Building Apps with BigCommerce App Extensions

  • BigCommerce Development

  • Published On August 20, 2024

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Introduction

BigCommerce App Extensions are a powerful tool for developers creating apps that integrate with BigCommerce stores. They provide a way to create a more seamless experience for merchants by adding custom menus and functionalities directly within the BigCommerce control panel.

Apart from improving the customer experience, they also have several other benefits. This includes they can create new streaming of revenues and make custom extensions as per the planning and thus by implementing these, they can make them stand apart from other ecommerce markets. Implementing these features will enable them to have a rich customer experience. Therefore they will be loyal and will draw other potential customers as well.

Overall, BigCommerce App Extensions is a powerful and versatile tool for both merchants and developers and can help drive growth and success in the e-commerce industry.

What are App Extensions?

App extensions make a positive impact on the app experience as this enables the app to have additional features. This enhances the user experience as app extensions help to remove bugs and also introduce additional features integrating more features of a BigCommerce.

App extensions are those that add valuable features to the existing app, keeping the platform the same. Thus the user will not feel like they are using a different app. Hence the app environment will remain the same, and other features will be integrated with it to improve the customer experience.

Benefits of using App Extensions on BigCommerce

Benefits of using App Extensions on BigCommerce?

AppExtensions on BigCOmmerce enhances the app experience by eliminating previous bugs and also adds a wide variety of features and functionality as well.

Asper Incisiv, average conversion rate of BigCOmmerce was 2.33% and for other platforms it was only 1.94%.

There are many benefits of App Extensions like:

  1. Better Functionality of BigCommerce Store: The merchants have the ability to modify the functionality of the existing app and also can add new features alongside it.  For example, a merchant has added a new feature called a feedback button where the customers can provide feedback about the app. If it is reported that the majority of the customers want to improve the payment gateway method, then he has the power to implement that new feature thus enhancing the functionality of the app.
  1. Enhanced User Experience: AppExtensions has the power to integrate new features and thus enhance the user experience. Thus it will lead to more customer satisfaction and seamless user experience. For instance, if there is a new feature that will enable a customer to share a particular product on Facebook then he can share it with their friends. This also has another advantage is that other users can check the app and also become potential customers.
  1. Increased App Engagement: This means that the user can have access to the part of the app where they visit occasionally. For example, giving a wishlist of the favorite products on the home page rather than navigating to the order section and then navigating to the wishlist. This improves the user engagement with the app.
  1. Data Integration and workflows: This means that the App Extension will enable the merchants to integrate the existing platform with other systems like ERP or marketing automation tools making it a very seamless experience.  Thus, making the system more automated and hence increasing efficiency and productivity.
Big-commerce Platform

A sample image of the app where you can see the conversion rate,the visitors and orders. Where by selecting the time period as per your requirement, you can find out the revenue the store has generated. 

There are several Benefits of using BigCommerce App Extensions for developers as well. It will allow the developers to integrate the customisation in the app that will in return help the merchants to grow their business.

Getting Started With App Extensions

Getting Started With App Extensions:

This involves making customization to enhance the performance and interface of the app. For this, below mentioned conditions are required to be performed:

  1. A big commerce store or a sandbox environment to test the app
  2. Fundamental knowledge of JavaScript, HTML, and CSS
  3. Proficiency with OAuth authentication and BigCommerce API

The leading BigCommerce development agency offers various BigCommerce App Development services as well. There are several ways they can help with this App Extension.

  1. Low-code App Development: They have a low-code approach that will permit them to develop an Extension efficiently and fast without compromising on quality. These are very lightweight codes, and hence the application remains very efficient and user-friendly.
  1. Next.js for BigCommerce: They have expertise in Next.js for BigCommerce App Development, which enables them to create a quick and SEO-friendly app extension.
  1. BigCommerce App Store Optimization: They can develop the app in such a manner that will make it rank higher in the search results and thus make it more visible to merchants and lure them. Integrating helps is sharing in other social networking platforms as well which also attracts other potential costumes and thus helps in marketing at a lower profile as well.
  1. BigCommerce B2B: They also have high skill sets in building B2B apps for BigCommerce which also include apps that are for price management or retail/wholesale ordering, etc.
  1. Shopify Analytics: They can also help to integrate Shopify Analytics with the app. This will make the app more attractive while providing various other functional data like shipping and logistics, inventory management, purchase order management, and other important sales metrics.

Bigcommerce development services have collaboration  with several developers , agencies and partners as well who are proficient in creating and customizing the application and help the merchants in growing their business.

Bigcommerce partners do not directly assist in building the app, however they have a chain of networks of technology providers and agencies and build a team in order to help the merchant in building the app. With this collaboration, developers can have access to various unique resources and have the chance to connect with potential clients and other professionals.

How a Top e-Commerce Development Company can improve the B2B Sales Online

Top e-commerce development companies can help improve B2B sales online in multiple ways. Since they specialize in building BigCommerce apps and are one of the leading app development agencies, they can help understand the priority and develop the app according to the need.

  1. Wholesale order: An e-commerce development company can help improve the wholesale ordering experience as they can integrate it in such a way that the orders are placed directly from the BigCommerce store. Also, various other features can be integrated like bulk pricing, minimum order quantity, and a lot more.
  1. Managing Price List: They have the ability to manage the price list and customize it for the customers in such a way that it leaves a good impression.
  1. Customer Management: It will allow management of the customer’s information saved online so that one does not need to provide the info every time they place an order. This will make a good customer experience as well as customer support.
  1. BigCommerce App Development: They can help integrate various other features like a hassle-free checkout process and lots of other features as well which will in turn make the app efficient and bug-free as well.
How to Build and Create a BigCommerce App Extension

How to Build and Create a BigCommerce App Extension

Developing a BigCommerce App extension will help in integrating various features and remove previous bugs if any, however, 4 main steps are required to build a BigCommerce App Extension.

