Top 30 Must-have eCommerce App Features You Need to Know in 2024

Do you want to create a mobile application for your eCommerce business to increase your market area, engage more customers, build brand loyalty, and gain a competitive advantage?

In our eyes, it is a fantastic idea, and we are here to help you out.

Below, we have described 30 of the top must-have eCommerce app features that you need to include in your eCommerce application. These features will help you seize the opportunities faster and make users fall in love with your app. 

eCommerce Mobile App Features Introduction

Research expects mobile apps to generate over $930 billion in revenue in 2024.

So, what makes an app unique and helps skyrocket sales? Integrating robust features and ensuring tight security. And that is exactly the topic of our today’s blog.

We will highlight the top essential eCommerce mobile app features. Although integrating all of them is not necessary, each offers a unique advantage, making it a viable option. 

Likewise, using every feature from our mobile app features list will not instantly make your app successful. It is all about understanding each feature, choosing the right ones according to your app and business goals, and striking the perfect balance to ensure a smooth and seamless user experience. 

In simple terms, you must select the eCommerce app features that make your app beneficial for you and your customers. Regarding your business, it must engage the audience, motivate them to stay, build loyalty and trust, and provide a competitive advantage. Concerning the user, it must facilitate their journey, improve the experience, and encourage them to shop more. Do remember that doing it all on your own can be overwhelming. 

So, consider working with a professional and best mobile app development company in Chicago or just schedule a consultation meeting to discuss eCommerce app ideas.

30 Must-Have eCommerce Mobile App Features List

Now, without further ado, let’s jump into the must-have mobile app features list.

1. Login & Registration

The first of many eCommerce app features is a simple and seamless login or registration phase. It is the first step for the user to enter your app and explore around. Since this is the entry door, ensure it is easy and hassle-free.

Also, you can include the ability for them to sign up using external accounts like Facebook, Apple, or Google. Easy and stress-free access leads to a better sign-up rate and improves the satisfaction rate, which ultimately increases the conversion rate. 

2. Guest Access

Sometimes, people don’t actually want to buy something; they just want to explore or, as most like to call it, window-shop. You can choose to deny these shoppers by making the sign-in process mandatory. However, there is a chance these types of shoppers will convert. 

So, you can welcome them as well by including a guest login eCommerce app feature with limited access. It will help window shoppers explore freely inside the marketplace. In order to engage them to register or make a purchase, you can put discounts or deals or other such tactics to persuade them. At some point, they may do so.

3. Search Options

Another helpful eCommerce app feature is the search option, which enables users to easily find what they are looking for. 

It is extremely essential for an eCommerce app to have a search bar feature; otherwise, the customers may lose interest in the application. It is so because no one likes to explore the huge directory of products to find what they are looking for.  

4. Product Filtering

If you are offering a range of products in your eCommerce store, you must include filtering and sorting options. It will reduce the number of steps a customer will have to take to find the product they need. 

As a result, it will increase customer satisfaction and improve sales. Finally, it will improve your brand image and customer loyalty towards you. 

5. Product Description

Although you may think that long, complex product descriptions are useless and no customer actually reads them, we must tell you that is not the case. Users on the platform may like to see pictures, sure, but the description is what explains the product. 

The long descriptions, which you think may seem boring to the users, actually help reduce product returns and dissatisfaction. Customers can carefully understand the product, compare it to their needs, and then make a confident decision. 

6. Product Ratings and Reviews

Did you know? Most shoppers check product and brand reviews before making a purchase. Moreover, some of them even trust online reviews more than the words of their friends or family members. 

So, including the product’s overall ratings and reviews on average can help users make a decision; most probably in your favor. 

Please remember: Many stores like to add fake reviews to up the ante, but that is a very bad decision. It can lead to a low satisfaction rate and, ultimately, cause distrust for your products and brand among the audience. 

7. Guides and Tutorials

Oftentimes, although a product is beneficial and according to the customer’s needs, complex functionality and features can make the customer look the other way. At this point, many buyers purchase it in the hopes of getting a how-to guide as well, and some head over to YouTube for tutorials. However, there is a chance that you will lose a sale.

What seems to work best in this situation is attaching a guide or tutorial link in the product description or bio. Moreover, you can prepare an infographic explaining the features and functionality of the product. It will give customers a sense of trust and understanding and help them make a confident decision. 

