Convert Your WordPress Site Into an App: The No-Code Guide

Converting your WordPress site into a mobile app can open up new opportunities for engagement and growth. After all, almost 90% of time on mobile is spent on apps, the rest on browsing websites. While responsive design can bring in the mobile crowd, a dedicated app can provide unique advantages such as push notifications, offline access, and a more streamlined user experience.

There are several approaches to converting a WordPress site to an app, ranging from DIY solutions to hiring specialized developers. However, the process can be complex, especially when dealing with custom themes, plugins, and integrations.

Whether you’re a small business owner, a content creator, or managing a large e-commerce site, this guide will provide the information needed to make informed decisions about converting your WordPress site to an app. We’ll cover the benefits, methods, and key considerations to keep in mind throughout the process.

Should you convert your WordPress site into an app?

Before diving into the conversion process, consider these key factors that will influence your decision and weigh them against the potential benefits of having a dedicated app:

What factors should you consider?

Before deciding to convert your WordPress site into a mobile app, carefully evaluate these considerations:

• Alignment with business goals and user needs: Examine whether app-specific features like push notifications benefit your content and if an app will boost user engagement beyond your mobile site. Run surveys and session analyses to determine if your target audience prefers apps over websites.
• Resource allocation and long-term commitment: Calculate the initial and ongoing costs of app development and evaluate your team’s capacity to manage multiple platform versions. Prepare for the app stores’ regular update requirements.
• Content strategy and management: Analyze your content update frequency and assess how well your WordPress content adapts to an app format. Plan for efficient content synchronization by using tools like Zapier or the WordPress REST API to automatically update content on both your app and website at the same time.
• Impact on existing web presence: Predict how an app might influence your website traffic and SEO, and evaluate whether it will enhance or compete with your web-based revenue streams. Ensure consistent branding and user experience across platforms.
• Monetization and revenue potential: Compare potential app revenues to your current web earnings and identify new revenue streams an app might unlock. Understand and evaluate app store revenue-sharing models to calculate a realistic ROI. For example, Apple takes 30% of revenue from apps in its stores.
• Technical feasibility and performance requirements: Develop strategies for offline functionality and data storage while addressing device fragmentation and screen size variations. Meet the high-performance expectations of app users by ensuring instant load times, offering solid offline functionality, and providing smooth in-app transitions.

What are the benefits?

If you’ve assessed all the factors for consideration and landed on a green light, here are some of the benefits you might realize from turning your WordPress site into an app:

• Enhanced user experience: Provide a smoother, more intuitive interface tailored for mobile devices with faster loading times and smoother navigation. This optimized experience can lead to higher user satisfaction and longer engagement times.
• Increased engagement: Reach users directly through push notifications and leverage native mobile features for more interactive experiences. This direct line of communication can boost user retention and interaction rates.
• Offline access: Offer content availability without an internet connection, allowing users to engage with your app anytime, anywhere. This feature can significantly increase user engagement and satisfaction.
• Brand presence: Place your app icon on users’ home screens as a constant brand reminder and create a more immersive brand experience compared to mobile websites. With people spending 4.8 hours on mobile, about one-third of their daily waking hours, this visibility can be invaluable.
• New monetization opportunities: Explore in-app purchases, premium features, or subscription models that may not be feasible on a website. These additional revenue streams can potentially increase your overall income.
• Competitive advantage: Set yourself apart from competitors who only have websites and potentially attract more users while increasing loyalty. An app can signal to users that your brand is innovative and committed to providing the best possible experience.

How to convert a WordPress site into an app

Now that you’ve weighed the considerations and benefits, let’s explore how to actually turn your WordPress site into a mobile app. There are three main approaches, each with their own pros and cons:

Option 1: Manual conversion using no-code tools

If you’re not comfortable with coding, no-code tools offer a user-friendly way to create mobile apps without diving into complex programming. These platforms typically provide intuitive drag-and-drop interfaces and pre-built components, making the conversion process more accessible.

For an easier conversion, choose a platform that supports WordPress integration. Popular options include Bubble.io and Adalo, which offer specific features for displaying WordPress content inside an app. Bubble, in particular, has a WordPress plugin that simplifies things considerably.

