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Unless you're living under a pop culture rock, you've probably heard the phrase "there's an app for that."
Statements like this can often be hyperbolic. But in this case, it's on the money: <a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/276623/number-of-apps-available-in-leading-app-stores/" target="_blank">according to Statista</a>, there are 2.2 million apps available in the Apple App Store – and 3.57 Million in the Google Play store. That's a whole lotta apps.
The app revolution makes sense when you consider that most great ideas are born out of necessity. What's amazing is how the marketplace has enabled ordinary people with no tech or development background to access apps as a solution to their problems – like knowing which wine to pair with your salmon. Ask Vivino: they now have <a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/vivino-buy-the-right-wine/id414461255" target="_blank">over 50 million users worldwide.</a>
OK, so maybe wine isn't your thing. But let's say you're at your favorite craft beer pub and inspiration strikes. You grab a cocktail napkin and start mapping out a new app and how it will change your business. But now what? If you don't have the technical skills, outsourcing an app can be an expensive and risky endeavor. According to Utility, more advanced, multi-function and gaming apps <a href="https://utilitynyc.com/blog/app-development-cost#:~:text=Basic%20database%20apps%20cost%20between,based%20on%20quality%20and%20detail." target="_blank">can cost between $150,000 - $250,000</a> or more based on quality and detail.
It's easy to get overwhelmed by these numbers. And if you're going big, it's always best to think about how an app can be sustained or even monetized. It's for this reason that <a href="https://www.fyresite.com/how-many-apps-fail/" target="_blank">many people believe that 99% of apps fail</a> - but that doesn't reflect branded apps that reinforce your core business. 
So what if you just need a branded app? Not necessarily a suped-up AR-powered megalith, but a customized experience that allows you to enrich your users through a mobile channel with hundreds of different business solutions?
Well, it looks like <a href="https://www.wix.com/app-builder" target="_blank">Wix</a> might have cracked that code – with no code at all. The popular website building platform recently announced a new product for business owners called <a href="https://www.wix.com/app-builder" target="_blank">Branded App by Wix</a>, which allows users to create native apps for the iOS and Android stores without any complex development.
Wix – which is best known for its slick drag-and-drop website builder and CMS – has become a go-to platform for artists, freelancers, and small business owners looking to establish brands online without the hassle of coding and complexity. Now, the platform is expanding its user-friendly approach by making it possible for anyone to get into the app game without learning any code or relying on expensive, third-party development sources. 
Branded App by Wix will offer users a simple experience for customizing their apps, starting with their logo – which will appear in the major app stores alongside other leading apps. This alone can provide a significant branding boost to any business.
The app builder also allows what Wix describes as "total creative freedom" to design an app icon and customize the layout and general look and feel of the app UI, and enhance it with access to hundreds of features including eCommerce storefronts and forums.
One of the most challenging (and overlooked) costs of an app is management and maintenance, particularly when dealing with the native app stores themselves. Wix alleviates this by enabling automatic updates, ensuring that your app is constantly working with the latest versions of the iOS and Android stores – and that your data is always being synced.
"Building my own app with Branded App by Wix has been a total gamechanger for my business," said Wix user Benji Beasts, Founder and Fitness Trainer at Core Attack Fitness Club. "I had to have an app that I could customize to achieve the exact look, feel and service my members experience when they walk through my doors. Members use the app every day—whether it's to book sessions, buy merchandise or even stream sessions on demand. The most amazing thing about this app, especially for the time we are living in, is the place it provides for customers to connect with me and other members, creating a community experience that keeps them motivated and coming back for more. No need for a background in coding, just my passion and my brand."
While it's a far cry from a complex app like Vivino, don't cry over any spilled wine: Branded App by Wix is another signal that the app marketplace is becoming more accessible and cost-effective to a wider range of businesses – particularly in the do-it-yourself range. Right out of the gate, the experience is offering some fairly decent design capabilities, and Wix plans to push new features that offer extended customization and navigation in the coming months.
"This release is another step in our native mobile app strategy making sure users can create custom iOS and Android apps as easily as they create custom websites," said Ronny Elkayam, SVP of Mobile, App Market &amp; Strategic Products at Wix. "The Branded App is a major addition to the Wix offering, enabling business owners to have another medium to activate their brand. We are happy to equip any type of business owner or service provider with the native mobile experience they need to enhance their customers' experience, grow their businesses, and ultimately compete with today's biggest brands."
The Branded App unlimited is currently being offered at <a href="https://www.wix.com/app-builder" target="_blank">50% off</a> its original price – making it just $100 a month (paid annually). Note that the current plan doesn't include the registration fee for Apple's App Store (from $99 a year) and Google Play ($25 one-time fee), or any additional fees that Google or Apple may apply.
Even so, at this price point, you might want to pop a cork and start toasting to your new branded app.
<h2>About Wix</h2>
<a href="https://www.wix.com/" target="_blank">Wix</a> is leading the way with a cloud-based website development platform for over 200 million registered users worldwide today. The Wix website builder was founded on the belief that the Internet should be accessible to everyone to develop, create and contribute. Through free and premium subscriptions, Wix empowers millions of businesses, organizations, artists, and individuals to take their businesses, brands and workflow online. The Wix Editor, Wix ADI, Editor X, a curated App Market, Ascend by Wix and Velo by Wix enable users to build and manage a fully integrated and dynamic digital presence. Wix's headquarters are in Tel Aviv with offices in Austin, Be'er Sheva, Berlin, Cedar Rapids, Denver, Dnipro, Dublin, Kyiv, Kraków, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Phoenix, San Francisco, São Paulo, Tokyo and Vilnius.

