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Having a mobile application for your Shopify store can indubitably help improve customer engagement and increase sales. This is because mobile applications are more personalized, load faster, and allow people to shop even when they are not seated with a computer. So, can I turn Shopify store into mobile app? The answer is YES. You can convert Shopify into mobile app by using a Shopify mobile app builder.
In this guide, Simicart will offer you detailed instructions on how to convert your Shopify store to mobile app for free and what strategies and tactics to consider choosing the best Shopify mobile application builder.
Now, don’t hesitate again. Let’s begin!
>> See more:
- Mobile app trends for Shopify stores
- 5 Best Free AI Shopify Store Builders in 2025
- 10+ Best Shopify Mobile App Template [UI and Code]
Mobile app vs Mobile site for Shopify
With mobile commerce (m-commerce) booming, Shopify merchants face a crucial question: Should they stick with a mobile-optimized website or invest in a mobile app? Here are key differences between the mobile app and Mobile site for Shopify:
| Feature | Mobile App | Mobile Site |
| Functionality | Offers advanced features like AR/VR, offline access, and push notifications. | Primarily a responsive version of the desktop site, optimized for mobile devices. |
| Data Collection & Personalization | Collects comprehensive customer data for deep personalization. | Limited to basic web metrics with less ability to track user behavior. |
| User Experience & Engagement | Converts better due to ease of use and faster loading times. | Can be slower and less engaging compared to apps. |
| Cost & Complexity | Higher upfront costs but offers better long-term ROI. Requires complex development. | Lower upfront costs and simpler to maintain. |
| SEO & Visibility | Not indexed by search engines, but listed in app stores. | Better for search engine rankings due to mobile-first indexing. |
| Offline Access | Allows offline browsing and checkout initiation. | Requires internet connection at all times. |
| Push Notifications | Enables targeted marketing through push notifications. | Does not support push notifications. |
| Pros | – Personalized experience – Offline access- Push notifications- Higher conversion rates | – Cost-effective – Easy maintenance- SEO benefits- Broader reach |
| Cons | – Higher development costs – Complex maintenance- Limited visibility in search engines | – Limited functionality – Less engaging experience- No offline access- No push notifications |
To summarize this difference, the mobile web is like the top-of-the-funnel (TOFU) to attract new users. While Shopify mobile app for e-commerce is like the bottom-of-the-funnel (BOFU), retaining loyal customers for you. Therefore, if you want to reach a wider paid audience, you may need to have both a mobile web and a mobile app.
Tips: Simicart mentioned How to optimize Shopify store for mobile in a previous article, you can learn more before continuing with the content below.
Mobile app benefits for Shopify store
The comparison between mobile apps and mobile sites has already shown that apps significantly outperform websites in terms of conversions, engagement, and retention. But exactly, why build a mobile app for Shopify? Here are four game-changing benefits that prove investing in an app is a smart move for your Shopify store.
- Increasing sales: Faster checkout and frictionless UX lead to higher conversions, therefore helping increase sales. Specifically, mobile apps convert 3x more than mobile sites, boost AOV by 30%, and use push notifications to drive instant purchases.
- Improving customer experience: AI-driven recommendations increase repeat purchases by 40%, while app-exclusive loyalty programs and push notifications keep customers engaged. Personalization enhances user experience, making them more likely to return.
- Enhancing Shopify store performance: Apps load 1.5x faster, offer offline browsing, and reduce bounce rates. Faster access and real-time inventory updates improve shopping efficiency.
- Improving Shopify checkout: Features like one-click checkout, Face ID payments, mobile payments integration, and saved carts cut cart abandonment from 97% (mobile web) to 20% (apps). A frictionless checkout keeps users from dropping off.
How to turn Shopify store into mobile app?
Turning your Shopify store into a mobile app is a game-changer, but to ensure a seamless transition, you need a strategic approach. Follow these key steps to successfully create Shopify mobile app:
Convert shopify store to mobile app using Shopify mobile app maker
Using Shopify mobile app maker is the fastest and most cost-effective way to transform your Shopify store into mobile app. These tools sync with your Shopify store, pulling products, collections, and settings into an app-friendly layout.
Step 1: Optimize Your Shopify Store for Mobile
Before converting your Shopify store into an app, make sure your website is already optimized for mobile. A responsive design, fast loading speed, and intuitive navigation are crucial to providing a smooth user experience. Test your store on different mobile devices to identify any UX/UI issues that could affect your app’s performance.
