Nowadays, customers prefer using an application over web browsers. Statistics show that internet users spend 88% of their time on apps.
This behavioral shift isn’t to discredit the relevance of websites. But if you’re looking for a great opportunity to engage your customers, create better experiences with your brand, and turn a profit, a mobile app is what you need.
By converting your website to a mobile app, you give your customers the chance to choose how they engage with your business. In this guide, we simplify the process of turning your website into an app, the benefits, challenges, and best practices.
Why Convert a Responsive Website into a Mobile App?
Converting your responsive website into a mobile app offers several advantages:
1. Improved User Experience and Performance
While a responsive website adjusts to different screen sizes, a mobile app offers a more tailored experience. Apps are optimized for mobile devices, providing faster load times, smoother navigation, and a more intuitive interface. This can enhance user satisfaction and increase the likelihood of repeat visits.
2. Offline Accessibility
Unlike websites that require an internet connection, mobile apps can offer offline functionality. This is especially valuable for users who may not always have access to a stable network or travel to places where they cannot access your website.
For offline capabilities, your app may allow users to download audio, videos, PDFs, and more for later access.
3. Enhanced Engagement through Push Notifications
One of the best ways to keep your users engaged is to send them push notifications about your new posts, special offers, new products, and more.
According to studies push notifications typically get an average of 59% open rate and 8% click-through rate.
Because push notifications are a means of real-time communication, they can be used to send personalized content and reminders, which improves customer retention.
While this is a great feature to add to your application, bombarding users with them causes a negative user experience.
4. App Store Presence Increases Visibility
Having your app on popular app stores like the Apple App Store and Google Play increases your visibility.
Users who search for keywords related to your business may discover your app and download it.
5. Strengthens Brand Loyalty
A mobile app helps solidify your brand in the minds of users. When your app is on their device, users are more likely to engage with your brand frequently.
Steps to Convert a Responsive Website into a Mobile App
Before you start, here is a website conversion checklist to consider;
1. Evaluate Your Website’s Compatibility
The first step in converting your responsive website into a mobile app is to consider how well it performs on mobile devices. If users are experiencing slow load times or any other issues, you’ll need to address those problems first before moving forward.
If your website is well-optimized, you should identify pages or features to add to the app. These should be the core functionalities that will give users a seamless experience, like their ability to browse your product catalogs, make purchases, or interact with your content.
See our guide on Mobile app development for the core features to include in your application.
2. Define Your Goals
Next, you need to define the purpose of converting your website into a mobile app. Do you want to boost customer engagement, provide exclusive content, or offer a more personalized experience? Answering these questions will further clarify the features and functionality to add to your application.
3. Choose Your Development Approach
When deciding how to build your mobile app, you have several development approaches to choose from. Native development is one option. To convert your website to iOS apps, you’d use Swift, and for Android, you’d use Kotlin. These languages offer the best performance and take full advantage of the device’s capabilities, but they require separate development for each platform.
Another option is hybrid frameworks like Flutter or React Native. These allow you to write the code once and convert your website to both iOS and Android apps fast.
4. Create an App UI Inspired by Your Website
The user interface (UI) of your mobile app should feel just as familiar as your website. You should maintain design consistency between both platforms so users feel comfortable with your application.
Ensure your navigation is organized within your application. The hamburger menu is one way of doing this as it helps users access your content without feeling overwhelmed.
To design your app UI, tools like Figma or Adobe XD can be incredibly helpful. They are handy platforms to design prototypes of your app and make design iterations quickly.
5. Build the App Backend and API Connections
Your website backend must be able to support app functionalities, such as user authentication, dynamic content, and e-commerce capabilities. If your website is running on a CMS or a custom-built system, check whether it can integrate with your mobile app.
Your application needs to be fed with data like product information, user data, or updates from your Website. Without a solid API structure, your app will be limited in this regard.
When building the backend, consider scalability and performance. Your app should be able to handle an increase in users and data over time.
6. Test Your Mobile App Thoroughly
Before launching your app, make sure it works properly on all levels. Start by testing each feature to confirm that everything functions as expected. Test buttons, forms, links, and other interactive elements.
Then, conduct usability testing. It’s not enough for the app to work; it has to be easy and pleasant to use. Invite real users to test the app to identify any issues with usage.
It’s important that the app works smoothly on both iOS and Android platforms, as each platform has different device types, screen sizes, and operating systems.
7. Publish Your App on App Stores
Once testing is complete, publish your app. You’ll need to submit your app to both the iOS App Store and Google Play Store. This app store optimization process requires submitting relevant app details that help users find your app.
