Converting Website to App

Do you want to gain more exposure for your website? If yes, then you should consider converting your website into an app. It’s a good idea considering that more and more people are accessing the Internet through their mobile devices.

So, how do you convert a website to a mobile app? That’s precisely what you’re going to learn today. Read more and discover the answer.

Why do you need a mobile app?

Consider this:

According to Statistica, more than 90 percent of internet users in the world use their smartphones and tablets to go online. That’s equivalent to about 4.32 billion people.

That’s the main reason you should have a mobile app for your website. If you’re not yet convinced, here are other reasons:

Easy to access

Which one do you think is more convenient to use, your smartphone or computer? Obviously, it’s the smartphone. Mobile devices are small and you can carry them around wherever you go. 

Plus, with just one push of a button, your phone is already on. Unlike in a computer, you have to wait a few seconds for it to boot. 

Since mobile devices are super accessible, users can quickly grab their phones and access your website content through your app.

Increased visibility

What’s amazing about having a mobile app is that search engines such as Google, Yahoo!, and Bing would rank your website higher for specific searches. 

For example, if you use Google Chrome on your phone, it can detect that you’re accessing the Internet through your mobile device. Google can then include mobile apps in search results when necessary.

Moreover, if you make your website available as an app, you will have greater exposure and more opportunities for people to discover your content.

Sending notifications

Since your app is already on the phone of your users, you can easily send them notifications and share your content with them. Having an app can dramatically engage your users.

There are more advantages that mobile apps can provide and undoubtedly, they can do wonders not just for your website, but your business. The bottom line is that having a mobile app can dramatically improve your connection with your users.

How to convert your website into an app

Depending on how you go about it, converting your website can take a lot of time, energy, and even money. That’s why you need to take enough time to know what you exactly want.

In converting your website into an app, these are your options:

Do it yourself

If you know how to code or you’re an app developer, then you can definitely choose to convert your website into an app by yourself. Having the right technical skills and tools to create an app can help you in various ways.

For example, if you create your app by yourself, you can definitely design the app exactly the way you want it to be. It is cost-effective as well as you don’t need to hire anyone anymore.

Of course, the downside is that it is time-consuming. It takes weeks and even months to create a decent app. If you are running a business, you might not have enough time to complete the app or it would take so much time for you to complete it.

Hire an app developer

Not everyone can create an app. So, it makes sense to find someone else to convert your website into an app. The biggest advantage of this option is that you can save time and energy, which are precious commodities that you need to run your business.

On the flip side, hiring an app developer costs money. According to Upwork, an online freelancing platform,  you will typically need to pay an app developer between $18-$39 per hour. 

Like what was mentioned above, it may take weeks to months to completely convert your website to an app. So, that means that you will need to set aside about $5,000-$10,000 for this project.

Of course, you still need to spend time talking to the app developer, explaining to him/her what you want the app to look like, and checking the work in progress. That’s something you also need to consider.

Create a team of app developers

As they say, “two is better than one.” If your budget permits, you can hire more than one app developer. This can tremendously accelerate the process. 

Image source: Unsplash

With more than two app developers, they can work together, get the best ideas, check their work among themselves, and give you the best result.

Hire an agency of app developers

Having an in-house team of app developers can be difficult. You would need to create an office for them, manage their individual needs, give them a monthly salary, provide bonuses, and so much more. If you don’t like the idea of having a team within your company, then you can definitely choose to hire an app development agency.

App development agencies have the necessary tools, experience, and expertise to convert your website into an app. It’s like a shortcut that gives you access to all the important elements of creating an app. 

Of course, the downside is that you have to entrust your website’s content to people outside of your company. If security and privacy are among your biggest concerns, you need to be sure that all sensitive information is well-protected.

Use a DIY app builder

What’s great about the technologies today is that you can actually convert your website into an app with just a few clicks. In just a matter of minutes, hours, or days, you can have a brand-new, shiny, and working app.

Image source: Appy Pie

A DIY app builder allows you to instantly create an app for your website. While the steps are different from one platform to another, the steps generally include specifying your website’s URL, uploading images such as a logo and app pictures, choosing a color scheme, setting the navigation, adding features, and publishing.

Using a DIY app builder is an ideal option for people who don’t have coding experience, want to create a simple app, and have a limited budget.

To get you started, here are some of the most popular and useful DIY app builders today:

1. GoodBarber
2. Buildfire
3. AppQuantum
4. Appy Pie
5. Siberian CMS
6. Appery.io
7. AppInstitute
8. Shoutem
9. GameSalad
10. Mobincube

Since it’s a DIY app builder, don’t expect that you can fully customize your app. In some cases, you are only limited to choosing a template, which means your app can potentially look like other apps that use the same DIY app builders.

Promote your app

There you have it, the different ways you can convert your website into an app.

Remember that creating an app isn’t enough. Once you have uploaded your app to the app stores, you will need to face fierce competition. If you are not careful, no one is going to notice your app.

Thankfully, ShyftUp is here for you. As a leading user acquisition agency, they can help you get more users in the shortest and most cost-effective way possible. They can even give you advice and recommendations on how to convert your website into an app.

So, get in touch with them today. You will surely love how they can assist you in your app’s success!

Should my mobile app be Android or iOS?

If you can, choose both Android and iOS. Having your app on these platforms can improve your app exposure and visibility. However, if you are just going to choose one, you may want to use Android as it has a bigger user base than iOS.

Can you turn a website into an app?

Yes, you can turn a website into an app. All you need to do is get an app developer or a team who will do it for you. In most cases, since you want to turn your website into an app, you will need to create a hybrid app that uses web-based technology to display web content in a mobile app.

How do I convert my WordPress site to a free app?

The quickest and easiest way to turn your WordPress site into a free app is to use a DIY app builder. You simply provide your website, specify the appearance of the app, select features, and publish.