Shopify Mobile App for Turkish Customers: Unlocking Turkey’s Mobile Commerce Potential

The Turkish e-commerce market is booming, with sales reaching over $27 billion by 2024 and expected to grow significantly in the coming years. Amid this growth wave, mobile commerce has emerged as a mainstream trend, accounting for nearly 50% of all online transactions, thanks to the 98.2% smartphone internet penetration. At the same time, the Shopify ecosystem is expanding rapidly, becoming the preferred platform for retailers looking to conquer the digital market. With consumers increasingly prioritizing fast, smooth, and personalized experiences, having a Shopify mobile app is no longer an option, but a survival strategy. This article will help you understand why the Shopify mobile app is the key to success in Türkiye and guide you on how to maximize Shopify’s potential for sustainable growth.

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2. Turkey’s Dynamic Mobile Commerce Landscape: A Deep Dive

Market Size, Growth, and Projections

The Turkish e-commerce market demonstrates significant scale and a robust growth trajectory. In 2024, the market generated US$27,345 million in revenue, with its online share of total retail revenue standing at 5-10%. The e-commerce sector’s contribution to overall trade volume increased to 20.3% in 2023. Looking ahead, the market is projected to grow by 10-15% in 2025, reaching US$31,265.6 million. By 2028, this expansion is expected to continue, with revenues anticipated to hit US$38.39 billion, reflecting a projected annual growth rate of 10.21% by the end of the decade. The social commerce segment alone is forecast to grow from US$1.64 billion in 2024 to US$6.05 billion by 2030, highlighting a specific area of rapid digital evolution.  

User penetration is also on an upward trend, predicted to reach 30.3% with 31.9 million users by 2029. The proportion of e-commerce customers has already grown from 46% in 2022 to 50% in 2023. The average estimated revenue per user stands at US$1,330. A notable characteristic of the Turkish e-commerce market is its high cart abandonment rate, which was between 74.0-74.5% in 2024. This metric points to a significant opportunity for conversion optimization, a challenge that dedicated mobile applications are well-equipped to address through streamlined checkout processes and timely push notifications.  

Demographics and Digital Adoption

Turkey’s demographic profile is a major driver of digital adoption. With over 40% of the population under 25 and an average age of 32, the country is home to a tech-savvy, digitally engaged youth. High internet (86.5%) and smartphone (98.9%) penetration further fuel this trend. As of January 2024, Turkey’s 86.04 million people include 74.41 million internet users, with 98.8% accessing the web via smartphones, creating an ideal environment for mobile-first solutions.

Digital payments and mobile commerce are rapidly growing, reflecting rising digital literacy. Turkish consumers shop online frequently: 4% weekly, 11% biweekly, and 44% monthly. This consistent activity supports strong customer loyalty and repeat purchases through mobile apps.

The young, mobile-native population and near-universal smartphone use create a self-reinforcing cycle: consumer demand drives innovation, which strengthens mobile commerce. For e-commerce businesses, a dedicated Shopify mobile app isn’t just beneficial, it’s a strategic necessity to match the behavior of Turkey’s leading consumer segment.

Key E-commerce Categories and Leading Platforms

Understanding the dominant product categories and leading platforms is crucial for strategic market entry and growth. Electronics consistently remains the largest category in Turkey’s e-commerce landscape, contributing 42% or 42.5% of the total e-commerce revenue. Fashion and Apparel follow, accounting for 25.5% and demonstrating continued growth potential. Other significant categories include Care Products (19.6%), Hobby & Leisure (10.7%), and Grocery (9.3%). Notably, Apparel also leads in estimated monthly sales, reaching US$114.12 billion.  

The Turkish e-commerce market is dominated by a few key platforms. Trendyol.com holds the top position, commanding an estimated 35-40% market share and generating online revenue of US$4,909 million in 2024. Trendyol’s success, particularly in fashion and electronics, is attributed to its fast delivery services, strong mobile app presence, and aggressive discounting strategies. Other prominent players include Hepsiburada.com and Migros.com.tr, n11 with a 10-12% market share, and Amazon Türkiye, which has gained traction with nearly 6% of the market.  

