Mobile WordPress: Turn Your Website into an App with These Plugins
More and more people use mobile devices like smartphones or tablets rather than Notebooks or PCs to surf the web and read their favorite websites. Even though responsive web design is a step in the right direction – because it makes web content readable on any device – many people prefer a mobile app where articles can be enjoyed even better. Today we will, show you WordPress plugins that help you build a true mobile app for your WordPress website. WordPress on mobile is easier than you may think…
AppPresser is probably the most popular provider for creating high-quality apps with WordPress. The complete app can be built within WordPress, including all the features needed. You can choose between various themes, integrate plugins and functions such as access to the camera and contacts. The plugin requires an AppPresser account and a commercial license that starts from $199 and includes the use of themes, plugins, etc. If you don’t want to manually upload your app to the app stores, AppPresser can do this for you - charging $499 for this procedure. This price includes, of course, app creation and the whole shebang.
The IdeaPress plugin only provides the API for the IdeaPress online service. The app creation, including the design, will be done on the IdeaPress website. You first have to register and purchase a license. You can choose if you want to upload the app yourself or if you want them to do this for you. A unique feature is the support of offline browsing that makes your content available even without an internet connection. You can also choose categories or pages you want your app’s content to consist of. It supports dynamic updates, so your readers will always be up-to-date.
The Mobiloud plugin allows you to build the whole app within WordPress, including the design, logo, and similar things. It also offers a preview function. So, you can see how your app is going to look like before it's completed. To create an app, you’ll need commercial Mobiloud account. They’ll upload your app to the app stores. License prices start from $89/month. Mobiloud can, however, only generate apps for iOS and Android. Push notifications inform smartphone and tablet users about any news. Of course, the app is automatically updated. A unique feature is certainly the support of advertisement within the app. You can choose between different commenting options like WordPress, Disqus, or Facebook comments.
Social sharing options and the possibility of integrating Google Analytics are a plus. Mobiloud offers a 30-day free trial before you’ll have to buy a license. The renowned design magazine “Speckyboy” relies on Mobiloud.
WiziApp creates free HTML5 apps that can be supplied immediately. Native Android and iOS apps are, however, not free. You’ll have to purchase an appropriate license first. Immediately after installing the plugin, it starts generating your app, which can take several minutes. A progress bar keeps you informed about the current status. WiziApp works fine with WooCommerce and BuddyPress but is not multisite compatible, so you can’t integrate several websites into one app. The free HTML5 version comes with developer’s ads. If you want to hide them, you’ll need an extra module for $49/year. WiziApp offers seven free themes to create an individual and good-looking app. It also supports push notifications to keep your readers informed, and the implementation of ads within the app if you want your app to be part of a monetization strategy.
Why You Should Turn Your WordPress Website into a Mobile App
If you operate a profit-oriented WordPress website or have many visitors, you'll be facing the problem of how to set apart from the competition and generate added value. An app is a perfect solution for readers who demand high standards and want to stay informed about their favorite website at any time and place. I’m one of them, and I consume websites on my smartphone. As I prefer apps to responsive websites, I’m always happy as soon as a site offers an app. But this is just my opinion.
How to Build an App
It’s not very difficult to turn a WordPress website into a mobile app. There are some online services that will help you. All you need to do is to install a WordPress plugin of one of these providers, go to the website you want to turn into an app, and, finally, submit the app to the app stores (Google Play Store, iOS App Store, Windows App Store). As you can imagine, such comprehensive services can’t be offered for free. But compared to the development costs of an app, this is a rather affordable investment.AppPresser – Build iOS/Android Apps Using WordPress
AppPresser is probably the most popular provider for creating high-quality apps with WordPress. The complete app can be built within WordPress, including all the features needed. You can choose between various themes, integrate plugins and functions such as access to the camera and contacts. The plugin requires an AppPresser account and a commercial license that starts from $199 and includes the use of themes, plugins, etc. If you don’t want to manually upload your app to the app stores, AppPresser can do this for you - charging $499 for this procedure. This price includes, of course, app creation and the whole shebang.
