How M-Commerce is Reshaping Mobile Shopping

So, how is m-commerce reshaping online shopping? And what should eCommerce businesses know?

Let’s say you’re running out of shampoo. Sure, you can run to the local drugstore and see what’s on sale. But let’s face it, most people will go to the Amazon app and repurchase their favorite products. Or better yet, they subscribe to autoship and never have to worry about using every last drop of shampoo (or filling the bottle up with water).

This trend is called mobile commerce, or m-commerce for short.

Revenue from m-commerce is expected to reach USD 2.5 trillion. If eCommerce businesses don’t optimize their strategy for mobile devices, they will fall behind.

What is Mobile Commerce?

M-commerce refers to any transaction conducted on a wireless mobile device, specifically smartphones and tablets. This is a type of ecommerce where users purchase products and services over the internet.

From May 2024 to May 2025, mobile phone ownership was at 63.07% worldwide, while desktop computer ownership was at 35.28%. As mobile phone ownership becomes more prevalent, m-commerce enables consumers to make purchases directly on their smartphones.

Another advantage of mobile ecommerce is the more straightforward checkout process. Many businesses use various platforms (more on that later) that store customer information, and consumers can purchase items in only a few clicks.

woman with shopping bags

M-Commerce vs Ecommerce

Although m commerce is part of ecommerce, both selling strategies still differ in various ways. Here are the most notable ones:

App usage. M-commerce companies often have their shopping apps, allowing users to buy without an internet connection. This is why consumers spend 41.9 billion hours on shopping apps.

Convenience. Mobile purchases can be done anywhere, since smartphones are wireless and handheld devices. As long as users can connect to the internet or use data, they can make purchases on their phone.

Reach. Companies can set up a store on various platforms, including social media, to increase their reach. Ecommerce companies relying on one website have many limitations.

Security. M-commerce tends to be more secure, since consumers don’t need to connect to the internet. That said, m-commerce companies may collect more data, which puts users at risk for a data breach. Ecommerce companies can also collect data, but users can safeguard themselves further by using a VPN and anti-virus protection.

Pros and Cons of M-Commerce

M-commerce comes with both advantages and disadvantages. Here’s a look at both:

Pros

Convenience. Many users shop on apps, and the checkout process is often user-friendly.

Larger customer base. M-commerce is more widely available, attracting a larger pool of shoppers.

Mobile payments. There are countless mobile transaction services, such as Apple Pay and PayPal One Touch.

Massive product selection. There’s a huge product inventory online so that customers can browse various items and prices on their phones.

Omnichannel capabilities. M-commerce companies often take advantage of multiple channels, offering an omnichannel experience for customers.

Cons

Regional issues. Some companies may experience problems when expanding to other countries via m-commerce. For example, not all countries may accept mobile transactions, and shipping can be expensive.

App development. Since there’s a massive demand for shopping apps, companies must invest in app development to optimize navigation and the user experience.

Security vulnerabilities. Companies are collecting more data, which attracts more hackers. Fraud and malware are also common security concerns.

Taxes. M-commerce businesses may comply with tax regulations, even when selling products online. This can be difficult when targeting international customers.

store on phone

Best M-Commerce Platforms

There are different ways to start your m-commerce business. While you can develop your website, app, and checkout process, many sellers subscribe to a platform that handles the hard work for them. But which platform should you choose?

Etsy

Etsy specializes in selling handmade and custom pieces. Sellers can create their own Etsy shop by uploading their products and setting their own shipping and return policies.

Another significant benefit is that Etsy offers a wide array of products. These include toys, jewelry, clothing, home decor, and more.

Etsy attracts 9.5 million buyers, and a large portion of these customers use Etsy’s app. Sellers can also stream their Etsy shop on social media platforms like Facebook and Pinterest, growing their reach even further.

Shopify

Shopify offers an all-in-one solution for sellers. You can use Shopify to create a website, upload inventory, manage orders, handle customer service, and more.

Plus, it offers countless templates, and their backend is user-friendly, so you don’t need technical experience to create a beautiful web store.

Shopify offers many solutions for m-commerce companies. Their marketplace features various apps and plug-ins designed to enhance the mobile shopping experience, including the addition of a recommendation engine when a customer adds an item to their shopping cart. They also offer various one-click checkout and payment options.

Another benefit of selling on Shopify is that it solves many m-commerce issues. For example, sellers undergoing international expansion can access tools such as localization and international payment solutions.

Shopify offers several plans at affordable rates. All plans are scalable, allowing you to adjust or add services as needed.

Shop App

Shop App is a Shopify integration that sellers can add to their stores. It started as a one-click payment processor, where users can check out in one click. Shop App then emerged as a separate channel where users can shop, checkout, and track purchases in one place.

All sellers need to do is find the Shop App on Shopify’s marketplace and activate “Sell With Shop.” This app also integrates with social media channels, further increasing your reach. Shop App is also known for its Shop Pay rewards, where users earn money back for their purchases that they can use toward future orders.

Amazon

It’s no surprise that Amazon is one of the most effective m-commerce platforms. Amazon attracts millions of buyers, and the app boasts 150.6 million users.

There are many reasons why countless sellers choose Amazon. For instance, it’s easy to create your store and list your items. With Amazon FBA, the retail giant handles all storage, picking, packing, shipping, and customer service. This means sellers only need to worry about growing their business.

Amazon offers many ways for sellers to market and advertise their products. The ecommerce giant operates in numerous countries, making it easy to grow your audience.

Plus, sellers only need to pay a monthly fee to access all these benefits.

eBay

eBay is a marketplace for new and used items and is one of the most popular Amazon alternatives. Buyers can find a vast array of products on eBay, including electronics, collectibles, toys, clothing, and even cars.

eBay offers many perks, including free shipping and low prices. The auction feature makes eBay popular, where users can bid on high-value items. And it’s quite easy to sell on eBay. Sellers can easily list and edit their products, as well as track sales, all in one place.

Like many of these platforms, eBay offers a popular mobile app. Users can search for products, categories, and brands on their mobile devices, enhancing the shopping experience.

BigCommerce

BigCommerce is another example that gives sellers control of their business. They integrate with various mobile payment providers, including Apple Pay, to streamline the checkout process. Sellers can also offer their products in multiple currencies to attract international buyers.

BigCommerce is also offering more AI solutions, such as predictive analytics, so sellers can better predict trends and personalize their marketing. BigCommerce provides encryption and other security features to protect both sellers and buyers.

Future of M-Commerce

As technology continues to evolve, mobile commerce is expected to grow further. Here are some future m-commerce trends to expect.

Augmented reality (AR). AR is a popular way to “test” a product when mobile shopping. Customers can use AR to see how furniture or decor looks in their home, try out a makeup look or hair color, and even “try on” clothing. Because it’s so popular, AR is predicted to become a regular part of m-commerce.

Shopping assistants. Instead of customer service professionals, m-commerce users can access virtual “shopping assistants.” Powered by AI, these assistants can help complete purchases, recommend items, and provide customer support.

Do You Need Help With Your M-Commerce Business?

M-commerce has made the shopping experience quicker and more convenient. This is a type of ecommerce where all shopping is done on mobile devices.

But what does this mean for sellers? Brands must make their store and products available on mobile e-commerce devices, whether that means creating a responsive website or having a shopping app.

Fortunately, starting an m-commerce business is easier than you think. And if you’re using any of these platforms, we can also help grow your m-commerce store even more.

Author

Stephanie Jensen has been writing ecommerce content for seven years, and her copy has helped numerous stores rank on Amazon. Follow her on LinkedIn for more insight into freelance writing and creating high-quality content.

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