Evolving Consumer Behavior and Trends

Turkish consumer behavior is evolving rapidly, driven by several key trends that highlight the need for mobile-first strategies. Foremost among these is the rise of mobile shopping, with smartphones now the primary channel for online purchases. Consumers are increasingly drawn to e-commerce due to its convenience, wider product choices, and competitive pricing.

In parallel, digital payment innovation is reshaping the buying experience. Local payment providers like iyzico and PayTR are widely preferred, while installment options account for a remarkable 65% of credit card transactions, making them essential for driving conversions. Additionally, contactless and biometric payments are on the rise, reflecting a shift toward faster, more secure transactions.

At the same time, social media has become a cornerstone of the Turkish e-commerce landscape. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube are heavily used for product discovery and brand engagement, often amplified by influencer partnerships. This has fueled strong growth in social commerce, projected to reach US$6.05 billion by 2030.

Meanwhile, AI is becoming deeply embedded in e-commerce operations. Businesses are leveraging it for personalized product recommendations, dynamic pricing, and targeted advertising. The emergence of large language models is also enhancing customer interactions and enabling more agile demand response.

Another major development is the rise of omnichannel strategies, which blend online and offline experiences into a seamless journey. Complementing this is the explosive growth of quick commerce, soaring from US$66 million in 2019 to US$3.87 billion in 2023, driven by consumer demand for near-instant delivery, often within an hour.

Together, these trends are converging to redefine consumer expectations. Mobile devices have become the hub where Turkish shoppers discover products (via social platforms), receive personalized offers (through AI), and expect rapid fulfillment (via quick commerce). As a result, simply offering a mobile-friendly site is no longer enough.

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Preferred Payment Methods and Delivery Expectations

Understanding payment preferences and delivery expectations is paramount for e-commerce success in Turkey. Credit cards, particularly Visa and Mastercard, are highly popular, constituting 65% of online transactions. A critical aspect of credit card usage is the prevalence of installment options, which are a key driver in the market and are utilized in 65% of credit card transactions. 

Beyond international cards, local payment methods such as iyzico, PayTR, BKM Express (an eWallet), and Troy (a domestic card scheme) are gaining significant popularity and are preferred by Turkish consumers. The use of digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay is also steadily increasing, especially among younger demographics. It is also important to note that traditional methods like cash on delivery remain relevant, catering to a broader customer base and fostering trust.  

Regarding delivery, the explosive growth of quick commerce underscores a strong demand for ultra-fast delivery services. Consumers generally express satisfaction with their online shopping delivery experiences. The provision of easy return services further enhances customer satisfaction. Top e-commerce players are actively establishing Pick-Up and Drop-Off (PUDO) points to offer self-collection options, providing additional flexibility for consumers.  

The following table outlines the preferred online payment methods in Turkey:

Table 3: Preferred Online Payment Methods in Turkey

3. Shopify’s Footprint in Turkey’s E-commerce Ecosystem

Current Presence and Growth Trajectory

Shopify has established a notable presence in the Turkish e-commerce market. As of June 6, 2025, 12,467 live Shopify stores are operating in Turkey. The platform’s growth in the country is particularly significant, demonstrating increasing adoption and confidence among Turkish merchants. Shopify stores in Turkey saw a 6.7% increase quarter-over-quarter in Q1 2025 and a substantial 42% year-over-year increase in the same period. This rapid expansion indicates a growing embrace of the Shopify platform by businesses across the country. Furthermore, there are 74 Shopify Plus stores in Turkey, catering to larger, enterprise-level businesses that require advanced functionalities and scalability. Geographically, İstanbul serves as the primary hub for Shopify stores, hosting 6,185 of them, which reflects its status as Turkey’s commercial capital.  

Market Share Analysis

Shopify powers 11.37K stores in Turkey, accounting for 11.52% of all online stores. This makes it the third most used platform, following WooCommerce (36.64%) and Custom Cart (12.59%). However, when looking at estimated monthly revenue, Shopify does not appear among the top-performing platforms. This suggests that while many small to mid-sized businesses use Shopify, the highest revenues are likely generated by stores on custom-built or more dominant platforms.

