Best Entrepreneur’s Guide to Ecommerce App Development 2025

Last Updated on May 22, 2025

E-commerce has already become one of the fastest-growing industries in this digital era. In 2021, the mobile commerce industry achieved an impressive milestone, surpassing a remarkable sales value of over $360 billion. Within the borders of the United States, retail m-commerce sales alone eclipsed the awe-inspiring 360 billion mark. However, this figure experienced a significant surge, reaching a staggering $431.4 billion in 2022. 

Projections indicate that this upward trajectory will continue, with an estimated ascent to $511.8 billion in the year 2023, followed by a substantial leap to $604.5 billion in 2024. Looking even further ahead, the prospects are promising, as mobile commerce is anticipated to scale new heights, soaring to an astonishing $710.42 billion in the year 2025.

Considering the significant growth in the online shopping business it is high time to launch your own e-commerce app. In this blog, we will be elaborating on the key steps in developing an e-commerce app, important features to integrate, and more.

What is an E-Commerce App?

An e-commerce app is like an online shopping platform designed for mobile devices, where you can explore, indulge, and purchase an array of products and services, all with a few taps on your smartphone.

Do You Know?

According to a study conducted by Pew Research Center, approximately nine-in-ten Americans between the ages of 18 and 49 (91%) reported purchasing items online using a smartphone. In contrast, 69% of adults aged 50 to 64 and 48% of individuals aged 65 and older engaged in mobile commerce.

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Key Features Guide to ECommerce App Development

User-Friendly Interface

When developing an e-commerce app it is important to ensure the app offers a seamless and intuitive user experience. That is why an all-inclusive user interface that is easy to navigate, visually appealing, and optimized for different screen sizes is very important.

Product Catalog

It is important that your e-commerce app has a product catalog that allows users to browse and search for their desired products efficiently. The product catalog must showcase product descriptions, images, prices, and customer reviews.

Secure Payment Gateway

In this digital era, cyber-criminal activities have gone to a whole new level, so it is important to offer users a highly secure payment gateway to instill trust in your users. Make your e-commerce app compatible with multiple payment options like credit/debit cards, digital wallets, and payment gateways like PayPal, Stripe, or Braintree.

User Account Management

Allow users to create accounts, log in securely, and manage their profiles. This enables personalized experiences, order tracking, saved preferences, and seamless checkout for returning customers.

Shopping Cart and Wishlist

Provide your users the option to add their favorite items to a cart or save products to a wishlist for future reference. Also add features like easy editing, updating quantities, and the option to proceed to checkout.

Easy Search & Filter

Minimize the struggle of your users in finding their desired products on your e-commerce app by integrating an easy search bar and robust filters.

Push Notifications

Push notification is considered to be one of the best marketing tactics. Inform your users about the live sales and discounts, or restocking of their desired product and keep them updated on the latest happenings on the online shopping platform.

Order Management

Create a seamless order management system for both users and administrators. Users should be able to view their order history, track shipments, and request returns or exchanges. Admins need tools to manage orders, process payments, and handle customer support.

Reviews and Ratings

Enable users to leave reviews and ratings for products they have purchased. This feature helps build trust, allows for user feedback, and assists potential customers in making informed purchasing decisions.

Steps in Developing an E-Commerce App

To develop a robust and user-friendly e-commerce app you need to follow multiple steps. Here are the key steps to follow when developing a digital commerce app:

Define Goals

To create an online shopping app perfectly fitting to your business it is essential to start with clear goals. So the first step an entrepreneur needs to follow when developing an e-commerce app is to define his goals and objectives.

Perform Market Research

A thorough market research is very important to identify the right target audience, competitor strengths and weaknesses, and trends to focus on for your e-commerce app development. 

Plan and Wireframe

Create a detailed plan and wireframe of the app’s structure, user interface, and user experience. Consider the flow of screens, navigation, and interaction patterns.

Design

The next step in developing a full-fledged online shopping app is to design the visual elements of the app like logo, color scheme, typography, and overall visual aesthetic. You will also require to create mockups and prototypes to visualize the app’s look and feel. 

Backend Development

Next, you must set up the server and database architecture to support the app’s functionality. Then lay the foundation for your e-commerce app’s functionality by crafting the intricate server-side logic, constructing APIs that enable smooth communication, and designing robust data management systems.

