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May 19, 2025
If you are a business owner leading some ambitions entering 2025, here is a bitter pill to swallow: Your website alone won’t take you anywhere.
Here are some questions you need to ask yourself?
Why limit your business to a static website when you can offer an interactive, app-driven experience? What experience do you aim for your users to have when they visit your lacklustre website? What’s stopping you from outsmarting your competitors in the digital space?
And you know the answers already. Don’t you?
With users spending 90% of their mobile time on apps, it’s clear that it is a non-negotiable choice for businesses to go beyond websites to connect with their audience effectively.
With a strong presence in smartphones, tablets, and services, Apple’s App Store boasts over 650 million weekly active users globally. This highlights the immense potential for businesses to create engaging experiences and thrive on Apple’s platform.
To attract more users and have more control over your retained customers, the best thing you can do for your business is to take the next step by converting your website into a fully functional iOS app.
Many business owners believe it is a game-changer, offering benefits like improved user engagement, push notifications, and offline accessibility.
But where do you get started?
Curious how this move could revolutionize your business strategy? Or even if it is a feasible decision in the first place?
Here is a comprehensive article that details the step-by-step guide to making it happen.
Top Reasons to Upgrade Your Website with a Mobile App
Even though websites are still important to a business and its brand, mobile apps are much more functional and effective in terms of motivating the user.
On average, individuals spend over 2 hours a day on their phones, drawn to the ease and functionality of mobile apps. Here’s why it’s worth considering:
Enhanced User Experience
Mobile apps have quick response rates, less or no confusing interface, and can work even without an internet connection.
Think it yourself. Why do you feel ordering and paying with Starbucks’ application is more convenient? It is because their interactive app eliminates the waiting associated with website loading.
Boosted Engagement
Users always remain engaged and keep coming back to the application through push notifications and content of their interest.
Take The Amazon app for an example. You see how its notifications stimulate constant engagement by informing consumers of new items on sale or the status of an order.
Offline Functionality
Websites on the other hand cannot allow users to have access to certain functionalities even when they are offline.
Consider the Google Maps app, which allows users to download maps and use GPS navigation offline, which isn’t possible with the web application version.
Utilize Device Features
iOS applications make full use of device capabilities, including the camera, GPS, and Apple Pay, to provide enhanced features.
The Uber application, for example, uses cameras to identify users, the Global Positioning System to determine their location, and Apple Pay to make payments easier.
Things to Evaluate Before Developing a Mobile App from Your Website
If you are considering converting your site to an application, you should know several factors before you start to do that.
This will help you determine your strategy and smooth the process of designing so you get the app that will be beneficial for your company.
To cut the long story short, here are the key points that you need to consider before you go on.
Development Cost
Creating an application for mobile devices may require quite a lot of money. Unlike websites that can be created with basic and inexpensive software, apps need professional programmers.
Native iOS or Android apps can often cost quite a lot but building it is always better to spend the extra dough at the start rather than to constantly fix problems.
Understand how much it will cost you from the design stage to the test phase and the cost of maintaining the product.
Quick Tip: Conventional development costs should not address all your concerns, be more specific to include coming after factors such as app update costs and other related expenses.
Screen Size and Device Compatibility
Knowing how your app adapts to different screen sizes, from small phones to tablets, is crucial. Unlike websites, mobile applications are installed, and thus require proper settings as per the size of the screen.
It will be wise to consult a professional UI/UX designer in the development of your app to measure up to the standard set for different device types.
Quick Tip: If you want to make your app device independent then check your app functionality on different devices to bring intact experience.
Search Presence and App Discoverability
Websites depend on search engine visibility, while mobile apps often require users to search specifically within app stores to be discovered.
To increase downloads, encourage visitors to install the software from your website. If your site isn’t mobile-friendly, consider putting banners or pop-ups on it.
Quick Tip: Don’t just rely on app stores—actively promote your app on your website to increase downloads.
