worldwide reached $4.28 trillion in 2020 and the general revenue is expected to keep growing in 2024 as well. 

ecommerce android app development

Overall, online shopping has become extremely popular but before we delve into the process of developing an eCommerce Android app, it is important to have a look at different factors and how they contribute to the market size of an eCommerce Android app. 

Rising Trend of M-Commerce Apps 

M-commerce is a widely used term for mobile commerce. It is not a new trend or technology but an addition to the eCommerce apps. M-commerce has, however, become relevant in the eCommerce market because of the natural progression of technology where modern users use mobile phones today more than any other one. 

Statistically, around 46% of the users stated that they use mobile eCommerce to discover more information on the products and services. Modern companies are also utilizing mobile apps to increase their sales and attract new customers with similar preferences. 

Analyzing Consumer Categories While Building an eCommerce Android App

When you leverage consumer segmentation, you can build a framework for running the hypothesized experiment and the primary goal of the data is to provide a more engaging experience. To portray the target audience, the businesses can use categories such as their place of living, gender, interests, age, and profession. 

The major mobile consumer categories include:

Pure Online Retailers42%
Mass Merchant Retailers28%
Restaurants20%
Apparel Retailers4%

If we take the US market of mobile shoppers as a generalized example of segmentation by age groups. Let’s see how many people of different ages prefer to shop online via smartphones:

Age GroupPercentage
Age 18-2478%
Age 25-3490%
Age 35-4470%
Age 45-5458%
Age 55-6432%
Age 65+18%

Millennials are particularly interested in-app shopping, with 61% of surveyed smartphone users in this age group stating that they use retail apps regularly and 58% admitting to preferring online shopping over visiting traditional stores.    

Integration of Ethical Practices in Android eCommerce Apps

In the realm of eCommerce Android app development, the integration of sustainability and ethical practices is becoming increasingly important. As consumers are becoming more environmentally and socially conscious, they seek transparency in product sourcing and eco-friendly options. 

By emphasizing these values in your eCommerce app, you not only cater to a broader consumer base but also build trust and loyalty. This approach also underscores a commitment to social responsibility, further setting you apart in a competitive market while aligning with the evolving preferences of a conscious consumer base.   

How to Make an eCommerce Android App?

An eCommerce app allows users to shop online, create wish lists, browse products, add items to the cart, and complete the purchase. As per the latest report, the global e-commerce market was approximately valued at $6.3 trillion in 2023 and is now projected to surpass $8.1 trillion by 2026. 

For the successful development of an eCommerce Android app, it is essential to follow the necessary steps. The process requires input from different areas, including an expert who specializes in developing an Android app for eCommerce. We have explained the steps below:

create e commerce app

Step 1: Identify the App Goals

The success of any e-commerce app depends on how efficiently it is meeting customers’ requirements and fulfilling the business objectives. While planning an Android e-commerce app development, it is important to lay down the objectives and look to integrate specific functionalities that will enhance business growth and revenue. 

Step 2: Define the Target Audience

The next step in the eCommerce Android app development is to define your target audience. This not only includes the categorization of the audience but also the circumstances under which the user will prefer to buy the products. Identifying the targeted users will also impact the features and functionalities integrated into the app. 

Step 3: Determining the Essential Features

While planning eCommerce Android app development, there are certain features that you should consider, no matter what type of products the app will offer. 

Notably, the features integrated into an e-commerce app should be user-friendly and must be able to fulfill the users’ expectations of the app. Determining the features of the eCommerce app will also help in identifying the amount of time it will take to develop an app.

Step 4: Crafting UI/UX for an eCommerce app

By investing in eCommerce design, you can boost your ROI in the long term. In the long run, by creating an intuitive Android app design with visually appealing UI/UX, you will also be able to retain loyal consumers better and get more word-of-mouth recommendations. 

Notably, by putting the heaviest focus on the UI/UX design of an eCommerce app, the business can outperform the average industry performance index by over 200%. 

Step 5: Choosing the Right Set of Technology

To create e commerce app, selecting the right technology becomes extremely crucial. By leveraging advanced technology, such as AI in ecommerce, you can create a robust, feature-rich, and scalable eCommerce mobile app that delights the users and drives business growth. 

During eCommerce Android app development, you need to think of:

  • Programming Language (Java or Kotlin)
  • App Development Tools
  • UI Framework
  • Android UI

Integrating a quality tech stack in an eCommerce app ensures that the app is built with the highest standards and delivers unparalleled performance and user experience. 

