Is an ecommerce app worth it? We analyze the real ROI

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The app channel: investment or expense?

At Reskyt, when we talk to ecommerce teams, one of the most frequently asked questions is: Is it worth having an app? And our answer is clear: if it is well designed, personalized and connected, the app not only pays for itself quickly, but it becomes the channel with the highest return of your entire digital strategy.

In this article we explain how to calculate the ROI of an ecommerce app, which variables to consider and in which scenarios it has a direct and measurable impact. And, as always, we accompany it with real data: in this case, the example of La Casa del Libro.

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How is the ROI of an app calculated?

ROI (Return on Investment) is measured with a simple formula:

ROI = [(Profit obtained - Investment cost) / Investment cost] x 100

To calculate it correctly, we must consider:

• Revenue generated from the app: sales attributed to the app channel (measured by proprietary analytics).
• Cost of the app: development, maintenance, updates, SaaS licenses.
• Time period: we recommend measuring in periods of 3, 6 and 12 months.

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Variables that directly impact ROI

• Conversion rate: apps convert up to 3 times more than mobile web.
• Average ticket: the average cart is higher in apps because of the personalized experience.
• Retention: app users come back and buy more frequently.
• Cost of acquisition (CAC): lower, since the channel is proprietary and direct.
• Loyalty and LTV: customer Lifetime Value grows when using the app as a relationship channel.

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In which cases does the app channel offer the highest return?

In our experience, these are some of the ideal scenarios to obtain a fast and high ROI:

• Businesses with high recurrence (fashion, health, pets, food).
• Ecommerce with extensive catalogs and customization needs.
• Brands that invest in retention and loyalty.
• Companies that want to reduce dependence on Meta and Google advertising.

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Case Study: La Casa del Libro

La Casa del Libro, one of the most emblematic retailers in the cultural sector in Spain, trusted Reskyt to develop its app with a clear objective: to create a direct, profitable and efficient channel for its most loyal readers.

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Some of the achievements obtained after launching the app with us:

• Increased recurrence: readers who downloaded the app made more purchases during the year.
• Higher ARPU: the average revenue per user was higher in app than in mobile web or desktop.
• Segmented pushes: increased open rates and triggered the purchase of new literary releases.
• Positive ROI from the third month: the revenue generated covered the initial investment and generated net profit.

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Thanks to Reskyt's no-code architecture, La Casa del Libro's marketing team was able to manage content, banners, promotions and actions without relying on IT, with total flexibility and speed.

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How much does a Reskyt app really cost?

Our model is by subscription and adapted to the volume of ecommerce. No custom development, no hidden costs, no technical dependency. In less than 4 weeks you have your app ready, published and connected to your ecommerce.

In addition, the monthly cost includes support, updates and all the functionalities you need to sell more from the app channel.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to see a positive ROI with an app?

It depends on the type of ecommerce, but in many cases the return is achieved between the third and sixth month, especially if a strategy of push, repurchase and segmented promotions is activated.

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What if my ecommerce has few products?

It's not a problem. In businesses with high average tickets or loyal customers, a well-designed app improves conversion and retention even with a reduced catalog.

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Is it possible to measure exactly how much the app sells?

Yes, at Reskyt we offer an analytics dashboard where you can see sales, conversion, average ticket, interactions, push openings and much more. Everything separated from the rest of the channels.

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How does the app affect my marketing strategy?

It allows you to reduce CAC, improve loyalty and activate your own channel with messages at no additional cost. It is ideal to complement actions in RRSS, SEM or email.

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What happens if my ecommerce changes platform?

Reskyt is compatible with the main CMS (Shopify, WooCommerce, PrestaShop, Salesforce Commerce Cloud...) and allows quick adaptations if you change technical environment.

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Conclusion

An app is not just an extension of ecommerce, it is a tool to sell more, better and with less cost. At Reskyt we help brands like La Casa del Libro to demonstrate that, when implemented with strategy, the app channel is the most profitable of all.

Do you want to know how much your ROI could improve with an app? Request a free demo and we will show you with real and customized data for your ecommerce.