The COVID-19 pandemic has completely changed the shopping world. Huge amounts of retailers are grasping online purchases to avoid physical visits and give their customers flexibility. A lot of eCommerce start-ups also have arised in 2021 to substitute the traditional methods.
Understanding of eCommerce website and Mobile application
E-commerce websites include a domain name that can be acquired by anyone having an internet connection while mobile application runs on mobile devices over two popular operating systems – Android & iOS. But the user has to download your application to browse through your products and make a purchase.
So here is the question – what is best for your eCommerce store? Mobile app or Website?
Mobile Website v/s an App
As per StatCounter, the mobile share of global web traffic has peaked over the past decade. Over 57% of all web traffic in February 2022, came from mobile phones. Therefore, many retailers catch up with this trend by providing two mobile shopping experiences – mobile-friendly websites and mobile applications.
A mobile-friendly website is an adaptable website streamlined for different devices. No matter if it’s a PC, smartphone, or tablet, the website provides the same experience. An adaptive web solution enables the user to search the items without zooming and doesn’t include any more steps required to place an order than in the main version.
On the contrary, mobile applications don’t use web browsers. They are non-reliant applications downloaded and installed on a mobile device. E-commerce native mobile solutions allows users to access the retailer fast and can add extra features designed exclusively for mobile users.
Strengths, Weaknesses, and Strategy of Mobile Websites
Strengths: Easily Accessible and Inexpensive
This might already be obvious, but having a mobile site makes it simple for consumers to buy with their phones and tablets. They make tons of purchases on these devices. For browsing, product research, and conversion having a mobile website that scales well is important.
Think about it
Will you buy products on your phone from an online store that displays half of the page and you have to search for the ‘buy now’ button? The other best thing about mobile sites is that they are always available to anyone on the internet: there isn’t a need to download a website, like you do with a mobile app, to scroll through your products.
Weaknesses: Conversion and User Experience
Mobile websites are scaled desktop websites. Which means they are good but not best on all parts. Mobile websites rely on an internet connection and will not be saved locally on the phones of users, like with apps. As a result, mobile websites require more loading-time and are not interruption-proof when users experience bad connections.
Strategy
Make use of Mobile Sites to bring in New Customers
Every person can access your mobile website, making it suitable for attracting new customers and being found on the web.
Strengths, Weaknesses, and Strategy of Mobile App
Strengths: Repeat Purchases, Conversion, and User Experience
Mobile apps are written as per the language of the device your customers (iOS, Android, etc.)Is using. It ensures it’s very innate, easier, and more simple to use than any other mobile solution. This ends in much higher conversion rates.
Mobile apps are always faster than mobile websites. Just download the app and all the content is installed on the phone.
Weaknesses: Downloads and Choosing the Right Platform
A difficult thing about apps is that people have to trust your brand before they will download it. The challenge is more to get a first-time user with an app vs. a mobile site. As a result, mobile apps are actually powerful for transforming first customers into loyal buyers.
While researching for mobile app development, you must always keep the user experience of the customer in mind. Research indicates that with apps, when not working right, 70% of people will not use it next time. Native apps provide the best experience, so it should always be your first choice.
Strategy: Use Apps to Turn First-Customers into Lifelong Customers
Even though apps are sometimes downloaded by first-time customers, they are very powerful for turning new customers into huge spenders. But make sure to select a platform that’s integrated, simple to handle, and gives your customers the expected mobile experience.
Wrapping up
Now, when taking the case of choosing between an e-commerce mobile web and a native mobile application, there’s no exact answer. On one side a mobile-friendly website has long been the status quo for online retail, and other side mobile apps fare better for personalised user experience and additional functionality.
But there’s one thing to remember that no mobile application will generate sales if you have a useless and outdated website with no mobile compatibility. So both must complement each other and provide a lasting shopping experience irrespective of the device or platform.