Best Approaches for Converting Your Website into a Mobile App
You can turn your website into a fully functional app in a number of ways. However, not all of these choices are excellent. Below, we’ll go over each one in more detail so you can find the one that works best for you.
1. Use a Website-to-App Conversion Platform
Website-to-app conversion solutions enable you to easily transform your website into a simple mobile app.
Many of these apps are simply smaller versions of their websites and often lack features like push notifications and customization.
In some cases, they might even get rejected by app stores for looking too similar to the website. These tools are normally suitable for short projects or websites with limited funding.
| Pros | Cons |
| Low cost | Limited features |
| No coding required | Not customizable |
| Quick launch | Hard to scale |
2. Code the App Yourself
Creating an app from scratch is exciting if you know coding, but it takes time and requires learning many things. It’s not the quickest solution for businesses trying to improve productivity.
| Pros | Cons |
| Full control | Long development time |
| No need to hire a team | Steep learning curve |
| Customizable | Requires ongoing maintenance |
3. Hire a Development Agency
Outsourcing your project to a development agency means a team of highly qualified professionals will design and support the project after its launch.
While it involves having to spend more money, agencies offer specialization and efficiency that make it perfect for firms that seek to get high-quality work done.
| Pros | Cons |
| Full expertise and resources | Expensive |
| Faster time to market | More rigid contracts |
| High-quality results |
4. Use an App Builder Platform
Platforms like Wix or Squarespace for apps allow you to design and develop an app without writing code. The disadvantages are lower costs or relatively simple solutions while offering fewer opportunities to implement customized options.
These platforms are ideal for small or start-up businesses, however, they may not afford all the functionality in the package that is needed.
| Pros | Cons |
| Cost-effective | Limited customization |
| No coding needed | Difficult to scale |
| Quick setup |
5. Use BuildFire
BuildFire can turn your website into an app in just a few easy steps and there is no need for coding at all. With its intuitive drag-and-drop system, clients can easily incorporate their own style and creativity.
In custom projects, they design and build every element required to meet the unique specifications of the website.
| Pros | Cons |
| Scalable and customizable | Not ideal for complex gaming or VR apps |
| No coding required | —- |
| One-click publishing | — |
| Supports both iOS and Android | — |
Website-to-iPhone App Conversion: A Step-by-Step Guide
Switching from a website to an iPhone app can transform how you interact with your audience entirely. Not only does it enhance user experience, but it also opens up features like offline access, push notifications, and customization.
Excited to get started? Here’s how to do it, step by step:
1. Define Your Objectives Clearly
If you are planning to get into the development of a mobile app, it is first important to determine your objectives. What do you want people to gain with the use of this app? Is it about making people participate more, providing them with new tools and services, or generating more sales?
Being aware of the aims will define your strategy and guarantee your app meets the desired goals.
Tip: Consider the usability of the application – how do you wish your customers to engage with your app? This clarification will be helpful in every stage of development.
2. Choose the Right Development Approach
There are two key ways to turn your website into a mobile app, and the one you choose depends on your needs:
Web-to-App Conversion Tools: These tools enable you to convert your website into a simple app. It is cheaper and faster to implement but may offer suboptimal performance and lack native compatibility.
Custom App Development: When you consult with a custom software development company, you can fashion an application that is built to run seamlessly on the native environment of the user interface and with incomparable performance. For growth over the long term, this is the kind of path to follow.
Tip: When you’re looking to build an app that can stand the test of time of future updates with a top-level quality, the custom approach is the best bet.
3. Select the Right Features
Some features on your website may not benefit the mobile app or your business objectives. So, it is advisable to avoid copying all the functions. Consider these features:
- Push Notifications for near real-time interaction
- Social media integration to enhance the connections.
- Offline Mode for individuals who do not have a constant connection to the Internet
- In-app purchases for easy & convenient transactions
- Location-based services for precise geo-marketing and geo-personalization
Tip: Select elements that would make the site more functional and easy to navigate, not those that appear perfect on a piece of paper.