Step 2: Choose the Right Shopify Mobile App Builder
Select a reliable Shopify mobile app builder that meets your needs. Compare different options like Simicart, Tapcart, Vajro, Shopney,… considering features, pricing, and user reviews. A well-chosen app builder will allow you to seamlessly sync your store’s products, categories, and checkout process with your mobile app.
Step 3: Customize Your Mobile App’s UI & Branding
Your mobile app should reflect your brand identity while offering a smooth shopping experience. Customize UI elements such as layout, colors, fonts, and navigation. Add your logo and optimize the interface for effortless browsing. Most app builders offer drag-and-drop customization, so you can design your app without coding knowledge.
Step 4: Configure and Test Your Mobile App
Integrate your Shopify store with the app, ensuring your product catalog, payment gateways, and push notifications are properly set up. Run thorough tests on different devices to check for bugs, loading issues, and checkout flow errors. Testing ensures a flawless shopping experience before launching your mobile app with Shopify.
Step 5: Publish & Promote Your App
Once everything is in place, follow the submission process for the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Ensure your app meets the necessary guidelines for approval. After launching, actively promote your app via social media, email campaigns, and in-store promotions to drive downloads. Highlight exclusive features like app-only discounts and early access to new products to encourage adoption.
>> Read our article to find the best Shopify app that converts web store into mobile app!
Custom mobile app for Shopify using Shopify’s Mobile Buy SDK
For businesses that need a fully customized mobile shopping experience, Shopify’s Mobile Buy SDK allows you to build a mobile app from the ground up. So how to make Shopify mobile via Shopify’s Mobile Buy SDK? Follow these steps:
Step 1: Plan Your App’s Features & Design
Before diving into development, define the key features your app will offer—such as product browsing, checkout, and push notifications. Next, sketch out the UI/UX design, ensuring it aligns with your brand and provides a seamless shopping experience.
Step 2: Set Up Your Development Environment
Start by installing Node.js and Shopify CLI, which are essential for automating app development tasks. Then, create a Shopify development store to safely test your app before making it live. Setting up the right environment ensures smooth development and debugging.
Step 3: Integrate Shopify’s Mobile Buy SDK
Use Shopify’s Mobile Buy SDK to build a custom storefront within your app. Implement core features such as product discovery, catalog browsing, product details, and checkout. The SDK provides a flexible way to connect your store’s backend to the app interface.
Step 4: Develop & Test Your Mobile App
Begin coding the app, leveraging native mobile features like push notifications and offline access for a richer user experience. Thoroughly test the app on multiple devices to ensure fast performance, bug-free navigation, and seamless checkout functionality.
Step 5: Publish Your App to App Stores
Set up developer accounts on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store, then prepare your app for submission. Follow platform-specific guidelines to ensure a smooth approval process before launching your app to the public.
Step 6: Maintain & Continuously Improve Your App
Once your app is live, monitor performance metrics and user feedback to identify areas for improvement. Regularly release updates with bug fixes, new features, and optimizations to keep your app engaging and competitive.
Tips for launching a shopify mobile app successfully
A well-planned launch can make a huge difference in user adoption and long-term success. Follow these essential strategies to maximize downloads, engagement, and customer retention.
1. Optimize for App Store Visibility (ASO)
To rank higher in app store searches, include relevant keywords in your app title, description, and tags. Use high-quality screenshots and engaging promo videos to showcase your app’s best features. Highlight key benefits like fast checkout and exclusive discounts to encourage downloads.
>> See more: Beginners Guide To App Store Optimization in 2025
2. Use Push Notifications to Drive Engagement
Keep users engaged with personalized push notifications based on their behavior. Send welcome messages with special offers to first-time users and abandoned cart reminders to boost conversions. Segment users for targeted re-engagement campaigns that encourage repeat purchases.
3. Promote Your App Across Multiple Channels
Don’t wait for users to stumble upon your app—put it in front of them. Add prominent banners and pop-ups on your Shopify store, send targeted email campaigns, and leverage social media ads to create buzz. Collaborate with influencers or offer app-exclusive deals to drive downloads. The more exposure, the better.
4. Build Pre-Launch Hype for Maximum Impact
A successful launch starts before the app goes live. Build hype with countdowns, teaser videos, and sneak peeks. Offer early access to VIP customers or beta testers, and use their feedback to refine the experience. The more excitement you generate, the bigger the impact on launch day.
5. Ensure a Flawless User Experience
Nothing kills an app’s success faster than glitches and slow performance. Test rigorously across different devices and operating systems before launch. Keep a regular update schedule to fix bugs, introduce new features, and stay ahead of competitors. A polished, high-performing app keeps users coming back for more.