8. Products Showcase

No product page is complete without a proper gallery with professional product photography. Most customers don’t read the description or anything else when they land on a product page; they look at the gallery. If there are no proper and actual photos, they might bounce.

 

So, it is best to attach product pictures from various angles. You can add infographics highlighting the most notable features, video tutorials, video showcase reels, and images with important guidelines. Also, you can add 3D visualizations for a 360-degree view or AR smart preview for a try-before-you-buy product experience for the customers. For example, IKEA’s Augmented Reality Integration for their catalog. All these help users make a confident decision; most likely in your favor. An AR app development company can leverage various elements to enhance user interaction.

You can attach as many photos and videos as you want for the showcase. Although most stores have a limit for the maximum and minimum number of gallery items, we recommend including a minimum of four but not more than 15 items. 

9. Shopping Cart

One of the most essential and must-have eCommerce app features is a shopping cart. It is the same as a website version. It gives customers the freedom to explore as much as they want before finally concluding the purchase; much similar to a physical grocery store. 

Moreover, you can integrate a few extra features into the shopping cart system. For example, add or remove a product, increase or decrease the number of a single item, or apply a coupon code before checkout. 

10. Shipping Options

The next addition in this extensive list of eCommerce mobile app features is including multiple shipping options. It helps develop a positive user experience. Another thing that adds to this experience is the ability to add or change shipping addresses. It allows the customers to select the best option for themselves. 

In this purchasing stage, you can add some extra features to further enhance the experience. These may include saving the shipping details for the next purchase, the total cost of items along with shipping prices and a sub-total, and the estimated delivery date. 

It will serve as a viable addition to your eCommerce mobile app features and help gain positive reviews.

11. Cart Abandonment Reminder

Many customers get distracted by sudden intrusions or switch to another tab to find something and forget about their cart. In fact, a Baymard Institute study documents that almost 70% of customers abandon their shopping carts. 

There are many reasons for cart abandonment. About 47% of people want to skip the extra charge, while 18% do so because of the complicated checkout process. 

Although some may return to complete the purchase, some others may not, and the latter can be bad for your sales chart. 

In such a case, you can take the help of a small but highly useful feature of an eCommerce app: Cart Abandonment Reminder. It can be a browser tab nudge or a chatbot notification reminding the customer about their filled shopping cart. In most cases, customers instantly recall the shopping they were doing and return to complete the purchase. 

In some cases, even after a reminder, customers do not return. Please note that it happens, and it is okay. Also, ensure your abandoned cart reminder is not constant or loud enough to annoy the customer. If that happens, they might never return or, in the worst cases, leave a negative review. You don’t want that to happen. 

Another important point to note is that even if a customer leaves, you still have a chance of bringing them back. You can send a cart abandonment email. See the best examples and practices for card abandonment emails to win back customers. Still, don’t get carried away. It is best to send not more than 2 emails, but some companies also send 5 or more. Although both can work, sending multiple emails can make you listed as a spam sender and divert your emails to the spam folder. So, it is better to be safe than sorry. 

12. Order Summary

Another effective addition to the must-have mobile app features list is an order summary. Many online stores and applications provide a brief order summary to their customers before taking them to the payment and shipping section. 

On the order summary page, customers can review the items and make sure they have selected everything they need and the individual items’ prices. This helps lower the chances of returns or exchanges and improves the user experience.

13. Order Tracking

Order tracking helps the users track the shipment. Although it is not one of the significant features of eCommerce apps, it positively impacts the user experience.

You can customize the order tracking page in whichever way you like. However, following the best design practices for the order tracking page can help your app stand out. The rest is your choice, whether you want to add the complete order details, shipping details, CTAs for discounts and offers, or anything else. 

14. Order Details Saving

Everyone wants an online eCommerce app to be smart and efficient. One way to ensure this is by allowing users to save their order details, shipping details, or both. 

For example, if you own a grocery store, the eCommerce mobile app feature to save order details for next time will be highly beneficial for the users. On the other hand, the option to save shipping details is beneficial for every kind of eCommerce app. 

Other than this, you can also add a time-sensitive notification feature. It sends a notification at a time when the customer usually orders stuff. For example, if a customer orders bread and eggs in the morning consecutively for a week, they will get a notification before the time from the eighth day onwards. 