4. Design an Intuitive and Attractive Interface
People who use iPhones expect their apps to be stylish and easy to operate. As for the look and feel of the app, remember that it matters less how eye-popping and exciting it is and how simple and aesthetically pleasing the application aligns with your brand identity.
Ensure the client’s UI is compatible with Apple’s human interface technology (HIT) for a smoother user interface experience.
Tip: Maintain simplicity, usability, and accessibility of product design. Do not overload the screens with buttons and elements, focus on the necessary for smooth user navigation.
5. Develop the App with Precision
This is where your vision becomes reality. Consult with professional iOS developers and get an application that is not only useful but also powerful. Core quality ensures sound coding, good structure, and seamless integration as aspects of a successful app.
Tip: Don’t underestimate this phase – you should spend enough time testing the app on various devices and different versions of iOS.
6. Thorough Testing is Crucial
Before you release your app to the public, make sure to test it to the extreme. However, one thing that should not be seen with any app is bugs, a slow performance across devices, or a poor usability experience. Focus on the performance, compatibility, and security problems.
Tip: It is advisable to include several users in the testing process and receive their feedback to understand if there are any issues regarding usability before the official launch of the app.
7. Launch with Confidence on the App Store
When your app is built and tested, it is the right time to submit your product to the Apple App Store.
Do not let your app run into the Apple Guidelines Challenge or end up being rejected by the company. Having a hitch-free approval is important so that your app gets into the hands of the target audience seamlessly.
Tip: To increase your app usage, ensure that you have improved its description, keywords, and visuals in its App Store listing.
How Much Does It Cost to Convert a Website into an iOS App?
The time and money required to convert a website into an iOS app depend on several crucial aspects, such as app intricacy, design requirements, and development strategy. Here’s a breakdown:
- App Complexity: Basic apps are cheap and quick while those with additional features such as push notifications, availability when offline, or use third-party APIs will be expensive and time-consuming.
- Design Customization: Pre-designed templates are cheaper and take less time while customized design that fits your brand’s identity adds cost and time.
- Backend Integrations: While integrating with a third-party service such as CRM or payment gateways increases time and costs, it also improves application usefulness and usability.
- Development Approach: Apps developed from scratch for iOS (Swift/SwiftUI) offer the highest performance with more time and money.
Frameworks that are compatible with multiple platforms are likely to be quicker and cheaper due to their versatility in developing applications for iPad and Android.
| App Type | Features | Approximate Cost | Time Duration |
| Basic App | Simple design, basic content display, and forms. | $5,000 – $10,000 | 1–2 months |
| Moderate Apps | Custom UI, push notifications, payment gateway, and user accounts. | $10,000 – $20,000 | 2–4 months |
| Advanced Apps | Offline access, deep integrations, animations, GPS features. | $20,000 – $50,000+ | 4–6 months+ |
PS: These are the estimated costs for iOS app development, which may vary depending on the complexity and features of the app.
TekRevol: Your Trusted Partner for iOS App Development Services
TekRevol, as a professional app development company, combines technical skills with a business-focused vision to provide top-notch apps. Whether you need a cross-platform Flutter application or a high-speed Native iOS app, our goal is to create reliable products that perform well without requiring constant tweaks or performance boosts.
Our proven track record includes 500+ successful apps for businesses worldwide. From HIPAA-compliant healthcare apps to secure, and feature-rich e-commerce applications, we have catered to 20+ major industries with our innovative and scalable mobile app solutions.
A portfolio highlight is when we joined forces with one of the biggest retail brands, swiftly assisted their app solutions, and poured in some TekRevol Magic. The next thing we know their app obtained 100k+ active users and boosted their conversion by 25%.
TekRevol’s expertise, technology, and strategic insight are the key ingredients to realizing your goals. Trust us for iOS app development and see your ideas come to life with precision, quality, and impact.
- Need an expert team for your iOS app project?
- We help you build seamless, user-centric apps that deliver measurable results.
