15 Must-Have E-commerce App Features in 2024

Staying at the forefront of technological advancements is more than a mere option - it's a necessity for survival. 

As we step into 2024, the landscape of this industry has been radically reshaped by the pervasive use of mobile applications, pushing businesses to rethink their strategies and adapt to the new normal. 

However, with the sea of apps available, how can your e-commerce app stand out and capture the attention of your target customers? 

The answer lies in the features you offer. A well-designed and feature-rich app can significantly enhance user experience, boost customer loyalty, and ultimately, drive sales. 

In this blog post, we will delve into the 15 must-have features for an e-commerce app in 2024, arming you with the knowledge to stay competitive in this ever-evolving market:

1. Modern user-friendly design
2. Mobile responsiveness 
3. Top performance
4. Dynamic filters
5. Automatic inventory update
6. Inventory management
7. High-converting single-product page
8. E-Payment and security
9. Cross-selling
10. Bundle sell
11. Order tracking
12. Customer support
13. Personalized content
14. OAuth login
15. Recently viewed

Modern User-Friendly design 

A user-friendly design isn't just pleasing to the eye, it's easy to navigate, reducing the time and effort users need to find what they're looking for. 

It incorporates elements like clear product categorization, easy-to-use search functions, and streamlined checkout processes. All these features work together to create a hassle-free shopping experience that keeps customers coming back for more.

Moreover, modern design trends lean towards minimalism and functionality. 

Users today prefer clean lines, simple layouts, and a focus on the products. An overcrowded or complex design can be off-putting and may even drive potential customers away. 

Mobile Responsiveness

As we delve into the world of e-commerce apps, mobile responsiveness emerges as a key feature that simply cannot be overlooked. 

With approximately 75% of traffic on e-commerce platforms coming from mobile devices, it's clear that the future of online shopping is mobile. 

Therefore, ensuring your e-commerce app is fully responsive on all mobile resolutions is not just an added advantage, but a fundamental requirement.

Moreover, mobile responsiveness isn't just about aesthetics and usability. It also impacts your website's search engine ranking. 

Search engines like Google prioritize mobile-friendly websites in their search results, which means a mobile-responsive design can help boost your visibility and drive more traffic to your platform.

E-Commerce performances 

A highly optimized application with excellent speed performance is a crucial factor influencing both your SEO and organic ranking, as well as your user experience.

From an SEO perspective, search engines like Google consider site speed as one of their ranking factors.

A slow-loading app can negatively impact your position in search results, leading to fewer clicks and lower traffic. On the other hand, a fast, well-optimized app can improve your visibility, attracting more visitors and potentially leading to higher sales.

From a user experience viewpoint, speed performance is equally important. 

Today's consumers are accustomed to instant gratification and won't wait around for slow-loading pages. A delay of even a few seconds can lead to cart abandonment and lost sales. 

E-commerce app with dynamic filters = Better UX

The world of e-commerce is becoming increasingly competitive, and businesses need to constantly innovate to keep users engaged. 

One such innovation that has been making waves is the concept of dynamic filters in e-commerce apps. 

Dynamic filters enhance the user experience (UX) by offering a more personalized and streamlined shopping experience. 

Unlike static filters that remain the same regardless of the category being searched, dynamic filters adapt based on the category and the current filters applied by the user.

For instance, if a user is browsing the 'Books' category, the dynamic filters might include 'Genre', 'Author', 'Publication Year', etc. 

But if the same user switches to the 'Electronics' category, the filters would automatically change to 'Brand', 'Price Range', 'Features', etc. 

This level of personalization not only makes the browsing experience more intuitive but also saves the user's time by helping them find exactly what they're looking for, faster.

Moreover, dynamic filters take into account the user's past behavior and preferences, further tailoring the shopping experience to their specific needs. So, if a user often shops for 'Science Fiction' books, the app will prioritize this option in the 'Genre' filter.

Automatic Inventory Updates

This system automatically refreshes product listings, adding new items and updating the condition and price of existing ones, all based on information received directly from suppliers via API.

Consider the traditional method of inventory management - manual data entry, cross-checking product details, and continuous monitoring for changes. 

It's not only time-consuming but also prone to human error. However, with Automatic Inventory Updates, these issues are a thing of the past. 

The system seamlessly integrates with the supplier's database, ensuring that every piece of product information on the app is up-to-date and accurate.

This e-commerce app feature is a boon for e-commerce platforms, as it saves significant time and resources. 

