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Ecommerce App Development Company: Mobile Shopping App Development

Updated September 2026 · Written and maintained by the Progression Agency strategy team

Progression Agency builds ecommerce and mobile shopping apps for DTC brands and retailers: fast catalogs, checkout, subscriptions, loyalty and push campaigns — connected to Shopify, BigCommerce or your commerce platform so the app and website share products, customers and orders.

On this page · 12 sections
  1. What is ecommerce app development?
  2. Ecommerce apps we build
  3. What features does a ecommerce app need?
  4. Integrations for ecommerce apps
  5. Security, privacy and store rules for ecommerce apps
  6. Our ecommerce app development process
  7. How much does it cost to build a ecommerce app?
  8. Technology for ecommerce apps
  9. Mistakes to avoid when building a ecommerce app
  10. Why choose Progression Agency for ecommerce app development?
  11. Related app development services
  12. Video: frameworks we build with

The short answerEcommerce app development is building native or cross-platform shopping apps connected to a commerce platform, with catalog, search, cart, checkout, accounts, loyalty and push notifications. An ecommerce app commonly costs $60,000-$200,000 depending on catalog and integrations.

Cost ranges are US planning figures, not quotes.

Ecommerce app development searches
Brands want apps that raise repeat purchase, not just a website in an app shell.

What is ecommerce app development?

Ecommerce app development is designing and building mobile shopping apps that let customers browse, buy and reorder, connected to the brand’s commerce platform.

For the web side of commerce see ecommerce development.

DTC — DTC brand apps. Drops and loyalty..
Retail — Retailer apps. Stores and online..
Sub — Subscription commerce. Recurring orders..
B2B — B2B ordering. Wholesale apps..
Drop — Drops and launches. Limited releases..
Loyal — Loyalty. Points and perks..

Ecommerce apps we build

Our ecommerce app development services cover these product types.

DTC brand apps

Fast browse, one-tap checkout, exclusive drops and push campaigns.

Retailer apps

Store locator, inventory, pickup and loyalty; see retail software development.

Subscription commerce apps

Manage subscriptions, skips and swaps.

B2B ordering apps

Account pricing, reorder lists and invoices.

Marketplace apps

Multiple sellers; see marketplace development.

Headless storefront apps

Custom front ends on Shopify or BigCommerce.

Ecommerce app development is designing and building mobile shopping apps that let customers browse, buy and reorder, connected to the brand’s commerce platform.

What features does a ecommerce app need?

The features users expect on day one.

Core ecommerce app features
FeatureWhy it matters
Fast search and filtersFind products quickly
One-tap checkoutApple Pay, Google Pay
Push notificationsDrops and offers
Wishlists and reorderRepeat purchase
LoyaltyRetention
SubscriptionsRecurring revenue
PersonalizationRelevant products
Order trackingFewer support calls

Integrations for ecommerce apps

The services these apps typically connect to.

Common integrations
SystemWhat we connect
Commerce platformShopify, BigCommerce, commercetools
PaymentsApple Pay, Google Pay, cards
LoyaltyPoints and rewards platforms
SubscriptionsRecurring billing apps
ReviewsRatings and UGC
MarketingEmail, SMS, push

Security, privacy and store rules for ecommerce apps

Payments and store rules apply to shopping apps.

  • PCI-compliant payment providers.
  • App store rules on physical goods and digital goods.
  • State privacy laws for customer data.
  • Accessible shopping experiences (WCAG 2.2).
How we build a ecommerce app
An app earns its place through repeat purchase; design for returning customers first.

Our ecommerce app development process

We validate the ecommerce concept and target users, define a first release around the core loop, prototype and test the flows, build cross-platform or native in two-week sprints, prepare App Store and Google Play submissions, and launch with analytics and acquisition campaigns.

How much does it cost to build a ecommerce app?

As a planning range, an app on an existing commerce platform commonly costs $60,000-$130,000, and a custom commerce app with subscriptions, loyalty and personalization $130,000-$200,000+.

Ecommerce app cost ranges (planning figures)
ScopeTypical rangeTimeline
App on Shopify / BigCommerce$60,000-$130,0003-5 months
Custom commerce app$130,000-$200,000+5-8 months
B2B ordering app$70,000-$150,0003-6 months

Technology for ecommerce apps

Chosen for speed to both stores and long-term maintainability.

Technology we typically use
LayerChoice
MobileReact Native or Flutter; native Swift/Kotlin where needed
BackendNode.js or Python APIs
DataPostgreSQL, Redis
Real timeWebSockets or managed messaging
PaymentsStripe, Apple and Google in-app purchase
AnalyticsFirebase, product analytics

Mistakes to avoid when building a ecommerce app

What sinks apps in this category.

