Introduction
Android app is a complete shopping app for customers to buy products. App has all features that Shopify comes with by default. App also contains additional features to make it more usable for admin. All the shipping methods will display on the app which enables the website.
Changing the color theme of the app is as easy as you change for the website. Also register and login to customers at the app. and enable them to purchase. Push notification can be sent from admin to all customers at once.
Features
Change the color of android app
Color theme changes can be done right from the app color setting. Show your new offer by changing the color theme on black Friday or Christmas and new year's eve. A new color will apply instantly on the app when they start the app again.
To apply a new color theme, the app must be restart.
Push Notification
Push notification is essential to service to all e-commerce websites. That's why our app consists of push notification service as default. It uses Google firebase service to send a notification. Admin must get the FCM token for the website to make it work.
Firebase Integration
Android app is connected with Google Firebase services for push notification and analytics services. To make the app working correctly, the admin must get json file for the android app from the firebase website. App integration is easy and can be found on google firebase android integration doc.
After getting the json file please give it to us. We will add that file into the app so the app will able successfully creates FCM token key for all devices automatically.
Updated Version Available Page
The app comes with an automatic new version checking setting. We had used a reliable updated version checking algorithm to make sure the customer always gets the latest version of the app. The app also has forcefully updated the app like Youtube, Google, Facebook, What's App does. The customer will get 10 days to update the app to the latest version.
These 10 days customers will able to use it to make a purchase. After 10 days, the app will bring the new version available page on the screen. To update the app else they won't use it.
Quick Checkout
To make the purchase process seamless, we integrated quick checkout into the app. App has completely shadow of Shopify web checkout. It makes their purchase easy from the app.
100% Native
App is created in Android Studio using the purely native language. Using native languages makes Android app performance better and help running app without any kind of special permission or JS library. There is no hidden WebView uses to show data. We hate using webview as much as you do.
Main Setting
This part contains the app main setting. These Settings will use to make push notification enable in the app and to make secure API connection, a Random text-number field used. Whenever the website owner sends the push notification, Google FCM Key will be used to contact Google firebase API and then google will send the push notification.
- Random
The website owner can leave this field empty or enter the alpha number data. It will send to make mobile app api more secure. This way app has one extra layer of security over api. Also, prevent unauthorized access to data.
- Google FCM Key
To send push notification on android devices, mobile, tablets, we use Google Firebase Api. Firebase is free and secure because it is backed by Google. You can get the api key by integrating an android app to firebase by following this guide. Please follow the 3 steps mentioned on that. On the third step Add a Firebase configuration file and download the google-services.json file. Please forward that downloaded file to us. So we will add a file into the app.
NOTE: Do not forget to update the setting by clicking the save button(present on the upper-left side).
App Color Theme
This is one of the best options present in our app. And most probably the only app where you can find setting to change the color theme of the app from the website as you like. You can click on the image to see enlarge. The image has described how the colors will use in the app. Be careful, while adding a new color. As your customer will see a new color theme when they start your app next time. It's work like real-time. Note: If you are unsure, please leave the field blank to use the default color.
Primary Color
It is the main color of the app. This color will use as the base color of App and applied everywhere. According to this color, other matching colors will be applied.
Primary Dark Color
This color is either a dark color of primary color or matchable color. This color will be seen on the cart page button background. Please do not use odd colors here. It will destroy the color theme of the app. Result in bad user experience and less purchase from the app.
Accent
It is used to give the background color of the status bar. Where battery and notification icons show.
Black
The black color is important to the color of any color theme. Must provide pure or partial black color code. Other then black is not good.
White
Like black color, white is used everywhere in the app. Please provide a pure white color code that is #ffffff.
Homepage
App homepage background color is taken color from this setting. According to the primary color, the Homepage page background color should set. The default is white.
Cart Icon Border
When a customer adds the product to the basket, a popup shows on the cart page icon with product count on it. This icon background color is the default primary color. Admin can set border color. Please check the image for ref.
Cart Number
Product count shows on cart icons Please check the image for ref. Text count text takes color from this. The default is white.
2. Home Page
This setting is used to design the homepage of the android app. Entire homepage content is manageable form this setting.
Collection
Below the main slider Collection list will display in the horizontal slider. The image and title will display the collection. Whenever the website changes the collection's image. A new image will show on the app automatically. Because the app is real-time sync with websites.
Trending Products List
Here you can select products that are trending on your website. Or you can also select products that are selling most. Else you can select other products too.
You must select products even in the total count. For example, select at least 4,6,8,10 products counting. Selected product counting that is odd 3,5,7 is not good. And can break up the design.
Heading 1 and Description, Heading 2 and Description
This is a special section made to display special offers and upcoming events. There is a character limit.
