Customer experience and reach is the prime agenda behind going digital in terms of any business enhancement these days. Of course, a website is of prime importance and converting the same into a user-friendly mobile app becomes inevitable. The recent stats say, in the US, 60% of the online visits are through mobile phones. If this is the scenario in 2020, the trend seems to be on the rise in the current year as well as in the future.
People no longer use a laptop or a desktop to gaze through your website. It is all the smartphones and the need for a user-friendly mobile application seems to be a significant factor in your business. Moreover, if you have a responsive website that is compatible with cross-platform devices, you are on par with the current business scenario. Also, most of the web development services in USA recommend such web development processes too. However, a captivating mobile app can make things easier too. This article shall give you a thorough insight on:
- 1. Why do you need a mobile application in the first place?
- 2. Choices of Platforms available for mobile app creation
- 3. Steps to Convert Your Website into a User-friendly Mobile Application
Let us start one by one and discuss things in detail.
Why is a Mobile Application Needed For your Business?
The prime reason behind developing a website is to establish an online presence; be it local or global. Remember, you are not alone in your business. Especially in this competition-driven world, you may have at least one business owner thinking of starting a product or a service similar to yours. In fact, the thought processes can be pretty effective that the other business might be an improvised version of yours. If you have to stand ahead in this tide, you require a delectable mobile application.
Further, the hyperlocal marketplace is the new business model evolving these days. Every offline business seems to be transforming to digital mode. And every online store focuses on mobile applications. As such, the customers find it very easy to look through the handheld apps to make the purchase decision. If the consumer behavior is inclining towards smartphones, you must also turn towards that. Yes, your business needs a mobile app. A few other critical reasons are listed below:
Search Engine Optimization
Google’s services have also evolved over the years. With search engine results ranking being the primary motto behind creating an SEO friendly website, Google has nowadays started listing the most appropriate results to the user as they search. In fact, Google lists down the results based on complete support. And the ‘complete support’ happens through the presence of the mobile application. That means to say, if a user searches for the product or the service, your website shall not be listed in the top 10 if you do not have a mobile application.
Mobile-friendly Website or Interface
The web development services company might have helped create an amazing website for the desktop and tablets. If it does not suit the screen-size or the requirements of the mobile device, you are probably not reaching the customer. Further, as you realize that your business needs an app, you need not start from scratch. If your website is responsive enough, it shall give the same best experience to the user as it does on the laptop. At the same time, an application to use shall be definitely handy than a website on a mobile phone too.
Handy Marketing Techniques
Now, this is a fabulous factor that you can contemplate. If you have a mobile application, it is easy for you to notify the customers about any update just by using the ‘Push Notification’ option. This is the easiest option for a business owner to broadcast the message. The best part is even if the homescreen of the phone is locked, the notification message shall stay on the screen for the user to click and read the entire message.
Delectable Integrations
The use of a mobile application is far better than a website over a cellphone. As the app has the capacity to connect with other applications with the phone and gives the best user experience to the customers.
Works When the Internet is Weak
This is a technical aspect of app creation. A strong internet is required to access the website whereas even an offline mode is fine for the apps. Further, an application does not require a stronger internet connection as required for the website. Also, you can also integrate other apps which can work on offline mode too.
Which Operating System Must Be Considered?
With the cellphone users being a lot, the usage of iOS and Android phones are the prominent ones. That means to say, creating a cross-platform application serves a better result. As a part of business expansion and enhancement, catering to both the OS becomes inevitable too.
At the same time, if you do not have the bandwidth to build an app for both OS, then you might have to take a tough call. However, considering the fact that the android users are more at the moment and shall stand the same for the next few years, any new business can focus on creating an Android App. The statistics say, there are about 84% of people use Android while the rest use iOS.
Another clinical insight about this is, you must also look for the region-wise usage of OS. Though the worldwide usage of Android is more, in countries like Japan and the US, the Apple phone is used more compared to the Android. In fact, Apple phones are pretty famous in these regions.
On creating these apps for different platforms, one must realize that the functionality of both apps is similar. But the coding format differs. While Android uses the APK files, iOS uses .ipa.
