You’ve heard about mobile commerce. Retailers list their products across more than 28 million online storefronts, consumers buy their desired items, and the merchandisers develop a steady revenue stream.
But what if that idea is incomplete?
Surely there’s no way your app—no matter the vertical—could naturally contribute to that market, creating a new revenue stream in the process, right? Think again.
With the rise of AI shopping tools, including our Best Price Feature, you can easily optimize your app’s revenue strategy to leverage the organic behaviors of users shopping mobile commerce. How? In this guide, we’ll explain what mobile commerce truly represents for apps, break down its key benefits, and show you how you can drive user retention and engagement, all with a simple tweak to your existing revenue strategy.
A New Approach To Mobile Commerce, Explained for Today’s Apps
When most people hear mobile commerce, they rightly picture retail apps, product ads, or generic shopping banners. While this is still true, this view is outdated and costing apps the opportunity to break into a $3.7 trillion market. Let’s break down why.
Mobile commerce is now so much more than advertisements. With the right approach, it can transform your app, no matter the vertical, into a natural extension of your users’ online shopping behaviors. Think of it as building an ecosystem where your app connects users to the products they’re already searching for seamlessly.
By embedding commerce experiences into their journey, whether in your app or shopping outside your platform, you can become the go-to resource. And with tools like AI-driven price comparison, such as our Commerce SDK with its user-friendly best price tool, users get the confidence they’re making the smartest purchase possible while your app earns incremental revenue from every transaction.
So, why is this the right strategy for your app?
The Limitations of Traditional App Revenue Streams
Are we saying mobile commerce will replace your legacy revenue streams entirely? No. But ignoring the opportunity limits your app’s upside. Here’s why:
- Pop-Up Ads Cause Frustration: Think about your favorite apps for a minute. Do they rely heavily on pop-up ads? Likely not. Ads and banner placements can disrupt the user journey. They pull attention away from your app’s core value and often lead to frustration or churn.
- Subscription Fatigue: Today’s users are increasingly selective when it comes to subscriptions, whether to their favorite apps or streaming networks. While subscriptions still have their place, conversion rates have stagnated, and apps must work harder to prove premium value.
- In-App Purchase Plateaus: Yes, in-app purchases are great for short-term gains. But, if your core users aren’t heavy shoppers, it may be difficult to generate enough of a revenue stream for your app. This could lead to you leaving money on the table without optimizing your strategy.
The Overlooked Benefits of Mobile Commerce
So, we know mobile commerce represents a major opportunity for your app to develop a more robust revenue stream. But what’s really in it for you? How can this revenue strategy boost your app in the long term?
- Higher LTV: Mobile commerce adds ongoing value to your user experience, which directly boosts lifetime value. With Appnomix’s white-label solution, your app will deliver timely, sponsored deals for your users to enjoy while they shop. This includes coupons, discount codes, and AI-powered price comparisons. When users trust that your app helps them shop smarter, they engage more frequently, stay longer, and ultimately spend more.
- Incremental Revenue: Mobile commerce introduces an entirely new stream of revenue, one that doesn’t compete with your existing strategies but complements them. By unlocking what we call the “Fifth Dimension of App Revenue”, you can drive ARPU rates in a more scalable way.
- No Disruptions to UX: Unlike ads that hijack attention or subscriptions that require heavy commitment, mobile commerce is invisible by design. It weaves into the app experience seamlessly, offering value instead of distraction at peak moments of user intent. This user-first approach strengthens trust instead of eroding it, which means your revenue stream grows without sacrificing retention.
Appnomix In Action
How would this shift to mobile commerce look for your app? All it takes is a quick update to your code, and you can start earning additional revenue.
Users will be asked to sign up for a loyalty program, sponsored by your app. Once they leave your platform and shop online, they’ll be presented with exclusive offers from our network of over 50,000 eCommerce partners. They more they shop and save, the more revenue your app earns. It’s that simple.
To learn more about how you can unlock incremental ARPU for your app through a seamless shopping extension, connect with our team today.
Explained: How Appnomix Opens A New Revenue Channel for Your App
FAQs
What is mobile commerce?
Mobile commerce is an untapped app revenue stream. Unlike traditional ads, it integrates seamlessly into the app journey, providing users with relevant shopping opportunities outside of your platform, generating additional revenue.
How is mobile commerce different than in-app purchases?
In-app purchases typically involve buying features, digital goods, or upgrades within an app. Mobile commerce, on the other hand, connects users to deals on external products or services while they shop online, offering a new way for your app to drive ARPU.
Why should apps consider mobile commerce?
Mobile commerce unlocks new app revenue streams without disrupting user experience. By surfacing relevant products and deals, apps can increase ARPU, strengthen user loyalty, and diversify beyond traditional models like ads and subscriptions.
