The global beauty industry is thriving, with sales currently at an impressive $427 billion and expected to soar to $523 billion by 2027.
eCommerce plays a crucial role in this growth, accounting for 21% of the industry’s value today and is projected to reach 26% by 2027.
To put this into perspective, only 8% of beauty products were sold online in 2015. This rapid digital adoption is a testament to how shoppers are increasingly turning to online platforms for their beauty needs.
However, this surge in online shopping comes with heightened competition. With so many options available, beauty and cosmetics brands face the challenge of not just attracting customers but retaining them.
To stand out and build loyalty, brands need to go beyond offering products—they need to offer seamless, personalized, and accessible experiences. A mobile app is a perfect solution for achieving this. By claiming a permanent spot on customers’ smartphones, your brand can stay top-of-mind and provide value through features like exclusive deals, personalized recommendations, and easy reordering.
In this blog, we’ll explore why beauty and cosmetic Shopify brands should invest in a mobile app and provide a step-by-step guide to creating one. Let’s dive right in!
Why beauty and cosmetic brands should launch apps?
The beauty and cosmetics industry thrives on personalization, convenience, and innovation—qualities that align perfectly with the benefits mobile apps offer.
As we all are noticing a shift in customer expectations, launching a beauty and cosmetic app is one of the smartest moves you can make. Here’s why having a mobile app can change how you connect with your audience.
1. Allows you to provide better customer experience
Unlike mobile websites, apps offer seamless navigation, faster load times, and user-friendly interfaces that enhance the browsing journey. For beauty brands, this means providing customers with eCommerce mobile app features like tailored product recommendations based on their browsing history, preferences, and past purchases.
Imagine a customer receiving a personalized skincare routine or makeup suggestions suited to their skin tone and preferences—it’s the kind of attention that fosters loyalty.
Apps also make it easier to showcase tutorials, ingredient lists, or application techniques, offering a comprehensive experience that mobile sites often struggle to deliver.
2. Helps increase engagement and retention
With Shopify mobile app push notifications ensure that your audience stays updated on new arrivals, exclusive sales, or limited-edition launches.
For example, a timely notification about a seasonal lipstick collection can spark interest and drive purchases.
Loyalty programs integrated into the app further enhance engagement, as users can track points, redeem rewards, or unlock exclusive perks effortlessly. These features not only boost retention but also make customers feel valued and appreciated.
3. Impacts conversion rates positively
One of the most significant advantages of mobile apps is their ability to convert users into buyers more effectively. Research shows that mobile apps achieve conversion rates 3x higher than mobile websites.
With optimized checkout processes, beauty brands can significantly reduce cart abandonment. Secure payment gateways, saved shipping details, and intuitive design simplify transactions, creating a frictionless path to purchase.
Additionally, offering app-only discounts or exclusive early access to sales encourages users to shop directly within the app, increasing overall revenue.
4. You get brand loyalty and recognition
In a highly competitive market, having a dedicated mobile app strengthens brand identity. By providing a direct line of communication, apps eliminate distractions from competitors and create a focused space for your brand.
A Shopify mobile app with good UI and UX design that reflects your brand’s aesthetics—be it minimalist elegance or bold vibrancy—reinforces your image in the minds of customers.
Beyond functionality, apps enable consistent storytelling, from personalized welcome messages to curated content like skincare routines or makeup tutorials tailored to individual users.
5. Access to data-driven insights
Understanding customer behavior is critical for growth, and mobile apps offer unparalleled insights. By analyzing in-app activity, beauty brands can identify trends, such as which products are frequently added to wishlists or which promotions drive the most sales. This data helps refine marketing strategies and product offerings.
Shopify mobile apps also make feedback collection easier, whether through built-in surveys or reviews. For example, customers can share their experience with a new serum or lipstick shade directly within the app, giving brands actionable insights to improve.
6. Customers get offline accessibility
Unlike websites, apps offer offline functionality, allowing customers to browse saved products, view their purchase history, or explore downloadable catalogs without internet access.
For beauty brands, this means customers can plan their next purchase or explore new collections during their commute or downtime, ensuring your brand remains accessible anytime, anywhere.
7. Helps increase your reach
Mobile apps open doors to a global audience by supporting multiple languages, currencies, and region-specific features.
For beauty and cosmetics brands that want to target diverse markets, this adaptability ensures inclusivity and convenience.
Moreover, social sharing integrations allow users to share their favorite products or look with their followers, driving organic traffic and word-of-mouth marketing. Imagine a customer sharing their latest makeup haul directly from your app—such moments amplify your brand’s visibility.
How to convert your beauty and cosmetic Shopify store into a mobile app
Creating a mobile app for your beauty and cosmetic Shopify store may sound like a challenging task, but with the right approach and tools, it’s simpler than you think.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you manage the process, ensuring that your app resonates with your customers and stands out in the beauty market.
1. Identify Your Mobile Shoppers
The first step is to understand your audience. Dive into your Shopify analytics to see how many of your customers browse or make purchases via mobile devices. Are they just exploring products or completing their purchases as well? These insights will help you prioritize functionalities in your app. For example, if most shoppers abandon carts at checkout, you’ll know to focus on simplifying the checkout process in your app.
Having a clear idea of your audience’s behavior also allows you to create a shopping experience tailored to their needs—whether it’s navigation, recommendations, or easy access to their favorite products.
2. Choose a Shopify Mobile App Builder
Building an app from scratch can be both time-consuming and expensive, especially when hiring a developer. Instead, opting for a no-code Shopify mobile app builder is a faster and more cost-effective solution.
