Turn Your E-commerce Website into a Mobile App

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Setting up the WordPress site for creating the mobile app
   • Installing the plugin
   • Getting the plugin zip file
   • Installing the plugin on the website
   • Installing the Redux plugin on the site
3. Creating the mobile app's APK file
   • Getting the plugin's purchase code
   • Entering the purchase code and website URL
   • Adding the app logo and splash image
   • Resizing and adding the app icon
   • Saving the app settings and building the APK file
4. Installing the app on the mobile phone
   • Copying the app file to the mobile phone
   • Installing the app on the mobile phone
5. Tracking orders and managing the app
   • Receiving order notifications
   • Viewing and processing orders on the website
   • Checking order status on the mobile app
6. Publishing the app on the Google Play Store
   • Creating an account on the Google Play Console
   • Creating the app on Google Play Console
   • Setting up app details and visuals
   • Uploading the app file
   • Submitting the app for review
   • Viewing and installing the app from the Play Store
7. Adding a button to the website for promoting the app

How to Create an Online Shopping App for Your Ecommerce Website

Creating a mobile app for your ecommerce website can greatly enhance your customers' shopping experience and increase your sales. In this guide, we will walk you through the process of creating an online shopping app from your existing ecommerce website. By following the steps outlined here, you will be able to convert your website into a native app that offers a seamless and convenient shopping experience to your customers. Plus, you won't need to invest in separate hosting or pay monthly fees for your mobile app. Let's get started!

1. Introduction

In this article, we will guide you on how to create an online shopping app for your ecommerce website. With a mobile app, your customers can add products to their cart and make purchases directly from their mobile devices. The app will be a native app, which means it will load faster and provide a better user experience compared to browsing the same website on a mobile browser. By following the steps outlined in this article, you will be able to create a mobile app that is hosted on the same server as your website, making it easy to manage orders and product updates in one place.

2. Setting up the WordPress site for creating the mobile app

Before we can create the mobile app, we need to set up our WordPress site with the necessary plugins. The first step is to install a plugin that will help us turn our website into a mobile app. You can easily install this plugin by following the link provided in the article. Once the plugin is installed, you will need to download the plugin's zip file and extract the files. After that, you can install the plugin on your website by going to the WordPress dashboard, navigating to the plugins section, and uploading the plugin file. Make sure to activate the plugin once it is installed.

The next step is to install another plugin called Redux, which will allow you to control the app directly from your WordPress website. You can install Redux by following the same procedure as before. Once both plugins are installed and activated, your website is ready for creating the mobile app.

3. Creating the mobile app's APK file

Now that we have set up our website, we can proceed to create the mobile app's APK file. To do this, we need to follow a few simple steps. First, we need to get the purchase code of the plugin we installed earlier. The purchase code can be found in the email you received after purchasing the plugin. Copy the purchase code from the email and enter it in the appropriate field on the plugin's settings page.

Next, we need to enter the necessary details for creating the app, such as the app name and the API details from your website. To get the API details, go to your WordPress dashboard, navigate to the WooCommerce section, and click on "Settings." From there, go to the "Advanced" tab and click on "REST API." Create a new API key and select the necessary permissions. Once you have the API details, enter them in the plugin settings.

After adding the details, you will need to upload your app's logo and splash image. You can resize your logo using an online image resizing tool and then drag and drop the resized logo and splash image into the plugin's settings. Once you have added the logo and splash image, save the settings and build the APK file. The plugin will generate the APK file, which you can download to your computer.

4. Installing the app on the mobile phone

To install the app on your mobile phone, you will need to copy the APK file from your computer to your phone. Connect your phone to the computer using a USB cable and copy the APK file to your phone's storage. Once the file is copied, disconnect the cable and open the file manager on your phone. Navigate to the Downloads folder and find the app file. Tap on the file to start the installation process. After the installation is complete, you will see the app on your home screen.

5. Tracking orders and managing the app

Once you have created the mobile app and installed it on your phone, you can start tracking orders and managing the app. Whenever a customer places an order through the app, you will receive an email notification with the order details. You can also view and process orders from your WordPress dashboard by going to the WooCommerce section and clicking on "Orders." This allows you to keep track of all your orders in one place.

Customers who have installed the app on their phones can also view the status of their orders directly from the app. They can access their order history by going to the account section of the app and selecting "Orders." This provides a seamless and convenient experience for your customers, as they can easily track their orders without having to visit your website.

6. Publishing the app on the Google Play Store

If you want to reach a wider audience and make your app available for download to the general public, you can publish your app on the Google Play Store. To do this, you will need to create an account on the Google Play Console, which is the platform used for publishing apps on the Play Store. Once you have created your account and paid the one-time registration fee, you can proceed to create your app on the Play Console.

Creating the app on the Play Console involves providing details about your app, setting up visuals such as icons and screenshots, and uploading the app file you created earlier. After submitting your app for review, it will be evaluated by Google and, if approved, it will be published on the Play Store. This allows anyone with an Android device to discover and install your app.

7. Adding a button to the website for promoting the app

To let your website visitors know that you have a mobile app available, it's important to add a button or link on your website that directs them to the app. This can be done easily using a WordPress page builder such as Elementor. By dragging and dropping an image element to your website's footer, you can create a button that links to your app on the Play Store. This way, visitors can easily find and install your app by clicking on the button.

By following these steps, you can create an online shopping app for your ecommerce website and make it available to your customers for a seamless shopping experience. With the app, you can track orders, manage your store, and reach a wider audience by publishing it on the Google Play Store. So, what are you waiting for? Start creating your online shopping app today and take your ecommerce business to the next level.