Creating a Mobile APP, part 2
CAVEAT: Native Android. iPhone UN-friendly.
CLICK: Part 1: Introduction and Strategy
The following image is not linked. If you want to download the app, you can visit www.pastortae.com on your own and consider it.
Part 2: TECH MATTERS AND THE iPHONE PROBLEM
INSTRUCTIONS ON DOWNLOADING THE APP: FOR THE VISITOR TO YOUR SITE
I'm not going to mention my own. But I don't mind promoting Loes Knetsch's app.
The main reason for this instruction is to EMPHASIZE that it's supposed to be EASY and CONVENIENT and QUICK for your visitor. If it's not, then it can reflect negatively on your site. Unfortunately, today's generation is too impatient and easily frustrated when things aren't quick and easy. And we certainly don't want them to post a comment about their bad experience and think negatively of us.
So, let's keep this simple and quick. Here goes.
1. When you build your app www.appmakr.com (no affiliate link), you will be assigned a custom link or you can create your own. That's what Loes did. Notice the last phrase on her link is "tika" which stands for "This Is Kid's Art." Loes' link is
and it will take you to their page where the ICON for her app is at the TOP towards the left.
2. When you go to the site http://apps.appmakr.com/tika, there is also the option on the top right to SHOOT THE QR CODE.
You would need to download your own free QR scanner to do this if you don't already have one.
Go ahead and SHOOT. Make my day!
*** THAT'S IT. it should be that easy. If not, then please respond to this blog, because we WAers wants things to be simple and easy for our visitors.
ANDROID USERS: NO PROBLEM
You're in luck, this app is a native android. And you shouldn't have any problems. BUT, on some newer android phones, it may be preset to block third party apps. Go into your setting and "allow" third party apps to be downloaded.
iPHONE USERS - BIG PROBLEM
This is an ongoing problem of using third party applications and trying to connect with Apple products. As you know, Apple is very strict and does not automatically allow outsiders. You would have to jump through all their Apple hoops and pay a wheel barrel full of money to apply and stay in the Apple Store.
But the whole point of this (at least for me) is to create a FREE app to be used by us-frugal WAers. And in this case, we lose out. But AppMakr says that if you upgrade to a higher [paid, of course] package, they will take your app and apply to the Apple store.....no thanks.
BUT, this remains a problem for me!
I cannot ignore the fact that millions of people use the iPhone. And so, I am going to continue to seek solutions out there. Now, be careful. There are many "free" app makers out there who claim to create a free app for Apple-iPhone. But what they are saying is that it is free to make the app. What they should say clearly up front (which they won't since they are trying to entice you to sign up) is that getting into the Apple store is NOT free. So, what's the point of creating a free iPhone app and not being able to use it for free!
A most unsatisfactory solution
So, I am really unhappy right now. I am a big fan of Android. But I want my app to be for all people. Anyway, what I did was to create a separate page on my sites which is dedicated to the download of this app. Visitors are to click an image-link which takes them to this page. On this page, I give a quick caveat to iPhone users. I try to keep it positive that it might happen soon.
I think this is important. The other option is to possibly anger/frustrate the iPhone users who try to download and nothing happens....no explanation. Then they just conclude that it didn't work. And this will reflect back on you. They might think that you set it up wrong. And we certainly don't want any visitors walking away with a bad experience. Remember, it's rare that people buy into what we are doing on the first visit. It's important to inspire a second visit.
So, I created a page with a nice explanation and put my email there so that they can conveniently contact me with any question or comments.
I have chatted with their tech people and they are very responsive. I hope a better solution is just around the corner. If you have any suggestions or solutions, please post here.
Pastor Tae
* to see the overall inter-relationship of all the websites, click: http://pastortae.com/sponsor
www.oppositeparentingstyles.com
LIKE? click the green button
Recent Comments
3
Thanks, now I don't know if I want to create my own app, but I will take a look into the links that you posted into the description. I did find your information to be very helpful, and it does suck that some companies aren't straightforward with stating that getting you app on the apple store costs money. You are really helping people out a ton PastorTae. Appreciate it :)
Thank you so much for reading and understanding. I still think it's worth it because Android is such a dominating market
See more comments
Some great info for future reference!