- Developer: AppPresser, webdevstudios, Brad Williamson, Scott Bolinger
- Continuous development: Yes
- Latest version: 06/05/2014
- Price: Free on WordPress.org, requires, however, a premium license ($199–499)
- License: GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE for the free version; special license for the premium version
- Incompatibility with other plugins: Not known
- Developer’s homepage: AppPresser.com
IdeaPress – Turn WordPress into Mobile Apps (Android, iPhone, WinPhone)
The IdeaPress plugin only provides the API for the IdeaPress online service. The app creation, including the design, will be done on the IdeaPress website. You first have to register and purchase a license. You can choose if you want to upload the app yourself or if you want them to do this for you. A unique feature is the support of offline browsing that makes your content available even without an internet connection. You can also choose categories or pages you want your app’s content to consist of. It supports dynamic updates, so your readers will always be up-to-date.
- Developer: Monika, michaelsiu
- Continuous development: Yes
- Latest version: 02/06/2014
- Price: Free on WordPress.org, requires, however, a premium license ($69–1000)
- License: GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE for the free version; special license for the premium version
- Incompatibility with other plugins: Not known
- Developer’s homepage: IdeaPress
Mobiloud – WordPress Native Mobile Apps Builder (iPhone, iPad, Android)
The Mobiloud plugin allows you to build the whole app within WordPress, including the design, logo, and similar things. It also offers a preview function. So, you can see how your app is going to look like before it's completed. To create an app, you’ll need commercial Mobiloud account. They’ll upload your app to the app stores. License prices start from $89/month. Mobiloud can, however, only generate apps for iOS and Android. Push notifications inform smartphone and tablet users about any news. Of course, the app is automatically updated. A unique feature is certainly the support of advertisement within the app. You can choose between different commenting options like WordPress, Disqus, or Facebook comments.
Social sharing options and the possibility of integrating Google Analytics are a plus. Mobiloud offers a 30-day free trial before you’ll have to buy a license. The renowned design magazine “Speckyboy” relies on Mobiloud.
- Developer: Pietro Saccomani
- Continuous development: Yes
- Latest version: 08/13/2014
- Price: Free on WordPress.org, requires, however, a premium license ($89–199/month)
- 30-day free trial is offered, termination is possible at any time
- License: GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE for the free version; special license for the premium version
- Incompatibility with other plugins: Not known
- Developer’s homepage: Mobiloud
WiziApp – Android & iPhone Apps (WooCommerce & BuddyPress Compatible)
WiziApp creates free HTML5 apps that can be supplied immediately. Native Android and iOS apps are, however, not free. You’ll have to purchase an appropriate license first. Immediately after installing the plugin, it starts generating your app, which can take several minutes. A progress bar keeps you informed about the current status. WiziApp works fine with WooCommerce and BuddyPress but is not multisite compatible, so you can’t integrate several websites into one app. The free HTML5 version comes with developer’s ads. If you want to hide them, you’ll need an extra module for $49/year. WiziApp offers seven free themes to create an individual and good-looking app. It also supports push notifications to keep your readers informed, and the implementation of ads within the app if you want your app to be part of a monetization strategy.
- Developer: WiziApp
- Continuous development: Yes
- Latest version: 08/13/2014
- Price: Free on WordPress.org, requires, however, a premium license ($149–299/year) for Android and iOS apps. A HTML5 app can be created for free.
- License: GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE for the free version; special license for the premium version
- Incompatibility with other plugins: Not known
- Developer’s homepage: WiziApp
Conclusion
Having a mobile app can be a crucial criterion for your visitors. The expense is reasonable, however, not to be underestimated. But if you have a website with a lot of visitors and, at best, earn money with it, you should offer your visitors this extra goody to potentially tie them to your website. People with short arms and deep pockets will rejoice hearing that WiziApp creates a free (financed by advertisement) HTML5 version for the mobile readers of your blog.Related Links
- AppPresser Plugin on WordPress.org
- AppPresser - Build iOS/Android apps using WordPress - Homepage
- IdeaPress Plugin on WordPress.org
- IdeaPress - Transform your WordPress site into a Mobile App - Homepage
- Mobiloud Plugin on WordPress.org
- Mobiloud - Build iOS and Android apps for your WordPress site - Homepage
- WiziApp Plugin on WordPress.org
- WiziApp - WordPress iPhone App Plugin - Homepage
I was searching for good plugins to convert a wordpress website into a mobile app. Finally I can filter it out according to my budget and features available. Thank you Hecht for a clean simplistic review.
Do not forget to check compatibility of add-on with your WordPress version and the theme you are using. Sometimes even highly rated add-on produce conflict with themes design and functionality.
Nice post for converting website into a mobile app
Really helpful for me
Thanks Andreas
I prefer using a responsive theme than using an apps. I tried using a plugin but my adsense ads does not show up unlike when using a responsive theme.