The advent of no-code website and app builders has changed the software development landscape for the better. CMS platforms like Weebly are enabling individuals and businesses to create their own websites without hassle.
However, it is a no-brainer that a website alone is not enough anymore. Nowadays people are spending most of their time on smartphones. Thus, building an app becomes the default next step after launching a website and we are here to help you with it.
In our previous blogs in this series, we discussed how you can turn your website into apps for Shopify, Wix, Squarespace, and Webflow. Today, as the name suggests, we will continue the list and cover Weebly.
So, keep on reading and find out how you can complement your Weebly website with an app. Develop your own app and give your customers the convenience of one-click access to your business.
Suggested Read: How to convert your Wix website into an app? (2024 Guide)
In this blog
- What is Weebly?
- Why do you need an app for your Weebly website?
- Step-by-step guide to Weebly app development
- How to convert a Weebly website to app without coding?
- Frequently asked questions
What is Weebly?
Weebly is an American web development and hosting company based in San Francisco, California. Launched in 2006, the Block, Inc., subsidiary has evolved over the years to become a renowned and reliable solution for building websites.
In 2016, Weebly started emphasizing and pushing e-commerce solutions and is now known for its impressive store builder support and features. However, the widget-based drag-and-drop site builder enables users to create all kinds of websites.
Weebly is used by 0.4% of all websites and 0.6% of all websites with known content management systems. Reports show that more than 1.6 million websites use Weebly in some way or the other. These numbers give a clear picture of its popularity.
If you have a website built on Weebly, you have already won half the battle. Having a website gives you the required head start and garners exposure. The next obvious step is to develop an app for your Weebly website.
Suggested Read: WordPress vs Weebly: All the differences you need to know
Why do you need an app for your Weebly website?
Apps are everywhere and are now the driving force for businesses. However, in case you need some more motivation, here’s why you should build an app for your Weebly website:
Customers favor apps over websites
It is not a secret that customers favor apps over websites as they offer a matchless experience and ease of usage. Statistically speaking, 60.67 percent of the website traffic comes from mobile devices in 2024. Now you might be thinking that a mobile site might be enough, but that is not the case. Mobile users spend 90 percent of their time on apps and just 10 percent of their time on mobile websites, clearly underlining the importance of developing an app.
Apps ensure added exposure
Websites are great for SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and web discoverability. However, apps can open new avenues for business exposure and expansion. Launching your app on the top app stores can make your business visible to customers who search for solutions on app marketplaces. Moreover, you can implement marketing campaigns that essentially require you to have a mobile app for collaboration or execution.
Mobile unlocks new revenue streams
Apps can not only amplify your engagement and visibility but also add to your revenue growth. You can leverage app usage insights and data to craft personalized campaigns and upselling strategies to inspire more conversions. Additionally, you can also implement in-app purchases and stream ads from top global ad networks. Offer a consistent experience to users across channels and multiply your income with ease.
Step-by-step guide to Weebly app development
App development is a complicated and detailed process that runs through different stages. This includes planning and research, prototyping and designing, development and integrations, and more.
Explore the steps below and learn how you can develop an app for your Weebly website:
Step 1: Validate app idea with research
When you already have a website, you do not need to contemplate much over the core idea of the app. However, you can still validate the app idea you have, create a development plan, and design the workflow accordingly.
Start by summing up your brand’s core objectives and unique selling propositions. Make sure that your app incorporates and reflects the same. You can conduct mobile app market research to study the market, audience, as well as your competitors.
Consider finding answers to questions like:
- What is the purpose of building the app?
- How will the app benefit your business and audience?
- How will the app stand out amongst the competition?
- What are your competitors’ strengths and weaknesses?
- How much time and money can you spend on development?
- How will you develop, scale, and maintain the app?
- How will you market and monetize the app?
Once you have all the data, the next step will be to find a reliable app development software or framework. If you have an in-house development team, you can put them to work. While hiring outside staff is an option, this process can be long and costly and require you to go to and fro with the teams.
Alternatively, you can simply sign up for a no-code DIY app creator like AppMySite and build your own app without coding. Go with a platform that aligns with your budget and goals and supports seamless scalability and maintenance in the long term.
Step 2: Design and develop your Weebly app
Once you have finalized a development platform, you can go on to design and develop your app. Start with creating wireframes and prototypes to lay out the app blueprint and get suggestions from your team and your stakeholders.
Design your mobile app and pay special attention to the home screen and important call-to-action buttons. Work out the app architecture and layout and make sure that the app allows your customers to navigate and move seamlessly from one screen to the other.