Nevertheless, Shopify is experiencing strong momentum, with a 42% year-over-year growth in store count. This rapid increase highlights its growing appeal among new and emerging merchants. The gap between the number of stores and their share of revenue presents a clear opportunity: by adopting mobile app solutions, these Shopify merchants can improve customer engagement, increase sales, and enhance their competitiveness. In turn, this can help them close the revenue gap with larger players and reflects a maturing, increasingly diverse Shopify ecosystem.

Prominent Shopify Stores and Ecosystem

The Shopify ecosystem in Turkey is vibrant and active, with various prominent stores demonstrating the platform’s versatility across different product categories. Notable examples include Galen Leather, Les Benjamins, Derimod, Carpetdocia, and Anker Resmi Distribütör. These businesses showcase the diverse range of products and brands leveraging Shopify for their online presence in Turkey.  

The platform’s app ecosystem is also robust, with Turkish Shopify merchants actively integrating tools to enhance their stores. Popular applications include E‑Ticaret & KVKK Sözleşmeleri, Shopify Inbox, BUCKS Currency Converter PRO++, Judge.me Product Reviews App, and PageFly Landing Page Builder, all of which show high installation rates. This indicates a strong demand among Turkish merchants for solutions that improve their store functionality, customer experience, and operational efficiency. 

Furthermore, local Shopify development companies, such as Mariox Software, offer specialized services tailored for the Turkish market, including custom store design, app integration, and mobile app development. These firms emphasize mobile-first solutions for various sectors, including fashion, lifestyle, electronics, and direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands, reflecting the growing importance of mobile commerce in the region.  

4. Unlocking Growth: The Power of a Dedicated Shopify Mobile App for Turkish Customers

Why Mobile Apps Outperform Mobile Websites?

In mobile-first markets like Turkey, dedicated apps offer clear advantages over responsive websites. Users typically spend more time on apps, leading to deeper engagement. Thanks to advanced gestures and greater design flexibility, apps also deliver a more interactive and enjoyable experience.

One major benefit is performance. App pages load faster than mobile websites, and you know, it’s crucial in a market where users abandon slow-loading pages within seconds. Faster load times lead to better satisfaction and lower bounce rates. Additionally, apps can personalize the shopping experience by storing user preferences and order history, enabling highly targeted recommendations that drive loyalty.

Beyond personalization, apps offer offline functionality and better access to device features like cameras, GPS, and biometrics, capabilities that elevate the overall user experience beyond what mobile browsers can provide.

Core Benefits for Merchants

For Shopify merchants, mobile apps are powerful tools for strengthening customer relationships. Loyalty programs within apps can deliver personalized rewards and seamless experiences that websites often lack.

Apps also boost brand visibility. With custom designs and app icons on users’ screens, merchants can enhance brand recognition and recall. Operationally, mobile apps streamline checkout flows, reduce cart abandonment, and increase conversions. They also support backend integrations, automate tasks, and unlock new revenue channels through in-app purchases and subscriptions.

Moreover, apps provide access to rich analytics, tracking user behavior, engagement, and preferences. These insights help merchants fine-tune their strategies, create personalized campaigns, and improve over time. Finally, with features like push notifications, mobile apps serve as always-on marketing tools, helping merchants reduce advertising costs while maximizing engagement.

Advantages for Turkish Consumers

A dedicated mobile app offers significant advantages tailored to the unique behaviors and expectations of Turkish consumers. In a market that values speed, personalization, and practicality, mobile apps deliver a superior experience that mobile websites simply can’t match. Here’s how mobile apps directly meet the needs of Turkish consumers:

• Unmatched convenience and mobility: Apps allow consumers to shop and pay anytime, anywhere, literally putting a store in their pocket. This aligns perfectly with the Turkish preference for on-the-go, hassle-free shopping.
• Faster performance: Mobile apps load significantly faster than websites, which is crucial in a market where speed is closely tied to user satisfaction and conversion rates.
• Highly personalized experiences: Apps save user preferences and deliver tailored campaigns based on shopping behavior, features that Turkish omnichannel shoppers value highly.
• Effective direct communication: Push notifications keep users engaged with timely updates on offers, promotions, and order statuses, therefore bypassing spam filters and encouraging repeat visits.
• Seamless checkout and payment flexibility: Apps integrate local payment methods like iyzico and PayTR, including installment plans, and support secure contactless payments for smoother, faster transactions.
• Stronger customer loyalty: Features such as loyalty programs, personalized promotions, and real-time delivery tracking create a sense of being valued, turning one-time buyers into repeat customers.
• Increased customer lifetime value (CLV): By reducing friction and enhancing satisfaction, mobile apps boost retention and repeat purchases, transforming convenience into lasting brand loyalty.

