Beginners’ Guide Before Proceeding With E-commerce Application Development

Have you ever downloaded an application on your phone and shopped through it? If the answer is yes, then you have used one of the different types of software called e-commerce apps.

In today’s high-tech life, electronic commerce or e-commerce is commonplace for most of us. 

The rise of online shopping has unlocked the field of e-commerce software development, which can drive tremendous revenues. Therefore, many companies have jumped into this field already.

Whether you are an experienced developer or a newbie, it is a must for all alike to learn all the basics before proceeding to e-commerce app development. This is a brief guide to help them grasp all the essential information before thinking of building an e-commerce application.

What Is an E-commerce Application?

In the simplest terms, e-commerce applications are software tools that provide a virtual platform for buying and selling goods and services online. 

At their core, e-commerce applications function through a series of integrated systems that handle everything from product listings and user accounts to payment processing and order management. They use databases to store product information and customer details, while secure servers ensure safe transaction processing.

E-commerce applications can function well on both desktop and mobile devices. This type of application allows customers to browse products, make purchases, and complete other related activities without having to travel back and forth to visit a brick-and-mortar store. Easy access across devices is created to make it more convenient for customers to shop and for sellers to list and promote their products. Merchants or retailers can manage their online store, track orders, and handle payments through the app.

Nowadays, such e-commerce platforms are integrated with the latest technologies, like artificial intelligence, machine learning algorithms,  and big data analytics, to enhance and provide a personalized shopping experience for customers while maximizing sales for e-commerce businesses. For example, with the aid of AI in e-commerce (AI commerce), buying suggestions can be tailored to match a customer’s preferences and buying behavior.

At present, some of the most prevalent names when mentioning e-commerce applications are Amazon, eBay, and Alibaba. These are not only major players but also pioneers who have set the standards for e-commerce platforms with their advanced features and seamless user experience.

Key Features of E-commerce Applications

A basic e-commerce app encompasses a wide range of functionalities, including both basic and advanced ones. These features collectively contribute to building a comprehensive and user-friendly e-commerce application that can enhance the shopping experience and drive sales.

• Payment Options: Provide online shoppers with different payment methods at their own convenience.
• Product Gallery: Present products effectively with realistic descriptions, images, and even videos.
• Augmented Reality: Offer customers enhanced product visualization through AR technology.
• Shopping Cart: A basic function that enables shoppers to collect items for purchase before checkout.
• Shipping Options: Provide flexible shipping choices for customers to choose from.
• Order Summary: Display a clear summary of the user’s order before finalizing it.
• Audio Experience: It is optional. It enhances the shopping experience with audio features.
• Livestream Shopping: Incorporate live-streaming into the platform to create more interactive shopping experiences.
• Buy-Now-Pay-Later: Enable deferred payment options for purchases.
• User-Friendly Navigation: Employed to deliver easy and intuitive navigation within the app.
• High-Quality Product Presentations: Showcase products using high-quality images and videos. (Similar to galleries but at a higher level)
• Seamless Checkout Process: Streamlining the checkout experience for faster transactions.
• Registration and Login: Provide users with easy account setup and login procedures.
• Search and Filtering: Let users search for products easily and filter results efficiently.
• Ratings and Reviews: This is where customers can leave feedback and reviews on products.
• Personalized Recommendations: Display tailored product suggestions based on user preferences.
• Push Notifications: Send timely alerts and updates to engage users effectively.
• Voice Recognition System: Implement voice commands for improved user interaction.
• Customer Support: Provide assistance for customers via chat or calls.
• Others.

E-commerce App Types

There are many different types of e-commerce applications that cater to various business models and customer needs:

Business-to-Consumer (B2C)

• Description: B2C eCommerce apps are platforms that enable the direct selling of products/services to individual consumers.
• Examples: Amazon, eBay, and Walmart.

Business-to-Business (B2B)

• Description: B2B eCommerce applications facilitate transactions between businesses.
• Examples: Alibaba, ThomasNet, Grainger.

Consumer-to-Consumer (C2C)

• Description: C2C platforms enable the consumers themselves to sell products or services to other consumers.
• Examples: eBay, Craigslist, and Facebook Marketplace.

Consumer-to-Business (C2B)

• Description: C2B eCommerce involves individual consumers selling products or services to businesses.
• Examples: Influencer marketing platforms and freelance marketplaces.

Mobile Commerce (M-commerce)

• Description: M-commerce is defined as commerce apps that allow users to make purchases using mobile devices.
• Examples: Amazon Mobile App, AliExpress App, Etsy App.

Social Commerce

• Description: Social commerce integrates social media and shopping. Apps under this category make it possible for users to discover and purchase products within the social platform.
• Examples: Instagram Shopping, Facebook Marketplace, and Pinterest Buyable Pins.

Subscription E-commerce

• Description: Subscription eCommerce apps offer customers products or services on a recurring subscription basis.
• Examples: Birchbox, Dollar Shave Club, and Netflix.

Dropshipping Platforms

• Description: Dropshipping eCommerce apps are created to connect sellers/merchants with suppliers who will ship products directly to customers once orders are placed.
• Example: Oberlo, Spocket, Modalyst.

Niche Marketplaces

• Description: Like its name suggests, niche marketplace apps concentrate on specific product categories or target audiences.
• Examples: Houzz (home décor), Reverb (musical instruments), StockX (sneakers).

Each type of eCommerce application serves a distinct purpose and caters to unique business models and user preferences. From the perspective of developers, you need to capture the key concepts of each type in order to select and decide on the right one for your project.

Final Words

Now, that is everything you need to know before you brainstorm a big idea for an e-commerce application. Do not underestimate the information outlined above, as it will set a solid foundation for your roadmap, development process, and, ultimately, the success of your final product. Keep in mind that this is just a guide to get you started, and there is always room for innovation and creativity in the rapidly evolving world of e-commerce. With the right approach and an in-depth understanding of consumer needs, your eCommerce app could potentially become the next big thing in the digital marketplace. Good luck with that.