Major Factors to Consider While Developing a Mobile App
While it is a cost-effective method to convert your website to a mobile app, premium mobile app development services USA recommend a new app creation than a converted one. The main reason is, the converted app shall not offer the right user experience. It is always better to build an app right from scratch than use a third-party tool to convert your website to a mobile application.
Having said this, you need to consider the below-mentioned factors for developing the app for your business.
Cost for Development
Yes, it is indeed a bit expensive to build an app from scratch. It is better that you allocate funds in your budget for this purpose. Further, it is always recommended to build an excellent app at the beginning itself, rather than going in phases because of payment concerns. You may look to pay in parts and have the app developed in 3 to 4 phases. This might not serve the purpose. So, keep the money upfront and develop a comprehensive app at the beginning itself.
Size of the Screen
With android and iOS being used in different devices, the app that is created must suit all the screen sizes. The top app development company in USA shall support you to develop an excellent UI UX based app that suits this requirement.
Bring Search Prominent Search Presence
The users shall search for the website and not the app. With Google listing the services with the app, enable the users to know about the app by adding a pop up on your website. This shall help them download the application, especially, if your website is not responsive on mobile phones.
Now that we understood the factors, let us see how we can convert a website into a user-friendly app now.
Also read: Mobile App vs Web App: Which Development Approach is Better
7 Steps to Convert Website into a Mobile App
Step 1: Do You Need a Mobile App – Take the Decision Now
You have come this far and your idea to create a mobile application must be commendable. But, does your website need an app? We are telling you this keeping your business expenses in place. If your website is highly responsive on mobile devices and compatible with different screen sizes, you might not need an app. Further, if you have an online store and has the features developed on par with the mobile application, which is compatible with mobile devices, you need not require a mobile application. Think about this and decide if you need one. If you do, then go further with the steps.
Step 2: Required Features in the App – List it Out
This is the step you are digging deeper into app creation. List out all the features that are required in your app. Now, prune those features that are ‘good to be’ and keep the most important ones. Save the pruned list in a different file. The most important features are a must and hire a developer to discuss the cost for the same. Most business owners make a mistake by keeping all the features, most of them are not required at all and end up paying more. So, get the list of most important features and you are good to go to the next step now.
Step 3: Select the App Development Team
You do not need a full-time employee for this purpose. On the other hand, you need an excellent mobile app development company’s services. List down 2 to 3 companies and select the best based on your requirements. You can go through their reviews and talk to the clients who have used their services and take a call. Do not take a blind call just because one of them quotes less than the others. Many times, quality comes with more expenditure. You definitely don’t want to mess with your organization’s brand image.
Further, if you are looking at hiring a team internally, do that and allow them to work with the vendor. The internal team shall take care of the upgrading part later in the life cycle of the application. Check for the development team if they are versatile in creating apps for both OS. If yes, then you are good to go to the next step.
Step 4: Estimate the Cost
This is the critical step to developing the app. As you have the features list ready, you will consult with the vendor as well as the internal team. Based on the OS and the other requisites, you shall estimate the cost involved in the process. Of course, the more complex the app is, the more the expense. Let us give you a piece of quick information about the cost you may incur in developing a simple app. It costs anywhere between $38000 to $91000 to develop the app.
Further, there are a few more elements that may add to the cost. While the features required might add to the cost, the timeframe to develop the same can also be an expense factor. As you know the mobile app development services USA may charge you on per hour basis. Also, you must add the indirect cost due to the presence of an internal team.
Step 5: User-Friendly Designs
This is in the hands of the developer. Ensure that the application is user-friendly. That means to say, do not make the app complex and allow the user to search for items every time. Easy navigation and scrolling aspects must be kept in mind.
Step 6: Test the App
Understanding user experience plays a vital part in launching your app. You must test your app before submitting it to the App Store. All the possible errors and difficulties in terms of the users must be analyzed and corrected. This shall help the app developers to spring into action, then address the customer issues all the time.
Step 7: Submit the App to the App Store
Once your mobile application is set to be submitted to the app store, do that. Wait for 3 days for review. Both Android and Apple stores take the same amount of time. Once the app is passed the review, it shall be available in the app store for people to download and use.