5. Tailoring the Mobile App Experience for Turkish Shoppers: Key Features

To succeed in Turkey’s mobile-first eCommerce market, a Shopify mobile app must be tailored to local user behaviors and preferences. Below are the core features that drive engagement, trust, and conversions.

1. Intuitive UI/UX and Fast Performance

Turkish users expect seamless, fast, and visually appealing app experiences. Simple navigation and clean design enhance user satisfaction and loyalty. Since 74–74.5% of carts are abandoned in Turkey, a quick-loading interface and one-step checkout are critical. By minimizing friction during the buying process, merchants can directly improve conversions and recover lost sales.

2. Deep Localization and Cultural Fit

Localization goes beyond translation. While Turkish is written left-to-right, including Right-to-Left (RTL) menu support, like what Simicart offers, shows attention to broader regional habits and user comfort. Effective localization also involves adapting content, visuals, and UI to local cultural norms, supported by native-speaking translators. This creates a more natural and trustworthy experience, making users feel the app was built for them, not just adapted.

3. Flexible Payment Options

Supporting local payment preferences is essential. Alongside global methods like Visa and Mastercard, apps should integrate popular Turkish gateways such as iyzico, PayTR, BKM Express, and Troy. Offering installment options—used in 65% of card transactions—is a major conversion driver. Additionally, including digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay) and cash on delivery broadens appeal across demographics.

4. Social Commerce and Engagement Tools

Turkish consumers are highly active on social media, making seamless integration with platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube a must. Embedding product reviews through tools like Judge.me or Loox builds trust. WhatsApp, the country’s top messaging app, is vital for live chat and instant customer support.

5. Personalization and Loyalty

Personalized experiences are powerful motivators. Apps should use customer data to recommend products, offer tailored deals, and implement in-app exclusives. Features like loyalty programs and AI-powered dynamic pricing reflect Turkey’s growing preference for affordability and convenience, mirroring the success of local “super apps.”

6. Order Tracking and Easy Returns

Real-time tracking increases transparency, while simple, clear return policies build user confidence. These features are especially appreciated by Turkish shoppers and contribute to a frictionless post-purchase experience.

7. Smart Push Notifications

Push notifications are a proven re-engagement tool. Whether alerting users about abandoned carts, restocked items, or flash sales, they drive action and repeat visits. With 63% of users favoring apps that send relevant alerts, this feature becomes a key retention strategy.

>> See more: 15 Best Features For Shopify Mobile App [Must-have to Advanced]

6. Building Your Shopify Mobile App: App Builders vs. Custom Development

When considering the development of a dedicated mobile app for a Shopify store, merchants typically face two primary approaches: utilizing a mobile app builder or opting for custom app development. Each method presents distinct advantages and disadvantages in terms of cost, time, flexibility, and ongoing maintenance.

Method 1: Shopify Mobile App Builders

Pros:

• Speed to Market: App builders significantly reduce development time, allowing apps to be launched in days or weeks, as opposed to several months for custom development. Some platforms, like Simicart, claim the ability to test an app in 15 minutes and launch it in as little as 60 minutes.  
• Cost-Effectiveness: This approach is considerably more affordable than custom development, typically operating on a monthly or annual subscription model ranging from $50 to $500 per month, with premium services potentially reaching up to $949 per month. This eliminates the need for substantial upfront capital investment, making it an ideal solution for small and mid-sized businesses.  
• No-Code/Low-Code Approach: App builders provide intuitive visual drag-and-drop interfaces, eliminating the need for programming skills. The platform handles the underlying coding complexities, making app creation accessible to non-technical users.  
• Simplified Maintenance: App builders take on the responsibility for ongoing maintenance, including updates, bug fixes, operating system compatibility, and security patches. This significantly reduces the merchant’s long-term overhead and eliminates the need for dedicated technical staff.  
• Built-in Features: Many app builder platforms come equipped with essential native features such as push notifications, analytics, and social sharing functionalities right out-of-the-box, saving development time and complexity.  