Step 6: Process and Budget Planning

When planning a budget for your custom eCommerce app development, it is essential to factor in the scope of functionalities and the level of customization that you plan for your e-commerce app. For instance, the cost to develop Flipkart app, an ecommerce app, depends on various factors including the complexity level and features integrated into the app. The breakdown of the potential cost of building an eCommerce app is given below:

  • For a basic eCommerce app with standard features such as a shopping cart, product catalog, and secured payment gateway, the cost can fall within the range of $30,000 to $60,000, or more, depending on the complexity of the app. 
  • If you are looking for an app filled with advanced features along with additional customization and user engagement elements, prices can go up to $3,00,000 or more. 
  • For highly complex eCommerce apps with advanced features, integrations, and scalability requirements, the cost of an Android eCommerce app may exceed $3,00,000 due to the intricate development process involved. 

Step 7: Testing and Quality Assurance of the App

The next step is extremely important in the eCommerce Android app development process as it ensures the app’s performance and reliability for maximum user satisfaction. A comprehensive test plan should be developed to perform testing on a diverse range of mobile devices, operating systems, and browsers, commonly used by the target audience. 

By implementing mobile app testing services, quality assurance, and compatibility across different devices, you can deliver high-quality eCommerce apps that delight users and drive business success. 

Step 8: Launching an E-Commerce App

The last step in the process will be launching an eCommerce app. However, once the app is launched, the app must be regularly updated. You should also monitor app downloads, gather user feedback, and implement iterative improvements to ensure that your custom eCommerce app continues to evolve and thrive in the competitive market.

ecommerce android app development

How Much Does it Cost to Develop an Android eCommerce App?

After going through the process of eCommerce Android app development, it is time to delve deeper into the cost. When you decide to develop a custom eCommerce app for Android, a lot depends on the complexity of your product and the average price varies from $10,000 to $5,00,000. 

On average, it takes about 700-800 working hours to build an app, however, if it is a full-fledged product, the development process can take even more time. The cost breakdown can be understood from the table below.

E-Commerce AppsPrice
Basic e-commerce app$10,000 to $50,000
Mid-range e-commerce app$50,000 to $1,50,000
Complex ec-mmerce app$1,50,000 to $5,00,000

Let’s also go through the key factors that might impact the cost of the eCommerce Android app. 

Impact of Advanced Functionality on the Cost

The price of an eCommerce Android app development is affected in a major way by the involvement of advanced features. 

Artificial intelligence, which is also one of the major Android app development trends, helps businesses personalize the consumer’s shopping experience by recommending products based on their purchase history and behavior. However, the integration of advanced technologies, such as Artificial intelligence development services leads to an increased cost and time in building an eCommerce platform. 

Setting Up the Development Team

When starting the eCommerce Android app development, it is important to find the right people who can meet the demands of the product and provide their expertise. The cost of eCommerce app development is highly affected by the team, whether it is in-house or if you choose to outsource it.

Other Related Services Affecting the Cost of Android eCommerce App

Apart from the technical costs and the ones mentioned above, other services such as maintenance, technical support, and the location of your software development team also influence the budget of your eCommerce Android app development. 

Whether you develop an eCommerce app for Android or any other platform, the urgency of the project and design can increase or decrease the app price.

Types of E-Commerce Apps

Smartphones have played a key role in driving mobile commerce to a platform that is proving to be a constant propeller for the business. Before commencing an e commerce Android app development, it is important to figure out the types of E-Commerce Apps and identify under which category you will fall:

Business-to-Business (B2B) eCommerce App

Applications that are capable of enabling business deals over their interface fall into this category. With a rapid digital transformation in business, goods as well as services can be exchanged via a mobile channel further catering to a big transaction for large quantities of exchange. 

Amazon business and Alibaba are a few examples where the industries sell to retailers, who further sell to consumers. So the products sold on the B2B app can become raw materials or the items for sale for other industries ahead. 

Business to Consumer (B2C) eCommerce App

Under eCommerce Android app development, the B2C app is developed as a digital platform that is designed for direct sales transactions between businesses and individuals. 

The B2C app is created with an end user in mind, providing a more intuitive and user-friendly buying experience. These apps also seek to emulate the simplicity and convenience of in-store shopping while also providing additional benefits such as detailed product information, user reviews, and fast access to a wide range of products.

Customer to Business (C2B) eCommerce App

A Customer to the Business app, under an eCommerce Android app development, provides a novel twist in a digital marketing place where individual consumers sell goods and services to businesses. Under this system, a typical B2C strategy is flipped further allowing the consumers to establish their own rates and conditions before selling the product. 

Direct to Consumer (D2C) eCommerce App

A direct-to-consumer app is a digital platform that enables manufacturers and brands to sell their products directly to consumers, rather than through traditional intermediaries such as retailers or wholesalers. This strategy, under eCommerce Android app development, provides the brands complete control over the customer journey while also establishing a direct relationship with the consumers. 

