It is no secret that the way to consume digital media is changing. Instead of accessing Websites and Social Networks through heavy computers, now you can do it anywhere, anytime by small smartphones. A report from comScore in 2015 states that more than half of global users access Internet through Mobile devices. That means you have to convert your website to a mobile-friendly responsive design or find a WordPress that doesn’t look great but a mobile responsive.
However, these efforts might not address the whole picture. According to the recent study, 47 percent of all Internet traffic comes from mobile apps. A statistic from comScore also reveals that 53.9 percent smartphone mobile shoppers purchase products through apps in the US.
What is different between a Mobile App and a Mobile-Responsive Website?
Actually, both of terms are referred to the use of web designs that are able to self-adapt to any device in order to be seen. As mentioned above, mobile- responsive Website was born when users realized that working poorly on mobile devices could make them lost many potential customers. A mobile responsive design allows the desktop web page to be viewed in response to the size of your mobile.
By contrast, you install mobile apps directly on your mobile through specific portals such as Apple App Store, Android Market, rather than being rendered within a browser like Chrome or Safari, etc. The app may help you either pull all your WordPress data from the Internet or download the content so that you can access to information without the Internet connection.
So Which is better?
When it comes to building a mobile app or a mobile- friendly Website, it depends all on your final aim. There are several options to develop your Website through mobile apps and mobile friendly website. However, responsive and mobile app are the most development options, to say the least. If your goal is to offer your website to the widest possible audiences and you only want to invest a small amount of money in it, Mobile- responsive Website is fine. But, if you want to engage the visitor more on your site rather than just read and go, I think you should invest in a native application.
Advantages of a Native App vs. a Responsive Web
- Better Performance
- Increased Functionality
- Enhanced users’ securities
- No Connection Required
Best Free and Premium Mobile Apps for WordPress
After understanding the importance of Mobile app for WordPress, let’s take a look at the both Free and Premium Native Apps below in order to have more choices.
1. WordPress for iOS and Android (Free)
An official Mobile Application from WordPress community, WordPress for Android and WordPress for iOS give you the power of writing and publishing your posts every time, everywhere. Managing comments is now simple than ever. In the newest version for Android, you can also use “People management” feature to control visitor who is able to access and view your site.
And moreover, If you are a developer and want to build more awesome stuff for your WordPress, the code app is completely free for you to download.
Download WordPress for iOS | Download Source Code
Download WordPress for Android | Download Source Code
2. WooCommerce for iOS (Free)
Yes, your store is now in your pocket thanks to another official Mobile Applications specialized for WooCommerce. With the latest update from 31st, March 2016, it helps you view the number of orders and search them by customer name; pull all your products in one catalog and zoom into a particular one; and manage up to four stores. However, convenient but improvement needed this app is because of feature limitations. In the last analysis, it is one of the best mobile apps for WordPress in terms of simplicity and easiness to use.
It requires at least iOS 7.0 and WooCommerce 2.1.8
3. Woo Admin (Premium)
If you want a premium Mobile App for WooCommerce to show you an overview of your own business more than simple information such as the number of orders and category of products, Woo Admin is of great help. Besides normal features like official WooCommerce app, it shows you total for net sales, shipping fees, tax as well as refunds and discounts. Especially, shipping destinations are displayed in one map, allowing you to set up your shipping in the most effective way.
The cost for this app is quite expensive, $3.99 but like the idiom “you get what you pay for”
It requires at least iOS 9.1
4. WordPress News App for Android and iOS (Premium)
If you are hoping to build an amazing News App for iOS or Android, WordPress News App is the best choice for you. With features Splash Screen, Sliding Menu, Change Article/ News font size and more, you can completely change your desirable mobile news page into real.
Cost: $19
Purchase Android Version | Purchase iOS Version
5. BlogPress (Freemium)
A stunning app is specialized for the fan of Android and WordPress. Using Native Library and JSON data feeds, this app supports you the best to owe a professional mobile app for your WordPress. Your post will show with the full of description, images or links. There are also more and more other amazing features waiting for you to discover.
You have to pay $19 for regular license and $95 for extension license
BlogPress supports Android 5.1 and 6.0
Conclusion
Mobile traffic is the world’s inevitable trend. Besides offering a responsive website, having a mobile app is as much as important. It is the next step to move into a growing market. If speak of this issue, there is another Joe’s interesting must-read article about “The Whys and Hows of Creating a Mobile App for Your WordPress Website”. I think you should read also this article to get more knowledge in order to improve your mobile app the best.
Finally, do you have any plan to build a mobile app for your WordPress and how are you going to do? Let’s share with us in the comment below.
