With the ability to offer users a simple and easy shopping experience, e-commerce apps are becoming more popular. However, developing an e-commerce app takes time, effort, and money. So, how much do you need to pay to develop a mobile e-commerce app? In the article below, let’s break down the e-commerce app development cost to help you understand the resources and budget needed for this project.

Major Factors Affecting E-commerce App Development Costs

There is no fixed number when it comes to e-commerce app development costs. How much you spend to create an e-commerce app depends on many factors. Among these, the following factors will have a significant impact on the ecommerce app development cost.

1. App UI/UX

The user interface design can affect the overall e-commerce app development cost. An app with a more user-friendly interface can attract more customers. However, such apps also tend to cost more. Depending on the complexity of the design, e-commerce mobile app development can vary.

2. Platforms

E-commerce apps are usually developed for both popular platforms, iOS and Android. Developing apps for both platforms can increase the development cost. To reduce costs, you can choose a cross-platform development tool like Flutter or React Native.

3. App Features & Complexity

The complexity of the app’s functions and features can also affect the e-commerce app development. The more features an app has, the more time and effort it requires to develop, which increases the cost. Some features that can raise development costs include shopping carts, payment gateways, push notifications, social media integration, user profile management, and more.

4. Third-party Integrations

Savvy retailers often prefer integrating third-party services to enable app features. Using third-party services is considered a method to significantly reduce development costs, as the cost of third-party services can be just a fraction of the actual development cost. Therefore, apps with more third-party integrations tend to be less expensive than those developed entirely in-house.

5. Payment Gateway Integration

Integrating a payment gateway is an essential feature of any e-commerce app. This integration process is complex and time-consuming, and it can be quite costly. The cost of integrating a payment gateway varies depending on the provider and the level of customization required.

6. App Development Partner

E-commerce app development costs will vary depending on whether your development partner is a large, reputable company or a mid-sized one. For example, if you collaborate with a large company, each task in the development process will be handled by separate teams, leading to increased costs. On the other hand, if you work with a small or mid-sized company, there will be only one team handling all tasks, resulting in lower development costs.

Furthermore, the cost of developing an e-commerce app is also influenced by the geographical location of your development partner. If you collaborate with developers from regions with lower hourly wages, the project’s costs will be lower. Additionally, the team’s size will affect the overall development costs of an e-commerce app. For example, suppose you only need a basic development team consisting of a project manager, programmer, and UX/UI designer. 

In that case, the costs will be lower than needing a team of about 2-4 programmers, a project manager, a UX/UI designer, a QA engineer, a QC, and several other staff members. Generally, the more complex the project, the larger the workforce required, increasing overall development costs.

7. App Maintenance & Upgrades

To ensure the long-term success of an e-commerce app, regular maintenance and support are crucial. The cost of maintaining an app will vary depending on the complexity of the app, the level of support needed, and the frequency of updates.

Cost in E-commerce App Development Average

Rough estimates suggest that a mobile e-commerce app may cost between $10,000 to $500,000 USD.

• Basic e-commerce app: $10,000 to $50,000
• Mid-range e-commerce app: $50,000 to $150,000
• Complex e-commerce app: $150,000 to over $500,000

Let’s take a look at the table below to get a rough estimate of the various costs involved in developing an e-commerce app for both the iOS and Android platforms.

Category	iOS app	Android app
UI/UX	$1,500 – $15,000+	$1,000 – $10,000+
Development	$20,000 – $100,000+	$15,000 – $70,000+
Payment Gateway Integration	$1500 – $10,000+	$1000 – $5,000+
Maintenance & Upgrades	$2,500 – $15,000+ per year	$2,500 – $15,000+ per year
Marketing and Promotion	Depends on marketing strategy	Depends on marketng strategy

Please note that all these costs are approximate. The exact amount you’ll need to pay depends on the app’s features, the expertise of the development team, maintenance frequency, and many other factors.

How to Reduce E-Commerce Mobile App Development Cost

E-commerce app development costs can be very expensive, especially for complex apps that require many features. However, there are several ways to reduce development costs without compromising the quality of the app. Here are some methods:

1. Choosing open-source platforms

Open-source platforms offer free software that can be easily customized to meet the specific needs of different businesses. This means you will need to spend less money developing the app from scratch. Additionally, with open-source platforms, you can access talented developers who can help you address any issues and challenges during the e-commerce app development process.

2. Simplifying app design

Simplifying the user interface design is an effective way to save on e-commerce app development costs. When designing the app, focus on essential functions rather than trying to integrate every possible feature. By choosing the right functions, you can reduce development costs without compromising the app’s quality.

3. Choose an e-commerce app development partner

If you carefully consider and choose a development company or team, you can leverage their expertise and receive guidance on the necessary tasks throughout the e-commerce app development process. Compared to developing the app on your own without the necessary knowledge, this approach helps you avoid many mistakes and significantly reduces costs without compromising the app’s quality.

>> Also read: Top 10 E-commerce Development Companies

4. Determine essential app features

To reduce the e-commerce app development cost, you need to limit the app’s features. In other words, you should focus only on essential features rather than integrating too many. Adding too many features not only makes the app more complex and harder to use but also increases costs significantly. The goal of designing an e-commerce app should be to keep it simple and user-friendly to provide the best possible experience for users.

5. Planning beta testing

Beta testing the app before launch will help you identify and fix issues in a timely manner before they become more serious. This not only ensures higher quality and usability of the app but also helps reduce maintenance and support costs later on.

Final thoughts

With costs ranging from $10,000 to over $500,000, developing an e-commerce app can be very expensive, but it also significantly benefits businesses. The most important factor is choosing and collaborating with experienced development partners who can guide you through the development process and ensure the project’s success at an optimal e-commerce app development cost.

If you are looking for an e-commerce app development partner, look no further than Luvina. Luvina has a team of over 100 skilled developers who can turn your app ideas into reality. Contact Luvina today to learn more about our services and how we can help you develop an e-commerce app to optimize sales and connect more closely with your customers.