Creating a mobile application
 

Hi Everyone. I want to build a mobile application for commercial purposes, where customers can place orders for goods and all.. A comprehensive and exhaustive application that will be compatible with as many hand held devices as possible. Any advise? Thanks. :)

Re: Creating a mobile application
 

Yes, an HTML5 web app would be your best bet. It's going to be cheaper and much faster than creating apps for all of the different operating systems.

All of your customers can use a web app whereas only a selection can use your iPhone or Android app.

It makes a lot more sense.

Re: Creating a mobile application
 

I would def. use mobilecartly
It also has paypal already integrated.

Re: Creating a mobile application
 

For commercial purposes, what do you mean? You mean just displaying the website as a product catalog or you would like people to shop on it or what?

It's hard to answer the questions without knowing your intent at the beginning.

Re: Creating a mobile application
 

Thank you all. Your advise is very promising and I will try what you suggested.

Re: Creating a mobile application
 

Zoobie, by saying commercial purposes I meant an M-Commerce sort of business....like we have amazon and ebay

Re: Creating a mobile application
 

You don’t have to be a web developer to build your own mobile app for your site. If your budget does not allow for a full custom app or you just want to try a mobile app on for size and test the app marketplace, these app building tools will help you get up and running.

Create apps using the Java programming language for the Android OS by downloading the free Android software development kit (SDK). The starter kit comes with sample projects, source code, development tools and an emulator to test your new app. Android provides how-to videos, technical articles and step-by-step instructions on app development to help make the process less daunting. Android charges a one-time $25 developer registration fee to distribute apps in its marketplace.

Re: Creating a mobile application
 

I sent out my first 50 emails today for local offline businesses for building a mobile website. One of the responses was for me to send them the mock-up of their website (used dudamobile for mock-up) and they made a request for an app...no details, just an app.

Obviously, I told him via email that we create apps but need more info, however, I was wondering what specific questions I might want to ask when I talk to him tomorrow?

Re: Creating a mobile application
 

It depends what type of business he runs.

If he is just a small local business then you should start with a mobile website and then turn it into a web app. It's much cheaper and easier than creating a full blown app.

Besides, if he is a local business then no one is going to be looking for him in the app store. They are going to be searching in Google. Therefore the mobile website is the best place to start.

Don't just sell him an app because he has asked for one though. If you don't honestly think it will help his business then you should tell him so. You gain a lot more respect and loyalty that way.

Re: Creating a mobile application
 

Hey Reinhard
Since at the current time mobile apps are the necessity for your business.
Try to develop your app on HTML5 platform as it provides all the tool and flexibility to make your app for universal mobile platforms including iOS, android, windows and blackberry.

Re: Creating a mobile application
 

what about creating an app for Facebook mobile?

Re: Creating a mobile application
 

Is it for android or for Mac?
If it is for Android platform my special thanks goes to you.

Re: Creating a mobile application
 

I wonder why you would suggest that?

It has nothing to do with the fact it is your own product?

Hmm, didn't think so :rolleyes:

Once again with the self promotion. I don't know what we would do without you here.

Re: Creating a mobile application
 

How to create java mobile application using netbeans??

Sabareesh

Re: Creating a mobile application
 

You can try reading a book on Java or NetBeans for that . or if you don't want to spend much time on It, you can always hire a professional to do It for you

Re: Creating a mobile application
 

What has Facebook announced regarding this?

I think that's HUGE.

I saw back in May 12 they were opening up these opportunities.

but to my understanding....the app is launched natively thru Facebook iframe

What about Facebook tabs/apps, for mobile?

Re: Creating a mobile application
 

If you want to build a mobile Wbsite that will be compatible with almost all mobile devices, I suggest you to use Jquerymobile framework.

Re: Creating a mobile application
 

Re: Creating a mobile application
 

Yes i also agree with "willR" that make your mobile apps with using HTML 5 for iPhone as well as Android as per the latest market trend. Really it helps a lot.

Re: Creating a mobile application
 

The best way to do this would be to make an app that interacts with a main website. The apps for Amazon, eBay etc are not a total rewrite of these stores but just a sort of mobile frontend to the database and systems running these sites.