No longer do businesses need to allocate manpower for constant inventory updates, the system takes care of it all. This results in cost savings, more efficient resource utilization, and ultimately, increased profit margins.

Moreover, this feature enhances user experience. Customers always have access to the latest products and accurate information, leading to informed purchasing decisions and higher satisfaction levels.

Inventory Management and Out-of-Stock Notifications

Real-time inventory tracking is a must-have feature, especially for large e-commerce systems that rely on multiple suppliers. Instead of having all goods in one warehouse, these platforms work with dozens of suppliers who ship goods directly to the end customer. 

With real-time inventory tracking, e-commerce platforms can check the stock levels of all suppliers at any given time.

On the other hand, the 'Out of Stock Notifications' feature is a valuable addition to any e-commerce app, playing a pivotal role in maintaining customer engagement even when the desired product is temporarily unavailable. 

This e-commerce app feature allows users to opt-in to be informed when their desired product or its variant is back in stock.

The beauty of this feature lies in its flexibility. Depending on the user's preference and the data provided, notifications can be sent through various channels - an email, a phone call, a text message, or even a push notification within the app itself. 

For instance, if a user prefers not to share their phone number, they can choose to be notified via email. 

Besides, if they are comfortable sharing their contact number, a personalized call or text message can make the notification process even more direct and efficient.

This feature not only enhances the user experience by ensuring customers do not miss out on their desired products, but it also helps businesses retain potential sales that could have been lost due to out-of-stock items.

High-converting single product page

Creating a high-converting single product page is an art and science combined, and it stands as one of the most impactful features of any successful e-commerce app. 

The goal here is to provide all the necessary information that would convince a potential buyer to make a purchase. 

Let's delve into the essential elements that contribute to a high-converting product page:

High-quality product images

Images are the first thing a user sees when they land on a product page. High-quality, multiple-angle images help the user visualize the product, making them more likely to convert.

Detailed product descriptions

A well-written, detailed product description can answer any questions the user might have about the product. It should highlight the product's features, benefits, and uses, helping the user understand why they need your product.

Customer reviews and ratings

Customer reviews and ratings provide social proof, which can significantly influence a potential buyer's decision. A product with positive reviews and high ratings is perceived as trustworthy and high-quality.

Clear Call-to-Action (CTA)

A clear, compelling CTA guides the user towards making a purchase. It should be prominently placed and easy to find.

Availability and shipping information

This includes details about the product's availability, shipping costs, delivery times, and return policy. Providing this information upfront can prevent cart abandonment later in the buying process.

Similar products

When a user is viewing a specific product, this feature displays a curated selection of items that are similar based on certain parameters such as category, brand, or price.

Consider a user who is browsing through a wide range of products and lands on a particular item they like. However, they might want to explore more options before making a decision. 

The 'Similar Products' feature simplifies this exploration process by presenting comparable items directly on the same page, saving the user from having to manually search for alternatives.

By suggesting products tailored to the user's current interest, it creates a sense of personalization that can enhance user engagement and satisfaction.

E-Payment and Security payment processors

This feature is a cornerstone of any e-commerce app, significantly simplifying the purchase process for users. It enables users to make payments electronically, eliminating the need for physical cash transactions and making online shopping a breeze.

Imagine the convenience of sitting at home, browsing through your favorite products, adding them to your cart, and being able to pay for them instantly with just a few clicks or taps. 

Whether it's paying via debit or credit card, utilizing digital wallets like PayPal, or even using cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, the options are plentiful. 

This wide range of payment methods caters to different user preferences, ensuring that everyone can find a payment method they are comfortable with.

In addition, as e-commerce platforms handle sensitive financial information, it's crucial to prioritize secure payment processing. This is where Security Payment Processors come into play. 

These processors use encryption protocols such as SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) and TLS (Transport Layer Security) to encrypt sensitive payment data during transit. 

They ensure a secure communication line between the customer's browser and the payment gateway, safeguarding the data from interception or unauthorized use.

Cross-Selling

Cross-selling is a powerful strategy that e-commerce apps can leverage to enhance the customer experience while simultaneously increasing the total order value. 

Essentially, cross-selling involves suggesting related or complementary products to customers based on their current shopping cart or browsing history.

For instance, if a customer has a laptop in their cart, a cross-sell feature might suggest a compatible mouse, a laptop bag, or an extended warranty. 

Similarly, if a customer is browsing through running shoes, they may see suggestions for running socks or fitness trackers. 

These recommendations not only provide customers with options that they might find useful but also increase the total cost of the order, boosting the business's revenue.

