How to improve the speed of your ecommerce app to sell more

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Wednesday, November 26, 2025
How to improve the speed of your ecommerce app to sell more

Speed is everything in the world of mobile ecommerce. According to Google, 53% of users abandon an app if it takes more than 3 seconds to load. And in eCommerce apps, every millisecond counts: several studies show that for every additional 100ms of waiting, conversion can drop by up to 7%. Therefore, knowing how to improve loading times in ecommerce apps is essential to increase sales, retention and user satisfaction.

In this article you will discover advanced optimization and performance strategies applied to mobile apps, as well as practical tips to implement them today and a real case: that of Ostu, an online fashion store for women, men and children that has significantly improved its speed and conversion thanks to its eCommerce app.

1. Why speed is the factor that most impacts mobile conversion

The mobile user has little patience. In an environment dominated by immediacy, performance optimization becomes a decisive competitive advantage. Key facts:

  • A delay of only 1 second can reduce conversion by 20% (Akamai).
  • 70% of mobile purchases are made from faster, smoother apps (Statista).
  • Fast apps achieve a 34% higher recurrence rate.

Speed doesn't just improve the experience: it translates directly into more sales, more retention and an increase in average order value.

2. Advanced optimization: how to improve the performance of your mobile app

Reduces the weight of images and resources

Images usually represent between 45% and 60% of the data loaded in an eCommerce app. To optimize them:

  • Uses modern formats (WebP, AVIF).
  • Applies automatic lossless compression.
  • Implements lazy loading to load images only when the user sees them.

Optimizes communication with the server

An optimized backend can reduce the initial load time from 1.5 seconds to less than 300 ms. Recommended actions:

  • Use lighter APIs and specific endpoints.
  • Cache frequent answers.
  • Minimize duplicate calls.

Implements intelligent caching

Caching is one of the most powerful tools of advanced optimization. It allows the most used elements to load up to 10 times faster.

  • Caching catalog and category data.
  • Save user settings.
  • Preload critical screens such as the home page or the shopping cart.

Minimizes the initial load to accelerate opening

The best apps in the world split the initial load so that the user enters the home page quickly, while the rest loads in the background. This can reduce opening time by up to 40%.

Check scripts and unnecessary elements

Eliminating resources that do not contribute to conversion reduces the app's weight and increases speed.

  • Remove unused modules.
  • Eliminate heavy libraries if they are not essential.
  • Optimizes icons and visual components.

speed is the factor that has the biggest impact on mobile conversion

3. Fast micro-interactions: how they affect the perception of speed.

It is not only the actual load time that matters, but the user's perception. Most high-performance systems use stimuli that "hide" the waiting time.

Intuitive charging indicators

A good indicator can reduce the perception of waiting by up to 20%.

Smooth animated transitions

Transitions of 0.2 to 0.3 seconds generate a sense of immediate fluidity.

Tactile and visual feedback

At the touch of a button, the app should react instantly: color changes, slight vibration or micro-animations.

4. How speed directly impacts mobile SEO and ASO

Speed also affects ranking in the App Store and Google Play. Faster apps get:

  • Best average score in reviews.
  • Increased retention after the first session.
  • Increased visibility for compliance with best practices.

Google rewards apps with reduced load times, which reinforces organic acquisition.

5. Success story: Ostu and its speed and conversion improvement.

5. Success story: Ostu and its speed and conversion improvement.

Ostu, an online fashion store for the whole family, is a clear example of how optimizing load times in ecommerce apps can transform the performance of a business.

Results after optimizing your app with advanced technology

  • +38% reduction in load time after optimizing images and cache.
  • +27% increase in mobile conversion after improving app opening and catalog performance.
  • +22% in recurrence thanks to a smoother and faster experience.

What optimizations were key

  • Implementation of lazy loading in listings and categories.
  • Automatic compression with advanced formats.
  • Intelligent cache of best-selling products.
  • Optimization of API calls and elimination of unnecessary resources.

These changes not only improved speed: they increased user satisfaction, reduced abandonment and increased the average time in the app.

6. Practical checklist to improve your app's performance today

  • Check the size of the images and reduce weight.
  • Identify slow loading points with analysis tools.
  • Eliminate scripts or modules that do not add value.
  • Implements cache for key screens.
  • Optimize the home page and the catalog, which usually generate the most traffic.
  • It works fast micro-interactions to improve perception.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How to improve loading times in ecommerce apps without changing the entire infrastructure?

It is possible to optimize images, implement caching, reduce server calls and eliminate heavy resources without redoing the entire architecture.

What tools help to measure the speed of a mobile app?

Tools such as Firebase Performance, New Relic Mobile or AppDynamics allow you to analyze load times, latency and resource consumption.

Why does a slow mobile app reduce conversion so much?

Mobile users expect immediacy. A slow app generates frustration, increases abandonment and reduces impulse buying.

How does the speed of an app affect its positioning in app stores?

Fast apps achieve higher retention, better reviews and positive behavior that Google Play and App Store reward with more visibility.

What are the most common mistakes that affect the performance of an ecommerce app?

Heavy images, too many calls to the server, no cache, unnecessary scripts and excessive initial load are the most frequent failures.

Conclusion

Improving load times in ecommerce apps is one of the most profitable actions a digital business can take. A fast app not only sells more: it retains better, ranks better and creates an experience that the user wants to repeat. With advanced optimization and performance strategies, and following examples like Ostu's, any brand can start today to transform its mobile app and increase conversion.