Websites are great for exposure for online brands. Then there are social media platforms that offer their own marketplaces. However, today any e-commerce business is incomplete without a mobile app that allows users to shop from anywhere and everywhere.
While DIY mobile app builders have made app development easier, many businesses still need to be convinced about creating an app due to time and budget constraints. If you have a Shopline store, you must consider building an app and we are here to help you with it.
Continue reading and find out how you can create an app for your Shopline e-commerce store. Learn about easy and pocket-friendly app development techniques and unlock new avenues of opportunity. Let’s get started!
Suggested Read: How to convert a PrestaShop store into a mobile app? (2024 Guide)
In this blog
- Shopline: A comprehensive e-commerce solution
- Why should you make an app for your Shopline store?
- How to create an app for your Shopline store?
- How to use AppMySite for building your e-commerce app?
- Frequently asked questions
Shopline: A comprehensive e-commerce solution
Shopline is a global e-commerce enabler company that offers tools and services that help businesses create wholesome e-commerce platforms. It was founded in the year 2013 and accepted into the Silicon Valley-based 500 Startups accelerator in 2014.
Shopline became the first e-commerce platform to partner with Google in Greater China. It has its service locations in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Ho Chi Minh City, Shenzhen, and Kuala Lumpur. The platform boasts of having served over 600,000 merchants to date with an end-user base of over 200 million customers.
While Shopline primarily caters to the Asia-Pacific region, it has customers around the globe. It is preferred by small and middle-scale businesses that want a holistic e-commerce solution for building, launching, and managing their stores.
Shopline offers many lucrative features including customizable storefronts, social commerce, logistics and payment gateways, reporting and analytics tools, customer relationship management tools, SEO and marketing tools, and so on.
The platform also offers app development services on demand. However, that is an extended service and Shopline’s core strength is website development. Thus, it is best to use other alternatives and dedicated app builders to build an e-commerce app that lives up to your end users’ expectations.
Why should you make an app for your Shopline store?
We open several apps on our phones throughout the day for numerous activities and goals. However, it is not the same with websites. Eventually, app usage has dramatically increased in the past few years.
As most of your audiences and end customers are on smartphones, it only makes sense to launch apps and offer them the convenience they want. This allows you to unlock the opportunities that come with having a mobile app.
Moreover, mobile app usage statistics also show that users prefer apps over websites. 90 percent of their mobile usage time is spent on apps. As a result, more businesses are prioritizing apps and using them to sell products and services and connect with their customers.
Thus, you must consider building an app for your Shopline website. It will help you earn loyal customers who spend more time on your online shop and are less likely to easily migrate to another platform. Unlock new growth and monetization opportunities and expand your business.
How to create an app for your Shopline store?
There is no single formula for success and there is no fixed route to app development. However, having a guided map can make your journey streamlined and easier. So, here we are. Go through the points listed below and learn how to develop an app for your online store:
Analyze your target audience and market
Having a website before venturing into app development has its own advantages. If you already have a store, you must also have an understanding of your target market, customers, competitors, and so on.
However, mobile apps are a different ball game altogether. Launching an app adds new dynamics to your existing business and unlocks new opportunities. It also comes with its own share of challenges and responsibilities.
Therefore, as you plan to create apps, you can start with in-depth market research and analyze your potential customers and competitors in the mobile commerce domain. Establish the goal and purpose of your app and list down its key features and attributes you would like to incorporate.
Find out what is trending in the industry and align your project accordingly. Allocate a budget and timeline and find an app development company or software that suits you. We recommend a no-code app creator like AppMySite as it is fast and easy and saves you tons of resources.
Design and develop your e-commerce app
Once you have done your study and research, you can proceed to development. Start with making outlines of your app. You can create wireframes or prototypes based on the level of design accuracy you want to portray.
This will enable you to share your app idea with other team members and stakeholders. Once you have finalized an app architecture, you can actually design the mobile app. Lay special emphasis on the app UI (User Interface) and UX (User Experience) and ensure an engaging experience.
Develop your app backend and frontend and add a database if needed. Note that the complexity and intricacies of this process will depend on your choice of app development method. If you go with AppMySite, you will be able to put everything together in minutes.
