zicer

Hello. I'm not much into mobile marketing yet, but i have question and i would like to hear your comments.
I have number of websites built on WordPress platform. So is it ok to go with some nice responsive themes (mobile, iPad friendly) or is there more advantages in building mobile apps?

WillR

Apps and websites are different things.

Do you mean is it better to have a standalone mobile website?

zicer

OK, for example i have website with eBooks for sale. So if i want to do mobile marketing, is it better to make existing website mobile friendly or build app?

MSC

Better have both, on mobile website can add link to download your app.

jasontim86

They are different. And serves different objectives. Can you tell us what you wanna achieve first before we tell you which approach is better?

dmbrennan

Acquisition vs Retention

You first need to acquire customers via a website and then keep them coming back with an App. Give them a discount or freebie simply by downloading the app and present the promo to your server (restaurant example).

attrecto

Well, you can always reach them via a mobile app...
But as mentioned before, the different platforms serving different needs.

dmbrennan

Correct, you can reach them via an app but you first must acquire them and ask them to opt-in

Moondogge

I agree with MSC, create your mobile site to recognize what the visitor is using and have the mobile site direct them to download the app. You will get more repeat traffic from an app installed on someone's device than a mobile site. But it is good to cover all your bases and have both. Great success to you and good luck!

Moondogge
Moon Marketing Enterprises

Victoria Gates

Mobile websites and mobile apps can look very similar at first so determining which of these is most suited to your needs will depend upon a number of factors, like your budget, target audience, and required features. Some use both as was mentioned above depending on the need. Both apps and mobile websites are accessed on mobile phones and tablets so if your need is simple, a mobile website will cost you a lot less.

Keep in mind that simple and to the point is always best when building anything for a mobile device.

chiwawa

You should first create a mobile website and optimize. Drive traffic to your site and then add links to your site to download apps. Make them offers that would make theme want your apps.

sbrettoncm

Apps and mobile websites are different. if you wish to sell ebooks, then having a mobile website and an app will be an excellent idea. I am saying this because there are many mobile users, who prefer to use an app as compared to visiting a mobile site.

shoopt

Hey zicer
For the example you have provided I will suggest you to have a mobile friendly responsive theme website because as per my perception apps for selling books are not that much successful in the store. I have used the books app provided in android platforms and truly speaking didn't find it helpful. If you have a large collection of books like kindle store and others then your app will produce some downloads else it will get lost in the crowd of apps.

I am Daniel Jones, working in a Mobile Application Development Company as a Mobile App Developer. I enjoys exploring apps on iOS, blackberry, android and other mobile platforms.

velvetadvert

You need to go with website first, and after some promotion and recognition add download link to the app. That's just my opinion, but some of my friends involved in mobile marketing did exactly what I said. I've never worked with apps, have some experience in mobile web marketing only.

Aaron Doud

Personal opinion? The vast majority of sites don't need apps.

If your site is designed to be visited multiple times a week by the same person get an app. Otherwise avoid it.

wanderinglex

Apps generally have more advantages - you get more exposure, it works better than a mobile site (I never use mobile sites, for example - I set my user agent to Desktop) and you have a new monetization method through mobile ads. But they are hard to create and maintain.

Minista

You need a native application when you want your application to work offline or if you want to access some features of the OS.

If you only get Websites that you want on mobile, you just need an adapted mobile Website.

Don't forget that native application are much more expensive than Mobile Website.

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TimPiazza

I always advise clients to start with a mobile website to prove that the market is there, and then when they can justify it, add a mobile app to the mix. There is much more cost in launching and maintaining a mobile app. Websites can be updated in minutes, apps can take weeks to get through the approval process.

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Tmark30

You to carefully consider the options. It is easier to build and maintain mobile sites but if you need to access functions in the mobile os then you can build a mobile app.

JGSimmerman

I do the same thing. There are good reasons to have a mobile app, but I think it's better for most businesses to start off with a mobile website. They only need a mobile app if they want features that you can only get from a mobile app.

Kevin Z

Apps provide little value for a small local business.