It involves optimizing your app’s title, description, and keywords for better discoverability.
8. Promote and Maintain Your Mobile App
After your app is live, it’s time to spread the word. Promote it through your website, email newsletters, and social media channels. You can also offer in-app incentives like discounts or exclusive content to encourage users to download and engage with the app.
Furthermore, you’d need to constantly gather feedback and keep an eye on performance. It’s important to stay on top of any changes in user preferences or technological trends, so your app remains competitive.
Why convert a Responsive Website into a Mobile App?
Converting your responsive website into a mobile app offers several advantages:
A. Improved User Experience and Performance
While a responsive website adjusts to different screen sizes, a mobile app offers a more tailored experience. Apps are optimized for mobile devices, providing faster load times, smoother navigation, and a more intuitive interface. This can enhance user satisfaction and increase the likelihood of repeat visits.
B. Offline Accessibility
Unlike websites that require an internet connection, mobile apps can offer offline functionality. This is especially valuable for users who may not always have access to a stable network or travel to places where they cannot access your website.
For offline capabilities, your app may allow users to download audio, videos, PDFs, and more for later access.
C. Enhanced Engagement Through Push Notifications
One of the best ways to keep your users engaged is to send them push notifications about your new posts, special offers, new products, and more.
According to studies push notifications typically get an average of 59% open rate and 8% click-through rate.
Because push notifications are a means of real-time communication, they can be used to send personalized content and reminders, which improves customer retention.
While this is a great feature to add to your application, bombarding users with them causes a negative user experience.
D. App Store Presence Increases Visibility
Having your app on popular app stores like the Apple App Store and Google Play increases your visibility.
Users who search for keywords related to your business may discover your app and download it.
E. Strengthens Brand Loyalty
A mobile app helps solidify your brand in the minds of users. When your app is on their device, users are more likely to engage with your brand frequently.
Tools and Platforms for Converting Websites to Apps
When converting a website into an app, the choice of tools and platforms plays a critical role in the development process. These are some tools to utilize when converting your website to an app:
1. WebView-based Solutions:
WebView-based tools are ideal for quickly converting a website into a mobile app without much custom functionality. These solutions essentially wrap your website into a mobile app, rendering it as a browser-based application.
PhoneGap and Cordova are two well-known platforms in this category. They allow for easy conversion by enabling the use of web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. While they are great for simpler websites, they might fall short if you need advanced mobile functionalities.
2. No-Code Platforms:
If you want to build apps without writing code, no-code platforms can be a game-changer. Platforms like Adalo, Glide, and Thunkable provide non-technical users with an intuitive drag-and-drop interface to build.
What’s more? You can easily integrate backend features with minimal development effort. These tools are the perfect option for small businesses or personal projects that need mobile apps quickly and without custom code.
3. Development Frameworks:
One of the ways to convert your responsive website to an app is by using development frameworks. They enable cross-platform app development, where you write the code once and deploy it on both iOS and Android.
React Native, for example, is a framework developed by Facebook that allows you to use JavaScript and React to build mobile apps. If you already have a website, React Native is a great choice for converting your existing web code into applications.
Another popular framework is Flutter. Flutter is known for its ability to create high-performance apps that look and feel great. It’s perfect if you want your app to have a polished, visually rich experience, and it also allows for quick development across both iOS and Android.
Benefits & Limitations
| Category | Benefits | Limitations | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
|
WebView-based Solutions |
Quick and cost-effective for simple apps, supports web technolog |
Limited advanced mobile features; may not perform well with highly interactive apps. |
PhoneGap, Cordova |
|
No-Code Platforms |
Easy to use for non-developers, rapid app creation, and backend integration with minimal effort. |
Limited customization options and scalability for complex apps |
Adalo, Glide, Thunkable |
|
Development Frameworks |
High performance, cross-platform compatibility, ideal for feature-rich, visually appealing apps. |
Requires programming skills and more development time compared to no-code options. |
React Native, Flutter |
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Website-to-App Conversion
1. Copy-Pasting the Website Design Without Mobile-Specific Optimization
One of the most common mistakes when converting a website into an app is copy-pasting the website design without optimizing for mobile.
The way mobile users interact with their devices is very different from desktops. Therefore, your apps need to be optimized for smaller screens. So, keep it simple, intuitive, and easy to navigate.
2. Overlooking Offline Functionalities
Another mistake to avoid is overlooking offline functionalities. Failing to implement offline capabilities in your app can lead to frustration and lost engagement.
Build your apps to allow users to access content, interact with saved data, or browse cached versions of pages without a live connection.
