As the internet brings us closer and enjoys a significant rise in the number of its aficionados, the e-commerce sector has bloomed and flourished. The Covid pandemic forced the general public to adapt to the online world. Every need and desire was fulfilled through online shopping. As a result, 2021 saw 2.14 billion digital buyers, 900 million more than 2020 This advancement has only been fueled by an influx of online apps for shopping.
For start-ups and new businesses, this growing e-commerce sector can offer a multitude of possibilities, especially now that the pandemic has opened up a whole new world of online shopping trends. Mobile shopping is one such trend that allows for a bigger consumer base and better financial prospects. All your brick-and-mortar investments are cut short when you open up such e-commerce stores. Moreover, with shopping apps, the risks are usually minimal and the benefits are plenty.
What makes an app the best shopping app in 2021?
If you are looking to build an online shopping app, below is a list of must-dos for your online shop app:
Deals and Discounts.
For any mobile shopping app to be successful and be in the running, it must offer something that the other apps don’t. That means – gift coupons, festive deals, flash sales, discounts, and other attractive deals.
Shipping Price, Time, and Updates.
Any app that gives real-time shipping updates is bound to work well with the customers. Besides quick delivery times, free deliveries, and low shipping costs attract more users than anything else.
Ease of Use.
It comes as no surprise that people prefer applications that are convenient to navigate. Attractive design also plays a major role apart from fast loading times.
Price Range.
Having products with varied price ranges comes in handy to attract different types of customers from across the globe. Price variants that appeal to all the people will help you grow your shopper base.
Product Range.
Including a variety of shopping categories and product catalogs will make users want to shop with you. An app that has everything one can need is bound to be the first option anyone will think of when shopping online.
Social Media Standing.
Per a report by Statista, 43% of shoppers ( research the products online before buying them. Therefore, building a good social media reputation can help your cause a lot.
Customer Reviews.
Like social media, consumers turn to customer reviews to get a lay of the land. If your app has overall better reviews than the others, it will click with the users.
Personalization.
Per a recent report by Accenture, 91% of consumers are more willing to shop with brands that offer personalized recommendations, create a unique shopping experience and offer relevant offers. Any app that manages to integrate such a personalized way of shopping is bound to be a hit among consumers.
Top 10 Mobile Shopping Apps:
#1: Amazon
Founded: 5 July 1994.
Of course, this multi-billion mega-giant is the first one on our list! It’s the first one on any list. Amazon started out as an online store for books. Over the years, it expanded its wings to include a plethora of shopping categories- food, clothes, games, jewelry, shoes, beauty products- name it and you’ll find it on Amazon.
The present-day Amazon includes services like video streaming, music streaming, AI assistant, book publishing, web services, electronic goods, etc. As the largest internet company in the world, Amazon has something for every consumer on the planet.
As for the mobile shopping app, the excellent customer service along with the availability of millions of products makes for a seamless retail experience. With the latest voice and image search options, the user experience has only gotten better.
Rating on iOS: 4.6M users rated it 4.8 stars
Rating on Google Play: 2.51M users rated it 4.5 stars
Achievements:
- World’s largest online marketplace
- Second largest private employer in the USA
- Highest global brand valuation, 2020
- One of world’s most valuable companies
- Largest ecommerce business in the USA
- LinkedIn No.1 Top Companies in the USA
What’s perfect?
- Value for money
- The n-number of discounts and deals
- Gigantic product range
- In-house retail range
- Smooth in-app navigation
- Real-time tracking of your orders
- Customer service is beyond amazing
- Barcode and camera scanners to find products
- The facility of Amazon Pay
- Affiliate marketing programs for influencers
- Fun quizzes and games
- Cashback offers
- Personalized recommendations
What needs work?
- Draining on your battery
- Selling on Amazon is highly competitive
- Different sellers means different prices and a lot of confusion
#2. Shein
Founded: 2008
Shein is an online fast fashion company based out of China. It started out as an online drop-shipping business. In 2014, after acquiring Romwe, an e-commerce retailer, Shein became a full-fledged online retail store. One of the major USPs of this fashion retailer is the price range. Instead of designing and manufacturing its own products, Shein sources wholesale quality products from the clothing market in Guangzhou.
Over the years, Shein was sued by multiple brands for copyright infringement. However, in 2020, it still stood out as the most talked-about app on YouTube and TikTok and the fourth most on Instagram.
In August 2021, Shein even launched a reality TV series where new and upcoming designers compete for a prize of $100,000.
Rating on iOS: 594K users rated it 4.7 stars
Rating on Google Play: 2.7M users rated it 4.6 stars
Achievements:
- Most Downloaded App in the USA in 2021.
- As of 2021, Shein owns 28% market share in the USA.
What’s perfect?
- Latest trends at affordable prices
- New items added almost every day
- Flash sales
What needs work?
