E-commerce Application: Guide and Costs

Why do you need a mobile app for your online store?

In 2025, 78% of online shopping will be done on mobile devices. If your online store doesn't have a dedicated mobile app, you're missing out on a huge growth opportunity.

Mobile e-commerce statistics Romania 2025:

5.2 million Romanians buy online monthly
67% prefer mobile apps over the browser
2.3x more conversions in apps vs mobile web
85% higher retention rate in apps

Essential features for a successful e-commerce application

1. Core Features (Mandatory)

🛍️ Product catalog

Intuitive category navigation
Advanced filters (price, brand, color, size)
Multiple sorting
List/grid view

🔍 Smart Search

Predictive search
Automatic suggestions
Search history
Voice search

🛒 Shopping Cart

Automatic save
Change of quantities
Application of discount codes
Transport cost calculator

💳 Multiple payments

Bank card (Stripe, PayU)
PayPal
Apple Pay / Google Pay
Refund
Bank transfer

📦 Order tracking

Real-time status
Push notifications
Order history
Invoices and AWB

2. Advanced Features (Competitive Advantage)

🤖 AI Customization

Personalized recommendations
"Frequently bought together"
Smart retargeting
Dynamic pricing

📸 Visual Search

Search by image
AR Try-On (for fashion/beauty)
360° product view

💬 Customer Support

Live chat integrated
Chatbot AI
Video call support
Dynamic FAQ

🎁 Loyalty & Gamification

Loyalty program
Points and rewards
Referral system
Daily deals and flash sales

Technical architecture for e-commerce applications

Frontend Technologies

React Native ✅ Recommended

Cost effective
Fast time to market
Good performance
Large community

Flutter ✅ Solid alternative

Consistent UI
Excellent performance
Smooth animations

Native 💰 Premium

Maximum performance
All features available
Double cost

Backend Infrastructure

Headless Commerce

Shopify Plus API
WooCommerce REST API
Magento 2 API
Custom Node.js/Laravel

Microservices Architecture

Catalog Service
Order Service
Payment Service
Notification Service
Analytics Service

Cloud Providers

AWS (scalable, complex)
Google Cloud (AI/ML features)
Azure (enterprise ready)

E-commerce application development costs in 2025

Basic E-commerce application

Features: Catalogue, basket, simple payments, customer account Platforms: iOS + Android (React Native) Cost: 20,000 - 35,000 EUR Time: 2-3 months

Standard E-commerce application

Functionality: Basic + notifications, wishlist, reviews, advanced filters Platforms: iOS + Android (React Native/Flutter) Cost: 35,000 - 60,000 EUR Time: 3-5 months

Advanced E-commerce application

Functionality: Standard + AI recommendations, AR, live chat, loyalty Platforms: iOS + Android (Native or Flutter) Cost: 60,000 - 120,000 EUR Time: 5-8 months

E-commerce Enterprise application

Functionality: All + multi-vendor, B2B features, advanced analytics Platforms: Native iOS + Android Cost: 120,000 - 250,000+ EUR Time: 8-12 months

ROI for mobile e-commerce apps

Success metrics

+23% conversion increase vs mobile web
+35% average order value
3x more time spent in the app
65% of users return monthly

ROI calculation example

Online store with sales of 100,000 EUR/month:

Application investment: EUR 50,000
Sales increase (23%): EUR 23,000/month
ROI in 3 months: 138%
Profit year 1: EUR 226,000

Integrations critical to success

Payment Gateways

Stripe: 2.9% + 0.30 EUR per transaction
PayU: 2.5% + 0.25 EUR
Netopia: 2.8% per transaction
PayPal: 3.4% + 0.35 EUR

Shipping Partners

FAN Courier API
Cargus integration
DPD tracking
easybox lockers

Marketing Tools

Google Analytics 4
Facebook Pixel
Klaviyo email marketing
OneSignal push notifications

ERP/CRM Systems

SAP integration
Salesforce Commerce Cloud
Microsoft Dynamics
Odoo ERP

Optimizations for maximum conversion

Speed Optimization

Lazy loading images
CDN integration
Cache strategy
Code splitting

UX Best Practices

One-click checkout
Guest checkout option
Multiple addresses
Save for later

Mobile-Specific Features

Fingerprint/Face ID login
Shake to refresh
Swipe gestures
Offline modes

Security and compliance

GDPR Compliance

Explicit consent
Right to erasure
Export data
Cookie policy

PCI DSS

Card tokenization
SSL/TLS encryption
Secure APIs
Regular audits

App Store Requirements

Privacy policy
Terms of service
Age rating
Content guidelines

UP2DATE case studies

Fashion Retailer - Bucharest

Challenge: Low conversion on mobile web Solution: React Native app with AR try-on Results:

+45% conversion
+60% AOV
EUR 250,000 additional sales/year

Electronics Store - Cluj

Challenge: Competing with large marketplaces Solution: Native app with loyalty program Results:

15,000 active users
35% repeat purchase rate
ROI in 6 months

Beauty Shop - Timisoara

Challenge: Low engagement Solution: Flutter app with live streaming Results:

5x time spent in the app
+80% social shares
40% sales increase

E-commerce application development timeline

Month 1: Discovery & Planning

Analysis of business requirements
User research
Technical architecture
Wireframe design

Month 2-3: Design & Prototyping

UI/UX design
Branding integration
Interactive prototypes
User testing

Month 3-5: Development

Frontend development
Backend APIs
Third-party integrations
Testing iterations

Month 5-6: Launch & Optimization

Beta testing
App store submission
Marketing launch
Performance monitoring

Common mistakes to avoid

❌ 1:1 copying of the website ✅ Optimize for mobile-first

❌ Too many features from the start ✅ Start with MVP and iterate

❌ Ignoring Performance ✅ Less than 3 seconds loading time

❌ Complicated checkout ✅ Maximum 3 steps to complete

❌ Lack of marketing strategy ✅ Plan the launch 2 months in advance

Conclusion and next steps

A mobile e-commerce application is no longer a "nice to have", but a necessity for growth in 2025. With the right investment and the right partner, the ROI can be spectacular.

What's next?

Analyze your business - Are you ready for an application?
Define Goals - What do you want to achieve?
Choose the technology - Native or cross-platform?
Select Partner - E-commerce experience essential
Plan for Launch - Marketing and ASO

UP2DATE offers free consultation for your e-commerce project. Let's discuss how we can turn your store into a mobile success story!