How can I convert a responsive website to a Mobile app?
When someone asks me how to convert a website to an app, I always share my 3 golden recommendations:Actually, these 3 tips are the shortest way to describe and highlight the most important things in the conversion process. Let me tell more about each.Tip 1: Build a native appIf somebody tells you that you can turn your website into an app using some magical “converter”, well, don’t expect that you will be satisfied with the result. The simple truth: having a bad app is worse than having none. Only a native app can guarantee smoothness and fast speed of work as well as possibility to utilize specific features of the mobile platform.You can achieve this level of performance only with a native app (image by Gleb Kuznetsov)Tip 2: Choose the right business strategyBefore you start converting your website to an app, you should already have a clear vision of the future product. What do I mean by a “clear vision”? At least, what set of features you would like to see in your app and what value it brings to users.Therefore, there are 3 possible business strategies. You should choose one:Build a clone-app of the website with totally the same functionality.Distinguish core features, implement them, and enrich your app with additional ones (the most common approach).Build an app with a set of specific features which your site may not even have (like FaceBook Messenger).Tip 3: Pay attention to the differences between Mobile and WebA mobile app isn’t just a “smaller version of the website” or something like this. We in Stormotion team can definitely tell you that it’s totally different concepts! And many things - like common navigation patterns or specific fragmentation issues - aren’t the same or even similar. And, we’re coming back to the Tip 1 again - that’s why a native app is the best option for you.Mobile and Web have different navigation patterns (image by kohutpiotr)This was just a quick answer to your question. Yet, you might be interested in the deeper research on this topic. Luckily, Stormotion team has one for you! Check our article “How to Turn a Website Into an App”! There you will find:Why are responsive web design and mobile not the same?Advantages & disadvantages of each business model.Design tips about differences in the web and mobile logic and interfaces.Tech requirements to converting.Check it out! :)
What is responsive website design?
Responsive web design is web design where a website has the ability to automatically scale proportionally to any screen size or resolution without a loss in the actual contents of the website. You shouldn't mistake this for a mobile website with a seperate sub domain, in responsive web design, a website will scale properly to any screen size without the need of a sub domain. For example, if a website were to be responsive on mobile too, how it looks on a desktop should be the same thing as it looks on a mobile but optimised to fit that screen size. You can actually test if a website is "responsive" in your desktop browser, by visiting the website, e.g cnn.com ..then resize your browser's window to what you think looks like the screen size of an iPhone or any Android smartphone.. When you're done resizing the window, you'll notice the website shrinks its elements to fit an iPhone's screen size, you shouldn't see your browser's horizontal scrollbars cause its a "responsive" website. It "responds" to any screen width. A website that's not responsive will not have this, cause its not been optimised to be responsive, in that case, you'll see your browser's horizontal scrollbars where you have to scroll all the way to the right or left to see the rest of the content on the website, in responsive design, you'll see every content, by only having to scroll vertically. I hope you now understand.
How do I lock down employee's Android tablets or smartphones at my organization?
As Bikramjit Kaur suggested,The simplest way to lock down the mobile device is using kiosk mode lock down applications.I have recommended GoKiosk at one of friends organization; he was looking for a solution to restrict his employees from using unwanted applications like Facebook and other mobile app games.He runs a company, with 100 people in sales team roaming out in the field for sales work. He has provided tablets to all 100 guys to register all the sales order in tables and communicate real-time with the organization via M-ERP system. But some how few employees have started misusing application.Now, he wanted the solution to stop the same and optimize the team's performance. I just recommended GoKiosk (GoKiosk Enterprise Device Lock - Android Apps on Google Play). It's simple and very cost effective.He simply has to install an application, and that’s it! Mobile is locked down into kiosk mode. Now he has assigned 5 - 7 applications, and only that can be accessed from those devices.I had gone through other applications too but those were very costly.Paying $30 or $50 Per license will be of no use for my friend (i was going out of budget as well), but with Gokiosk he simply found the solutions at $11 per license.
What does it mean to "optimize content for mobile"? Does that it mean you write two different versions of your content? One for desktop and one for mobile?
Responsive web design (RWD) is an approach to web design that makes web pages look well on different devices. With a rising consumption content on mobiles, it is necessary to have a responsive website design.Optimizing content for mobile means preparing content to enjoyable reading on small screens.You’ll find a few tips below.Why RWD is so important?Properly implemented responsive, fast loading website can save you lots of money improving conversion to a website.When consumers visit the web on their smartphones, they do not have time to wait for loading or manually adjusting the size of the screen to fit the mobile device they are staying on. RWD will increase the amount of time that visitors spend inside.While responsive website design lets new visitors experience your website in a proper manner on the go, the mobile app attracts the returning ones.This tool has the ability to stimulate loyalty by building and pulling its users deeper into the conversion funnel.It will help you keep in touch with every reader, engage your community in every place and at any time.Here you got a few tips to make your content looking good on mobile devices:Reading on a smartphone is not a hassle, provided that content can be read by scrolling down, not by pinching and dragging the text. A single-column format makes content easy to read on tablets and smartphones.The modern reader is easily distracted so he expects from the article to find the key point quickly, after that he can leave and return to work. Transparent pages with a clear value proposition are able to hold people’s attention for much longer.To accurately navigate long-form content visitors, use subheads and bullets.Use discernible, descriptive headings and content divided into obvious chunk.Short paragraphs are easy to follow because they tend to focus on one point, rendering them especially appealing for those who read on a mobile device.Don’t use too many photos. Many images take time to download and if it is taking too long, the readers will simply resign.Enlarge links or keep them far away from each other. Given the size of the screen of a mobile device, and the size of the human thumb, it is very easy to click on the wrong link if they are too close together.Greetings from PressPad Digital Publishing!