With 79% of traffic to Shopify stores coming from mobile devices, as a Shopify store owner, it’s likely no secret where your audience is. That’s why having a smooth, responsive mobile website is absolutely essential.

A well-optimised mobile website is really your first chance to make an impression - it’s often where customers first land after discovering you, scroll through your products, and decide if your brand feels right for them.

But here’s the reality: in today’s market, a mobile website is just the starting point. With so much competition out there, having a mobile-friendly site alone isn’t enough to keep customers interested, or to get them to come back.

The brands that are really winning with revenue right now? They’re the ones investing in Shopify mobile apps. And it makes sense - apps mean better user experience, more repeat purchases, and much stronger customer retention.

In this article, we’re diving into how both mobile websites and apps fit into your growth strategy, why more and more customers are leaning toward apps, and how taking the leap and launching your own mobile app can unlock new revenue potential for your Shopify store.

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Mobile Apps vs. Mobile Websites - Why Shopify mobile apps outperform mobile sites

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Speed & performance that keeps users hooked

Mobile apps are designed to run faster and more smoothly than mobile websites. Since they don’t rely on a browser or a strong internet connection, they can store key elements locally, so pages load quicker and the whole experience has less friction.

The average mobile web page takes about 15.3 seconds to load, meanwhile mobile apps load pretty much instantly. And think about this: even just a 1-second delay can drop your page views by 11%.

So, speed really matters. The faster the experience, the less likely people are to bounce  - and the more likely they are to stick around and actually complete a purchase.

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Smooth, intuitive user experience

Apps are built with mobile in mind, so they’re your best shot at really nailing the user experience (UX). They eliminate distractions, make navigation super clean, and let users take quick, intuitive actions that feel more natural on their phone.

With features like saved preferences, personalised product feeds, and swipe-based browsing, apps make shopping feel effortless - and that kind of smooth experience is what keeps people coming back for more.

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Fast, optimised checkout flow

One of the biggest barriers to conversion is a clunky checkout. Mobile apps streamline the process with saved payment details, autofill addresses, and even one-tap checkout - making it faster and easier for customers to complete their purchase.

The fewer steps between cart and purchase, the better. Cutting down the clicks helps boost conversions and seriously reduces cart abandonment - meaning you’re not letting revenue slip through your fingers at the finish line.

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Personalisation and exclusive in-app offers

A mobile app for your Shopify store allows for deeper personalisation through user behaviour tracking, account data, and preferences. You can offer tailored product recommendations, loyalty rewards, and app-only deals that actually feel personal, and make customers feel genuinely valued.

71% of shoppers expect brands to deliver personalised interactions - so it’s not just a nice-to-have, it’s what people want. And when you get it right, personalisation grows sales, builds real loyalty and keeps customers satisfied.

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Push notifications for real-time engagement

Unlike mobile websites, apps let you send push notifications straight to your customers’ phones. That means you can re-engage them instantly with back-in-stock alerts, flash sales, abandoned cart reminders, or seasonal promotions - right when it matters most.

When done well, push notifications can bring people back faster than email or social. In fact, they can boost app engagement by up to 88%, and 65% of users will return to an app within 30 days if they’ve got push notifications enabled. Pretty powerful, right?

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But what about mobile websites?

Sure, mobile apps are proving to be the go-to for driving revenue, but that doesn’t mean that your mobile website is no longer important. Actually, it’s often the first place a potential customer interacts with your brand.

It’s where discovery happens - whether someone finds you through search, organic social, email, or a Meta ad. That’s why having a fast, responsive, and well-designed mobile site is still super important for making a great first impression and building trust.

Think of your mobile website as the gateway, and your app as the destination. The goal isn’t necessarily to choose one over the other, but make them work together.

Use your mobile site, desktop store, and marketing channels for cross-promotion and to funnel users toward your app - whether it’s through smart banners, email campaigns, or a website pop-up like: “Download our app and get 10% off your first purchase”.

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Customer preference - where consumers ACTUALLY want to shop

When it comes to where people actually want to shop, the numbers say it all: 85% of consumers prefer mobile apps over mobile websites. And it mostly comes down to one element: convenience.

Mobile apps are already installed on your customer’s phones, so no need to manually search the web or type in a URL. They also load faster and remember all the important details securely like saved info and preferences.

Everything a shopper needs is in one place, ready to go. No logging in, no browser tabs. Just smooth, instant purchasing.

Generational habits are playing a huge role in this shift. Gen Z and Millennials, both highly influenced by social media and mobile-first experiences, make up the majority of app-first shoppers. They’re used to scrolling, tapping, and checking out within seconds, often multitasking or on the go.