Heading character limit is ⇢ 15, including space.
Description of character limit ⇢ 25 includes space.
Big Single Image
The single image below the heading 1, 2 is present. Only one banner should be upload. The customer won't able to click.
Info Section ⇢
The information section is created for giving additional information to the customer. There are three sections present. Each with title and icon. you can enter any information like secure payment, offers going on, shipping types.
Like heading 1,2, there is also a character limit. But you can enter up to 20 characters. White typing, be consistent and keep the design into mind.
Offer Section ⇢ Products
Select products which have offered or discount going on. It will customer more likely to purchase product those have some kind of discount.
You must select a product even in the total count. For example select at least 4,6,8,10 products. 3,5,7 is not good. And can break the design.
Vertical Section ⇢ Add Products
Here you can select additional products which you want to show to customers.
You must select a product even in the total count. For example select at least 4,6,8,10 products. 3,5,7 is not good. And can break the design.
3. Homepage Top Slider
The homepage has a top slider. This slider has multiple images. The sliding effect is left to right. You can set as many images as you like. But recommended images to set to the slider is maximum 6. Because every image takes some memory in the mobile or tab. and it makes memory stress on the app.
Also, You can set click event on a slider. Send customers to the collection page or product page when they tap on the particular slider. Here is how you can set
- Select Image
- Select either collection or product
- In the next textbox, either product list or collection will display. There is also search functionality in-built. You can type the name of collection or product, select it.
- Do the same for other images
- when you are done. Please save the setting.
App will automatically get the correct setting done by admin. And send the customer to the right collection or the product page.
3. Homepage Bottom Slider
The homepage has another slider at bottom of the homepage. These sliders working is the same as the top slider. The sliding effect is different than the top slider but the rotation direction is the same left to right. You can set as many images as you like. But recommend images to set to the slider is maximum 6. Because every image takes some memory in the mobile or tab. and it makes memory stress on the app.
Also, You can set click event on a slider. Send customers to the collection page or product page when they tap on a particular slider. Here is how you can set.
- Select Image
- Select either collection or product
- In the next textbox, either product list or collection will display. There is also search functionality in-built. You can type the name of collection or product, select it.
- Do same for other the images
- when you can be done. Please save the setting.
The app will automatically get the correct setting done by admin. And send the customer to the right collection or the product page.
Product
App uses real-time links to show products and its details. Shopify uses a sales channel app to show products on other apps. Admin must make products enable on other sales. After those products will visible on the app. Please follow the below steps.
Publish Product On TMD Android App
- Go to the products.
- Select all the products.
- Action → makes product available.
- Now All sale channel will display. Please select the Android app sale by TMD channel.
- Click on make product available button.
- Do the same for all products to show all products get on the android app.
Mobile-only Product
If admin wants to show products only on the app, then the admin must Online Store from Collection available list.
- Go to the proucts.
- Select the product.
- Action ? makes the product available.
- Now select Android App by TMD sale channel and deselect Online Store if it is already selected. Also, deselect other sale channels where a product is displaying.
- Click on the make product available button.
- Do the same for all products to show all products get on the android app.
Collection
Like products, the collection is also coming from the website. To publish the collection on Android App, please follow below steps
- Go to Collection
- Select all Collection
- Action ? makes Collection available
- Now All sale channel will display. Please select the TMD Android App sale channel
- Click on make Collection available button
- Do the same for all Collection to show all Collection get on android app.
Note: Without making the collection available on the Android app by TMD sale channel, it won't display on the app.
Mobile-only Category
Push Notification
Push Notification increase sale by 30% according to a study done by various organizations. That's why we included this service for you. We will make this service free.
Admin can send push notification on mobile or tablet where the app is currently installed. For sending a notification, App uses Google FCM service. It is a free service that is used by 90% of the app to send push notification to the app. And It has a success rate of over 99%. If you are unsure about Google FCM service, here you can read their policy or term and condition. Please follow the steps below to get obtain FCM Web Key. We also need a Google FCM JSON file for the android app. Both can be obtained from the same steps.
Where get FCM notification Web Key and Android App .json File
To send push notification on android devices, mobile, tablets, we use Google Firebase Api. Firebase is free and secure because it is backed by Google. You can get the api key by integrating an android app to firebase by following this guide. Please follow the 3 steps mentioned on that. On third step Add a Firebase configuration file and download the google-services.json file. Please forward that downloaded file to us. So we will add file into app.
Push Notification List
Here you will have a list of notification you had sent to your app. There is also a status indicated, whether notification is sent or not. Sent status means the notification is reached to Google and Google will deliver the notification to your app.
Failed status indicates there is something wrong with either Google Firebase api or with our service. You can try after some time. If you found many failed status. Then kindly contact us by creating a ticket.
