Custom App for E-commerce: When Is It Worth Investing?

App personalizado para e-commerce: quando vale a pena investir?

E-commerce is experiencing a moment where the mobile experience has become decisive in attracting and retaining consumers. In this context, the custom app emerges as a tool capable of transforming the way people interact with brands and make purchases.

Many companies have already realized that the constant use of smartphones opens the door to creating proprietary, more practical, and intuitive channels. In this scenario, a custom app enables exclusive features and integrations that boost engagement and increase repurchase rates.

This strategy puts the brand right in the customer’s pocket — ready to be accessed anytime, anywhere. Want to understand how this new reality works? Keep reading!

How Mobile Is Dominating Digital Purchases

The smartphone has taken on a central role in online retail, driven by the habit of quick and constant internet access. Today, most online purchases happen directly from the palm of one’s hand. According to data published by CNDL, about 91% of all internet users have made a purchase using their smartphone within a 12-month period.

This completely changes how companies plan and execute sales strategies. This behavior represents a major opportunity to create more intuitive and immediate experiences. When consumers find agility and convenience, they tend to return more often and increase their average purchase value.

Still, many websites continue to offer limited experiences for mobile users, which can lead to drop-offs and lost customers. Therefore, understanding mobile’s dominance helps guide investments and define which resources can best drive results.

What Does It Mean to Have a Custom App?

A custom app is an application developed to meet the specific needs of a business while respecting its brand identity and audience behavior. Unlike generic solutions, it’s designed to create a smoother navigation experience, with layouts and features aligned with the business strategy.

It allows the inclusion of exclusive features such as loyalty programs, targeted notifications, and integrations with existing systems. Each customer interaction is carefully planned to offer convenience and increase satisfaction during the buying process.

This type of solution also provides more control over the experience, enabling A/B testing, improvements, and maintaining a consistent visual identity across all screens. As a result, the app becomes a direct channel to strengthen relationships and encourage repeat purchases.

When Is It Worth Investing in a Custom App?

There are moments when developing a custom app stops being just an idea and becomes a logical step toward operational growth. Recognizing these signs helps allocate resources effectively and accelerate results.

Below are some common scenarios where investing in a custom app can generate real impact, along with strategic advantages. Keep reading!

High Mobile Traffic but Low Conversion

When a significant number of visitors access your site from mobile devices but few complete their purchases, that’s a clear sign something needs to change. Often, the buying journey isn’t as smooth as it should be—due to complex steps, slow loading times, or a layout poorly adapted for touch navigation.

A custom app solves these pain points by offering a navigation experience designed specifically for mobile, with strategically placed buttons, simplified processes, and features that streamline checkout. These improvements typically lead to higher conversion rates and revenue growth.

Loyal Customer Base and Focus on Repeat Purchases

Brands that already have a loyal customer base can use an app to strengthen relationships and maintain customer interest. It’s possible to create exclusive campaigns for returning buyers, offer progressive benefits, and apply strategies that increase the average order value.

A custom app allows for targeted messaging, well-timed notifications, and closer communication, increasing the chances of repeat purchases before the customer even considers a competitor.

Frequent Campaigns and Seasonality

Brands that rely on frequent launches, seasonal promotions, or holiday sales need to act fast to seize opportunities. With an app, communication happens instantly, using features like interactive banners, countdown timers, and flash offers.

This level of agility is hard to achieve solely through websites or external channels, as customers don’t always see posts at the right moment. A custom app puts the brand in the customer’s pocket and makes it easy to create time-sensitive experiences that drive urgency and sales.

Owning a Channel — Without Depending on Paid Media Algorithms

Being active on social media and marketplaces is important, but relying exclusively on them leaves your business vulnerable to algorithm changes or rising ad costs.

A custom app creates an independent channel where your brand controls communication, navigation flow, and product offerings. It allows continuous contact with your customer base without competing for attention against dozens of brands on a social feed.

This autonomy also helps reduce recurring paid media expenses and lets you reinvest in more strategic growth initiatives.

The Need to Deliver an Enhanced Experience

When the goal is to elevate the level of interaction and deliver something unique that customers can’t easily find elsewhere, a custom app stands out. It enables exclusive features such as real-time order tracking, purchase history, smart recommendations, and even interactive content sections.

This approach goes beyond simply improving the shopping experience—it also strengthens brand perception, builds positive recall, and encourages ongoing engagement.

Mobfiq: Autonomy and Results in App Commerce

Among the available options for building a custom app, the Mobfiq platform stands out for giving businesses full control and autonomy. It allows adjustments to the home layout, features, and certain integrations without constantly relying on external teams—speeding up app evolution and keeping the experience fresh.

Mobfiq offers features that directly impact conversion and scalability. Functionalities such as native Live Commerce, infinite scrolling, and integration with InstaShop and Lookbook increase repurchase rates, raise the average ticket value, and strengthen customer loyalty—since users see real advantages in returning to buy again.

Another key point is that any App Commerce built with Mobfiq is designed from the start to enhance customer relationships. It centralizes interactions, simplifies communication, and ensures every touchpoint is an opportunity to generate more revenue. For brands looking to grow in mobile and build a solid base of engaged customers, this solution is a true strategic ally.

Ultimately, investing in a custom app could be the missing piece to transform your mobile sales performance. When well planned — and powered by the right tool — it becomes a direct relationship channel and a growth engine for e-commerce.

Want to take your e-commerce to the next level with a custom app?Discover Mobfiq and see how to transform your online operation.

Written by:
Isabele Medeiros,
Product Owner
at Corebiz