Frontend Development

After backend development, it is time for the front-end development work. In this step, you need to implement the user interface design and develop the client side of the app. You can use appropriate programming languages like JavaScript, HTML, and CSS and frameworks to create interactive and responsive interfaces.

Integrate Features

Once the frontend development is done it is time to integrate the essential features discussed earlier into your e-commerce application. You need to make sure seamless communication between the frontend and backend components for an error-free operation of your e-commerce application.

Quality Testing

Once the mobile commerce solution is ready it is ideal to put it through rigorous quality testing to verify its compatibility, flexibility, and responsiveness in real-world usage scenarios.

Deployment

Once your digital commerce application passes all the tests it is time to move ahead and launch the application on your pre-decided platforms. Prepare the app for deployment by configuring servers, optimizing performance, and ensuring scalability. Publish the app on relevant app stores like Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

Regular Maintenance & Updates

The process is not over once the online shopping app is deployed or launched. You need to track the performance of the app and provide regular maintenance and most importantly updates with new features, bug fixes, and security patches.

Marketing and Promotion

Another important step that is a must to follow when developing an e-commerce app is the marketing and promotion of the shopping platform. You can utilize multiple channels like social media, search engine optimization (SEO), online advertising, and email marketing to attract and retain users.

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Key E-Commerce App Development Trends to Focus On

Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR)

AR and VR have emerged as one of the most user-favorite things in online shopping history. Integrate AR and VR technologies to enhance product visualization and provide immersive shopping experiences. Allow users to virtually try on products, visualize furniture in their homes, or explore virtual stores.

AI-Powered Chatbots

AI-powered chatbots can offer instant customer support, answer product-related queries, and assist with the purchasing process. Most importantly the AI algorithms can even offer personalized product recommendations depending on the user’s buying history and preferences.

Mobile-First Approach

The smartphone has become the most used electronic device in the world and that is why shopping apps always focus on a mobile-centric approach to design and develop their apps. That is why you also need to ensure seamless responsiveness and optimize the user experience for mobile users.

Voice Commerce

Integrating voice assistants like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant allows for hands-free shopping experiences. Implement voice search, product selection, and order placement through voice commands in your e-commerce app.

Social Commerce Integration

Leverage the influential power of social media platforms by integrating social commerce features into your app. Enable direct shopping from social media posts, leverage user-generated content, and facilitate seamless social sharing and recommendations.

The Final Words

In conclusion, developing an e-commerce app is a complex yet rewarding endeavor for entrepreneurs. By following the steps outlined in this guide and focusing on key features and trends, you can create a successful and competitive e-commerce app that caters to the evolving needs of online shoppers.

If you are seeking a reliable partner for your e-commerce app development journey, look no further than Oyelabs. With the right expertise and commitment to delivering exceptional results, Oyelabs is the ideal choice for entrepreneurs aiming to create a successful and innovative e-commerce app.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Que. What is e-commerce app development?
Ans. E-commerce app development refers to the process of creating a mobile application specifically designed for buying and selling products or services online. It involves developing features such as product catalogs, shopping carts, secure payment gateways, and order management systems.

Que. Why is having a mobile app important for an e-commerce business?
Ans. Having a mobile app for your e-commerce business offers several advantages. It provides a convenient and personalized shopping experience for customers, increases brand visibility, enhances customer engagement, and allows for seamless integration with mobile device functionalities like push notifications and geolocation.

Que. How long does it take to develop an e-commerce app?
Ans. The development time for an e-commerce app depends on various factors, including the complexity of features, design requirements, and the technology stack used. On average, it can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months to develop a fully functional e-commerce app.

Que. What features should I consider including in my e-commerce app?
Ans. Essential features to consider for your e-commerce app include user authentication and account management, a product catalog with search and filters, secure payment gateway integration, shopping cart functionality, order tracking, push notifications, and customer support options. Additionally, personalized recommendations, social sharing, and easy checkout processes can enhance the user experience.

Que. How much does it cost to develop an e-commerce app?
Ans. The cost of e-commerce app development varies based on factors such as app complexity, desired features, development platform (iOS, Android, or both), design requirements, and the development team’s location. It’s best to consult with an app development agency to get an accurate cost estimate based on your specific project requirements. To get a detailed quote for your e-commerce app development contact us now.