Moreover, cross-selling contributes to a more personalized and efficient shopping experience. It saves customers time by presenting them with relevant products they might need, without them having to search for these items separately.

A study by Amazon found that cross-selling features, like their "Customers who bought this also bought" section, contribute to as much as 35% of their sales. 

This goes to show how effective a tool cross-selling can be in driving sales and enhancing the customer journey in an e-commerce app.

Bundle sell

This strategy involves grouping together multiple products and selling them as a single package, often at a discounted price compared to buying each item separately.

From the buyer's perspective, bundle selling offers the convenience of purchasing several products at once, saving them the time and effort of searching for each item individually. 

Additionally, the bundled price is typically lower than the total cost of the individual items, making it a more economical choice for the consumer.

On the other hand, sellers reap the benefits of increased sales volume and higher revenue. 

By bundling products, businesses can encourage customers to buy more items per transaction, boosting the average order value.

Order Tracking

Order tracking gives customers the power to monitor their purchases from the moment they click 'buy' until the product arrives at their doorstep. It removes the uncertainty that comes with online shopping, replacing it with a sense of control and anticipation. 

With real-time updates, customers can see exactly where their parcel is, whether it's being packaged, has left the warehouse, or is out for delivery.

Moreover, integrating courier services directly into the e-commerce platform elevates the user experience even further. 

This integration means that users don't need to leave your site or enter tracking numbers on a courier's website. 

Instead, all the information they need is readily available within your app, providing a seamless, hassle-free experience.

Customer Support

In the realm of e-commerce, Customer Support is not just a feature, it's an essential pillar that props up the entire shopping experience.

A robust customer support system is a reflection of an e-commerce platform's commitment to its users. It assures customers that help is always within reach should they encounter any issues or have queries about products, payments, shipping, or returns. 

From live chat and email support to FAQs and community forums, these channels provide customers with immediate, valuable assistance, enhancing their overall shopping experience.

Moreover, high-quality customer support can significantly impact an e-commerce platform's reputation and customer retention. 

Customers are likely to return to an app where their concerns are promptly addressed and their satisfaction is prioritized. It fosters trust and loyalty, key factors that turn one-time shoppers into repeat customers.

Content is King, but personalized content is the Emperor

Personalized content is a step beyond generic content, it's tailored to the specific needs and preferences of each user, based on the data collected about their past behavior, searches, and product reviews. 

This level of customization transforms a simple browsing experience into a personalized journey, making users feel understood and valued. 

According to a study by HubSpot, personalized call-to-actions perform 202% better than basic (generic) CTAs. 

By presenting e-commerce app users with relevant products and suggestions, businesses can significantly increase engagement and conversions, thereby boosting their bottom line.

OAuth Login

This feature allows users to register and log in using their existing Google, Facebook, or other social media accounts, thereby eliminating the need to create a new account from scratch.

Consider the conventional registration process: filling out a lengthy form, verifying the email address, and creating a unique username and password - it can be a tedious task. 

But with OAuth Login, users can bypass all these steps and jump straight into the action. A single click on the 'Login with Google' or 'Login with Facebook' button, and voila! Users are logged in and ready to browse through your products.

Beyond the simplicity and speed, OAuth Login also adds an extra layer of security. Since the login credentials are managed by established platforms like Google and Facebook, users can rest assured that their data is safe.

Recently viewed 

The 'Recently Viewed' feature is a subtle yet powerful tool in e-commerce apps that serves to re-engage users and streamline their shopping journey. 

By displaying a list of products the user has recently viewed, this feature acts as a personalized reminder, nudging users to revisit items they showed interest in.

Imagine a scenario where a user is browsing through a multitude of products on an app. They come across a few items they like but decide to keep looking before making a purchase. 

After some time, they may want to return to one of those items, but can't remember the exact name or have difficulty finding it among the myriad products. 

This is where the 'Recently Viewed' feature comes into play. It eliminates this hassle by keeping a record of the user's viewing history, allowing them to easily return to previously viewed items with just a click.

Wrapping up

As we navigate through 2024, the e-commerce landscape continues to evolve at a rapid pace. 

The features we've explored in this blog post are not just trends, they're becoming necessities for any e-commerce app striving to stay ahead of the curve.

Remember, the key to successful e-commerce is not just about having a wide range of products or competitive pricing. 

It's about providing an exceptional user experience, maintaining accurate and up-to-date information, and building strong relationships with customers through effective communication channels.