Solutions like Appbrew are designed to simplify the process. With Appbrew, you can build your app without any technical expertise. It offers a robust platform that integrates seamlessly with Shopify, ensuring your app reflects your brand’s identity. Plus, Appbrew provides advanced features like real-time updates, native integrations, and customization options to match your unique business needs.
3. Customize the Look and Feel of Your App
Your mobile app should mirror your website’s branding for a consistent customer experience. This means using the same themes, colors, and typography that customers associate with your brand.
Appbrew excels in enabling “scalable and consistent branding.” Its design tools allow you to create a visually appealing app that aligns with your website, ensuring that your customers feel right at home when they transition from web to mobile.
4. Customize Your Homepage
The homepage is the first screen shoppers see after downloading your app, so it’s crucial to make a great impression. Include:
- Eye-catching banners for new arrivals or sales.
- Featured products that align with the customer’s interests.
- Easy navigation buttons to explore categories or collections.
A well-designed homepage not only grabs attention but also guides shoppers toward making purchases.
5. Set Up Your Product Pages
Product pages are the heart of your app. They need to be optimized to drive conversions. Here’s what to include:
- High-quality images and videos showcasing your products.
- Detailed product descriptions, including ingredients, usage tips, and benefits.
- Customer reviews and ratings for social proof.
- Quick access to similar or complementary products to encourage upselling.
These elements make it easier for customers to make informed decisions, increasing their likelihood of purchasing.
6. Customize Checkout
Cart abandonment is one of the biggest hurdles for eCommerce businesses. Almost 70 out of your 100 potential customers are likely to abandon their beauty carts. To tackle this, your app’s checkout process must be seamless.
- Enable guest checkout to make purchases quick and hassle-free.
- Offer autofill options for faster form completion.
- Provide clear shipping and tax information upfront to avoid surprises.
A streamlined checkout can significantly reduce drop-offs and boost conversions.
7. Integrate Mobile-Friendly Payment Modes
Your app should support various payment methods to cater to diverse customer preferences. Include options like credit and debit cards, mobile wallets (e.g., Apple Pay, Google Pay), and Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services. This flexibility ensures that customers can pay in the way they find most convenient.
8. Integrate with Other Marketing and Business Tools
Your mobile app should work seamlessly with your other marketing and operational tools. With Appbrew, you can access “vast native integrations” that connect your app to tools like email marketing platforms, CRM systems, analytics dashboards, and more. This ensures a cohesive omnichannel experience where all customer touchpoints work in harmony.
9. Set Up Push Notification Automations
Push notifications are a game-changer for keeping customers engaged. Automate Shopify mobile app push notifications for:
- Welcome messages when users download your app.
- Cart recovery reminders to nudge customers toward completing purchases.
- Order and shipping status updates for transparency.
- Personalized product recommendations.
- Announcements for flash sales or exclusive offers.
Appbrew simplifies push notification automation, helping you deliver timely and relevant messages that encourage interaction and drive sales.
10. Launch and Promote Your App
Once your app is ready, it’s time to spread the word! Use these channels to announce your app:
- Website: Add banners or pop-ups encouraging visitors to download the app.
- Social Media: Share posts, stories, and reels highlighting your app’s features.
- Email Campaigns: Notify your existing customers about the app and its benefits.
Consider offering exclusive discounts or freebies for customers who download the app to incentivize installations.
Also Read: 2x your eCommerce App Installs: A 2024 Launch Checklist for Shopify Businesses
Examples of beauty and cosmetics brands using Shopify mobile app
Several beauty and cosmetics brands have successfully transitioned their Shopify stores into mobile apps, offering their customers enhanced shopping experiences and boosting their engagement and retention. Here are some inspiring examples:
1. Minimalist
Known for its science-backed skincare products, Minimalist has leveraged its Shopify mobile app to provide a personalized shopping journey. The app features intuitive navigation, detailed product pages with ingredient transparency, and a seamless checkout process. With push notifications about new launches and offers, Minimalist keeps its customers engaged and ensures they stay updated on their favorite products.
2. Re’equil
Re’equil, a brand that prioritizes effective and dermatologically tested products, uses its mobile app to connect directly with customers. The app offers curated product recommendations based on skin concerns, making it easier for shoppers to find what they need. By integrating loyalty programs and exclusive app-only discounts, Re’equil has successfully increased repeat purchases and strengthened customer loyalty.
3. Dermaclara
Dermaclara’s Shopify mobile app focuses on delivering convenience and value to its customers. The app offers high-quality product imagery, detailed usage instructions, and social proof through reviews. With its user-friendly design and mobile-optimized checkout, Dermaclara ensures a hassle-free shopping experience that minimizes cart abandonment and boosts conversions.
4. The Man Company
Specializing in men’s grooming, The Man Company uses its mobile app to provide a tailored experience. Features like personalized product bundles, easy access to trending products, and integrated payment options enhance usability. The app also integrates social sharing features, enabling customers to spread the word about their favorite products, driving organic traffic.
Conclusion
The beauty and cosmetics industry is becoming increasingly competitive, with customers expecting more personalized and seamless shopping experiences. As mobile shopping continues to dominate, brands that fail to adapt risk being left behind.
There’s no time to lose—converting your Shopify store into a mobile app can set your brand apart by enhancing customer engagement, boosting retention, and driving higher sales.
With no-code solutions like Appbrew, creating a mobile app has never been easier or faster. From customizable designs to powerful integrations and automated notifications, Appbrew ensures your app meets all your business needs without requiring technical expertise.
Don’t wait for your competitors to take the lead. Launch your mobile app today and ensure your brand finds a permanent place on your customers’ phones—and in their lives!