Build the app and add features based on your app niche and business goals. Other than basic e-commerce functionalities, you can also add features related to monetization, marketing, and communication such as in-app purchases, push notifications, chat support, and more.
Test and deploy your mobile app
Once the development is complete, you can proceed to app testing. This is a crucial step as it allows you to assess your app’s appearance and performance before placing it in the hands of actual users. Take this step seriously as it can determine how your app is received in the market.
You can refer to mobile app testing guides and tools to learn the basics of app testing. Else, you can get professional help and get your apps vetted for performance and functionality. Make sure everything on your app looks and works fine.
Test your app’s design and responsiveness across devices and working environments. Make sure it performs smoothly and is bug-free and secure against any potential threats. Analyze every screen, button, feature, and asset with a microscopic approach. You can also create a focus group involving real-world users and get them to use your app and provide feedback.
Make improvements to your app if required and make sure it is flawless and engaging. Once you are satisfied, you can go on to distribute your Android and iOS apps and submit them to their respective app stores. Run promotional campaigns and inspire users to download, use, and review your app.
How to use AppMySite for building your e-commerce app?
AppMySite, as discussed above, is the best app development solution for those who want to convert a website into an app. It enables you to use your site as a stepping stone for building your e-commerce app.
Here’s how you can develop an app on AppMySite:
- Go to AppMySite and sign up by entering the required information. Select the ‘Web to App’ product as it is the most suitable for website owners and hit ‘Create’.
- Launch your dashboard and start designing your app icons and screens. You can either design the assets from scratch or upload the branded artwork you already have.
- Navigate to ‘Connectivity’ and follow the prompts and tips to sync your website and app. Connect your Shopline store and app and auto-populate all the data with a click.
- Use the given tools to design your app’s navigation, color theme, menus, and other desired assets. You can also configure and add advanced features like push notifications, chat, monetization, and more.
- Scroll to the ‘Preview’ section and test your app on a live emulator. Make sure everything looks and works fine. You can also test your app on real Android and iOS devices for a more immersive experience.
- Next, generate your Android and iOS app builds and deploy them on the Google Play and Apple App Stores.
That is it. Once your apps are approved by the app stores, they will be pushed live. You can start inviting your customers to download and use the app and drop their ratings and reviews. Use the feedback to improvise and enhance your app and push updates accordingly. Offer a consistent shopping experience across all platforms and earn more engagement and conversions.
Frequently asked questions
What is Shopline?
Shopline is a comprehensive e-commerce solution for businesses that want to create impressive storefronts and set up their online shop in a fast-paced manner. Users can either build everything from scratch or migrate their existing store and give it an uplift. Shopline enables businesses to add powerful features to their store and sell across multiple platforms.
Why should I develop an app for my Shopline store?
The role of apps has become more prominent in recent years. Customers prefer buying on apps and this makes e-commerce app development a viable investment for businesses. Buyers want the convenience of shopping at the click of a button on their screen. They spend more time and money on apps, inspiring better engagement, loyalty, and conversions. Thus, launching an app for your Shopline store can be highly beneficial.
Which brands use Shopline?
Shopline boasts a consumer trail of more than 600,000 merchants across the globe. While it is more popular in the Asia-Pacific region, it has users worldwide. According to some sources on the web, the brands that use Shopline include names like Miniso, Olympus, Lush, Peter Jackson, MedSpa, and Fujitsu, among others. The platform is more popular among mid and small-scale businesses and is especially preferred by businesses situated in Taiwan.
What is the best Shopline app maker?
The best way to create an app for your Shopline store is to use a web to app converter tool. This will save you tons of resources, time, and money. You will be able to turn your store into an app in no time and use all your existing content and data to build an app that aligns with your current theme and business goals. AppMySite’s web to app product can be your go-to solution as it is best for turning a Shopline e-commerce store into an equally powerful and feature-rich app.
How to convert my Shopline store into an app?
You can convert your Shopline store into an app with AppMySite’s web to app converter product. It is the best app development solution for website owners as it lets them use their existing resources to create an app. Moreover, you can connect your website and app and import all the data to the app with a click. Reflect any change in real time and serve updated content to your customers across all platforms.Â