I recently received an email that asked how AppPresser is different from other app building solutions.
It’s a great question, since you can do things with AppPresser that are not possible with other app builders.
First let’s talk about other ways to build apps, and the advantages/disadvantages of each.
There are other app building platforms out there that allow you to create an app without much coding. One example would be Mobile Roadie, which has a drag/drop type of interface, and several themes and features to choose from. There are other similar services out there like this, and their draw is that it’s easy to use and the up front costs are minimal.
These services may be useful to you if you don’t use WordPress, or if you just want a generic app.
Other App Builders
What are the pros and cons?
Pros
1. It’s easy for non-developers to create simple app. It’s not going to be anything ground-breaking, but if you just want to pull in some posts from your site, this is a good option for you.
2. Monthly fees mean minimal startup costs. Paying monthly costs less initially than paying up front.
3. Offline functionality. If you need offline functionality, these apps usually handle this well. (We are still working on offline for AppPresser)
Cons
1. WordPress integration is minimal. You can pull in a feed from your site, such as blog posts, but integrating WordPress functionality like plugins or user management is not possible.
2. You have to pay monthly fees. Monthly fees are nice at first because the initial cost is small, but over the course of a year or two it really adds up.
3. It’s another software platform to learn and manage. Your site and app are created and managed separately, giving you one more place to update content whenever you want to make a change.
4. Limited customization. You can build your app with their building blocks, but if you want to add something custom, good luck. You get a generic app, and it pretty much ends there.
What if you want more out of your app?
We built AppPresser because we feel you shouldn’t be limited to pulling in a feed from WordPress, you should be able to build a custom app.
What if you have a custom site like an online store, or a social network using BuddyPress? What if you don’t have time to update content twice each time you make a change, or you don’t want to pay monthly fees? What if you want to create WordPress posts, media, or add users through the app?
That’s where AppPresser comes in.
With AppPresser, you use your existing WordPress website, instead of using someone else’s building blocks or creating from scratch. You can integrate your custom plugins (like WooCommerce and Gravity Forms), and update site/app content at the same time.
Instead of a generic app builder, AppPresser is a development framework that allows you to make any type of app you want. You are not limited to the features we built, if you are handy with javascript and Phonegap the sky is the limit.
Let’s say you have an online store using WooCommerce. If you were to try and build a mobile app where your customers can purchase your products, receive push notifications, and more, it would be extremely difficult and expensive.
You’d have to create a lot of functionality from scratch, and build and maintain separate apps for each platform.
AppPresser
AppPresser allows you to do things that are not possible with other app builders.
Pros
1. Use plugins like WooCommerce and BuddyPress. Using custom plugins like these and many others is not possible with other app builders. Use Gravity Forms, a membership plugin, and lots more right in your app!
2. Build your app in WordPress. For example, add a shortcode like [app-camera] to any post or page, and it becomes a native camera button that uploads a photo to your WordPress site. Customize app colors using the theme customizer, and more.
3. Unlimited customization. Other app builders limit you to their feature set. AppPresser gives you a development framework that allows you to access any device feature, and use it how you want to build a custom app.
4. You own and host your app. There’s no separate app builder that you are tied to, you own and host your app, just like your WordPress site. We also don’t charge you monthly fees!
5. Perfect for developers. AppPresser allows you to use the WordPress API and the Phonegap API to extend and customize anything and everything.
Cons
1. Not as easy for non-developers. We built AppPresser for developers, so if you are a business owner without technical skills, you might want to contact a developer to help you build your app.
2. Not as good with offline. AppPresser focuses on apps that need online access, such as ECommerce, social networking, interactivity, etc. Using WordPress requires an internet connection, so it’s a little tricky, but we are working on some offline access.
3. Higher up front costs? Since you aren’t charged monthly fees, the up front cost is a little more. However, getting an app for less than $500 is still a huge bargain compared to getting a custom app for $20,000+.