SEVEN REASONS YOUR COMPANY MAY WANT ITS OWN MOBILE APP, SOME POINTERS, AND 14 DO-IT-YOURSELF APP DEVELOPMENT SERVICES

The latest mobile technology has made it possible for virtually every company and every type of company to create an app.

An app (or application) is a piece of code that you create that is completely separate from your website. That means that you have to create something entirely new and manage the app completely separate from your website. So, why would a company want to go to all of that trouble?

The truth is that creating a mobile application isn’t much trouble at all. But before creating one, consider whether you should.

Here are some reasons why a company may want its own mobile app.

1. Convenient for users. Once users download the app, all they have to do is click it, and they’re ready to go. Although some companies may think having to download the app is a disadvantage, people are beginning to make using apps commonplace. The whole idea behind applications is convenience for users, and they know that.
2. Customization. Because an app is a native piece of code, you can customize it in any way you see fit for your company. That means that you have complete control over how relevant and helpful your app is to your customers and clients. If there was ever something about your company that you hoped could be easier, an app just might be the answer.
3. A longer reach. Apps may help you reach a new audience. More and more people are beginning to shy away from desktops and traditional websites, and are using apps and their mobile phones as their connection to the web.
4. Easy integration. Apps can be created to sync up with information that users may have in their phones. For example, if your customer wanted to get a content update from your website, an app can allow them to sync this up with their mobile calendar.
5. Extra cash. Many companies choose to create a free app as a way to help customers make purchasing decisions easier, but some have been successful selling the actual app itself. Either way, it usually can’t hurt to create an app.
6. PR use. Apps are a huge trending topic in the media. Lists of some of the latest apps do well because there is such a demand for that type of content, so you can use your app as a PR tool and help get your brand into that discussion.
7. Competition. Many of your competitors will start creating apps, so you don’t want to fall behind. At this point you might be one of the first in your industry or in your area, but having your own app is a great way to stand out and grab an audience for the type of work that you do.

One of the most important things to realize about a mobile app is that it is not a mobile website. A mobile website is simply using your website and customizing it for the mobile screen and the mobile user; it is not a native piece of code.

Creating a mobile website should probably be your first plan of action, and an app second.

COMMENTARY:   Plenty of business owners and entrepreneurs are comfortable running a company in the fast-growing mobile-apps market, but lack the technical know-how to build mobile apps on their own.

Their options range from using online app-building tools, to taking crash courses in computer programming and coding languages, hiring a costly professional on contract, or recruiting a full-time developer.

A host of online tools, such as Appsme, AppMakr, Glyph or Flow.net, allow just about any user to build simple apps by adding text, images and other features into a ready-made template—though some are limited in scope or require manual coding for any extra features.

Mobile-developer boot camps, which are popping up around the country, can fill in the knowledge gap with intensive do-it-yourself training. In a matter of weeks, programs like the Pragmatic Studio in Reston, Va., can help turn a novice into a proficient coder, for fees of about $2,695 for four days of training.

 

14 Do-It-Yourself App Development Resources

If your small business is convinced that it wants to compete for some of that mobile app mindshare, there are a number of resources emerging specifically focused on helping you out regardless of how technical you are. Or not. Here are some of the do-it-yourself resources that I have been reading about. There are dozens of other services and sites focused on mobile app development. I've focused here on listing the options that don't require a tremendous amount of past development experience.

• The AppBuilder: Created by JamPot Technologies, this is a service that offers application templates that help small businesses create native applications for iOS, Android and (in the future) Windows Phone 7). You can get as simple or as custom as you want. The service automatically submits your application to the iTunes App Store, Google Play market or Windows Phone Marketplace. Standard tabs include integration code for YouTube and RSS feeds. Later in 2012, JamPot plans support for features that let you include in-app advertising, WordPress integration and HTML5. You can build and preview an app for free; after you submit it for distribution, it will cost you $29 per month, per app under the standard plan.
• Apps Builder: Yes, this IS a different service with a very similar name. The basic plan starts at $19 per app per month, and it supports native app development for iOS, Android, Windows Phone, Chrome Store and HTML5 Web. You can update apps via the cloud management platform.
• Appmakr: Includes templates for simple iOS apps. You can build an app for free, but that means you'll have to allow in-app advertising. Alternatively, you can pay a subscription fee of $79 per app, per month.
• AppExpress: Billed as a do-it-yourself app builder for small and midsize businesses, this platform supports the development of applications for appointment scheduling, handling invoicing and accepting payments, messaging and marketing with coupons (among other things). The service allows for creation of apps that work on either iOS or Android. It also includes an option for creating a one-page mobile-optimized Web site. A future edition will support HTML5. Pricing is $75 per month, plus a one-time $199 set-up fee.
• BuildAnApp: Spans wide range of platforms, including iOS, Android, Windows Mobile and BlackBerry. Starts at $19 per month for non-iOS mobile apps and builds up from there, depending on how you want to publish.
• iBuildApp: Since 2010, 100,000 businesses have created mobile apps for a broad range of platforms using iBuildApp, which is delivered as a service. The platform supports the creation of mobile apps for iOS, Android, Symbian, Win Mobile and Blackberry. In late March, the company released a new service that helps developers manage mobile applications created with iBuildApp remotely. So for example, content could be updated and deleted as necessary. Pricing varies; you'll only to pay at least $299 to work with IBuildApp to create an account that will let you publish a mobile application in the Apple store.
• LiveCode Mobile: This is a platform created by RunRev that supports mobile app development for Android and Apple (as well as desktop operating systems). The company just announced a free course for teaching small business owners how to develop mobile apps that will run during the month of May 2012. A commercial version of its development software for either Android development or iOS development is priced at $499; a cross-platform version starts at $999.
• Magmito for Business, from Sprint: Sprint has teamed up with mobile application technology company DIDMO to create a version of the Magmito mobile app creator for small and midsize businesses. This is a cross-platform application tool for mobile apps that can include, text, images, RSS feeds, feedback forms and click-to-call features. The apps can be distributed via QR code, as a social media add-on, in app stores or via email. A one-year subscription is priced starting at $99.99.
• Mippin App Factory: The company behind this service pledges to help you build a mobile app in less than five minutes. It supports iPhone HTML5 apps and Android, among other platforms. The service starts at $99 per year.
• Mobbase: Pitched at companies that are trying to build a mobile fanbase, so there's lots of media considered for the app templates. It supports the development of custom apps for iOS and Android. You'll have to pay a setup fee ($250 for iPhone, $20 for Android) plus a monthly hosting fee that starts at $15 per month for up to 1,000 fan installs.
• Mobtify: Specifically focused on iOS for now, the service costs $46.95 per month and includes the ability to build geo-location into your mobile app. There is a set-up fee of $300.
• Shoutem: Focused on companies that want to publish an ongoing stream of content and information to a mobile app. The basic service starts at $29 per month (covering Android and iOS support). There is an additional fee of $99 year for the Apple developer program.
• Swebapps: A do-it-yourself platform for iOS or Android apps that supports audio file distribution, photo galleries, lists, RSS feeds, and so on. Pricing starts at $399 for a one-platform, one-time development fee, plus $29 for hosting services.
• Widgetbox Mobile: Creates HTML5 mobile apps that can run on either iPhone or Android smartphones. The service comes with analytics to let you track how your application is doing in the real world. Pricing starts at $55 per app, per month for up to 50,000 impressions per month.

Courtesy of an article dated April 15, 2013 appearing in MarketingProfs and an article dated March 6, 2013 appearing in The Wall Street Journal and an article dated April 25, 2012 appearing in ZDNet