Running an eCommerce store is a stressful chore. Tracking inventory, monitoring sales, managing shipping—there’s a lot on the table, making it challenging to manage. However, platforms like Shopify tackle these challenges with ease. That’s why it has the largest market share of 29% among all eCommerce platforms in the US.
However, even Shopify can sometimes fall short when it comes to custom requirements. Let’s say you want to automate inventory tracking across multiple warehouses or brick-and-mortar stores and update stock in real-time with some additional features.
Finding a plug-and-play solution cannot be the right solution in such a case. So, the last and best resort is a custom Shopify app. A custom-made Shopify app will work the way you need to simplify what you want to do in a few taps. Let’s look at some reasons for a custom Shopify app development.
Here are the key reasons for custom Shopify app development:
Enhanced User Experience
Imagine walking into a store where everything is perfectly tailored to your preferences. From the products on display to the music playing in the background, everything feels like it was designed just for you. That’s what a custom Shopify app can do.
You can develop an app that personalizes the shoppers’ experience, which, on average, can increase your revenue by 5 to 15%. Or, in some cases, more than 25%. Focusing on your customers’ needs and preferences allows you to construct a shopping experience that is more relatable and connects to everyone.
With a custom app, you can suggest products according to the order of the items a user has browsed, localize the checkout process, and even make exclusive offers for each user. Such a personalized experience enhances the customer experience and pushes users towards conversion and customer retention.
Increased Sales and Conversions
Sales and conversions are the key goals for any brand, and the eCommerce business is no exception. Having a personalized Shopify app can go a long way in helping you drive more sales and conversions.
For example, you could create a virtual try-on feature for your apparel website. Such a feature will allow customers to check how the jogger will actually fit them in real life. The more clear shoppers are about the fit, the more chances they’ll buy the product.
The goal is to offer an improved user experience that uplifts customer satisfaction levels, translating into conversions, retention, and loyalty.
Improved Store Efficiency
Tired of spending hours on repetitive tasks? A custom Shopify app can help simplify your daily operations and save you time. Imagine automatically updating your inventory levels, processing orders with a few clicks, and generating detailed sales reports at the touch of a button.
With a custom Shopify app, you can automate such time-eating tasks that can drain your productivity levels. Eventually, you’ll spend less time fixing the operational bottlenecks and more attention to the customers.
Scalability and Growth
As your business scales, your online store needs to keep up with the evolving needs to avoid succumbing to the cutthroat competition. A bespoke Shopify app offers the flexibility to adapt to your changing needs.
Adding new products? Expanding to new markets? Or integrating with your existing systems? A custom Shopify app can smoothly adapt.
Unlike pre-built apps that have limitations, a custom app can be tailored to your specific requirements. As your growth rate spikes, it’s possible to enhance or introduce new functionalities and connect with other software like CRM, ERP, POS, etc., without any friction.
Brand Differentiation
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Standing out in the market is more than necessary for success now. A custom Shopify app can help achieve that brand differentiation by offering unique features and functionalities that set your store apart.
For example, you can create an automated workflow that syncs your customer data with your journey. An automated synchronization like this can help you keep better track of your customer journey so you can send the right content and offers at the right time to the right customer.
Data-Driven Decision Making
No business thrives on gut feeling. Data-driven brands are 3x more likely to report a major improvement in decision-making. To unlock success, you have to back every decision with data for spot-on results. Now, you cannot have a crystal ball to predict every move of your customers. But with a custom Shopify app, you can get quite close.
A custom Shopify app provides a wealth of in-depth data that reveals much more about your customers, their behavior, and preferences. With such an app, you can track their browsing behavior, see what product categories they’re interested in, and execute many other complex operations.
Ultimately, you can use this data to make more informed decisions and craft sharp marketing strategies, make the right offerings, and simplify the pre- and post-purchase experience.
Let’s say you notice a drop in sales for a particular product. You can now investigate the reasons behind it and take steps to address the issue. Or, if you see that your customers are adding products to the cart but not buying, you can take optimal action to reduce cart abandonment.
Competitive Advantage
For online marketplaces, there’s a cutthroat competition going on. Being good isn’t enough to outsmart your competitors; you have to be excellent. And a custom Shopify app can give you that extra edge.
Think about it. While your competitors are stuck with the same old, generic online stores, you’ll be wowing your customers with a unique and to-the-point experience. With a custom Shopify app, you can offer features and functionalities that your competitors simply can’t match.
A custom app can help you offer something extra that no one else is offering, whether it’s a future shipping date feature for an interior design brand or a product configurator for a gadget-selling site.
Long-Term Investment
A custom Shopify app isn’t just a one-time expense; it’s an investment in your business’s future. It’s like building a solid foundation for your eCommerce business. Just like a well-built house can appreciate in value over time, a custom Shopify app can continue to benefit your business for years to come.
Unlike pre-built apps that become outdated or limited, a custom app can be continuously updated and improved to meet your evolving needs. Since the app is tailor-made for your online store, you can easily adapt to changes in the market, introduce new and relevant features, and stay ahead of your competitors.
On top of that, a custom-made app can be a valuable asset that you can sell or license on the Shopify App Store in the future. So, while it does ask for some initial investment, it can give great returns to your store later.
Factors to Consider While Building a Custom-Made Shopify App
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Custom-made Shopify apps offer a variety of benefits and help your store scale with ease while outranking the competition. But a half-baked custom Shopify app development approach won’t get you anywhere. Let’s see some factors you should consider while creating your app.
Discover Your Goals
Clearly outline what you want to achieve with your custom app. Is it an in-depth analysis of some complex data, dynamic inventory updates, lower customer churn, or something else? Whatever your goal is, outline it clearly, as it will help you steer the development process better.
Identify Your Target Audience
Identifying the target audience will resolve half of your issues. Ask yourself: Who are you building this app for? Knowing your target audience will help you tailor the features and functionalities of the app to their specific needs, preferences, and pain points.
Research Existing Apps
Before going ahead with your custom Shopify app development, explore existing players to see what’s already available in the market. Scanning the available apps will give you hints on how they are catering to the audience’s needs. You’ll also be able to understand what features people like and what turns them off for a better planning of your custom Shopify app.
Choose the Right Development Team
Look for a development team with experience building Shopify apps. More importantly, you should try to seek developers specializing in industries similar to yours. Those who already have developed similar apps will better understand your requirements and come up with an apt solution.
While choosing Shopify custom app developers, have a one-on-one conversation beforehand to learn if they have a good understanding of Shopify’s APIs, best practices, and your vision. Be sure to check if the developers will be available to help you post-development as well. It’s always better to invest in a team that offers a long-term commitment.
Features and Timeline
Not all features will be equally important. Prioritize the ones that will have the biggest impact on your business goals. You don’t need to add every feature you think will be useful. Have multiple brainstorming sessions with your team and developers to be certain about the features you want to add, remove, or save for later.
Also, determine your budget and timeline for the project to avoid project overruns and scope creep. The best you can do to stay on track is to prepare a clear roadmap with buffer time included. A roadmap will help you assess your progress while telling if things are going according to the plan or not.
Final Thoughts
Ready to take your Shopify store to the next level? A custom Shopify app can be your reliable sidekick in this journey. It’s like a secret weapon that will give you a competitive edge, enhance your brand operations, and boost your sales.
Who doesn’t want to blow away their customers with a personalized shopping experience? Or who doesn’t want a productive workforce that drives more sales than ever before? If you’re also craving these results, a custom Shopify app is the way to go.