Of course, you can adjust the minimum days before it happens and the time margin. It will build rapport for your brand, and the customers are more likely to leave positive feedback. 

15. Secure Payment Methods

In-app payments are a norm among the most standard eCommerce app features. It allows users to easily make payments for purchases without having to leave the app. 

Here, you can include multiple payment options. These include Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, and PayPal, to name a few. The availability of different payment methods will give users more flexibility and convenience to easily and securely make online purchases.

16. Invoicing Option

Invoices serve as records, and using this eCommerce app feature can make your company appear more professional. You can send the customers an invoice via email, along with a thank you message for their purchase. Also, you can address the minority who don’t use email by including an option to print the invoice. Doing so will help gain customer loyalty and enhance the checkout experience. 

Some essential details in an invoice include the invoice number, store details, purchased items, purchase date, number of each item, and the price. Regarding the store details, you must include the name, address, and contact info. 

For the pricing, you must mention the individual item’s price as well as a sub-total, along with shipping cost and any discount, if applied. The rest of the design and layout is your choice, and you can customize it any way you like.

17. Returns and Return Status

Running an online business can be tricky. Sometimes, the product is not what the customer thought it would be; sometimes, the customer gets confused about the product’s functionality; and sometimes, the customer gets the wrong features, like size or color. At this point, they will most likely go for a return or refund. 

For such situations, you must include an easy and seamless return or refund process and policy as one of the eCommerce app features. You must clearly mention the guidelines for returns or refunds in your app and offer help via customer support if customers want it. Also, you can include a feature that allows customers to check their return status. 

Including this feature will increase your eCommerce store’s transparency and trust points. Also, it will encourage customers to purchase the right products for their needs. 

18. Number of Items On List and Availability

When offering a broad range of products, it is extremely important to follow two of the best and most important eCommerce app features practices.

One is to include a dedicated list or grid view page for products with proper indications of how far the customer is on the list. For example, 20/100 items. It helps keep the users engaged and gives them control over whether they want to view more items or not. Also, it lowers the loading times (which will be higher if the page loads the complete list at once). 

The other is to mention the number of items remaining in stock if it is low. For example, only 10 are left in stock. It will create a sense of urgency. 

These eCommerce app features will improve the user experience and help the user keep track of their store’s exploration progress. 

19. Items Availability Per Location

Another important eCommerce app feature relating to the previous one is the ability to check items according to location. It is extremely helpful if a store is operating locally, nationally, and internationally, along with physical brick-and-mortar stores. 

If a customer finds a product they like only to find out later that it isn’t available in their location, it will affect their experience and lower your rapport. So, you can integrate a geolocation feature to help customers find their nearest store or check if they can order a shipment for that particular item. 

Such eCommerce app features enhance the user experience and make purchases smooth. Moreover, you can integrate a notification message to point out the product’s unavailability in a particular location and recommend other related options. Also, you can include a location selector at the start of the app and show only those products that are available in that location.

20. Items Stock Reminder

Sometimes, a product sells out before restock and sometimes, it takes longer for a product’s stock to arrive. Whatever the case, you cannot simply disappoint the customer by mentioning that it is out of stock on the product page. 

Instead, you can include an option for users to enter their email and opt for a restock reminder. After that, they will get a notification email when the product is restocked and available to order. 

21. Wishlist Setup

Many online shoppers wishlist an item or product because they like it but cannot buy it immediately or because they want it, just not at that time. Also, if you didn’t know, some shoppers like to do it for fun.

Still, a wishlist is a handy eCommerce app feature that allows shoppers to mark an item without adding it to the shopping cart. It improves the user experience as they can get back to their wishlist anytime they want. 

Another advantage of this feature is that you can remind the shopper about their wishlist when they are away for a long time. Also, you can notify them when an item or product on their wishlist is on sale.

22. Product Recommendations

Many online stores have specialized engines that read through a customer’s likes and dislikes, the products pages they visit, or items they search for. After that, they use this data to recommend products when they are exploring the store or making a purchase. 

Product recommendations are a great eCommerce app feature that is beneficial for both users and the retailer. With respect to users, they can get ideas according to their likes and tastes. Regarding the retailers, it can help sell more items and products. 