- Delivery time
- A reputation for selling knock-offs
- Trademark disputes
Download Shein for iOS Download Shein for Android
#3 Etsy
Founded: 18 June 2005
Etsy is most known for selling handmade and vintage items. The product list includes the likes of clothes, bags, home décor, furniture, craft supplies, and a lot more. The marketplace boasts of over 60 million items. Etsy has a far and wide reach for all the people wanting to sell their work online and build a business out of their handmade goods. For the buyers, finding rare and unique items is easier than ever with Etsy.
Rating on iOS: 2.7 million users rated it 4.9 stars
Rating on Google Play: 466K users rated it 4.9 stars
Achievements:
- As of 2021, there are 90.7 million active buyers on Etsy
- Etsy is powered by 100% renewable energy
- $10.3 billion gross annual merchandise sales in 2021
What’s perfect?
- Handmade products promote local brands and artisans
- Availability of a wide range of antiquities
- 24/7 customer support
- New stock and restock notifications
- Unique products
- Personalized recommendations
What needs work?
- Page loading time
- Not-so-friendly user interface
- Only a selective product range
- Uncertain delivery timelines
Download Shein for Etsy Download Etsy for Android
#4 eBay
Founded: 3 September 1995
eBay revolutionized the second-hand goods market. It is a multi-billion dollar business that has found its way into the homes of people across 32 different countries. Based out of California, eBay has managed to grow to earn annual revenue of $9.56 billion in 2020. eBay is a one-stop-shop for exchanging, buying, and selling used goods. The item list ranges from clothing to furniture to tech. You can bid for the products you like, compare seller prices, and read reviews. Unlike other online shopping apps, eBay is the only e-commerce platform connecting buyers and sellers instead of actually getting involved in retail.
Rating on iOS: 4.6 stars
Rating on Google Play: 4M users rated it 4.7 stars
Achievements
- REACT APAC Conference Anti-counterfeiting Award, 2020
- Best Company Compensation, 2019
- Best Company for Women, 2018
What’s perfect?
- Extremely secure and quick online transactions
- Smooth user interface, allowing for a great overall experience
- Fast loading times
- Sale notifications
- Fun range of products
- Easy to sell and easy to buy
- Easy shipment tracking
What needs work?
- Hidden fees
- Extensive seller fees
- High competition for sellers
- Customer Service issues
- No guarantee or warranty since the store mostly runs on third-party sellers
Download ebay for iOS Download Shein for Android
#5 AliExpress
Founded: 26 April 2010
Another shopping app based out of China! AliExpress, a subsidiary of the Alibaba Group, lets SMEs sell their products on their platform. A wide variety of products are available at affordable prices to anyone in the world. A website that started as a B2B enterprise, AliExpress now offers cloud computing, B2C, payment services, and C2C. AliExpress follows the same business model (drop-shipping) as eBay, wherein it only allows buyers and sellers to get in touch instead of offering products themselves.
Rating on iOS: 4.6 stars Rating on iOS: 228.8K users rated it 4.7 stars
Rating on Google Play: 12.5M users rated it 4.5 stars
Achievements
- Most Visited E-commerce Website in Russia
- 10th Most Popular Website in Brazil
What’s perfect?
- A great starting point for new business launches
- Affordable shopping choices
- Attractive deals and offers
- Low investment for sellers
What needs work?
- Because most shipping is overseas, delivery timelines are unpredictable
- Multiple issues with returns and refunds
- Low profit margins for sellers
- High seller competition
Download Aliexpress for iOS Download Aliexpress for Android
#6 Wish
Founded: 4 July 2010
Wish enjoys the status of being one of the best e-commerce shopping apps. The purpose of this app is to bring buyers and sellers on the same platform. The app is then responsible for facilitating the transactions. They are partnered with multiple payment services that make the process smoother and easier.
The platform utilizes various browsing technologies that enable a visually appealing, personalized shopping experience.
Rating on iOS: 2.2M users rated it 4.7 stars
Rating on Google Play: 13.6M users rated it 4.6 stars
Achievements
- Most Downloaded Shopping App in 2018 and 2019
- Third Biggest e-commerce marketplace in the USA
What’s perfect?
- Easy transactions
- Returns and refunds are smooth
- Personalized shopping experience, including recommendations
- User interface is simple, attractive, and intuitive
What needs work?
- Loading times need a ton of improvement
- Unreliable shipping and tracking updates
Download Wish for iOS Download Wish for Android
#7 Target
Founded: 5 January 1962
Target is the 8th largest retail corporation in the USA. Target started as a departmental store, gradually making its way across the States. The company enjoys immense success in the retail world. Over time, this mega-corporation even launched its own home brands. In 2020, Target managed to generate annual revenue of $93.6 billion.
As for the mobile shopping app, Target has managed to build quite a reputation. The app offers numerous deals, coupons, discounts, and easy drop-offs and pick-ups. You can order items via Drive Up and have someone deliver them to your car. You can even order items and pickup from the store itself.
