Thinking about launching your own store app โ and wondering what it costs, how long it takes, and how it all works?
This store app FAQ answers the questions merchants ask most about Salla's Mobile App Builder service โ from subscription pricing and preparation time to developer accounts, app statuses, design templates, and what your customers experience. In this guide, you'll learn the answers to every common question about the store app service.
The store app service is a monthly (SAR 550) or yearly (SAR 5,500) subscription, separate from your Salla plan, that builds an iOS and Android app for your store. The app is prepared within 72 hours after you finish entering its details, and updates roll out to it automatically.
๐ Article overview
- Subscription and pricing
- App preparation and publishing
- Developer accounts
- App statuses and subscription renewal
- App features, design, and the customer experience
โ Subscription and pricing
Is the app service a one-time payment?
No. The service is a monthly or yearly subscription, priced separately from your store's Salla platform subscription. You can enable auto-renewal for the app subscription.
The service covers maintenance, operation, and all add-ons, updates, and new features throughout the year โ just like your platform plan subscription.
Which operating systems does the app service cover?
The service includes releasing your store's app for both iOS and Android.
How much does the subscription cost?
SAR 550 per month, with a yearly subscription option of SAR 5,500 โ including VAT.
Does the app service include updates, new features, or bug fixes?
Yes. The app is developed with new features regularly, and your app updates automatically whenever a new feature is added.
โ App preparation and publishing
How long does it take to prepare the app?
The app is prepared within 72 hours after you finish entering the app details.
๐ Important notes
- While Salla reviews your app details, you will be contacted if anything is wrong or missing, which may affect the preparation time.
- Your store must be ready with at least five products with complete details, one payment method, and a shipping company before the app can be created.
- Salla is not responsible for delays caused by the Apple App Store or Google Play review of your app before publication.
- App preparation and upload time is separate from creating and activating your company account on Apple's platform, which takes two weeks to a month.
Why doesn't my app appear in the app store even though it was launched?
The first version of your app appears in the app store within a maximum of 24 hours after launch.
๐ Important notes
- How the app ranks in search results depends on the downloads and ratings it receives โ the more downloads, the more likely it appears in search.
- The details you enter during app creation (app name, description, promotional text) affect how well the app is indexed on the app stores.
Do I need to re-enter my products for them to appear in the app?
No, you don't.
Can I edit the app details โ icon, name, description, and so on โ after my app is launched?
Yes, once you purchase the app data update service from the Salla store. For more details, see purchasing an app data update.
Can I edit the app design?
Yes. From your store's dashboard, open the app design tab, make the changes you want, then click (Save settings). The updated design appears to your customers automatically, at no extra cost.
What happens if my app is rejected?
If there is no clear violation of the app usage policies, a specialized Salla team contacts Apple and Google and tells you what action is needed from you. Most apps are accepted on the first submission.
โ Developer accounts
When buying the app, I see "Choose account" โ what does that mean?
"Choose account" is the key step for publishing the app on your own account. If you don't have developer accounts on Apple and Google, choose "I don't have store accounts", and the Salla team creates the developer account in cooperation with you. If you do have developer accounts, choose "I have store accounts".
๐ Important notes
If you choose "I don't have store accounts", a one-time setup fee applies.
What is a developer account?
A developer account is the service that allows apps to be uploaded so they appear on the App Store and Google Play.
Why am I asked for a commercial registration and passport when choosing "I don't have store accounts"?
Apple requires these documents to activate the developer account.
Why am I asked to enter accounts when choosing "I don't have store accounts"?
The accounts you provide are used to activate the Apple Developer Program and Google Play Console developer accounts your app is published on.
Why am I contacted by phone after choosing "I don't have store accounts" or "I have store accounts"?
To sign in to the accounts you provided, the team needs the verification code sent to your phone number.
What account types are accepted when choosing "I don't have accounts"?
A regular Apple ID and a Gmail account only, both linked to your phone number, so the Salla team can activate the developer accounts on them. For more details, see creating an Apple ID.
