eCommerce Mobile App Development Cost: A Roadmap for Success

Are you worried about the cost of eCommerce app development holding you back?

You’re not alone — many entrepreneurs face the challenge of budgeting for app development. The last thing anyone wants is a surprise mid-project hiatus! Like the cost of developing that first app ballooning to over 50%!

The unexpected mid-project cost spikes can derail progress. These unforeseen expenses can make a promising project a financial headache, especially if you’re already working with a tight budget.

So, you need continuous innovation without breaking your wallet!

Our team of experts has curated a comprehensive guide on eCommerce mobile app development costs. It includes cost breakdown, factors affecting the expenses, and ways to optimize them. This will help you get the basic idea so you’re prepared etc etc etc, write something like that to motivate them to read instead of leaving it just like that.

Why Invest in eCommerce App Development?

Almost every business tends to brainstorm and research for the perfect business idea, one that meets the current consumer trends. There is no looking back on the big boom in the mobile app market. For example, in 2024, retail eCommerce sales exceeded 4.1 trillion USD worldwide.

Fewer people have reservations about spending online now. Hence, the number of online shoppers will rise exponentially in the coming years. Here are some of the other reasons why one should invest in eCommerce app development:

• Expanding Customer Reach
• Enhanced User Experience
• Higher Conversion Rates
• Brand Loyalty and Customer Retention
• Data-Driven Insights
• Competitive Advantage
• Scalability and Revenue Growth
• Integration with Emerging Technologies
• Cost-Effectiveness Over Time
• Adaptability to Market Trends

How Much Does eCommerce Mobile App Development Cost?

Developing an eCommerce app involves making important decisions on the type of platform, hiring a developing team, the size of the app, and much more. To better understand how much it costs to build an eCommerce mobile app, one must consider a wide range of factors. But first, let’s break down how your decisions affect the price:

OS Platform – Android or iOS:

The cost differs based on your chosen platform, like iOS or Android. Many manufacturers provide Android devices, requiring more testing and verification. There are several factors to consider prior to selecting the platform, and the cost is one of them. The eCommerce mobile app development cost differs for each platform.

Closer Look At The Development Cost:

The eCommerce mobile app development cost tends to vary from USD 18,000 to USD 150,000 and can even exceed this range. The type of features and their complexity usually dictate the total development cost.

However, the development stage, especially the backend development, accounts for a significant portion of the budget. Besides this, the eCommerce app design cost and app maintenance cost also tend to be high. A cost breakdown is shown in the image below for a better understanding.

Off-shore or On-shore Developers:

Businesses can either opt for on-shore development or hire off-shore app development companies. This is a significant decision since it will drastically affect the overall eCommerce mobile app development cost. For example, a startup in the USA can lower its initial investment by outsourcing its eCommerce app development to an off-shore company in India. The table below provides more clarity on the cost of development depending on the region:

Low Initial Investment with MVP:

By opting for a version of the eCommerce app with only the essential features and building a Minimum Viable Product, it is possible to reduce the development costs. With MVP development services, the cost can start from as low as USD 20,000 and go up to USD 40,000 or more, enabling you to launch faster, save resources, and test the market with minimal features.

Check out this video to learn how MVP can streamline app development for startups

Strategic Tech-Stack:

Developing an eCommerce app involves frontend and backend development. Many options are available; hence, the choice of technology will also affect the cost. Besides this, several other technologies are used, such as cloud computing and AR/VR, for advanced features. They also contribute to the overall eCommerce mobile app development cost.

What Factors Influence eCommerce Mobile App Development Cost?

Many firms outsource their software development requirements; hence, the eCommerce app development cost varies depending on the mobile app development company they select. The IT outsourcing market revenue is expected to cross USD 591 Billion in 2025, providing some perspective.

The factors mentioned below provide a better understanding of the various elements that affect eCommerce App Development and how accounting for them will ensure you can create the perfect budget:

1. Type of App:

The sky’s the limit when it comes to developing an eCommerce app. However, there are three main types of apps, and their unique characteristics influence the overall cost of development:

• B2C (Business-to-Consumer): These apps cater directly to individual customers, such as Amazon or eBay.
• B2B (Business-to-Business): Apps designed for businesses selling to other companies, such as Alibaba.
• C2C (Consumer-to-Consumer): Platforms where individuals can sell to each other, like Etsy.

