Apps, apps, apps.
Are apps the new Internet? I don’t think so, but they certainly provide a tremendous marketing opportunity for businesses. I explain why and how in this article, plus what I’m doing with apps for my business.
Did you know that millions of iPhone apps are downloaded daily?
This is an important fact to understand and appreciate because iPhone apps are at the fundamental level just another content delivery method. Sure, the Internet is still huge and isn’t going anywhere, but there is no question that content delivery via iPhone apps is going to continue growing for years. This is great for business owners because you can now easily push your content, including your business website to your audience via a WordPress app.
What does this mean for your business?
It means you and your business have a tremendous opportunity to reach a growing market. How? By creating a WordPress app. More specifically, by turning your WordPress website into an iPhone app.
Apps are not only games and other entertaining pass-times. Apps are information. Your website is information. Therefore your website is a perfect chunk of content to turn into an app.
People who download your app will have access to all of your content and receive more content as you update your site. Frankly, WordPress is perfect for an app because it’s dynamic in that you can easily add new content regularly for your readers. Turning your website and blog into an app for download will simply get your content in front of more eyeballs.
My first WordPress app experience
My first reaction to the suggestion that I turn my website into an app was “why would anyone download my WordPress app?” Yes, I sometimes miss the boat.
However, after thinking about it, it dawned on me that I could equally ask “why would anyone visit my business website online?” The obvious answer is that people are looking for business services I offer. The same applies to apps. People live on apps … they search for information in the app store, so it’s a natural marketing move to place your business website in the app store where your prospective clients, students, and customers can find you.
I recently created my first WordPress app for my business.
What is a WordPress app?
A WordPress app is wrapping up your entire WordPress website and turning it into an app that can be downloaded from the app store. The best part is, if you do it right (I tell you what I did below) is that as you update your WordPress website, your app’s content automatically is updated. Everyone who downloads your app, receives your latest posts, videos, images, comments, etc.
I’m very excited about getting my entire website nicely wrapped up into an app for delivery to iPhone app users in the app store. It’s a whole new market. Not many businesses, especially small businesses are doing this, so now is the time to jump in and get your app to your target audience.
How did I create my WordPress app?
I used Wiziapp. Wiziapp is a free WordPress plugin (but you have to pay to have your app creation submitted to the app store).
You start by uploading the Wiziapp plugin to your WordPress website. It’s a plugin just like any other plugin. The Wiziapp panel appears as follows:
Wiziapp features
I turned my WordPress Website into an iPhone app in minutes. As you can see from the dashboard image above, the user interface is simple and easy-to-use.
1. Templates
This WordPress app creation tool offers several splash screen templates. You can upload your own if you wish. I went with a template for my first WordPress app.
2. Customizing your content
You can choose which pages and other items make up your main tab bar menu. I opted to have the main page list the key pages of my business website with access to archives (blog posts).
3. Real-time preview during set up
As you configure your WordPress app with Wiziapp, you’ll see how your app takes shape in the large mobile phone image on the right. You can also click the “Preview” button at the bottom of the configuration panel to see your app creation live.
4. Targeting your audience
When you submit your app creation to the Wiziapp service, you can choose specific countries for your app to be “pushed” to. By pushed, I’m referring to push notifications. Depending on the package you choose, you can have your WordPress app pushed to 100,000, 250,000 or unlimited iPhone users. This is getting the word out.
Because my business targets prospective clients in a particular country, I specified pushing my app to that country. You can do the same. This step is done once you choose a Wiziapp package.
5. Stats and reporting
Wiziapp provides daily Appstore stat updates including visits and downloads inside your WordPress dashboard.
6. When you update your website, your app is updated
This is the beauty of WordPress and Wiziapp. As you update your site with new content, that content is updated in your app, including apps already downloaded. The people who download your app become your subscribers.
Moreover, you can send out push notifications alerting your audience about new content, events, etc. Think of the possibilities with your existing and prospective clients.
Describing your app
The last step in submitting your WordPress app to an app store is providing a description setting out what your app offers.
Don’t forget keywords
Remember, a huge part of marketing involves knowing and choosing keywords. Keywords apply with apps. Before you submit your app, you’ll provide a brief list of keywords so people can find your app in the app store.
You have an opportunity to be on the cutting edge
Very few businesses, relatively speaking, are creating apps. This is your opportunity to get in on the ground floor. I’m terribly excited about being one of the first in my area to provide prospective clients an app.
Your app could go viral
If you publish great content such as videos and articles, and you offer your app for free (I offer mine for free), your app could go viral. People tell other people about apps. The more downloads, the better.
What if you don’t have a WordPress website?
Unfortunately Wiziapp is for WordPress websites only. There may be other solutions. However, I’m a HUGE WordPress fan (I publish dozens of WordPress websites). The fact Wiziapp offers real-time updating as your WordPress website updates, it may just be worth exploring migrating to WordPress. That said, there may be other app solutions for non-WordPress websites.
Try Wiziapp for free for your WordPress website …
Click here to download Wiziapp for free.
I confirm that I’m a Wiziapp user, including a paid user. I paid to have my WordPress app submitted to the Appstore. I’m very excited about expanding my online presence into the app market.
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