Convert Shopify store to mobile app free with Simicart
As you know, creating a mobile app from scratch can be expensive, time-consuming, and often requires technical skills that most business owners don’t have. SimiCart eliminates these barriers through a simple, no-code solution that lets you turn your Shopify store into a fully functional mobile app in just a few steps:
Step 1: Nomenclature of the App and Set a Theme
Choose a perfect name that speaks of your brand and choose a theme that will give your app some character. Now SimiCart’s ready-made templates will actually facilitate a faster head start, as you won’t be working with a blank canvas. It’s fast and easy. You can always change later to get it just right.
Step 2: Brand It
You bring your brand to life. Add colors, use font styles, and layout forms according to what fits your vibe. SimiCart allows you to even preview every change to get know how it would look-coding or guesswork.
Step 3: Globalization with Languages
Want to reach customers in every nook and corner? Just add more languages, and voilà! Adding languages to your app will be as easy as a cake. With SimiCart, your app is easily navigable regardless of origin.
Step 4: Add Customer Enjoyment Features
Make your application more valuable by enhancing it with such functionalities such as push notifications to keep your customers informed, wishlist, and reviews to gain the trust of users. No tech skills are required—just some other clicks and you’re ready.
Step 5: Send it to App Stores
SimiCart will then do the hard part of getting your app live on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store – absolutely free! All you need to do is sit back and let them manage the rest.
It is absolutely making inversion of your Shopify store into a mobile app easy, fast, and free of worries. Get that professional app in no time!
Case studies of successful Shopify mobile apps
Sweet city
With high mobile internet usage in South Africa (over 60%), Sweet City recognized the need for a mobile app to enhance customer engagement and provide a seamless shopping experience. They faced challenges in coding an app and navigating complex app store policies. Alternatively, other platforms were either too expensive or lacked key functionalities.
SimiCart provided a free mobile app builder with drag-and-drop tools, allowing Sweet City to turn Shopify store into mobile app without coding skills. Moreover, technical issues with integrating payment methods like Payflex and Payfast were resolved promptly.
- Mobile App Builder: Simicart
- Results: The push notification feature significantly enhanced marketing efforts, helping to recover lost sales and improve customer interactions.
Lumia Coffee
Lumia Coffee, a high-end coffee brand, recognized the growing importance of mobile commerce in their industry. With a significant portion of their customers accessing their store via mobile devices, they identified an opportunity to enhance the shopping experience and increase sales by converting their Shopify store into a mobile app.
- Mobile App Builder: Shopney
- Results: Achieved a 70% increase in mobile conversion rate, 20% of abandoned carts recovered, Top 100 rank among shopping apps
FAQs
How mobile apps increase Shopify conversions?
Mobile apps increase Shopify conversions by providing a seamless and personalized shopping experience. Features like push notifications, fast checkout, and offline access enhance user engagement, leading to higher conversion rates compared to mobile websites.
How to choose a Shopify mobile app builder?
When choosing a Shopify mobile app builder, consider the following:
- Native App Support: Ensures better performance and user experience.
- Customization Options: Allows tailoring the app to your brand.
- Shopify Integration: Seamless syncing of products and customer data.
- Ease of Use: Look for drag-and-drop interfaces.
- Customer Support: Ensure prompt and proactive support
How to measure the success of a Shopify mobile app?
Track key metrics like app downloads, user retention rate, conversion rate, average order value (AOV), and customer lifetime value (CLV). Monitor app store reviews and user feedback for improvements.
>> Explore: 5 Mobile Commerce Metrics to Track and Improve in 2025
What are key mobile app features for shopify stores?
Must-have features include seamless checkout, push notifications, personalized product recommendations, offline mode, in-app chat support, and loyalty program integration.
>> Read more: 15 Best Features For Shopify Mobile App [Must-have to Advanced].
How to market a Shopify mobile app?
Use website banners, social media ads, email marketing, ASO, influencer partnerships, and app-exclusive discounts. Encourage app downloads with incentives like free shipping or loyalty rewards.
>> Explore: 20+ tactics to market a Shopify mobile app
That’s all about how to convert your Shopify store into an app. Thanks to adhering to the procedures detailed in this guide, you can effectively convert your Shopify store into an engaging mobile application.
Keep in mind that a thoughtfully designed mobile application can greatly improve customer experience, boost brand recognition, and elevate sales. Therefore, take the initiative to create a mobile app that distinguishes your Shopify store from its competitors.
Thanks for reading!
