Do we need a website for our iOS / Android app ?
The first question is why you need a website for your app? Is it even needed? All apps/games need a website too? Of course, No! If you are publishing a game which is a copy/clone of a popular game which is already available 100 + times in app store and play store (I mean a re-skinned game), probably you don’t need a website. But if you are publishing a unique app of you own, a website is highly recommended. A dedicated website for an app is not a luxury, but a necessity. An app with a website / landing page definitely looks better in a customer perspective. Also it is very much needed for high level app marketing processes such as Press Release, App Reviews in big websites etc. Also it will help in ASO process too using some SEO benefit of the web page. Many people think that creating a website is too costly and it is not at all useful in app marketing, considering the efforts and money spent. But it is wrong. We don’t need to shell out $500 or more to develop a website. You can set up an app website in less than $50/ year! Yes, you read it right! You can create the website absolutely free and the money is needed only if you need a custom domain, which is highly recommended. If you don’t need a custom domain, it is 100% Free! A landing page without a custom domain may looks like a cheap solution and is definitely not recommended.
How to create a good quality app website using limited money?
These are the 3 major options we consider when creating an app website. (There are many more options. These are options we consider for our own apps / client’s apps )
- Custom website built in WordPress
- Website using general website builders
- Website using app website builders
Definitely the first option will be the best if you have enough money and resources. For a person with basic web development knowledge, first option will be easy. For non tech people, second and third will be good.
There are many general website / landing page builders available in the market. But most of them are not specific to apps / not 100% matching for app landing pages and bit expensive too. Some typical examples are wix.com, instapage.com, unbounce.com etc. Here comes the advantage of App Website Builders.
The advantages are Easy to create, auto fetch app data / media from store, auto update store stats etc.
There are only few tools / services available to create landing pages for apps. Here I have listed the major ones. Seriously, I could not find anything more which is good enough to list here. You can suggest me in comments, if any, so that I can add that too in comparison.
The major ones available in market are
Unfortunately, the first one is not accepting new sign ups after they got acquired by google. (You can still use it, if you have an account already.)
So, I am limiting my comparison to other 2 tools (Appreviewdesk, Appsites)
Comparison
Features:
Definitely launchkit.io was a really good tool with nice set of features. No wonder, they have got acquired by google! Considering the other 2 options, Appreviewdesk having the better set of features, I believe.
Here is the feature list.
https://www.appsites.com/features
http://appreviewdesk.com/ios-android-app-websites-landing-pages-free
The features I love most in both of them are listed below.
Appreviewdesk:
Auto synchronize app stats and media once in 2 days.
Up to 3 custom menus and pages.
Custom CSS option.
Basic website can be created in less than 15 seconds!
Appsites:
Plugins such as download tracker, mail chimp, optimizely etc.
Good choice of themes which is useful for fully non technical people.
Pricing :
No free plans for appsites. (There is a free trial )
https://www.appsites.com/plans
It is $9/month/website or $19 / month / unlimited websites
Appreviewdesk having free as well as paid plans
http://appreviewdesk.com/index.php?page=packages
Premium plan is $3 / month / website
Usability:
Both are easy to use and can be managed even by 100% non technical people.
Again the easiest is Appreviewdesk. You can create a basic website with all essential features within 5 minutes and the most important thing is, it can auto synchronize store data.
Major advantage of appsites is, it has more themes compared to Appreviewdesk. But Appreviewdesk has the facility to use custom CSS, which is useful for many people with some HTML / CSS knowledge.
Cost Analysis:
One app website / year
Appreviewdesk :
Domain : $10 (Approx)
Premium plan : $36
Total : $46
Free Website in Sub domain : $0
Launchkit :
Domain : $10 (Approx)
Premium plan : $108
Total : $118
Free Website in Sub domain : Not Available
Two app websites / year
Appreviewdesk :
Domain : $20 (Approx)
Premium plan : $72
Total : $92
Free Websites in Sub domain : $0
Launchkit :
Domain : $20 (Approx)
Premium plan : $216
Total : $236
Free Websites in Sub domain : Not Available
Three app websites / year
Appreviewdesk :
Domain : $30 (Approx)
Premium plan : $108
Total : $138
Free Websites in Sub domain : $0
Launchkit :
Domain : $30 (Approx)
Premium features : $228 (Unlimited plan)
Total : $258
Free Websites in Sub domain : Not Available
Note: If you are planning to publish more than 6 websites, appsites will be profitable as they have an unlimited plan for $19/month. More than 6 websites / user is not a common thing, anyways.
My verdict:
When I consider a website for my app, my first choice will be a WordPress website using premium theme in a custom domain which will cost a minimum of $500 for a non technical person including domain, server, theme purchase, design cost etc (It will be far less for me as I am basically a web developer!). If the app is very important for us and the price / effort is justifiable, I will definitely go for it.
When I consider a cheaper option for my ‘not so big’ apps, my preferred choice will be Appreviewdesk landing pages (Premium plan, total expense $46 / year ) and here is an example website of one of our apps.
It is in our company sub domain. So $36 only 🙂
You can sign up for a free account here
Note : Feel free to add alternate / better services in the comments section below which is worth to share.
I am really looking for better /cheaper alternatives, if any !