How Many We Can Send Push Notification In A Day?
Well, Admin can send 1-5 notification a day. But we recommend you to send only 2 notification in a day. Because customers won't be happy to keep getting notification from the same app./p>
How To Send Notification?
It is damn easy to send a notification. Here are the steps are written below. Follow them.
- Go to our app Android App by TMD
- Click on Push Notification
- Now you are landed on List of notification you have sent. Please look for a top-right corner for Add Button. It has a red-colored. Click on it.
- From here you can send a notification. Please enter the text you want to send. and click on save.
- Notification will send to Google using Firebase Api.
- On the notification list, you will see the status of newly send the notification: sent / Failed.
- Status: sent means, a notification will deliver to the app shortly.
- Status: failed means, there is something wrong with api it'self, Please try to send a notification after a few mins.
Logo and name of the app
The website logo will be used as an App logo and App icon. We will take logo from the website and set it as app's logo.
Name of the app is the same as the website. Name can not different than the website name. Because App should be pointed to the same website or the same domain that it gets products and collections. It will help make customer trust.
Language
Currently, the app has only one language that is English. We are planning to get a few more languages soon.
Payment Gateway
For now, the app is showing the same payment gateways that is enabled on the website. Customers will able to check out in the same way as they do in the website. In the next 1-2 months, we will add new Google Pay to the app.
Currency
App uses price and currency from the website to show in the entire app. Currency entirely depends on the website. Whatever currency uses website will show on the app too.
Example: The website uses $(American dollar) currency. Then App also shows $(American dollar) to customers.
Publish App on Google Play Store.
How Many Days Will I Get A File To Upload on Google Play Store ?
When all the app is ready to publish, we will give you a file to upload on Google Play Store. It will take 2-4 working days to get the app ready. It includes testing the app from products and checkout to creating a customer account.
Google Play account Cost
Google account is free. But for uploading app on Play Store. Google takes $25. It is a one-time charge. Without paying $25, Google won't let you upload apps on the play store. After paying charges. Google will open the developer account for the play store. You will upload as many apps as you can.
How Do I Pay
You can pay using Credit Card. All major international card is accepted. For more information please check Google help support for payment
Upload app on play store
There are some form should be and upload android installation file to must be upload. Please take a look at the doc for more information. They explained evrything Documentation of Android App Play store upload
Unpublish Mobile App From Google Play Store
Follow these steps
- Go to your Play Console.
- Select an app.
- Select Store presence > Pricing & distribution.
- In the "App Availability" section, select Unpublish.
How many days it takes to publish app on Google Play Store
After Jan 2020, Google manually reviews all apps. They ensure the app must follow the children's privacy act passed in the U.S. And other countries. Also checking unwanted permission taken by the app.
After going everything smoothly, It will hardly take 3-4 days to get your app on Google Play Store.
FAQ
Trail ends. What happens next
The trail is 14 days. After completing the trail. The app will stop working. If you are satisfied. You can continue with us by paying the monthly charges. When payment is done, App will start working after within an hour. Else you can send us an email or make a ticket for improvement you are looking to get the app working for you.
What if I missed paying the monthly charges
When admin missed paying the monthly charges. Then the app still works for the next 1 week. Please make payment within the next 1 week. If admin still not able to make payment within 1 week, then the app will stop working.
After making payment, the App will start working within 1 hour.
The payment has some problems. But I want to get my app working.
If you are unable to pay monthly charges on Shopify for Android app. But you want to get the app working. You can make a ticket and we will get a solution for you.
We are happy to see you as our customer. We will talk and get a solution with Shopify. Let you use the Android app.
Products not displaying on Android App
Products only display on the app when they are available for Android App by TMD sale channel. There is also a possibility if you already make the product available and still can not able to see on the app. Then probably admin did some changes to a product like changes to product title and inventory or other option.
You can make available the products on an app by making them available on the sale channel. Please follow the product enable step.
Collection not displaying on Android App
Sometimes, Collections are not displaying not Android app. Whenever collection not displaying on the app. Please follow these steps to publish collection on app
Change the color of Android App
App color is manageable from admin. Please look at the color theme customizable.
Why push notification is not deliver to app?
There are several possibilities. Sometime Google Firebase service takes time to send push notification to the app. Also, please check the status of notification you had sent previously on the Notification List page.
Write a review
You can tell your views and experience to others by writing a review on the Shopify app listing page. It is really helpful to us.
Still have question
If you still have problems or have unanswered questions. Please make a ticket. We will get back to you as soon as possible.
Sources and Credits
Special thanks for Shopify for their api. Our project used two fonts and bootstrap and some native libraries. Please check below to read all the names.
- Shopify
- BootStrap
- Google Firebase
- Google GSON
- Glide for image processing