You might find this post helpfull

rant-best-way-make-app

Re: Creating a mobile application
 

The market is practically flooded with various kinds of mCommerce apps. Choosing the right one may take longer than you can imagine. According to me, custom building such an app will be a good idea. This should help you achieve most of the goals.

On the other hand, if you are planning to use an existing one, then many people will suggest you with different names. I have used one, which is named cart2mobile. I have found this app highly useful with features like:

1) ability to reach multiple and millions of mobile users all across the globe
2) no need to spend money on maintenance of this app
3) ability to create greater brand awareness

Hope my suggestion will help you.

Re: Creating a mobile application
 

IMO the responses above are all well-founded and great...BUT you should also decide if you'd like for your app to be present in the appstore and google play. Ordinary mobile websites or web apps may not automatically enable you to have your presence in the app stores... the only reason for publishing to the app store and GP would be for marketing purposes. Just my two cents...good luck!

Re: Creating a mobile application
 

Hello
In your case it is good to develop an android app which is more profitable and compatible. One of the most important advantage of android over iPhone is that there is no option of having a default apps in iPhone which is present in android device. Even the sliding notification bar in android is just amazing as compared to the terrible notification system in an iOS. However there are manhy other benefits of having an android app.

Points of consideration while developming your mobile app.
* Make sure your app is optimized to mobile.
* Chose a theme that may suit your products show case in an appropriate manner.
* Make a note that you can easily share your products in various SNS like facebook or twitter so as to gain more customers.
* Though it is good to develop an android app, however try to build such an app which is compatible to all the mobile platforms like the android,iPhone, iPad, kindle etc.
* If you are making this mobile app as an mobile-ecommerce site, then do make sure that it supports all payment gateways.

Hope this post is quite worthy for you.
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Re: Creating a mobile application
 

We are currently building in html5 and using a service which packages it for the app stores. We got both versions made within a few months and both accepted into the Google and Apple stores.

The disadvantage with html5 is you do not have access to all the phones native features, such as adding an event to a calendar etc.

If your app does not need the phones features then html5 offers a cool solution, however if you need more native features, then ultimately you will be building native apps.

We use html5 to get us out there quickly and test the market, but we will in time go native.


Forgot to mention the other biggy:

HTML5 does not always convert easily to Apple or Android native apps... - you use a service such as Phonegap or trigger to wrap it so it looks like a native app, but you can bet your life then nothing goes to plan and something within the wrapper software will bug your application. It can be completely frustrating, annoying and a huge waste of time and that is another reason why people prefer to go native. With native, more often then not, things work as they should as you are not messing around with multiple technologies.

Re: Creating a mobile application
 

Lots of great advice.

Where are you expecting customers / visitors to come from. A goole search or from other marketing activities ?

If you're a well known brand then a mobile app (an app that runs on a mobile) might make sense.

However, as others have mentioned to begin with a site designed for mobile is probably the quickest and mose sensible route to go initially.

For example you can design a wordpress website using a respsonsive theme which will seve a mobile or desktop version of your site to each visitor depending on the platform you use.

Previously you had to either build a specific mobile site or use an app to convert your site, both of which had down sides. Responsive designs give you more control over the design and are easier to manage.

Re: Creating a mobile application
 

We use a platform that does all three (IOS, Android and HTML5) in on fail swoop. And it very affordable for small businesses. Please PM me and/or visit our website at Delta App Designs | Mobile Applications for Your Business to see samples.

Re: Creating a mobile application
 

I agree with WillR, web based html5. Guy knows his stuff

Re: Creating a mobile application
 

not sure if a mobile app for ecommerice a good idea to attract new clients?
But I think it's a good idea to serve old customers buying stuff when they are bored and waiting for something as bus or train.

Re: Creating a mobile application
 

building mobile app is more on html5 codes but if you want to build an easy way there are lot's of built-in-code- machine, with less time consuming you can built it for 20-30 mins for the beginners.

such as gomobilelogin, ibuildapp, everyoneapps , etc..

hope these things helps.

thanks