When it comes to Shopify mobile apps, they shouldn’t just be another sales channel. They can become a reliable asset for your business for building brand loyalty and driving repeat purchases—but it doesn’t happen automatically.
To convert your eCommerce mobile app from a simple storefront into an effective repeat sales channel, you need a smart strategy. It's less about being on your customers' phones, and more about engaging them, providing value, and encouraging them to come back for more.
Appbrew’s customers have already cracked the code on how to increase repeat purchases through their Shopify mobile apps. From personalized experiences to seamless post-purchase engagement, they’re using some unique strategies that keep their customers returning time and again.
Here are 10 proven strategies that you can also use to boost repeat purchases and turn your Shopify mobile app into a long-term revenue generating machine.
Let’s dive right in!
How can eCommerce brands increase repeat purchase on Shopify mobile app?
Talk about how If customers buy from your app once and disappear, you’ll struggle to scale your business. Benchmarking varies from company to company; most eCommerce businesses have 25-30% returning customers. Here are some of the best eCommerce app customer retention strategies we recommend you implement:
1. Personalized recommendations
Customers now expect a personalized experience with every interaction. Whether they’re browsing your Shopify app or making a purchase, personalized recommendations can make all the difference.
In fact, personalized communication can lead to a 20% growth in sales, with nearly 60% of customers more inclined to make repeat purchases when they feel understood.
You can leverage customer data—like past purchases and browsing history—to suggest relevant products. Consider adding sections like "frequently bought together" or "products you may like" to your app’s interface. This not only makes shopping easier for the customer but also opens up upselling opportunities.
When recommendations are genuinely tailored to an individual’s preferences, it’s almost a calculated prediction that there’s a sale coming your way.
This level of attention assures your customers that you’re focused on their interests, which builds trust over time. Ultimately, these tailored recommendations contribute to increasing the customer’s lifetime value.
2. Loyalty programs
Have you ever noticed how people are more likely to complete something once they’ve already started? That’s the “endowed progress effect,” a concept from behavioral science. You can tap into this psychological insight by running a loyalty program on your Shopify mobile app.
A good loyalty program encourages repeat purchases by rewarding customers with points, discounts, or exclusive offers. By presenting them with an easy sign-up process and regular reminders to accumulate points, you’ll make them feel like they’re already on the way to achieving something. Over time, this habit leads to higher customer retention.
The key is to reward customers frequently enough to keep them engaged.
Here are a few ways you can reward shoppers:
- For signing up on the app
- After each purchase
- Referring friends to your store
- Leaving reviews or engaging on social media
With these rewards, customers are more likely to keep coming back, eager to unlock their next benefit.
3. Push notifications
Building an eCommerce app is a major achievement—but your work doesn’t stop there. Customers won’t necessarily think of your app every time they need something, so how do you keep your brand top of mind? The answer is simple: push notifications.
Well-timed, personalized push notifications are a powerful way to keep your customers engaged. Whether it’s a reminder about items left in their cart, an alert for a new product launch, or an exclusive flash sale, notifications bring your app to life and create a sense of urgency.
You can also use push notifications to stay connected post-purchase. A thank-you message, shipping updates, or a prompt for feedback can enhance the customer’s journey. By making each touchpoint memorable, you’re building a strong emotional connection that encourages repeat business.
What’s even better is that with Appbrew, you can send hyper-personalized push notifications for free, complete with rich media and deep links. When combined with Appbrew X Klaviyo integration, you can automate these messages, ensuring perfect timing and targeting for each customer segment. This creates a better overall experience, keeping your brand fresh in customers' minds and driving repeat purchases.
4. Include multiple payment methods
The checkout experience can make or break your relationship with customers. A smooth and hassle-free checkout is crucial for customer retention.
If the process is tedious, customers are more likely to abandon their cart and possibly never return. That’s why streamlining your Shopify mobile app's checkout process is essential.
Features like one-click purchases, saved payment methods, and autofill for shipping information can significantly reduce friction and improve the overall shopping experience.
It’s also critical to offer multiple payment options to meet customer preferences. Losing customers simply because they don’t find a convenient payment method can hurt your retention in the long run—and affect conversion rates too.
Make sure to include major credit cards like Visa, Mastercard, and American Express, alongside digital wallets like PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.
By reducing these friction points, you not only increase the likelihood of repeat purchases but also build trust, knowing your customers can check out quickly and conveniently every time they shop.
5. Subscription options
Imagine if your customers could automatically purchase their favorite products from you on a monthly basis—without having to remember.
Offering subscription options on your Shopify mobile app ensures that you don’t need to “win back” customers each time they run out of something. Instead, you’ll be delivering what they need at the right time, making their life easier and securing a steady revenue stream for your business.
Subscriptions work best for consumables and essentials that customers use frequently, like skincare products, basics like t-shirts, or even notebooks.