  • Wrapping the website instead of building for repeat buyers.
  • Slow product pages.
  • Checkout with too many steps.
  • No push strategy.
  • Separate customer accounts from the website.
  • Launching without app store optimization.
One-tap pay — Shop. Less friction..
Push — Shop. Bring buyers back..
Reorder — Shop. Repeat sales..
Shared accounts — Shop. Web and app..
Fast pages — Shop. Conversion..
ASO — Shop. Discovery..

Why choose Progression Agency for ecommerce app development?

We build the app and help it get users.

  • Commerce platform integration experience.
  • Conversion-focused UX.
  • Ecommerce marketing to drive installs and repeat purchase.
  • You own the code and developer accounts.
  • Headquartered in New York City, working nationwide.

See ecommerce development, retail software development and marketplace development.

Building a ecommerce app?

Tell us the idea and audience. We will propose a first release, platform approach and planning estimate.

Get an app proposal

Video: frameworks we build with

Explainers on the frameworks used to ship apps to both stores.

Getting found in search

AI, AEO and what is changing

Paid media and lead generation

Websites and design

Choosing and working with an agency

Software and app development

Social, content and brand

By industry and by situation

Frequently asked questions

How much does an ecommerce app cost?
As a planning range, $60,000-$130,000 on an existing platform.
How long does ecommerce app development take?
Commonly 3-5 months.
Can you build an app for our Shopify store?
Yes, using Shopify’s APIs.
Do we need an app if we have a mobile website?
Apps help most when you have repeat customers; push and saved accounts raise repeat purchase.
Can the app use Apple Pay?
Yes.
Can you add subscriptions?
Yes.
Can you add loyalty?
Yes.
Will the app share accounts with our website?
Yes, through the commerce platform.
Can you build a B2B ordering app?
Yes.
Native or cross-platform?
Cross-platform suits most commerce apps.
How do push notifications help sales?
They bring customers back for drops, offers and reorders.
Can you build a headless storefront?
Yes.
Do you help market the app?
Yes.
What tech stack do you use?
React Native or Flutter, commerce APIs, Node.js.
How much maintenance is required?
Platform and OS updates; plan monthly support.
What should I look for in an ecommerce app developer?
Commerce integrations and conversion UX.
Can you personalize recommendations?
Yes.
Can you track orders in the app?
Yes.
Who owns the app?
You do.
Where is Progression Agency located?
New York City, serving brands nationwide.

Sources and further reading

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  2. Google: creating helpful, reliable, people-first content
  3. Google: intro to structured data
  4. Google: LocalBusiness structured data
  5. Google: FAQPage structured data
  6. Google: Article structured data
  7. Google: Product structured data
  8. Google: title links in search results
  9. Google: control your snippets
  10. Google: robots.txt introduction
  11. Google: sitemaps overview
  12. Google: consolidate duplicate URLs
  13. Google: redirects and Search
  14. Google: JavaScript SEO basics
  15. Google: multi-regional and multilingual sites
  16. Google Search Central Blog
  17. Google: get started with Search Console
  18. Google: how local search results are determined
  19. Google Business Profile: prohibited and restricted content
  20. Google Business Profile: address and service area guidelines
  21. Google Business Profile: review policy
  22. Google Business Profile: add or edit categories
  23. Google Ads: location targeting settings
  24. Google Ads: about negative keywords
  25. Google Ads: about Quality Score
  26. Google Ads: importing offline conversions
  27. Google Ads: about Smart Bidding
  28. Google Ads: about Performance Max
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  30. Google Ads: keyword match types
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  180. Hootsuite
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  185. GA4: events and conversions
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  187. Plausible Analytics
  188. Similarweb
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  191. Australian OAIC
  192. European Data Protection Board
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  199. Smashing Magazine
  200. web.dev
  201. MDN: web media
  202. MDN: the video element
  203. ISO 21001 (reference)
  204. Buma/Stemra (Netherlands)
  205. STIM (Sweden)
  206. Teosto (Finland)
  207. Koda (Denmark)
  208. TONO (Norway)
  209. IMRO (Ireland)
  210. SGAE (Spain)
  211. ZAiKS (Poland)
  212. KOMCA (South Korea)
  213. MCSC (China)
  214. CISAC
  215. World Intellectual Property Organization
  216. TikTok: creating videos
  217. TikTok: exploring videos
  218. TikTok: privacy settings
  219. TikTok: growing your audience
  220. TikTok Creator Academy
  221. TikTok Effect House
  222. TikTok for small business
  223. Instagram: Reels help
  224. YouTube: Shorts best practice
  225. How YouTube recommends
  226. Pinterest Predicts
  227. Snapchat for Business
  228. Hootsuite blog
  229. Social Media Examiner
  230. Marketing Week
  231. Adweek
  232. App Store Review Guidelines
  233. Google Play Data safety
  234. React Native
  235. Flutter
  236. Shopify developer docs

Planning an app?We design, build, launch and maintain iOS, Android and web apps, with a written scope before any code.

Get an app proposal

Get a free marketing proposal

Tell us what you are trying to grow and we will come back with a plan, not a pitch deck. Same-day reply on weekdays.

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