How we can help to transform your B2B sales online?

Top app development companies can help you develop your online B2B sales online by creating a customized store. Our team specializes in this and will work according to your plan to design a website that will meet your specific needs. It can also  assist you to integrate your store with other tools and systems, such as CRM and inventory management, to make it easier to manage your online sales.

Our main target is to make your store profitable. We will help you in Building profitable BigCommerce Apps by the combination of our team who specializes in this department and your plan and requirement. With this our team will look into it and develop an app extension that will be effective and efficient and help you in your business.

With our assistance, you can provide a better online shopping experience for your B2B customers and grow your business.

Step 1: Plan Your App Extension

The first and foremost part of building an app extension is planning as to what should be the priority and should meet those targets.

Some questions to consider during the planning phase may include:

What problem does your App Extension solve for BigCommerce merchants?

What are the key features and functionality of your App Extension?

Who is the target audience for your App Extension?

What is the potential market size for your App Extension?

Thus, planning is the first stage of developing the app, as this will help to point out the main objectives that are required for this development. This will indicate the clear goals that are required in this development stage. Following steps like designing and developing, followed by testing the app and deploying, all are done while remaining what is planned in this stage.

Step 2: Design Your App Extension

When a planning stage is complete, that means what is to be done in this development phase, then the next stage is to design the plan accordingly. It should be taken into account that the interface should be hassle-free and not complex, as the ultimate goal is to improve the customer experience.

Some best practices for designing BigCommerce App Extensions include:

  1. Using a consistent and intuitive design language that is in line with the BigCommerce platform. This means the customer will not feel he has switched the apps as the app environment remains the same and other features have been integrated alongside.
  1. Make sure that your App Extension is responsive and works well on different devices and screen sizes. Thus not making random designs that are not in compliance with the existing platform. Hence it is very important to make Extensions in such a way so that they will continue to work in the devices it used to run previously and hence not hammering any customer experience.
  1. Use clear and concise language in your App Extension’s labels, instructions, and error messages. It is very important to label the features and use clear language. This in turn helps with the accessibility of the apps.

Step 3: Develop Your App Extension

This is one of the most important stages. After planning and designing the app, it is time to develop according to the target set. This includes using programs like CSS and JavaScript to develop the app.

Step 4: Test and Deploy Your App Extension

This is the final step of the phase. After planning, designing, and then developing the app extension, it is time to test the app. Once it is being tested and passes the tests like compatibility with the device and OS and functionality of the new features that have been integrated, it is also important to keep in mind whether the previous features are being affected or not and whether the bugs that have been addressed have been resolved.

Once all the tests have been performed, it is now ready to be deployed to the market. It is first sent for approval from the AppStore so that it can be available to the customer and once it gets the approval now, then it is now ready for the customers to experience the new features.

BigCommerce Theme: Merchants also have the opportunity to choose from various predefined templates which are available at our portal. There are several templates each for different purposes and one can choose depending upon their business requirement and purposes.

Headless Commerce with BigCommerce: It is a new way of building ecommerce websites. It will permit the developers to create a very efficient websites by using modern technologies. This will allow the merchants to have a very accurate and unique platform.

FAQs

What are the prerequisites for building App Extensions?

One needs to be proficient with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript as these programming languages are required to build and develop an AppExtension. They also need to be familiar with BigCommerce API and OAuth Authentication and they should know how to test it via the sandbox environment.

Where can I find resources to get started?

For a starter, the BigCommerce Developer program is a great place to start as it has several resources like tutorials and sample apps which will help to get accustomed to it and gain the basic knowledge of the whole field. Great programs by well known App Development Service providers which also are rich in resources and can help you gain a lot of expertise in this field.

How do I register my App Extension?

Once all the development stages are complete and it is tested and finalized, then it will be sent for approval to the AppStore. The AppStore will then analyze the app and check whether it is complying with all the required factors and verify the certificates. Once it is approved, then it will be registered by that platform.

How can I ensure data security when using App Extensions?

One of the most important factors is data security as many customer details will be saved. It is to ensure that the data is secured with high security before it is deployed or otherwise it will be a bad customer experience.OAuth Authentication is one of the leading services that are used in BigCommerce Apps to ensure data protection and encrypt any sensitive data. Other best practices also include keeping a strong password and changing it at regular intervals along with regular security updates of the app.

Is it possible to integrate App Extensions with other BigCommerce apps?

It is possible to integrate Appextension with other BigCommerce apps, by using BigCommerce API. There are also other apps and tools which can help to integrate these. Integrating the AppExtension along with BigCommerce Apps will influence good customer experience.

Does BigCommerce offer any starter apps?

There are various starter apps that BigCommerce offers. These applications include basic features like managing the shipping and logistics along with order management and various other features as well.

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    Hiren Raval
    About Author
    Hiren Raval

    Hiren is a seasoned eCommerce consultant who has helped many businesses succeed. He's worked with companies of all sizes to help them find the right solutions and strategies to grow their business. If you need someone who can guide your company through this new landscape, Hiren is the person for you. Get in touch with him today!

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