Populate content on the app and integrate the features of your choice. Develop the frontend and backend using your choice of tools. Based on your method of development, this process can be as easy as connecting your site to the app with a click or you may have to write everything from scratch.
Follow the steps accordingly and shape the app. Make sure it perfectly complements your website in terms of the theme, branding elements, design and navigational flow, features, functionalities, etc. Establish coherence and ensure that your website visitors get a familiar experience while using the app.
Step 3: Test your app and deploy on app stores
Testing is an underestimated process. However, you must incorporate this practice into every stage of your app development project. Test your app’s design elements, features, functionalities, buttons, navigation, content, and more.
Additionally, also analyze the app for speed, performance, and security issues and fix the flaws, if any. Develop a responsive app that looks, works, and performs as per your and your users’ expectations. You can refer to mobile app testing guides and tools for the same.
When done, go on to deploy and publish your app. Most businesses prefer listing their app on Google Play and Apple App Stores. Refer to their guidelines and submit your apps on these platforms. Do not forget to optimize your app listing using top ASO practices for better engagement and visibility.
Once your app is live on the app stores, you can start promoting it among your website visitors and potential customers. Use powerful mobile app marketing techniques and get traction and traffic on your app. Run app-only offers, promotions, and campaigns to connect more people to the app.
How to convert a Weebly website to app without coding?
Weebly is a no-code solution that suits businesses with optimal resources. If you have your website on Weebly, you will likely want an app development solution that is as simple, straightforward, and cost-effective.
Fortunately, AppMySite’s no-code app builder for Android and iOS offers the same. It is one of the best and easiest tools for converting your site into an equally powerful app. It offers several products, including the Web to App solution that makes the transition super easy.
You can follow the steps listed below and turn your website into an app without coding:
- Sign up for AppMySite and click on the ‘Web to App’ product. Fill in the information fields and hit ‘Create’ to launch your dashboard.
- Next, build your app assets under the ‘Design’ section. Design your app icon, screens, and more. You can create everything from scratch on AppMySite itself or upload your existing designs.
- Connect your website and app and populate all your website’s content on the app. AppMySite’s real-time sync feature will make sure that the website content updates are reflected in your app in real time.
- Proceed to optimize your app’s navigation and settings. Here, you can define your color theme, and add menus, bottom bars, etc. Finetune your app’s interface and alter the web view and other settings accordingly.
- Next, you can preview everything on a live emulator and make the required adjustments. With AppMySite, you can also add features like Rich Push Notifications, Chat, Monetization, Analytics, etc., to your app.
- Test your app on actual devices and be sure of its real-world performance. When you are ready, you can download your Android and iOS app builds and submit them on the Google Play and Apple App Stores.
These are the few steps that will help you realize your app dream on AppMySite. Create and launch your Weebly app for iPhone and Android users and offer a true mobile-friendly experience to your buyers. Create e-commerce apps, blogging apps, or any other type of app, and grow your business beyond limits.
Frequently asked questions
What is Weebly?
Weebly is essentially a drag-and-drop site builder and hosting service that enables users to create responsive websites without coding. It is popular among beginners, small businesses, and individuals who want affordable and quick solutions. It offers a ton of templates, e-commerce features, and SEO tools that make the web development process holistic and easy.
Why do I need to build a Weebly app?
You need to build a Weebly app because websites are not enough anymore. Smartphones are now responsible for a huge share of the web traffic and apps have become the first preference of all kinds of customers across industries. A mobile site is not enough as mobile users spend 90 percent of their time on apps and just 10 percent of their time on mobile websites. Above all, websites cannot match the convenience and ease of use that apps can offer. Thus, complementing your Weebly website with an app can be a viable step.
Which brands use Weebly?
According to the web, many popular brands like Coursera, Accenture, and Hermès use Weebly. However, its reputation fares as a solution ideal for small e-commerce businesses, mom-and-pop stores, and individual creators. Some of the brands listed as Weebly’s customers on its official site include names like Merchant Method, Backwoods Beer Soap, Dharma Yoga Wheel, and Alibi Interiors, among others.
What is a Weebly app builder?
A Weebly app builder can be defined as a platform or tool that enables you to build mobile apps for your Weebly website, ideally allowing you to convert your site into an app without coding. For instance, AppMySite is a no-code app creator that offers many app development solutions. You can use its Web-to-App product to turn your Weebly site into an app.
How to convert Weebly to app?
When you already have a website, you can use it as a base and avoid building apps from scratch. Save time and money and convert your Weebly website into an app with AppMySite. It is the best solution for those who want to create apps quickly without coding. Design and connect your app with your website and populate it with site data with only a few clicks. Be ready to launch your app in no time and reach your customers at their fingertips.