Features of eCommerce Android App Development

Some of the significant features that make an eCommerce app developed on Android more advanced and help in enhancing user engagement are:

android app for ecommerce.

Secured Payment Gateways

It is understood that security is a critical element to consider when you decide to build eCommerce Android app, particularly when money transactions are involved. 

While building an eCommerce Android app, you can integrate dependable and secure payment gateways that protect customer data and create trust. Also, offering a variety of payment alternatives, such as digital wallets, credit cards, and net banking, caters to the needs of various people. 

Friendly UI

Any successful eCommerce app must have a user-friendly user interface which entails having a clean and intuitive design that makes the user navigation simple and appealing. During eCommerce Android app development, it becomes prominent to integrate a simple layout, easy-to-read language, and prominent call-to-action buttons. The idea is to create an ecommerce Android app that encourages browsing and buying. 

Customer Service and Support

In an eCommerce Android app, customer loyalty and retention can be strongly influenced by effective customer service. The integration of futuristic features such as live chat, FAQs, and easy access to customer service representatives can further help in improving the level of support provided to the users. 

Mobile Responsiveness and Performance

An intuitive mobile responsive design is significant during eCommerce Android app development. The app should run seamlessly on a variety of devices and screen sizes, furthermore, optimizing the app speed, ensuring quick loading times and low downtime to improve the entire user experience. 

Exemplary eCommerce Android Mobile Apps

We have mentioned some of the well-known eCommerce Android mobile apps with greater user engagement and advanced features. 

e commerce android app

AliExpress

AliExpress was launched in China in 2010 as part of the Alibaba Group. It is a global retail marketplace that enables users from around the world to buy directly from manufacturers and distributors, primarily from China. 

eBay

eBay was founded in 1995 and is one of the largest marketplaces. With millions of active sellers, eBay fosters a vibrant community of merchants while offering a diverse inventory of new items. It also provides buyer protection policies, safeguarding purchases and ensuring a secure transaction experience for the users. 

Amazon

With a user-friendly interface and advanced search functionalities, Amazon provides a seamless shopping experience for users. The platform’s presence spans numerous countries, solidifying its position as a dominant force in the worldwide eCommerce market. 

Flipkart

Flipkart was launched in 2007 and is India’s leading e-commerce marketplace. In July 2021, Flipkart launched its social commerce marketplace called Shops, which allowed individuals and small businesses to directly sell and resell products to customers via social media channels. 

How Our Experts Can Assist in an eCommerce Android App Development?

Opting for eCommerce Android app development is a great way to boost your business and reach more customers. There are different kinds of eCommerce apps that you can develop depending on your business model. Each app has unique components that need to be taken into consideration while developing the app.

At Appventurez, we facilitate eCommerce Android app development integrated with futuristic features and functionalities. Our experts have showcased their expertise in the development of Matajer app, an e-commerce app that enhances the shopping experience by becoming a one-stop destination for users. 

With our collaboration, you can elevate your vision into reality further ensuring seamless operations and driving business growth. An e-commerce app will also help you broaden your consumer base and deliver your products beyond a particular geographical location.

build ecommerce android app

FAQs

Q. How to make a eCommerce Android app?

While building an eCommerce Android app, it is important to follow the important steps, including, figuring out the goal of e-commerce apps, identifying the target audience, choosing the right technology, features, and functionalities to be integrated into an app, deciding on the right budget, testing and quality assurance and final launch of the app.

Q. What is the eCommerce Android app used for?

E-Commerce is a method of buying and selling goods and services online. The definition of an eCommerce business also includes strategies like affiliate marketing. You can also use e-commerce channels such as your own website, or an established website like Amazon to drive sales.

Q. What are the features of an E-Commerce app?

The integral features of an Android E-Commerce app include a user-friendly structure, a secured payment gateway, customer reviews and feedback, and information density, among others.

Q. What are some of the examples of an E-Commerce app?

An eCommerce website is any site that allows users to buy and sell products and services online. Companies like Amazon and Alibaba are some of the prominent examples of e-commerce apps.

Q. What is the future of eCommerce?

Global eCommerce sales are expected to reach a total of $6.3 trillion worldwide in 2024. The US e-commerce market will reach over $1.1 trillion in sales. By the year 2040, around 95% of all purchases are expected to be via eCommerce.

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    Ashish Chauhan
    Ashish Chauhan

    Global Delivery Head at Appventurez

    Ashish governs the process of software delivery operations. He ensures the end product attains the highest remarks in qualitative analysis and is streamlined to the clientele’s objectives. He has over a decade of experience as an iOS developer and teams mentorship.