This study was just released:

--------------

“The reality is there are only a couple of thousand apps that really make some kind of downloads,” Christian Henschel, Adeven CEO, told gigaom.com. “This is based on Apple’s closed system — it’s tough to discover those kinds of apps. You don’t have proper search, so the only way to discover new apps is through the top listing.”

400,000 of Apple’s 650,000 iOS apps never get downloaded because the only way users have to discover apps is through top lists. “If you’re not on those lists, it’s not sure that you’re being discovered by anyone else. The top 25 tend to be the same companies who spend millions of dollars to get to the top of those lists. If you’re an independent, small app publisher, then it’s really tough to be discovered.” said Henschel.

------------------

So if you are building your mobile marketing business around apps, you may want to think again.......

NYC Partners

Greetings,

I would say you definitely want a real mobile site that is 100% responsive to all phones.

You can get the Mobile LP's plugin and then create a redirect link.


So all those on mobile, go to the mobile page. All those on laptops, go to the main site.

It't easy to have the mobile site up and it can really help you land local mobile traffic they may not otherwise be able to compete for.

Hope that helps.

Have a great day!

Sincerely,
Roman

GunjanM

both website and apps are important to promote your business. Both have there own respective audience

fghaegele

Probably the clearest and best explanation of the differences in mobile sites & mobile apps.

Thanks for that one!

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mfred90

Both are different thing. If you have good website you can promote your apps over there. That would be better for you.

fxstay

its better to focus on both of them if you can , but if you dont have time mobile APPs is better

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shoopt

We can't say that apps are better both are having their own pros. The projects for apps are greater in price where as mobile websites takes much less time to build.

I am Daniel Jones, working in a Mobile Application Development Company as a Mobile App Developer. I enjoys exploring apps on iOS, blackberry, android and other mobile platforms.

John Ayling

I would suggest to focus more on mobile websites - simply because driving traffic to them is far easier than apps.

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Mwind076

There were 2 other threads here that discusses this:
Why You are wasting customers time with "Mobile Sites"
Mobile Apps vs Mobile Websites

On one of them, this was my comment:

My opinion is as an appointment setter for those of you selling mobile apps AND mobile websites. I've now been calling on this market for about 2-3 years and it's way different.

Mobile Apps:
- Help retain existing customers and keep them loyal, interested and up to date on coupons, events, etc.
- Are not effective in branding yourself or creating new business, people search for sites, not apps (unless they know what they are looking for).
- Are only effective to a smaller portion of customers (ages 16-45), this varies, but is something that should be considered based on your demographic. Older customers, even with a phone, do not do many "apps" (they search for a website).
- Are best as an add on, never as a first option for a client that has no site/no mobile site.
- Are not essential for every business owner
- Are not as easily navigated by the client (to update themselves)

Mobile Websites:
- Help garner new customers and keep existing ones
- Are essential to the technology we all use
- Are easily sold to customers that have a website only (it's an easy upgrade if they saw the importance of a normal website)
- Are easily navigated and updated by the client (some people don't want to pay you to maintain it)


As you can see there is a clear winner here, and yes there are exceptions. However, this isn't from someone selling both or either, I am generally unbiased. Except for this, I prefer dealing with those of you selling mobile websites, because it's MUCH easier for me to get you in front of a business owner for an appointment! More appointments means more business!

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GunjanM

Having your own apps and mobile website both are important now. You cannot ignore either of them

Gunjan M
Make your own apps

GunjanM

Which is the best Free DIY Apps Builder Tools

• Appsmakr
• infinitemonkeys.mobi
• ibuildapps
• mobileroadi
• others

Gunjan M
Make your own apps

networkempire

Kevin's post was informative. Didn't know only such a less percentage of the published apps are being downloaded

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MobiDev

It depends on your end goals. You can check the advantages and disadvantages of both solutions here Native App vs. Mobile Web App: A Quick Comparison If you need a mobile-friendly website version, you can choose a mobive website. In case you wish to get a great tool and add some features, you may develop a native app. For eBooks website a native mobille app will be a great solution. Here is an example of an eBook reader app. https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...ks.ebookreader