Cons:

• Potential Limitations in Deep Customization: While app builders offer extensive customization options, they may not provide the absolute flexibility and unique feature development capabilities that a custom-coded solution can offer, especially for highly niche or complex requirements.  
• Recurring Subscription Costs: An ongoing monthly or annual fee is required to maintain the app’s functionality and access the platform’s services.  

Technical Considerations:

• Importance of Native App Support: It is crucial to select an app builder that supports true native app development for both iOS and Android. Native apps offer enhanced performance, improved user experience, offline functionality, and full access to device features like the camera, GPS, and push notifications.  
• Real-Time Data Synchronization: The chosen app builder must ensure seamless, real-time synchronization of product information, inventory levels, and order statuses between the Shopify store and the mobile application.

>> Explore: 15 Best Mobile App Builders For Shopify in 2025

Method 2: Custom Mobile App Development

Pros:

• Maximum Customization and Unique Functionality: Custom development allows for building an app precisely tailored to specific business needs, without any compromises. This includes the creation of highly unique features, interfaces, and workflows. This approach is essential for businesses requiring highly specialized functionalities, such as advanced Augmented Reality (AR) or Virtual Reality (VR) features.  
• Superior Native Performance: Custom-built native apps generally deliver the smoothest animations, best responsiveness, and optimized performance, leading to a superior user experience.  
• Full Ownership: The business gains complete ownership of the app’s source code, providing full control over future modifications and eliminating dependency on a third-party platform’s roadmap or limitations.  

Cons:

• High Upfront Investment: Custom app development demands a significant initial capital outlay. Basic apps typically cost between $20,000 and $100,000, while complex applications can reach $300,000 or more.  
• Extended Development Timelines: The process of building a custom app is lengthy, usually taking 3 to 9 months from concept to launch, a stark contrast to the days or weeks required by app builders.  
• Ongoing Maintenance Complexities and Costs: Custom apps require continuous maintenance, including debugging, feature updates, and security enhancements. This often necessitates hiring an in-house developer or contracting an agency, adding substantial long-term costs.  
• Reliance on API Versions and Rate Limits: Custom apps must be consistently updated to align with Shopify’s quarterly API versions to prevent malfunctions. They are also subject to API rate limits, which can cause performance issues during periods of high traffic.  

Technical Considerations:

• Understanding Shopify’s API Ecosystem: Developers must possess a deep understanding of Shopify’s various APIs, including the Admin API (for store data), Storefront API (for front-end interactions), GraphQL API (for efficient data querying), and REST API (for managing orders, products, and checkout processes).  
• Choosing Appropriate Development Frameworks: Decisions must be made regarding development frameworks. Options include native development tools (Swift for iOS, Kotlin for Android) for maximum performance, or cross-platform frameworks like React Native or Flutter, which allow for a single codebase across both platforms.  
• Scalability and Security: Building a custom app requires careful consideration of performance under load, utilization of scalable cloud infrastructure, robust data encryption, and strict adherence to data privacy regulations such as GDPR and CCPA.  
• Mobile Optimization: Ensuring the app is fully responsive and functions correctly across various screen sizes is essential for merchant satisfaction, particularly since many merchants access the Shopify admin panel from mobile devices. 

Key considerations for building a Shopify mobile app in Turkey

For the vast majority of Shopify merchants in Turkey, particularly small to mid-sized businesses, the cost-benefit ratio and speed-to-market advantages offered by mobile app builders significantly outweigh the perceived benefits of custom development. Custom development is typically reserved for enterprise-level brands that require highly niche and exceptionally complex functionalities. Most e-commerce brands, especially the rapidly growing Shopify base in Turkey, operate on thinner margins and possess smaller technical teams. 

