Apps are crucial in enriching the average experience of an Android device owner. It is thus no surprise that brands across the board are trying to build and launch their own mobile apps.
The key challenge is finding the right development solution for your business. Building Android apps is a very big challenge because of the general complexity of the process. If you don’t already have an in-house development team, hiring an agency or a team of developers can be very expensive.
An easier way of building Android apps is choosing an automated solution for development. There are various platforms that you can use and learn how to make an app in minutes without any knowledge of coding.
According to a Grand View Research report, low-code/no-code platforms were valued at $13.8 billion in 2019 and are expected to grow 22.7 every year until 2027.
Some of these platforms enable you to convert your WordPress website to a mobile app. If you have a WordPress blog, these solutions are ideal as all your site’s content can be synced to a native app interface in real-time.
In this article, we’ll discuss five tools you can use to build an Android app for your WordPress site.
1. AppMySite
AppMySite is a free iOS and Android app maker designed to enable WordPress website owners to create apps without coding.
Once you build the app, you can download its APK & AAB builds from the platform and upload it to Google Play. The platform essentially works by connecting your WordPress website to the app. Once the connection is complete, your website’s content like posts, pages, categories, menus, and more will be synced to the app’s native interface.
The apps come powered with additional features to make them more powerful. You can integrate features like social login and push notifications easily. There is also an option to connect AdMob to your app. This way, you can monetize your app and earn ad revenue.
You can sign up for free and upgrade later when you’re ready to publish your app. There are several options to change your app’s design with custom icons, splash, onboarding, & home screens. There’re also options to set the color scheme of the app that will be reflected on all screens.
2. AppPresser
AppPresser is a powerful app maker built for WordPress. It enables WordPress site owners to create mobile apps without coding.
It offers customization options, plugins integrations, and ready support in order to make the app building process effortless. Some of the key integrations AppPresser offers include WooCommerce, Learndash, and other membership plugins.
You can signup for a paid plan and test the platform’s features during the refund period. If you’re happy, you can complete the payment and start using the app.
You can build for various types of use cases like school apps, membership apps, and more.
3. Appmaker.xyz
Appmaker is integrated with WordPress and enables you to connect your site and mobile app. It also has integrations with WooCommerce that make it easy for users to build ecommerce apps without coding as well.
Like AppMySite and AppPresser, Appmaker also involves users installing a plugin on their WordPress website. With this, all the content on the website is synced to the app in real-time.
You can get started with a 14-day free trial and see if the platform suits your needs well. With features like analytics, social login, push notifications, and customizable design options, Appmaker is a powerful tool to build a mobile app with.
Besides WordPress, Appmaker also offers integrations with Shopify, BigCommerce, and Magento.
Some of the use cases you can build with Appmaker include restaurant apps, real estate apps, and more.
4. GoodBarber
GoodBarber isn’t just for WordPress website owners. It does however offer WordPress integration in case users would like to connect their website and app.
Here’s how it works. You can sign up for a free account in order to test the platform. You can connect your website and app by installing a plugin on the former. Once this is done, you’ll be able to see your site’s content in the app.
There are other options to create an app without connecting your website at all. GoodBarber offers a proprietary CMS that you can use to fill up your app content.
The only issue is that you’d need to log in to your GoodBarber account every time you wish to manage your app content. This is why connecting your website and app is a better option.
GoodBarber is a great option if you plan to use its proprietary CMS and WordPress integration together. You can add enough features and sections around your website content to make your app powerful and interactive.
5. AppHive
AppHive is an app builder platform that also allows WordPress website owners to convert their sites into Android apps.
In AppHive, the functionality to sync your WordPress site and app is available in the form of an add-on. There are other add-ons as well which offer integrations with a variety of third-party tools.
If you don’t have a WordPress website, you can simply use AppHive proprietary CMS to create your app screens. While you can get started with a free trial, you will need to upgrade in order to access pre-made templates that make the overall process of creating an app much easier.
AppHive offers a ton of integrations through add-ons, APIs, and SDKs. The process of creating an app can take longer than expected as each screen has to be designed from scratch.
In conclusion
Creating Android apps requires a serious investment of resources. Even a simple app can burn a hole in your tech budget. If you don’t already have a team of developers or an agency on retainer, be prepared to spend a large sum of money on app development.
The alternative is to use no-code app development tools. This takes away the complex part of app development and enables users to create Android and iOS apps without coding. According to Appian, 84% of enterprises have already started turning to low-code and no-code platforms to ease the burden on their IT teams and resources.
In this piece, we cover the tools you can use to convert your WordPress website to a mobile app.
2022-03-04 15:06:08