Turn Your Mobile Site into an Android App

[Troy D. Bertrand]

This Tip is Brought to You by The Discernible Business Reviews:  A Growing Support Network of Aspiring and Established Small Business Entrepreneurs.

A NC (Saif) wanted to know; Is it possible to build an android app , instead of a mobile site ? The answer is YES! And it's real simple too...trust me. If I did it with no problems, any NC can do it. Search Google Play for TDB Network if you need proof.

This can be achieved in 3 basic steps. Of course each step has it's own sub-steps but it's still a breeze. 

Step 1. Mobilize your Ning site.

• Ning has made this step very simple. The mobilized version of your site is practically available. All you need to do is activate it. To activate the mobilized version of your site head on over to your dashboard and click "Mobile" under settings to the left.

Step 2. Convert your mobilized site into an APK (Android Package).

• Head over to AppsGeyser to enter your information and begin the conversion process. Enter your Mobile Website URL (YourWebsiteUrl.com/m), App Name, Description and so on then click "create". You will need create an AppsGyser account on the next page but don't worry it's free. Once this step is complete you will be taken to the next page where you'll find a few options. Chose option 1 - "Download Your App". Remember the location you saved the downloaded file as you'll need to upload this file to Google Play later on.

Step 3. Publish your app to Google Play. This step is not free but it doesn't cost an arm and leg either. There's a very reasonable fee of $25 (USD)

• The downloaded file (APK) is already an app which can be installed on just about any Android Smartphone. If you download the file to your phone and have enabled your phone to allow third party apps, the file will be opened and install as an app on your phone. However, you can take this a step further and publish the app on Google Play. To do this you will need to create a Google Play Developer Account. From this point it's simply a matter of uploading the APK file to your account...enter relevant information and publishing your app to Google Play. 

I planned on doing a very detailed post but I'm really strapped for time. The steps are real simple but if anyone needs help simple reply to this with your questions and I'll try my best to get back to you as soon as possible. 

Regards

TDB

 

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[Vladimir Sebastian Bach™]

I actually did this before I even saw this post. If you really want to see what the final result looks like, look up Roleplay Social on google play, or follow this link.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.wRoleplaySocial

[Troy D. Bertrand]

Wasn't expecting to see anything different because I pretty much knew what it would look like. Just checked it out anyway. You just created this today? Asking because the date on the app is 10/22/12...what a coincidence.  

TDB

[Vladimir Sebastian Bach™]

No I created it 2 days ago, but Appsgeyser wouldn't let me download it until yesterday night. Google didn't publish it onto google play, until today. :3

[Troy D. Bertrand]

The Facebook app for Android is nothing but a tricked out mobile site. If you visit fb mobile it's a splitting image of their Android app... literally the same thing. If you can trick out your mobile site you can have yourself a very nice app for practically nothing.

Converting your mobile site to an Android app was something I thought just about every NC was aware of but it was requested so I posted for those who didn't know. 

I still got work to do on mine...good luck with yours.

TDB

[Vladimir Sebastian Bach™]

You can make some good mobile sites with http://www.dudamobile.com/ as well.

[Troy D. Bertrand]

I used Duda in the past and still have an active account with them. They do have a great creation platform but it didn't support user log in (at least back then) plus it cost $10 /month for white labeling. My give it a second look if the issues with user log in has been addressed.

TDB

[Scott Bishop]

I'm still trying to wrap my head around this. So essentially an app & a mobile converted site can be the same? ...and the main difference is that we can become searchable on Google Play with an app?

[Neil Norton]

Yes, they are the same except with an App you do not have to go to a browser, so basically one click and you are in.  You also get a cool icon, consider it a fancy electronic bookmark.  Without an App you would have to go to the browerser, type in your URL, blah, blah, blah. Much sexier to have an app, and yes, you are also in Google Play.

 

[Scott Bishop]

Great answer! Now I get it. :)

[Scott Bishop]

Sorry, I have another question with this. Is having our website turned into an app vs. mobile conversion lock our website into place without a browser? In other words, with an app can the user still navigate away from my website by sliding to the top of the screen to see a browser address bar available at the top?

Example: you can't do that with the FB app.

[Neil Norton]

THANK YOU!  Works awesome. 

[Scott Bishop]

What about the $25.00 that you pay on Google Play Developer? Is this payment onetime to where we can create different usernames per different websites, or do I pay $25.00 per each website I have?