Custom development, with its high upfront costs and extended timelines, often proves impractical and financially risky for these businesses. In contrast, app builders offer immediate return on investment and reduce the operational burden by handling ongoing maintenance, updates, and compatibility issues. This aligns much more effectively with the business models and resource constraints of typical Shopify merchants. 

This suggests that the most pragmatic and profitable path for building a Shopify mobile app for the Turkish market is almost universally through an app builder, unless the business is an outlier enterprise demanding highly specialized, device-integrated features (e.g., AR/VR) that cannot be achieved with a builder.

7. Simicart: The Optimal Solution for Shopify Mobile App in Turkey

Simicart presents itself as a highly effective and accessible solution for Shopify merchants seeking to establish a robust mobile presence in the Turkish market. It is positioned as an easy-to-use, no-code mobile app builder designed to transform Shopify stores into attractive Android and iOS applications. The platform’s core value proposition revolves around boosting conversions, reducing expenses, and enabling risk-free sales growth. Simicart is specifically engineered to facilitate a business’s transition to mobile as its primary sales channel and to significantly enhance customer loyalty.  

Key Features Aligned with Turkish Mobile Shopping Behavior

Simicart’s feature set is well-aligned with the unique mobile shopping behaviors prevalent in Turkey:

• Drag-and-Drop Interface & Pre-built Templates: The intuitive drag-and-drop interface, coupled with pre-built templates and customizable blocks, simplifies the app design process without requiring any coding expertise. This directly addresses the need for quick setup and ease of use, allowing merchants to launch their app swiftly.  
• Multi-Language & Multi-Currency Support: This is an essential feature for a market like Turkey, which has a strong domestic focus but also a growing interest in cross-border commerce. It supports a global strategy and caters to diverse user preferences.  
• Unlimited Push Notifications: This is a powerful tool for engaging customers, enabling merchants to send promotions, abandoned cart reminders, and order updates at no additional cost. This directly caters to the Turkish consumer’s preference for direct communication and personalized offers.  
• In-App Exclusive Discounts & Product Labels: These features facilitate targeted promotions and highlight special offers, appealing to Turkish consumers’ strong value for affordability and deals.  
• WhatsApp Live Chat Integration: This is a crucial feature for customer support and engagement in Turkey, given that WhatsApp is the most widely used messenger app among locals.  
• Advanced Product Filters & Search: These functionalities enhance product discovery and navigation within the app, aligning with the consumer’s need for a seamless and efficient user journey.  
• OTP Login: Providing a One-Time Password (OTP) login method offers a secure and convenient authentication process, which is increasingly preferred in mobile-first environments.  
• Real-Time Sync: This ensures that product information, inventory levels, and order statuses are always up-to-date between the Shopify store and the mobile app, providing a consistent experience for both merchants and customers.  
• One-Step Checkout: By streamlining the purchasing process into a single page, Simicart directly addresses the high cart abandonment rates observed in Turkey, thereby improving conversion efficiency.  

The following table details Simicart’s pricing plans and key features:

Table 6: Simicart Pricing and Key Features

8. Conclusion: Seizing the Mobile Commerce Opportunity in Turkey

To truly capitalize on this immense potential, Shopify merchants operating in Turkey must transition beyond mere mobile-responsive websites and embrace the power of dedicated mobile applications. A purpose-built mobile app enables deeper customer engagement, delivers superior performance, facilitates highly personalized shopping experiences, and establishes direct communication channels through features like push notifications. These capabilities are not just advantageous; they are critical for achieving success in the competitive Turkish market. 

For Turkish merchants, building a Shopify mobile app is achievable through no-code app builders like SimiCart or custom development with Shopify’s Mobile Buy SDK. SimiCart stands out as the best solution, offering a free, user-friendly platform with advanced features tailored to Turkey’s mobile shopping behaviors. With SimiCart, businesses can launch a high-converting app quickly and affordably, positioning themselves for success in Turkey’s dynamic e-commerce landscape.

Ready to transform your Shopify store into a mobile app? Start with SimiCart today and unlock the full potential of mobile commerce in Turkey