Wix Launches New Branded App Builder for Creating Code-Free Native Mobile Apps

paris-tuzun

Choosing a content management system for a mobile platform is vital for companies that are looking to get the most out of their marketing efforts. This is due to the proliferation of mobile phones and devices, and the fact that most of us use Android, Apple iOS or Windows platform powered devices to access the internet. There are various factors you need to look into when choosing your ideal mobile CMS, and we’ll be exploring a few of these in this article.It Starts With AnalyticsTo begin with, you need to know what the figures are in regards to your target audience that are accessing your site via mobile phones or other hand-held devices. A great place to start would be Google Analytics, a free tool that displays all the pertinent data to give you an idea of whether going mobile would make financial sense in the long run. Metrics found onGoogle Analytics helps you answer questions such as:–    What are mobile visitors searching for (keywords)? –    Is the structure and information flow in your site mobile-friendly (site search, page depth, conversions and site speed)? –    Are they having trouble finding information (landing page bounce rates and average time on page)?…and so on. Armed with this information, you can start creating a CMS that’s able to get you better conversions as well as boost your visibility online.A mobile CMS should be basic, intuitive and minimalist. However, there’s the problem of having different needs for different mobile platforms that makes it necessary to have a mobile CMS that can have the same effectiveness across all platforms. For example, things like presentation style, interaction style and software stacks are all important things to pay attention to when creating your ideal mobile CMS.Device Agnostic vs Device Specific CMS DevelopmentThere are two approaches to mobile CMS creation: device agnostic and device specific development. Device agnostic basically means that the CMS is not tied to a particular device, or it is machine-independent. This means that it won’t need manual modification in order to make it work across devices and platforms. Device specific mobile CMS development provides unique mobile experiences depending on the device your target customer is using to access your site or app.Device Plans and MatrixesWhen you’re developing a mobile CMS, you need to have a device plan right from the very start if you’re going to ensure that people accessing your content or platform have the best possible experience. For example, the device matrix for mobile browsers stretches from A to F, meaning that you will need to do due diligence from the data you’ve collected so you can know what class of browser your audience is using to access your mobile site.User InteractionUser interaction should also be another thing that needs to feature in your plans while creating your ideal mobile CMS. Your CMS should thus have this functionality or allow for a plugin to be used to provide it. At the very least, your CMS should give you the ability to post forms and record responses even on a mobile platform. If you’re shopping around for a good mobile CMS provider, Magnolia is a great option given its popularity, ease of maintenance, flexibility, and scalability.Do you have any questions or comments regarding mobile CMS development? Please take some time to leave your thoughts in the comment box below.

A No-Frills Guide to Choosing Your Mobile CMS

mike-johnston

Apps are the new black. Everyone wants their own. From Mom &amp; Pop shops to blue chip corporations, companies are scrambling to get their brand, product, or service in the app store. If you don't have an app, you might feel kind of lonely. Many developers, who spend their days managing a CMS or developing sites may consider the app market as the new gold country. Is this where you should be digging for gold? Is it time to pack up and move to mobile country?