78% of consumers now say they regularly use retail apps when shopping, a number that continues to grow as mobile becomes the go-to way to browse to buy.

So if you’re not meeting customers where they want to shop, you’re missing out on a massive Shopify revenue growth opportunity.

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The revenue-driving power of Shopify mobile apps

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Higher average order value (AOV)

One stand-out advantage of Shopify mobile apps is their ability to boost average order value (AOV). When the shopping experience feels smooth and intuitive, customers just naturally end up spending more - and doing it more often.

In fact, shoppers view 4.2x more products per session in an app, and they spend 3x more compared to shopping on mobile websites.

Features like personalised recommendations, saved favourites, and simple navigation make it easy for users to explore beyond just the product they came for. And that extra exploring? It usually means bigger, higher-value carts.

Shopify mobile apps also create the perfect environment for upselling and cross-selling. With tools like one-tap add-ons, in-app product bundles, and AI-driven suggestions, customers are encouraged to add more to their basket in a way that feels helpful, not pushy.

Our clients at StoreLab have experienced this kind of sales growth using our Shopify mobile app builder. Here’s Anita, one of our Account Managers at StoreLab, sharing what she’s seen firsthand…

“Great user experience doesn’t just drive conversions - it changes how people shop. PoundFun’s mobile app makes it easier and more enjoyable for customers to browse and buy, leading to a 2x higher AOV in-app compared to their website.”

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Increased conversion rates

Shopify mobile apps consistently deliver significantly higher conversion rates - 157% higher than mobile websites, to be exact. Why? Because they’re built for speed, simplicity, and hassle-free shopping, and remove the annoying friction points that typically cause drop-offs during the buying process.

Every part of an app is designed with mobile-first habits in mind. When customers can jump from discovering a product to checking out in seconds, without dealing with the sometimes clunky steps of a mobile browser, they’re way more likely to convert.

Jeanne, Head of Account Management at StoreLab shares, “For our client Airebil Apparel, their app drives nearly half of all sales from just 10% of sessions. That kind of efficiency is hard to ignore.”

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Customer engagement & retention

Having a mobile app for your Shopify store will help you to build stronger, longer-lasting relationships with customers.

With tools like Shopify mobile app push notifications, you can reach your shoppers quickly with super targeted, personalised updates, promotions, and re-engagement nudges.

The secret really comes down to relevance. When you segment messages based on what customers are actually doing in your app and what they’ve bought before, you’re doing more than just marketing, you’re building real connections. It’s the kind of engagement a mobile website just can’t compete with.

Lea, one of our expert Account Managers at StoreLab explains…

“We’ve seen amazing results by combining smart segmentation with push notifications focused on top-performing products. One client, clothing brand RockThoseCurves, saw a 121% revenue increase in just 30 days thanks to this approach.”

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How to get a mobile app for your Shopify store

The good news is that getting a mobile app for your Shopify store is easier than ever.

With no-code Shopify mobile app builders like StoreLab, you can create a fully functional, beautifully designed app using a simple drag-and-drop interface - no expert tech skills needed. Our platform allows you to customise your app’s look and feel, match your branding, and connect with your favourite Shopify integrations.

Curious how no-code app builder solutions are helping Shopify brands grow faster? Find out more.

At StoreLab, our mobile app plans include a personalised iOS and Android app built around your store’s needs - designed to help boost your sales, increase AOV, and improve customer loyalty.

Our experts don’t just stop at building your app. Our team handles the ongoing management too, including setting up and fine-tuning your push notification strategy to help drive long-term engagement and retention.

Want to take it a step further?  One strategy we’ve seen work really well is pairing Meta ads with a Shopify mobile app. The ads bring in the right traffic, and your app delivers the kind of high-converting, high-retention experience that turns clicks into loyal customers.

Want to learn how this could work for your Shopify business? Click here.

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Client success story

Dominie Luxury is a California-born, family-run business, producing luxury handbags and accessories.

Partnering with StoreLab since November 2023, Dominie Luxury has utilised the full extent of our mobile app and Meta ad plans to drive more sales, brand awareness, and traffic.

And here are just some of the amazing results their Shopify business has seen…

💸174% increase in online sales

🛒417% increase in add-to-cart rate

📈145% increase in sessions

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If you’d like to see this same growth for your Shopify store, get in touch with StoreLab today. One of our friendly experts will be more than happy to chat with you about how we can help your unique business to see more sustainable Shopify revenue growth.