Mobile Apps Vs Website - Which Is The Best Option For Ecommerce Business?

Ecommerce Website Vs. App: What’s The Difference?

Anyone can tell the difference between an E-Commerce website and a mobile app, but when it comes to personal business, the technicalities make it difficult to differentiate between these emerging trends.

So for your assistance, here is a brief breakdown for both of them!

Ecommerce App - is a piece of software that needs to be installed by the user on their smart devices to serve a particular purpose. These are best known for being extremely dynamic and allowing users to interact with the ecommerce business on the go.

Ecommerce Website - a set of web pages that comes in handy with static information that users can peruse in their web browsers. These are best known for providing users with loads of information about a product or a service.

For a detailed difference, let’s have a glance at the chart below!

Ecommerce App vs Website: Which One Is Better?

Since we have grasped the difference between these emerging trends, let's now shift our focus toward the prime query: Which one is the better option?

Unfortunately, we don’t have a one-size-fits-all answer to this comparison. Why? It’s because this comparison is highly dependent on numerous factors, including an E- Commerce business strategy and its goals and vision. The following comparison aims to shed light on these factors and help you make an informed decision.

If you only look at E-Commerce giants like Amazon, Flipkart, and eBay, you will be amused to find that these giants are equally present on E-Commerce websites and mobile apps to provide their users with a profound experience.

But a startup that is just entering the industry cannot be present on both platforms.

Thus, evaluate the factors enlisted below, and if you feel like this is something you can go with - voila, that platform is surely suited for you!

1. Timeline & Budget

E-commerce mobile apps readily available on iOS and Android platforms are usually costly and require prolonged development.

However, when it comes to an Ecommerce website, the profound CMS options easily available to us, like Shopify and WooCommerce, come integrated with exclusive e- commerce themes and plugins that allow users to create their websites on the go.

So when timeline and budget are concerned, an ecommerce business website is your winner.

2. User Experience

Although this factor may sound like a “not that important” one, it is crucial for retaining your clients. Just like you need to know how to start an E-Commerce business, it's crucial for you to know how to retain your visitors with an exemplary user experience!

Since the processes of purchasing and selling over ecommerce are complicated, a bad UI/UX will further complex it. As far as the website is concerned, visuals and separate web pages are a nice way of making things less complicated. Still, nothing can beat a mobile app in providing customers with a satisfied user experience.

Anyone can effectively place an order via the e-commerce mobile app with just a few clicks on the screen!

3. Search Engine Optimization

Organic traffic can take an Ecommerce store to a whole new level - and when the traffic is coming for free, you can imagine the perks yourself! This is where ecommerce mobile apps completely miss out.

The blend of Optimizing your ecommerce website for Google and other search engines and mixing it well with content marketing strategies can make your ecommerce business a brand!

Though there are viable techniques from which leading mobile app development companies market their E-Commerce mobile apps, they surely can’t provide the ROI of an E-Commerce website.

Offline Usability

This is a pretty straightforward factor, as everybody knows that to use an ecommerce website, you surely need a stable internet connection.

But with the advent of technologies, E-Commerce mobile apps allow users to make their purchases without even needing an internet connection!

Though you might not be able to view the latest products without an internet connection, something is better than nothing, right? When you learn that around 70% of people use mobile apps to make an E-Commerce purchase, your decision will surely fall for getting an E-Commerce mobile app!

Advertising & Marketing

Both marketing and advertising play a crucial role in enhancing the annual ROI of your ecommerce business. Advertising and marketing done to promote mobile apps don’t usually provide the desired outcome, as many people are often hesitant to install and try new ecommerce mobile apps.

However, if the tactic is done for ecommerce websites, the strategy pays of as a user is more likely to click and pay a visit to the Ecommerce store that looks appealing and eye- catching!

So What It Would Be? Ecommerce Website Or A Mobile App?

We said it before, and we’re saying it again: opting for an E-Commerce website or E- Commerce mobile app solely depends on the business's goals and visions.

If your ecommerce business store needs to have an online presence, going with an Ecommerce website might be your viable decision.

However, suppose your focus is on providing users with the best user experience and enriching them with marketing tactics like pop notifications and customized offers. In that case, an E-Commerce mobile app might best suit your preferences!

If you find yourself still uncertain, we are here to support you. We advise you to consult the experts at Appingine, a leading mobile app development company, who can provide you with the guidance you need to make the best decision for your ecommerce business.