<h2>The App Question</h2>
Before you rush into the app frenzy, stop and think. Do you need an app? Should you build one? What is the ROI from building an app?
Apps cost money to create. Plus, they have a subtle impact upon your brand. They can either erode your brand integrity or they can build a stronger brand presence and more loyal customer base. An app can frustrate users, or it can be a huge crowd-pleaser. An app can either drive conversions or it can slow conversions. Before you decide to build an app, you need to have an overall mobile strategy.
<h2>The Mobile Imperative</h2>
You probably already know that mobile is huge. You might even be reading this article on a mobile device. Every company with an online presence — which is basically every company by now — needs to have a mobile strategy. That mobile strategy is going to look different for every single company.
Here's the thing to remember about a mobile strategy. As Google's Mobile Playbook explains, having a mobile strategy does not mean having an app. You can have a robust presence on mobile without investing the time and resources into creating an app. Using a website with responsive design, for example, is often a more cost-effective and reasonable solution for many companies.
<h2>What is an app for?</h2>
What's the whole purpose behind an app? There are two broad potential purposes:
1.  Entertainment:  E.g., Pandora, Angry Birds, Kindle, Words With Friends, Instagram, Zombie Apocalypse
Game apps are great. As I write, I have two Words with Friends games going on. (I'm losing both games.) Are you a mobile game maker? Is your company name Zynga? If so, then entertainment apps are perfect for you. If, on the other hand, your company is not in the mobile gaming industry, this is probably not a great option. Some companies, however, have chosen such a strategy.
F'or example, Capri Sun created an iPad game. I downloaded it for my toddler daughter to play. The game consisted of trying to score points by throwing a beach ball into a goal defended by a dolphin. You can also make the dolphin do tricks. It was cute. My daughter played it a few times.
I don't think we've drunk Capri Sun since downloading the app three years ago.
2.  Utility or Information:  Docs to Go, Evernote, CNN, Dropbox, Flashlight, Maps, Weather
If you see someone busy on their mobile device, chances are, they're playing a game or surfing Facebook. If they aren't, they might actually be working, catching up on the news. or emailing a colleague. Useful tools comprise a vast number of apps. Many companies who create traditional software tools have also created useful mobile versions of their software. For example, Evernote users may use the robust desktop version, an equally powerful online version, or a scaled down Evernote for their Android or iPad mini. Most companies, however, are not in position to profit from a new utility app.
<h2>An App that Promotes Your Brand</h2>
One website with an obviously older article discusses apps for “promotional purposes.” The article seems to indicate that promotional apps are a great idea. It can “enhance your status and stand out of other competitors [sic].”
Are brand promoting apps a good idea? It all depends.
Obviously, the Capri Sun app, mentioned above, is promoting its brand. It's probably not trying to become another Zynga. What about Coca-Cola? They have an app, several actually. One of their apps allows you to play games. Another Coca-Cola app allows users to view the history of the Coca-Cola product and brand. Starbucks has created an app that allows users to make purchases, earn stars, create custom drinks, and even get free music. It's like a loyalty card, only it's an interactive app.
Perhaps the overarching reason why a company would create an app — be it an app for utility or entertainment — is to promote their brand. Is this a good idea for your company? Are people going to download an app you made in order to play with a dolphin or read about your brand's history? Do you have an international chain of coffee shops where people can use your app to make purchases? Maybe, but probably not.
<h2>Making a Decision</h2>
Though the siren call of apps is strong, the numbers tell a different story:*
<ul>
<li>73% of mobile users would rather use a mobile website to do shopping, rather than an app. </li>
<li>60% of mobile users prefer entertainment via their browser rather than an app.</li>
</ul>
(Stats taken from http://mashable.com/2012/06/06/mobile-site-mobile-app-infographic/)
There are plenty of good reasons to build an app. App users are generally more engaged with your brand. Besides, apps provide a greater level of interactivity and functionality. As the mobile browsing experience matures, however, there is less and less driving motivation to build an app.
You're out to make an impact, not waste money on a dud. Before you move forward with your awesome app idea, stop and think for a moment. Apps have had their heyday.  Your answer to the app question may be instead to focus your development on responsive design and mobile customization rather than app building.

Should You Build an App?

daniel-threlfall

With the exponential use of mobile devices it is becoming common to expect sites to adapt to tablet and smartphone screen resolutions. You want mobile site visitors to have a pleasant browsing experience and ClickTale Mobile gives you a unique perspective in this regard.
Site owners go through many pains at times to make sure their site brings the best mobile experience possible. Maybe you hired a developer to morph your site into mobile-friendliness using CSS and media queries. Maybe you spent hours finding just the right WordPress mobile responsive theme. Whatever path you decided to travel you have put in the effort, now you want to see if it has paid off.
ClickTale is bringing their web experience analytics to mobile. While it is important to see if mobile users are accessing your site, ClickTale takes it a step further in that you can actually “watch” the user as they browse the site. Now before you call “foul” and start making references to 1984's “big brother”, think about what valuable information is obtained when you actually see somebody browse your site:
<img style="max-width:577px" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/screen_shot_2016-03-02_at_18_34_40_jhznbo.png" />
<ul>
<li>Are users tilting their device into landscape or portrait mode?</li>
<li>What areas are being tapped and swiped across most often?</li>
<li>Are users zooming in more than you had planned?</li>
</ul>
In order to present the best mobile experience, you need answers to these questions. ClickTale Mobile can give site owners and developers the aggregated data to make informed decisions on mobile design improvements. You can even watch individual sessions as video playback. This way you can actually see what is working and what is causing your users frustration. Do you have a high bounce rate for mobile users? ClickTale Mobile can show you why.
This becomes even more apparent when we think about mobile eCommerce. Online shopping is huge, but when not using a huge screen it can be a huge frustration. Keep your users on your site even when using mobile browsers. Design your eCommerce to respond and do not lose potential buyers. The buyer may be inspired to purchase while all they have is their phone or tablet. If they have to wait until they get home to their computer to have a decent shopping experience you have probably lost a customer, forever. Don't let that happen! Use these tools and make your site part of the mobile experience hall of fame.
For more information and to join in on the private beta go to <a href="https://contentsquare.com/clicktale/" target="_blank">www.clicktale.com/mobile</a>.

Watch Your Mobile Site Visitors with ClickTale Mobile

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Wix Launches New Branded App Builder for Creating Code-Free Native Mobile Apps

A No-Frills Guide to Choosing Your Mobile CMS

Should You Build an App?

Watch Your Mobile Site Visitors with ClickTale Mobile