- Why convert your WordPress website into mobile apps?
- 4 best plugins compared: prices&rating
- Best plugins to turn your site into an app
- Mobile app vs mobile website: the difference
- Other options to convert a WordPress website to an iOS or Android app
- Conclusion
Want to know how to convert WordPress to an app?
Mobile apps are a great way to deliver your content effectively and provide a better experience for mobile users.
Having an app can help you engage with your audience more and reach a whole new group of people through various app stores.
In this article, we will introduce you to some of the best WordPress plugins available for converting your WordPress site into a mobile app.
These plugins make the process easier and more accessible, allowing you to take advantage of the benefits of having a mobile app for your WordPress site.
Why convert your WordPress site into a mobile app?
If you’ve noticed that a significant number of your website visitors are accessing your site from their mobile devices, it’s crucial to ensure they have a positive experience.
The easiest way to achieve this is by making your website mobile responsive.
A mobile responsive WordPress site automatically adjusts its design to fit the screen size of the user.
Most good WordPress themes already come with mobile responsiveness built-in.
You can even find attractive mobile responsive themes designed specifically for WooCommerce.
However, some businesses may want to go beyond mobile responsiveness and provide an enhanced user experience through a dedicated mobile app.
The mobile application allows users to access their favorite blogs, online stores, membership websites, or online communities directly from their home screen, without opening a browser.
Building a mobile app typically requires programming skills, and many development agencies offer app-building services.
However, this can be quite expensive, with costs starting at $15,000 and going up.
If you’re looking to create a mobile app on a budget, there are WordPress plugins available that can help you convert a WordPress site into an app.
While these mobile app builder plugins are paid solutions, they are significantly more affordable than hiring a developer to build a custom mobile app for you.
It’s important to note that using these plugins still requires intermediate to advanced WordPress skills.
If you’re a beginner, we recommend starting with a mobile responsive app theme and improving your WordPress site’s speed to attract more mobile users.
That being said, let’s explore the best plugins available for converting your WordPress site into a mobile app.
4 best plugins compared: Prices & Rating
| Plugin | Starting Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| AndroApp | free in the first month, then $66/year | 4.5  based on 64 reviews |
| AppPresser | $59/month | 3.8 based on 51 reviews |
| WPMobile.App | $85 | 4.7  based on 141 reviews |
| MobiLoud | $170/month | 4.7 based on 79 reviews |
The 4 best plugins to turn your WordPress website into mobile apps
1.) Androapp
AndroApp is an additional plugin that proves handy for converting your WordPress website into a mobile Android app.
AndroApp offers several notable features, such as:
- offline support,
- multiple themes to choose from,
- internationalization support for catering to different languages,
- unlimited push notifications
- infinite scroll
- and native social sharing capabilities.
However, it’s important to note that the Android apps converter does not support WooCommerce or BuddyPress integration.
The plugin developer provides assistance in configuring and downloading your Android app.
Once you have the native mobile app ready, you can choose to submit it to the app store yourself or hire the plugin author to handle the submission process on your behalf.
One drawback of using AndroApp is that the free version of the plugin may display ads from the developer.
This is something to consider if you prefer to have full control over the ad content displayed within your app.
2.)AppPresser
AppPresser is a user-friendly platform that allows you to turn your WordPress site into a mobile app without much hassle.
The mobile app builder lets you create apps for various types of WordPress websites, including blogs, WooCommerce stores, and BuddyPress communities.
One of the standout features of AppPresser is its visual app customizer.
Similar to customizing a WordPress theme, you can easily change the appearance of your app.
You have the flexibility to customize colors, add custom pages, pull in content from your WordPress site, and much more.
Another handy feature offered by AppPresser is unlimited push notifications.
Setting up and managing push notifications is relatively straightforward, allowing you to send important updates and messages directly to your app users.
AppPresser simplifies the process of converting your WordPress site into a mobile app, giving you the tools and capabilities to create a unique and engaging mobile experience for your audience.
Key features of the app plugin:
- Easy-to-use platform:
- Visual app customizer
- Custom pages
- WordPress content integration
- Integrated push notifications
3.)WPMobile.App
WPMobile.App is a plugin that enables you to effortlessly create a mobile app for your WordPress website.
With a single lifetime license purchase, you gain access to build mobile apps.
The entire app setup and configuration can be conveniently managed from your WordPress dashboard area.
This plugin provides user-friendly tools that allow you to upload your app icons, customize buttons, choose colors, implement translations, and more.
It seamlessly integrates with Google Analytics, offers built-in caching for improved performance, and ensures compatibility with all popular plugins for WordPress, giving you the flexibility to utilize your preferred add-ons.
Furthermore, WPMobile.App offers unlimited push notifications, empowering you to send notifications directly to your users.
It also includes social sharing options to facilitate easy sharing of your content across various social media platforms, enhancing your app’s reach and engagement potential.
Key features of the mobile application plugin:
- Single lifetime license:
- WordPress admin area integration
- Easy app customization
- Google Analytics support
- Built-in caching
- Offline content
- Compatibility with popular WP plugins
4.)MobiLoud
MobiLoud offers a solution for website owners to transform their WordPress site into a mobile app.
They provide two different WordPress mobile apps tailored to specific types of websites: one for news or blog sites, and another for websites utilizing WooCommerce or other advanced plugins.
The MobiLoud plugin comes with a range of features, including push notifications, support for mobile advertising, analytics to track app performance, and the ability to apply custom branding to match your website’s identity.