2. Platform Choice:

The popular platform options include developing native apps for (Android or Apple) and cross-platform apps for multiple platforms. Native apps offer superior performance as compared to cross-platform apps, and at the same time, they also tend to cost more.

3. Features:

Every eCommerce app will include basic features like user registration, login, search, shopping cart, checkout, and payment gateway. However, considering the stiff competition, the app must include several custom features to ensure it stands out. Hence, the cost is directly proportional to the number of features, their complexity, and the use of advanced technologies.

4. UI/UX Design:

The mobile app user interface is crucial to the success of any application. Building custom designs and interactive and intuitive interfaces requires more time and cost.

A fitting quote from Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon – If you do build a great experience, customers tell each other about that. Word of mouth is very powerful.

5. Development Team Location:

The geographical location of the development team you outsource to dramatically impacts the overall eCommerce mobile app development cost. This is because there is a vast difference in the development cost in the USA compared to that in several Asian & Eastern European countries.

This video is for you if you wish to explore the dedicated development team option:

6. Third-Party Integrations:

Incorporating third-party services eliminates the need to build functionality from scratch, saving time. At the same time, the type of APIs and external modules used also affect the cost (integration & testing). For example, the payment gateway integration cost will vary depending on the payment gateway you choose.

7. Technologies:

New technologies are being introduced frequently. The technology stack for developing the eCommerce app, including the advanced technologies you use, will influence the overall eCommerce mobile app development cost.

8. Quality Assurance:

The testing phase is critical. However, not every development firm gives it the necessary weightage. The cost of testing, the technique used (automated, manual), and technologies affect the cost.

9. Maintenance and Updates:

With rising competition and the increasing threat of cyberattacks, updating the eCommerce app regularly is essential. The cost of maintenance and updates may vary depending on whether you are modifying an existing feature, adding new features, or updating it with security updates.

Strategies to Optimize eCommerce App Development Budget

Businesses must consider various factors when estimating the budget for an eCommerce app, as mentioned in the previous sections. Here are several strategies to help you optimize your app development budget further:

Prioritize Core Features

• Start with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP): Start with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) by focusing only on the core features. This approach helps lower initial development costs and speeds up your time-to-market. Once real users start interacting with the app, you can gather feedback and roll out updates accordingly. Partnering with a reliable MVP development service can ensure your product is built efficiently and ready for validation.
• Opt For a Simple Design: Opt for a minimal design. This means making sure the design is functional, interactive, and intuitive using simple graphics.

Effective Project Management

• Leverage Open-Source Tools: Reduce the cost of software licenses by opting for open-source tools; this will also help accelerate the development process.
• Invest in Prototyping and Planning: Work with mobile app design team to create prototypes and wireframes to help visualize the flow and functionality before the start of the development process.
• Incorporate Agile Development: Agile methodology means implementing an incremental delivery of features with better budget control.
• Monitor and Control Scope Creep: Take the necessary measures to avoid changes to the scope midway through the project since this will significantly impact the project.

Hire the Right Development Team

• Partner with Experienced Developers: Hire professionals from a reputed firm with a good track record of developing eCommerce solutions. When you choose an experienced eCommerce app development company, you opt for quality and eliminate rework and bugs.
• Implement Efficient Testing Practices: Reduce the testing effort and increase efficiency by encouraging automation.
• Choose Cross-platform Over Native: The effort and cost to develop a native app for multiple platforms (iOS & Android) is much higher. On the other hand, when you opt for a cross-platform solution, you can reduce the cost of eCommerce app development.

Real-world eCommerce Platforms Success Stories

Here are a few case studies of highly successful eCommerce platforms that have adopted various strategies to limit their initial investment. These stories showcase strategic approaches to budgeting, prioritization, and leveraging technology to maximize returns:

1. Amazon: Incremental Development and Scalability

• Initial Investment: Amazon started as an online bookstore with a limited feature set, focusing on its core functionality, an efficient catalog, and seamless transactions.
• Strategy: By adopting an iterative approach, Amazon gradually added features like personalized recommendations, one-click ordering, and Prime membership.
• Success: Today, Amazon is a global eCommerce leader, with its app setting the standard for user experience.
• Lesson: Start with a focused MVP and scale as your customer base and revenue grow.