With the integration, you can allow users to log into your app using the same credentials they use for the WordPress site. You can also pull content like blog posts and shop items directly from the site to display in the app without needing to recreate it manually.

The exact process varies between platforms, but the general steps for conversion are:

1. Import your WordPress content into the no-code platform. This usually involves connecting your WordPress site or uploading an export file.
2. Design your app’s interface using the tool’s pre-built components. You can often customize these to match your brand’s look and feel.
3. Specify where and how you want to display the content from your WordPress site within the app.
4. Configure app settings and functionality. This might include setting up push notifications, user accounts, or other app-specific features.
5. Test your app thoroughly across different devices and scenarios to ensure a smooth user experience.
6. Once you’re satisfied with the result, publish your app to the appropriate app stores.

Pros:

• Low technical barrier.
• Quick development time.

Cons:

• Limited customization.
• Higher likelihood of ongoing subscription costs.

Option 2: Using plugins

There’s a more direct route to convert your WordPress site into an app – using plugins like MobiLoud and WPMobile.App.

They often preserve your site’s existing functionality and design, while adding mobile-specific features like push notifications. As such, this option is even more low-effort than no-code tools.

Here’s how to convert your WordPress site into an app using WPMobile.App:

1. Install and activate the plugin.

2. Open it from the admin dashboard to begin the conversion.

3. Enter the main details for your new app – a name, logo, and main color – in the first window that pops up. Click on Create my app when you’re ready.

4. You’ll then have access to the in-WordPress dashboard, shown below, where you can customize various areas of your app, including the homepage and menu, theme and colors, and code. You can also move between the tabs at the top to see a preview of your app or the splashscreen, and configure push notifications.

5. When you’re ready to publish your app, click on the Dashboard button at the center of the Dashboard tab. This will take you to the external WPMobile.App dashboard, where you’ll need to create a new account to download a demo of your app and get a license for the full version.

💡 You have the option to get a license for just the Android or iOS version, or both, but it’s a one-time payment that gets you unlimited downloads, notifications, and updates.

6. Publish the app to the appropriate app store(s).

Pros:

• Better integration with WordPress.
• Automatic content syncing.
• Beginner friendly.

Cons:

• May not provide a fully native app experience.
• Limited advanced customization.

Option 3: Working with a WordPress developer

For those seeking maximum customization and performance, working with a WordPress expert offers a tailored approach. While this option typically requires a larger investment, it results in a more polished, high-performance app that meets your specifications better than relying purely on no-code tools or plugins.

Here’s what working with an expert entails:

1. Requirement definition: Clearly outline your app’s features and functionality needs.
2. Expert selection: Find a qualified WordPress developer from a platform like Codeable or a dedicated agency. Hiring a developer for a one-off project is often the the better option; you can find an expert who is truly experienced in your specific project needs, and this approach is often more cost-effective compared to working with an agency. 
3. Strategy development: Weigh options for app creation based on your budget, timeline, and specific requirements.
4. Collaborative design: Work closely with the expert to create an app that aligns with your brand and vision.
5. Development oversight: Monitor progress and provide feedback throughout the coding and integration process.
6. Testing and launch: Conduct thorough testing across devices and guide you through the app store submission process.

Pros:

• Fully customized solution.
• Native app experience with optimized performance.
• Expert guidance and ongoing support.

Cons:

• Higher cost.
• Longer development time.

Transform your WordPress site into a powerful app with Codeable

As mobile usage continues to grow, having both a responsive website and a dedicated app can give your business a competitive edge.

The conversion process involves choosing the right method based on your needs and resources, from no-code solutions to working with experienced developers. While DIY options exist, complex projects often benefit from professional expertise.

If you’re thinking about taking your WordPress site mobile, consider partnering with WordPress experts who can guide you through the conversion process. 

Codeable’s network of skilled developers can get you through the technical challenges and create a high-quality app that aligns with your business goals. After it’s live, you can reserve your preferred expert with Codeable Retainers for ongoing maintenance.

Submit your project to Codeable today and transform your WordPress site into a powerful, custom mobile app with the help of vetted experts!