Additionally, the mobile app conversion plugin takes care of configuring and preparing the app for you, and they can even assist with the submission process to various app stores.
Key features of MobiLoud app plugin:
- WordPress site conversion
- Two product options
- Mobile advertising support
- Analytics
- Custom branding
- App submission assistance
What is the difference between a mobile app and a mobile website?
Mobile apps are software that you can download and use on your mobile device.
You can easily find them on app stores like Google Play or the iOS App Store.
They are specifically designed for mobiles.
On the other hand, a mobile website is a website that has been optimized to look good and work well on mobiles.
You can access a mobile website from both your computer and mobile device, but it is designed to provide the best experience on mobile.
Key differences between mobile apps and mobile websites:
Functionalities:
Mobile apps offer more advanced features like offline availability, notifications, and access to device components such as the camera or GPS.
Websites don’t have the same level of advanced functionality as apps.
Consumer Experience:
Mobile apps are designed specifically for mobiles, so they usually provide a more dedicated and user-friendly experience.
Mobile websites, although mobile-friendly, may not offer the same level of optimization for user experience.
Installation Process:
Websites can be accessed through a web browser, while mobile apps need to be installed on your device.
Accessibility:
Mobile apps can be accessed directly from your device, and some features can even be used offline.
Mobile websites require an internet connection to access them.
Push Notifications:
Only mobile apps can send push notifications to users, keeping them updated even when they are offline.
Exposure to Device Features:
Mobile apps can utilize device features like the camera, microphone, GPS, and more, which is not possible with a mobile website.
Other options to convert a WordPress website to an iOS or Android app
Converting your website into a mobile app offers several significant benefits, such as enhancing the experience for mobile users and utilizing powerful features like push notifications.
But what are other ways to create your apps for Android devices, displayed in Google Play store or for iOS smartphone users downloading their mobile application from iOS App Stores?
Hiring Developers
One option is to hire professional developers or a mobile app development agency to code your app.
This involves engaging two developers, one for each Android and iOs apps to create native apps that integrate with your WordPress website.
Pros:
- Provides a customized solution with the ability to build unique features.
- If you hire an agency, the majority of the work is taken care of for you.
Cons:
- Expensive, with costs starting at $25,000 for initial versions and ongoing expenses for updates and maintenance.
- Time-consuming, as replicating your site’s functionality in a WordPress mobile app can take months.
- Requires managing two separate projects/developers for iOS and Android apps.
- Complexity and potential challenges when managing the project yourself.
Overall, the cons outweigh the pros when it comes to hiring developers to build a native app for your WordPress site.
It is a lengthy and costly process, especially considering your goal is to convert a WordPress site that is existing into an app.
Template-Based App Builders
Another option is to use a no-code app builder with WordPress theme integration.
These mobile app builders offer visual, drag-and-drop interfaces for building your app, with content pulled from your WordPress site through a dedicated plugin.
Pros:
- Affordable and quick solution.
- Specifically designed to work with WordPress sites.
- No coding skills required to create the mobile app.
Cons:
- Limited support from most solutions.
- Challenges in integrating plugin functionality.
- Lack of flexibility in design customization, resulting in a template-like appearance.
- Still requires significant time and effort to create a good mobile app.
Template-based app builders provide a more accessible and cost-effective option compared to native app development.
However, they come with limitations in terms of customization and may not meet your expectations if you require a more personalized and unique app.
Conclusion
There are numerous benefits, including an enhanced user experience and the utilization of powerful features when you convert a WordPress site into a mobile WordPress app.
While there are several options available to accomplish this transformation, it’s essential to consider the specific needs and goals of your business or organization.
Traditional app development and hiring developers to code a custom app provides a tailored solution but can be costly and time-consuming.
Template-based app builders offer a more affordable and quicker alternative, although they come with design limitations.
Hybrid app builders like MobiLoud strike a balance by combining the advantages of native WordPress apps and the simplicity of app builders, providing customization options and seamless WordPress integration.
When choosing the right approach, it’s crucial to consider factors such as budget, desired functionalities, customization requirements, and the level of support needed.
Evaluating these factors will help you make an informed decision about the best route to create your WordPress app.
Frequently Asked Questions
To turn your WordPress site into a WordPress app:
1.) Use a plugin or app builder designed for WordPress app conversion.
2.) Customize the app’s appearance and features.
3.) Test the app and ensure it functions properly.
4.) Publish the app to app stores or distribute it directly.
5.) Alternatively, hire a mobile app developer to create a custom app.
6.) Another option is to convert your WordPress site into a Progressive Web App (PWA).
7.) Install a PWA plugin, customize the appearance, and enable PWA features.
8.) Test and optimize the PWA for a smooth user experience.
9.) Regularly update and maintain the app or PWA.
Choose the option that suits your needs and resources best.
The decision between a mobile website and a mobile app depends on your goals and needs.
A mobile website offers broader accessibility and cost-effectiveness, while a mobile app provides a tailored user experience, offline functionality, and push notifications.
Consider your specific requirements to determine the best choice or a combination of both.
A mobile website can be designed to be compatible with most browsers and mobiles, ensuring broad accessibility.
However, it’s important to test and optimize your site for different browsers and devices to ensure the best possible compatibility.
The cost of converting a website into an app can vary depending on factors such as complexity, features, platform compatibility, and development approach.
Generally, it can range from a few hundred dollars for simple app builders to several thousand dollars or more for custom development.