23. Membership Option

Many online stores today offer membership or VIP access options. By becoming a store member, users can get special discounts or receive exclusive coupons. Also, they can obtain some benefits or special offers before non-members.

The membership option feature helps forge strong relationships with shoppers and makes them returning customers. Finally, you can offer the membership at a fixed price after a specific amount of purchase or make it free for all.

24. Loyalty Programs

Many online stores don’t offer memberships, but a similar eCommerce app feature called a loyalty program. Customers can join the loyalty programs per your guidelines and earn points on successful purchases. Afterward, they can redeem these points in the app for store discounts. It is one of the most simple eCommerce app features but highly rewarding. 

Moreover, you can also distribute special coupons among the app users. It will motivate old and new users to download and use your app to get discounts and offers. 

25. Discounts and Deals

Who doesn’t love discounts and deals on the products they like or want? These are one of the oldest and most viable eCommerce app features. These can be limited-time offers, limited number of coupons, or special event deals. You can notify the users of upcoming discounts via the app or email and remind them when it is about to end.

Using this feature can help improve the overall user-experience and encourage them to use your app. Also, you can utilize analytics tools and data trackers to pitch the right audience with the right product at the right time to get minimum benefits. 

26. Customer Support Access

A strong and working connection to the customer service department is an eCommerce app feature that can work wonders for your brand and store. It allows users to get instant help in case of confusion, questions regarding app store functionality and features, or get more information about a product or service.

Multiple support channels are available to integrate into your store, including chatbot, online chat, email, and phone number(s). Also, if you have a brick-and-mortar store in addition to the online store, you can encourage users to visit there for assistance. Another great way to provide extra support is to include an FAQs section highlighting common queries and concerns.

27. Barcode Scanning 

Another one of the common eCommerce app features is barcode scanning. Mostly, it is common with online stores that also have brick-and-mortar stores and work with the app. It allows extra features or improves the functionality of certain existing ones. 

For example, customers in a physical store can scan a barcode to jump to a certain product in the app or learn more about an item or service. Moreover, it can help them access inventory details regarding the product’s availability or size or color options available.

28. Online Integrations

Many online businesses use certain eCommerce app features and integrations to enhance their customers’ online shopping experience. One of such is multiple device usage, which allows shoppers to seamlessly transition between the website and application.

With the help of this eCommerce app feature, users can connect their mobile devices to the desktop store. After that, they can fill their cart using their desktop computer and complete it on the mobile application, or vice versa. It requires advanced knowledge and powerful integrations to make the process seamless. So, it is best to work with a professional eCommerce app development company to ensure error-free functionality.

29. Personalized Content

Personalization is the key to strengthening relationships with customers and increasing their brand loyalty. Personalized content is a powerful eCommerce app feature that can turn window shoppers into returning customers. See examples of top apps utilizing mobile personalization to deliver awesome experiences to users. 

To provide tailored experiences, the best eCommerce app features are AI and machine learning algorithms. These tools help learn about the users’ device, preferences, online behavior, location, and other personal details. After that, it uses these criteria to provide tailored content exclusive to that device or user. Moreover, it can also read through users’ purchase history and wishlist items to provide future recommendations. 

One of the most powerful tool for content personalization is Google Analytics. It helps monitor data, collect insights, and improve ROI.

30. Thank You Emails and Messages

If you have reached here in our mobile app features list, we are thankful for your interest. Likewise, you must thank your customers for their interest in your online store and app. 

You can choose one of the top autoresponder software based on your skills and requirements. After that, you can use these tools to automate different types of thank you emails. It will make you look professional and strengthen your relationship with your customers.

Must-Have eCommerce Mobile App Features – Final Takeaway

These were our 30 hand-picked must-have features of eCommerce apps, and now we are almost at the end of our blog. 

Our aim for this blog was to help you understand the necessity of top eCommerce app features that top businesses use in this digital age. 

From our experience of working as a top app development company, choosing the right eCommerce app features is a critical step in developing an app that supports your business.

There are many complex steps that require in-depth research and knowledge. So, it would be in your best interest to work with a top tech company with affordable eCommerce website cost and application development according to your business. It will get you a powerful application with all the right eCommerce mobile app features and integrations.

Lastly, we hope we have helped you with our mobile app features list and wish you the very best in your decision.