What account types are accepted when choosing "I have store accounts"?
Activated, ready developer accounts: an Apple Developer Program account of the company type, and a Google Play Developer account.
How long does preparing the developer account take?
Two weeks to a month. Your cooperation with the Salla team plays a role in how long it takes.
How long until the app is ready?
If you chose "I don't have store accounts": preparing the developer account takes two weeks to a month. During this period, we publish the app on Salla's account, then transfer it to your own developer account once Apple activates it.
If you chose "I have store accounts": the app appears in your own account within two to seven days.
Why is the app published on Salla's account?
It's a proactive step to reduce waiting time โ as soon as your developer account is ready, the app is transferred directly from Salla's account to yours.
โ App statuses and subscription renewal
What statuses does the app go through?
After purchasing the app service:
1. Entering app details: the stage right after you purchase the store app service from Salla. You enter the details, choose the design, and publish the app, which the Salla team then receives to work on.
2. Under review: your request has been received and is being worked on. This includes:
- Document review: the submitted documents are reviewed (translated commercial registration, passport).
- Account review: the submitted accounts are reviewed and verified.
- Store review: your store details are reviewed โ products, payment methods, sign-in methods, and so on.
3. Awaiting store approval: the app is reviewed by the App Store and Google Play reviewers.
4. Rejected: your app is rejected if it violates any of the terms or policies.
5. Published: congratulations โ your app is now published and you can share it with your customers.
How do I renew my Mobile App Builder subscription?
You can renew the app subscription in several ways:
1. Click the (Renew subscription) button in the app dashboard. It appears in the bottom banner, and you are alerted 7 days before the subscription expires.
2. Auto-renewal, if enabled through wallet and invoices.
3. After the subscription expires, a renewal option appears through the Mobile App Builder.
Does having my app on Salla's account affect my subscription renewal?
If your app is still on Salla's app store accounts, it must be transferred to your own App Store and Google Play accounts before you can renew the subscription. This transfer is required to carry out any maintenance or updates in line with Apple's and Google's intellectual property policies.
โ App features, design, and the customer experience
Can I see app statistics?
Yes, once the app is in your own developer account.
For more details, see creating an Apple developer account โ as an individual.
For more details, see creating an Apple developer account โ as a company or organization.
What automatic notifications are sent to customers with the app service?
Customers who downloaded the app receive notifications for certain order statuses, such as when your order status changes to reviewed or completed.
Is there a way to send custom notifications to customers?
Yes. You can send notifications to your customers through marketing campaigns, for a small fee deducted from your SMS balance. For more details, see working with marketing campaigns.
Is a widget supported for the store app?
Yes. The widget lets you quickly follow your store's key statistics from your phone without opening the full app.
Your store app's widget shows key store statistics such as:
- Visits
- Sales
- Orders
- Monthly target
Tapping the widget takes you to the merchant app.
What's the difference between the default template and the menu template in the app design?
With the default template you can:
- Add and control many widgets on the home page (wide banner, animated images, customer reviews, store features, video, images, fixed and animated products).
- Customize the top bar and tabs (categories, search button, main menu, logo, background).
- Apply advanced customization to the product layout on the home page and categories, and the promotional title style.
With the menu template, designed originally for restaurants and cafes, you can:
- Add and customize animated images on the home page.
- Customize the logo, background color, and icon colors from the top bar and tabs section.
- Customize the navigation indicator style and the app color.
- Customize how the product image is displayed, and the size of the product details image.
It appears in the app like this:
How can customers review and track their order details in the app?
If the order is shippable, an order tracking button appears when a tracking link is available. Customers can also review the delivery time and payment method used, and copy digital product codes.
How can I encourage customers to rate the app?
When a customer passes four sessions in your app, the rating window appears automatically.
Customers can also rate the app on their own, from the account tab, then (Rate the app).
The customer is then directed to the app store to rate the app.
A store app puts your brand on your customers' home screens โ and knowing how the service works end to end helps you launch it with confidence.