Creating an app for your business doesn’t have to be a headache. Thanks to the rise of drag-and-drop websites, anyone can build an app and launch it on their own. However, as wonderful and accessible as they are, drag-and-drop tools do have their limitations.
In this guide, we’ll explore how to build a mobile app using a drag-and-drop website, the pros of making your own app, the disadvantages of drag-and-drop apps, and how a specialized team can help you take your app development and management a step further.
Does My Business Need an App?
Apps are a great way to bring your business’s services to your consumers’ mobile devices. They place information in the plan of their hands, and whether they want to place an order or get in touch, all it takes is the tap of a button.
Business mobile apps are on the rise to meet increased demand and help consumers reach their goals more readily. Mobile apps can even save businesses time and money by automating a lot of processes that would normally take manpower, like taking orders or processing payments.
But before you hop in the app bandwagon, you should first consider the role an app will play in your operations. Many businesses would like to modernize their practices, and they believe having an app is the best way to do that.
Unfortunately, they lack a clear scope, so they wind up with a buggy, inefficient app that reflects poorly on their brand image.
Prior to starting app development, you should take a look at your website and ensure its mobile-friendly. Optimizing your business’s website for mobile can fulfill the same role of an app and even boost your ranks on search engines.
Ask yourself if an app would make a difference in user experience over an optimized website. If the app can improve customer’s experience or expand their options, then it is likely a good idea. If not, then you may want to consult a professional team to help optimize and modernize your site for mobile users.
Most importantly, you should ensure that your business’s app serves a clear purpose and has concrete functions. It shouldn’t be used to provide value to customers in lieu of an optimized site or customer service.
At the same time, your app shouldn’t be so exclusive that customers who use your site miss out on key features. Balancing your app with your website can feel complex, but consulting with a professional team can make it easier.
In the meanwhile, let’s take a look at how to create a drag-and-drop app, so you can explore your options ASAP.
Step 1 – Choose a Platform for Your Needs
There are dozens of drag-and-drop app builders on the market. Some offer easy-to-use templates that require no code, but others are a bit more technical. You may need to modify some code to insert your business’s data or make an app perform how you want it to.
The primary role of any drag-and-drop app building platform, however, is using a ready-made template to start creating your original app. These templates tend to be industry-specific, like healthcare apps or restaurant apps.
If you look around and find there is no template that reflects your business’s needs, reaching out to a professional app development team is the best call.
Step 2 – Explore Plugins
Most app-building tools feature a wide library of plugins. These incorporate key design features and functions that will affect the end result. From the design front, elements like a drop-down navigation menu can optimize the app for a streamlined user experience.
Features such as contact forms, interactive maps and images, live chat, and email authentication can help users get in touch with your business via the app.
You’ll also need to think about whether you would like to connect your app with existing third-party platforms. For example, you may want to integrate your HubSpot LiveChat, Google Forms, or even Lyft into the app depending on your niche.
These plugins and features are usually easy to integrate, but they may not all suit your business’s needs. However, browsing them before you start building will help you get an idea of your creative options.
Step 3 – Plan Your App Design
There are a lot of technical components to consider, but design elements are just as important. Most drag-and-drop app builders will already be optimized for mobile, but that doesn’t mean there’s no work to be done on your part.
You should set aside all images you plan to incorporate into the app. Ensure that they are high-resolution and toe appropriate file type, e.g. .jpg or .png files. You should also have transparent .png copies of your brand’s logo to ensure it fits seamlessly onto the app.
Strong branding is important in app design, and the color scheme, fonts, and images should all be consistent with the existing theme of your website and other brand assets.
Step 4 – Start Building
You can use a pre-built template to start editing features of the app on your drag-and-drop builder. Everything from images and colors to menu items and features are at your fingertips. Make sure that you set aside time to work on the app systematically.
It’s helpful to consider the app from the perspective of a user. As a business owner, it’s easy to forget that some features may not be intuitive to someone on the outside. But apps have to be built to meet consumers’ needs first.
Think about the best apps you use on a regular basis. What makes them so rewarding? Is it their ease of navigation, an array of features, or customization options?
Ultimately, you need to use a drag-and-drop builder with a goal in mind. It should meet a need, expand your business’s services, and fulfill an immediate purpose for any user.
Step 5 - Launch and Test
Most app builders feature different activation strategies to help you launch your app. When it comes to publishing on an official platform, like the iOS App Store or Android’s Google Play Store, you’ll need to follow the instructions from each publisher.
Here’s the official App Store publication guide.
While launching is a huge achievement, it’s only the first step of an app’s lifecycle. You’ll need to repeatedly test, refine, and adjust your app to ensure it’s always working well and delivering the best experience to your consumers.
Step 6 – Market Your App Effectively
You’ll want to promote your app on your website, social media pages, and even the stores you’ve published it on to ensure your target audience can find it. Optimize your title and keywords to make sure the app is easy to find through relevant searches.
You should also showcase your app on your social media pages, publish a blog post, and send out an email to your customers. Let them know why the app is a valuable addition to their experience with your company.
If you’re in a B2B industry, publishing an app can also make for a good LinkedIn post. Think of how your app can plug into your current marketing strategies. The goal is to provide value and education first, so show where the app fills in any gaps or improves existing experiences for your audience.
Are Drag-and-Drop Apps Worth It?
Because they are so easy to create, drag-and-drop apps make a good introduction to app development for non-tech professionals. Even if you’ve never written a line of code in your life, you can build a highly functional, visually striking app.
As with any tool, there are pros and cons to drag-and-drop mobile apps.
Pros of building your app on a drag-and-drop website:
Build with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
Easy-to-edit templates made by professionals.
Tech support for on-demand assistance.
Fast deployment and low cost for rapid development or a small budget.
Cons of drag-and-drop mobile app builders:
Some features are not available unless you can code.
Unable to support specialized features for brands with unique needs.
Lack of customization or personalization in design and features.
Fees that range from monthly subscriptions to one-time payments.
When deciding if drag-and-drop app builders are right for your business, think about your needs, plans, and budget. In many cases, working with a professional team of developers can deliver better results with a greater return on investment.
Hiring a Developer vs. Using a Drag-and-Drop Website
While drag-and-drop app builders are convenient, the websites do have their fair share of limitations. You may not like the templates available, or you could require specialized features that a drag-and-drop website doesn’t support.
Likewise, you may not have the time or design experience to dedicate to building an app. In any of these instances, working with a developer is the best solution.
At Jolifox, we offer app development solutions for businesses of all sizes and in any industry. Contact us today to learn more about our services. We would love to discuss how we can help you bring your business’s app to life.
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