2. Wish: Focused User Base and Cost Management

• Targeted Development: Wish’s app targeted cost-conscious consumers, focusing on simple design and straightforward navigation.
• Cost Optimization: Wish reduced its initial investment significantly by outsourcing development to lower-cost regions.
• Success: With millions of users globally, Wish is now one of the most downloaded shopping apps.
• Lesson: Focus on your core audience and strategically outsource development to control costs.

3. Zappos: Early Adoption of MVP Approach

• Lean Start: Zappos began experimenting with a minimal feature set, only an online catalog and basic checkout.
• Customer Feedback: They prioritized customer feedback to improve their app iteratively.
• Success: The company’s focus on user satisfaction led to its acquisition by Amazon for $1.2 billion.
• Lesson: Starting lean with an MVP and iterating based on user input can lead to substantial long-term growth.

4. Skriti: Lean Statup Approach

A client in Texas, USA, trusted Excellent Webworld with their requirements to develop an eCommerce app quickly. The app mainly aimed to sell Indian apparel in the US market.

• Lean Start: We began developing a next-generation solution with the help of a big boost from our business analysis team. The client was significantly involved in the project from the start.
• Success: Our expert team of developers at Excellent Webworld delivered a cutting-edge solution within 6 months, keeping the costs low.
• Lesson: Selection of features, design, and choosing the right development partner significantly affect eCommerce app development’s overall cost and success.

A fitting quote: “You can’t just open a website and expect people to flood in. If you really want to succeed, you have to create traffic.” – Joel Anderson, Walmart CEO

These success stories underscore that effective budgeting, innovative strategies, and a focus on user needs are critical to managing eCommerce mobile app development cost. Incorporating the benefits of AI in eCommerce, such as personalized recommendations and automated customer service, can also be a key strategy for success. Whether it’s starting lean, leveraging open-source tools, or integrating innovative features, businesses can achieve significant success without exceeding their budgets. By studying these examples, you can adapt proven strategies to ensure success.

eCommerce Mobile App Development Trends

The cost to develop a mobile app depends on a wide range of factors, including the company’s size. However, here are a few trends to help you gain an insight into the state of the eCommerce app market:

• More businesses now prefer developing cross-platform mobile apps using Flutter or React Native since it helps reduce the development cost by 30-40%.
• The eCommerce market size is expected to rise to USD 21.51 Trillion in 2025 and USD 57.32 Trillion by 2032.
• Backend development accounts for a significant section of the total cost of building an eCommerce app.
• Mobile eCommerce revenue worldwide as of 2024 was over 2 Trillion USD.
• Many firms prefer to outsource to off-shore development companies in India.
• Retail mCommerce sales are expected to rise by over USD 710.42 Billion in 2025, according to eMarketer Insider Intelligence.
• Per the survey for quarter 3 of 2024, the order share for smartphones was 68%, while that for desktops was 30%.

Cost-Effective Solution With Excellent Webworld

All businesses (startups & enterprises) must understand the various factors affecting the eCommerce mobile app development cost. The different sections of this article are meant to do just that. It also explains that cutting costs is not about settling for compromising quality.

On the contrary, it is about making wise decisions throughout the development process. It also means hiring a professional mobile app development company. Excellent Webworld is one such company with over 10 years of experience. We have a dedicated team of mobile app developers with expertise in many technologies.

Additionally, we implement the latest technologies and have the necessary resources to build cutting-edge solutions. Get in touch with us to learn more about custom eCommerce solutions.

The table below explains in more detail the benefits of outsourcing to Excellent Webworld.

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Article By

Mayur Panchal

Mayur Panchal is the CTO of Excellent Webworld. With his skills and expertise, He stays updated with industry trends and utilizes his technical expertise to address problems faced by entrepreneurs and startup owners.