By allowing customers to skip orders, swap products, or add one-off purchases without hassle, you make the experience flexible and convenient. Offering tiered pricing, multiple subscription plans, and even a trial or freemium model can sweeten the deal for hesitant customers.
💡Pro tip: Incentivize subscriptions by offering discounts or exclusive perks. This not only drives long-term commitment but makes customers feel like they’re getting more value, boosting their loyalty.
6. App-exclusive discounts and offers
Everyone loves feeling special, and offering app-exclusive discounts is a great way to tap into that emotional motivator. When customers feel like they’re receiving special treatment, it builds a sense of exclusivity and belonging—two key factors that contribute to brand loyalty.
On your Shopify mobile app, you can provide app users with special discounts, early access to sales, or even complimentary gifts. These exclusive offers create a strong incentive for customers to continue using your app and make repeat purchases.
Promote these deals through in-app banners, personalized push notifications, and email campaigns to ensure they don’t go unnoticed. The more you highlight these offers, the more likely customers are to associate your app with special perks—making it their go-to shopping platform. By offering unique incentives, you create a loyal customer base eager to return to your app for more benefits.
7. Customer feedback and reviews
One of the strongest emotional motivators for repeat purchases is when customers feel valued and heard. By actively seeking customer feedback and reviews, you can make shoppers feel like their opinions matter and that they have a voice in your business.
After a purchase, send a personalized push notification asking about the shopping experience. Follow up after delivery to inquire about product satisfaction. This simple step not only helps you understand customer preferences but also builds trust. When customers see that their feedback is taken seriously and leads to improvements, they’re more likely to return.
Acting on customer feedback shows that you prioritize their experience, which increases loyalty and encourages repeat business. The more valued they feel, the more confident they’ll be in making future purchases from your Shopify mobile app.
8. Seamless post-purchase experience
While a smooth buying process is crucial for conversions, customer retention depends on the post-purchase experience. A seamless post-purchase journey can be the difference between a one-time buyer and a loyal customer.
Here’s how you can ensure a great post-purchase experience on your Shopify app:
- Order Tracking: Offer real-time order tracking through your app so customers can stay informed about their delivery status.
- Easy Returns/Exchanges: Implement one-click, hassle-free return or exchange requests (P.S. here are some strategies to manage your Shopify mobile app returns).
- Responsive Customer Support: Make sure customer support is easily accessible within the app for quick resolutions.
Also, send follow-up messages like thank-yous or personalized product recommendations. However, space these communications wisely. You don’t want to overwhelm customers or make them feel like you’re only after their money—there needs to be a healthy gap between delivery and a new offer.
9. Gamification
Gamification is a great way to boost customer engagement and turn shopping into an enjoyable, interactive experience.
A simple incentive, like a 20% discount, feels more exciting when there’s an element of fun involved. For instance, you might not rush to redeem a static 20% off banner, but if you earned that discount by spinning a wheel or scratching a virtual card, you’d be more likely to use it—and quickly.
Gamifying your Shopify mobile app encourages customers to return and shop more often. You can include gamified elements in entry popups, such as:
- Spin-the-wheel
- Pick a gift
- Scratch the card
- Memory match challenge
- Lotteries
- Pick a card
You can also offer rewards for completing specific actions, such as making multiple purchases within a set timeframe. The more engaging you make the experience, the more likely customers are to come back for repeat purchases.
10. Integrate video commerce
Video content is a powerful way to engage customers, but many Shopify app builders don’t allow video integration.
If you’ve used a builder like Appbrew to turn your Shopify store into a mobile app, you’ll have access to video commerce features that can help increase repeat purchases.
By integrating influencer marketing videos into your app, you can provide product demos, tutorials, or conversion-focused content that keeps customers coming back to see what’s new.
Whether it’s a how-to guide or a product launch video, these visual elements draw users into your app more frequently. And the more they engage with your app, the more likely they are to make repeat purchases.
Video content not only educates customers but also keeps your brand fresh in their minds, making it a powerful tool for boosting both engagement and sales.
P.S. Want to know more about eCommerce mobile apps? These Shopify mobile app FAQs will clear most of your concerns!
On a Concluding Note…
While conversions are essential for gaining traction, retention is the true backbone of every successful eCommerce business. It's not just about acquiring customers but keeping them coming back.
The strategies we've outlined in this blog—personalized recommendations, loyalty programs, gamification, and more—can be seamlessly integrated into your Shopify mobile app if you choose the right app builder.
When you turn your Shopify store into a mobile app with Appbrew, customer data stays synced, allowing you to deliver personalized recommendations based on real-time browsing behavior and order history. From sending timely push notifications to integrating deep links, video commerce, and offering excellent customer support, Appbrew covers all your needs.
To build a mobile app that boosts both conversions and retention, look no further than Appbrew. Take the first step toward long-term eCommerce success—book a demo with Appbrew today!