3. Skipping App-Specific Features
Skipping app-specific features like push notifications is another misstep in the conversion process. Push notifications are one of the best ways to engage users and keep them coming back to your app.
They allow you to send real-time updates, reminders or offers directly to users’ devices.
4. Ignoring Platform-Specific Guidelines (Android vs. iOS)
During the mobile app development process, you should consider the do’s and don’ts of each platform. Both operating systems have unique design guidelines and interaction styles.
For instance, iOS tends to emphasize gestures like swiping and uses a bottom tab bar for navigation, while Android offers a more flexible approach to app navigation.
So if you fail to adapt your app for each platform, your app can feel out of place and reduce user satisfaction.
5. Neglecting App Testing and User Feedback
Even if the app looks great and works well during development, real-world testing is necessary. You should regularly test the app for different devices and screen sizes, as well as review user feedback after launch.
You should listen to your users as they often provide valuable insights about bugs or features that aren’t functioning as expected. Based on these, you can improve app performance and user experience over time.
Best Practices for a Seamless Conversion
1. Ensure a Unified Design Between the Website and App
When converting a website into an app, maintaining a unified design between the two is essential for providing a seamless user experience.
Users should feel that they are interacting with the same brand across both platforms. This doesn’t mean copying the exact design from your website, but rather ensuring that the look and feel match.
2. Use Analytics to Prioritize Feature
Before starting the conversion process, review the analytics from your website to identify which pages or features users engage with the most. This data will help you determine what content or functionalities you should prioritize in the app.
3. Focus on App Store Optimization (ASO)
App Store Optimization (ASO) is the mobile equivalent of SEO and plays a crucial role in making sure your app gets discovered. Just as you optimize a website for search engines, you need to optimize your app for app stores.
This includes writing a compelling app description, choosing the right keywords, and using high-quality screenshots and videos to showcase the app’s features. A well-optimized app will rank higher in search results and attract more downloads. Don’t forget about reviews and ratings either—positive feedback from users can also improve your app’s visibility.
4. Promote the App to Existing Website Users
One of the most effective ways to drive initial downloads is to tell your website users about your app. This is far easier than trying to attract new users. Use your website’s traffic to your advantage by offering in-app incentives like discounts, or early access to new features.
You can also send out email newsletters or display pop-ups on your website to let users know that the app is available.
WebView vs. Native App: Which to Choose?
| Feature | WebView App | Native App |
|---|---|---|
|
Development Cost |
Lower, faster to develop |
Higher, due to separate development for iOS and Android |
|
Development Time |
Shorter, can reuse website content |
Longer, needs to be developed separately for each platform |
|
Performance |
Can be slower, depending on internet connection |
Faster, optimized for specific platforms |
|
Offline Functionality |
Not supported, requires internet access |
Supported, can work offline |
|
User Experience |
Limited |
Superior, tailored to the device and platform |
|
Access to Device Features |
Limited (e.g., no push notifications) |
Full access to features like camera, GPS, push notifications |
|
Maintenance |
Easier, only one codebase |
More complex, separate codebases for iOS and Android |
|
App Store Visibility |
Lower, as it’s not a standalone app |
Higher, native apps have more visibility on app stores |
When deciding whether to build a WebView or Native app, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of each approach to find the best fit for your goals.
WebView App:
A WebView app is essentially a mobile app that displays your website within the app itself. Think of it as a “wrapper” around your website, allowing users to access the same website content through an app without opening a browser.
So, instead of creating an app from scratch, you’re reusing your existing website’s content. When you update the website, the changes automatically appear in the app, which simplifies maintenance.
Native App:
On the other hand, a Native app is built specifically for a particular platform, such as iOS or Android. Native apps can also leverage the full range of device features like GPS, camera, and push notifications, giving users a more engaging and immersive experience.
However, native apps come at a higher cost. They require different development processes for iOS and Android, meaning you’ll need separate codebases for each platform.
Which One Is Right for You?
The choice between WebView and Native depends on the features and functionality you want in your app. If you’re looking for a quick and cost-effective solution to bring your website to mobile users, a WebView app might be the way to go. But if you’re focused on providing a high-performance experience for your users, then a native app is likely the better choice.
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Conclusion
Sometimes, businesses are at a crossroads in deciding whether a mobile app is the best investment. If it would create a better experience for your customers, and help you reach new ones, then it is.
If you need assistance with converting your website to an app, native app development or cross-platform development, book a free consultation with our experts. We’d be happy to assist with your project.
The Author
Nikhil Khandelwal
Co- Founder & CEO