Rating on iOS: 3.8M users rated it 4.9 stars
Rating on Google Play: 279K users rated it 4.3 stars
Achievements
- 37 on the Fortune 500 list of largest US corporations
- Comparably Best Company Work-Life Balance, 2019
- One of World’s Most Ethical Companies
What’s perfect?
- Nearby store locator
- Creating and purchasing from a shopping list
- Easy deliveries and pick-ups
- Scan barcodes and get all the product information
- Unbelievable deals
- Target Circle and its affiliate programs allow for tons of discount offers and coupons
- Augmented Reality feature that lets you see how your product might look like
What needs work?
- Too many complaints of ‘wrong items delivered’
- Search errors and slow loading times
- Not-so-friendly user interface
- Too many glitches
Download Target for iOS Download Target for Android
#8 Groupon
Founded: November 2008
The whole idea behind this smartphone app is for buyers to connect with local merchants. Various coupons and deals are offered by these local businesses in order to expand their horizons and acquire customers. The buyers end up enjoying value-for-money deals and get to support their local retailers.
Deals are launched daily, and a minimum number of people must buy them to activate the said deals. Once activated, anyone who purchases the coupon receives a confirmation voucher they can redeem later on. This app has been touted as the best app for deals, discounts, and coupons.
Rating on iOS: 367.3K users rated it 4.8 stars
Rating on Google Play: 1.6M users rated it 4.6 stars
Achievements
- Groupon has established its roots in over 500 cities across the globe.
What’s perfect?
- Most attractive offers and deals
- All kinds of goods and services offered on the platform
- Attracts a lot of customers
- Promotes local businesses
What needs work?
- The deals can end up being detrimental to a seller’s profit margins
- Low consumer conversion rate
- The user interface tends to get a little confusing and crowded
Download Groupon for iOS Download Groupon for Android
#9 Rent the Runway
Founded: 9 November 2009
Not all products can be afforded by everyone. When buying is not an option, renting is here to rescue you. Rent the Runway is a unique e-commerce app that lets people rent out luxury apparel and accessories.
The platform was co-founded by women entrepreneurs in a bid to make luxury items available to all. The app even offers subscription plans for regular clients, where they can purchase certain items if they want to.
Rating on iOS: 172.7K users rated it 4.8 stars
Rating on Google Play: App not available on Play Store
Achievements
- CNBC’s Disruptor 50 list in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2018, and 2019
- Fast Company’s World Changing Idea, 2018
- Times Magazine’s 50 Best Website list, 2010
What’s perfect?
- The dresses are dry cleaned and delivered
- Back up sizes included at no extra cost
- Seamless navigation on the app
- Cashback rewards and discount deals
- Accurate and personalized search results
What needs improvement?
- Poor customer service
- Search filters not up to the mark
- Tracking issues
Download Rent the Runway for iOS
#10 Poshmark
Founded: 1 February 2011
While Rent the Runway allows users to rent out designer wear, Poshmark lets the customers buy pre-owned luxury goods. Just like RTR, this is a one-of-a-kind platform where everyone can afford luxury and designer items. They offer unmatched discounts on second-hand apparel. As of 2021, they boast of more than 80 million active users.
Rating on iOS: 275K users rated it 4.7 stars
Rating on Google Play: 92.5K users rated it 4.1 stars
What’s perfect?
- 20% commission for sellers once items are sold
- User experience for buyers on the app is flawless
- Varied size ranges
- The ability to own luxury items at low prices
- Numerous deals and discounts
What needs improvement?
- Poor customer service
- Seller accounts have a hard time navigating the UI
Download Poshmark for iOS Download Poshmark for android
Conclusion- Mobile Shopping is the Future of E-commerce
With the rise of online shopping, acquiring customers from across the world has become easier than ever. This is a perfect opportunity for the retail sector companies to skyrocket their profits and create a standing for themselves in the global market. If stats are to be believed, the e-commerce revenues are going to cross $5.4 trillion in 2022. These numbers have been significantly affected by the hike in the number of smartphone users. In fact, Statista predicts that, in 2021, over $345 billion retail sales will be made via online mobile shopping apps.
If you are an e-commerce business, making sure that your online store is mobile-friendly should be the number one priority going forward. Any store that can be easily accessed from a smartphone will win major brownie points from customers.
Launching a shopping app as soon as possible should also be on your to-do list. Every e-commerce must make it a point to design smooth, quick, attractive, and simple user interfaces for their mobile apps. The future of shopping lies in these smart gadgets and utilizing them to the fullest is the only way to earn and grow.
Looking to develop your own mobile shopping app? Look no further. At Continuum, we can help you create the perfect e-commerce shopping app. Apart from app development, we also offer consultation services to help you pick the best application type for your business.