Shopify is a tool that helps more than 800,000 stores sell things online worldwide. People using this tool made over $100 million in sales. In 2022, there were over 6,000 different apps in the Shopify App Store. Shopify is a widely known eCommerce platform known for its exceptional customization capabilities, themes, templates, and other benefits.
Shopify app development agencies are specialists who help brands create Shopify apps for their businesses. In this article, we'll discuss what a Shopify app is, the types of Shopify apps, what needs to be considered while developing a Shopify app, how to create one in eight steps, and some key takeaways.
What is a Shopify App?
Shopify is like an online store maker. It lets people and businesses create their shops on the internet. With Shopify, you can organize what you sell, accept credit card payments, make your store look special, and see how well your sales are doing. In 2009, Shopify made a way for other developers to create and sell apps for Shopify stores. These apps can help with many things, and Shopify has tools for all kinds of sellers, whether they are just starting or have been selling for a long time.
Types of Shopify Apps
There are four main types of Shopify apps, depending on who can use them.
Public Apps: These are open to everyone and can be found in the Shopify App Store. There are two types: listed, which everyone can see and use, and unlisted, which you need to get from the developer's website or app store because they are not in the main Shopify store.
Custom Apps: These are made for one specific store and are not in the Shopify App Store. They are good for expanding your business to other places or adding extra features to your Shopify admin.
Private Apps: These are made by developers for stores with special needs. They aren't in the Shopify App Store and can only be used by that store.
Draft Apps: Developers use these for testing while making apps. They can only be used in special development stores.
Considerations for Starting Shopify App Development
When you are just starting with Shopify app development, you usually have two options: creating a special app for a specific purpose or making an app to sell on the Shopify app store for everyone to use. Let's talk about the important things to think about when you are getting started.
Figuring Out What Your App Will Do:
Before you start making your app, it's important to know exactly what problem your app is going to solve for your online store in the Shopify world. Doing some research, looking at what other similar apps are doing, and deciding what you want your app to achieve will guide you in the right direction throughout the whole process.
Deciding What Kind of App You Need:
There are mainly two types of apps that work with a Shopify store:
Public Apps: These are apps that are listed on the Shopify App Store, and anyone can buy and use them. Or there are unlisted public apps that people can get from your website or app store.
Custom Apps: If you want something made just for your store, you can hire dedicated Shopify developers. You will need to decide what you want your app to do, or you can hire a shopify ecommerce developer to make those decisions.
Thinking About How Much It Will Cost:
Usually, making a Shopify app can cost between $15,000 and $25,000, depending on how complicated and advanced it is. Apps with fewer features tend to cost less, and on average, making an app can cost around $20,000.
Planning How Long It Will Take:
Most store owners don't have the skills to build an app themselves, and even if they learn, it can take a really long time. Hiring a Shopify virtual assistant is a good idea because they know how to make all kinds of custom apps. Just keep in mind that it's important to check with the developer about how much time they'll need to finish the job.
What Are The Stages Of Shopify App Development?
These are the eight steps of developing a Shopify app for your business.
1. App-building basics and best practices
When creating a Shopify app, you need some technical know-how. We won't dive too deep into the technical stuff here, but Shopify has some good advice on making your app work well. There are four main areas to focus on: how your app performs in general, on the storefront, during installation, and at the checkout. By understanding these basics, you can talk to your developers more effectively, making sure your app gets approved faster for the Shopify app store.
2. Tooling and setup
Shopify apps live on the developer's servers, giving you flexibility. You can use any hosting platform and coding language you like. How you set up your app depends on what you want to do, the framework you choose, and the language you or your developer are comfortable with. There are libraries for different languages like Node, Ruby, and Python. YouTube is also a handy resource for seeing how others build Shopify apps.
3. Keeping your app secure
Your Shopify app deals with customer data, so it's crucial to keep it secure. You can check for common security risks. Regularly check and maintain your app's security to ensure it stays safe in the long run.
4. Speed
For a successful Shopify store, it's important that it runs fast and is easy to use. Sometimes, apps can slow things down. To avoid that, test your app's speed using Shopify's tool, avoid using the same code multiple times on a page, and don't load things that are already on the page.
5. Developing an app with sustainability in mind
Software and Shopify's rules change over time. To keep your app going strong, you need to do regular check-ups, follow Shopify's updates, and always try to make your app better for the people using it.
6. GDPR and ADA compliances
When dealing with people's data, like in Europe with GDPR, it's important to follow the rules. For Shopify, get to know their guidelines on webhooks. Also, make sure your app is easy for everyone to use. Check out the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines to make sure your app works well for people with disabilities.
7. Adding an application to the Shopify App Store
To get your app on the Shopify app store, log in to your Partner Dashboard, select your app, and choose Shopify App Store as the distribution method. Fill in the details, preview your app, save it, and submit. Shopify will review it, and if everything's good, your app will be in their store.
8. Getting your app approved
After submitting your app, Shopify will look it over. They will either approve it or tell you what needs fixing. If changes are needed, you can make them and resubmit through your Partner Dashboard. Following these steps ensures your app meets Shopify's standards and gets approved for their app store.
Conclusion
Therefore, in this blog, we have explained the basics of Shopify and the Shopify app store, consideration for Shopify app development, and the process of creating it. Additionally, you can opt for a Shopify app development agency like MakkPress Technologies, which has certified Shopify app developers who have over 10 years of experience in building Shopify apps. With MakkPress Technologies, you can build a strong digital presence and optimize your site.
