Wix Branded App: A Guide to Creating Your Own Mobile App

Wix Branded App: A Guide to Creating Your Own Mobile App

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The mobile app market is booming, and for good reason. Mobile apps offer businesses a direct channel to connect with their customers, drive sales, and foster brand loyalty. However, traditional app development can be daunting, requiring significant resources, technical expertise, and ongoing maintenance.

Wix Branded App emerges as a powerful solution for businesses seeking to harness the power of mobile without the complexities of coding. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of creating your own native mobile app using Wix Branded App, from conceptualization to submission in the app stores.

Table of Contents:

The Power of Mobile Apps for Your Business

In today’s digital landscape, mobile reigns supreme. Over half of all website traffic originates from mobile devices, and mobile commerce accounts for nearly 70% of online sales. This shift in user behavior underscores the vital importance of optimizing the mobile experience for your customers.

Mobile apps, in particular, consistently outperform mobile websites in terms of engagement and conversion rates. Research shows that customers browsing through mobile apps view almost three times as many items and add twice as many to their shopping carts compared to those using mobile websites. This translates into a 130% higher conversion rate and a fivefold increase in purchases and bookings for app users.

Furthermore, mobile apps can significantly boost customer loyalty. A mere 5% increase in customer retention can lead to a remarkable 95% surge in revenue. This is because mobile apps facilitate frequent interaction, provide easy access to products and services, and enhance brand recognition. Building a strong connection with customers through a dedicated app can differentiate your brand and give you a competitive advantage in the market.

Introducing Wix Branded App

Wix Branded App offers an intuitive platform for businesses to create their own fully branded, native mobile apps for both iOS and Android, all without writing a single line of code. This means you can have a professional-looking app that reflects your brand identity without needing to hire developers or learn complex coding languages.

The platform integrates seamlessly with your existing Wix website and dashboard, ensuring all content updates are reflected in the app automatically. This eliminates the need to manage content separately for your website and app, saving you time and effort.

Whether you’re running an e-commerce store, a fitness studio, a restaurant, or a blog, Wix Branded App provides the tools to translate your website’s functionalities into a user-friendly app experience. This makes it easy for your customers to engage with your business on their mobile devices and access the information and services they need.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Building Your App

Creating your Wix Branded App is a straightforward process, broken down into four key steps:

Step 1: Accessing the Branded App Dashboard

  1. From your Wix website’s editor, navigate to the sidebar menu.
  2. Locate and click on “Channels.”
  3. Select “Branded App” to enter the welcome page.
  4. Click “Start Now” to access the Branded App dashboard.

Step 2: Designing Your App’s Look and Feel

  1. In the Branded App dashboard, click on “Design” to personalize your app’s visual elements.
  2. Update the app’s name to reflect your brand.
  3. Upload a custom app icon that aligns with your brand identity.
  4. Design a loading screen that captivates users while the app loads.
  5. Choose between “Open to All Users” mode for public access or “Members Only” mode for restricted access.
  6. Ensure the app’s design, including colors, fonts, and imagery, resonates with your existing brand style guide.

Step 3: Customizing Your App’s Features with Wix Owner App

  1. Download the Wix Owner App, available on both iOS and Android, to manage and customize the app interface.
  2. In the Branded App dashboard, locate the QR code under “Preview on Your Device.”
  3. Open the Wix Owner app and scan the QR code to connect it to your Branded App.
  4. You’ll be redirected to the Owner App’s customization screen, where you can:
    • Customize the Header: Edit the title, tagline, cover photo, theme color, and logo.
    • Manage Navigation Tabs: Add, edit, update, and remove tabs from the app menu to guide users through your app’s content.
    • Add and Organize App Sections: Utilize various widgets to build your app’s functionalities, such as product galleries, booking systems, forums, blogs, and more.
    • Remember: All content added to your app syncs directly with your website dashboard, simplifying content management.

Step 4: Previewing Your App on a Mobile Device

  1. Generate a QR code from the Branded App dashboard by clicking on “Preview on Your Device.”
  2. Scan the QR code with your smartphone’s camera.
  3. Follow the on-screen prompts to install the app preview.
  4. Note: If you’re using an iOS device, you’ll need to use the “Spaces by Wix” app to preview your Branded App.

Submitting Your App to App Stores

Once you’ve designed and customized your Wix Branded App, you’re ready to submit it to the App Store and Google Play. Wix simplifies this process by handling the submission on your behalf.

  1. From the Branded App dashboard, click on “Submit App.”
  2. You’ll be guided to create developer accounts with Apple and Google if you haven’t already.
  3. Wix will manage the entire submission process, ensuring your app meets the requirements of each platform.
  4. Wix also takes care of ongoing maintenance and updates, ensuring your app remains compatible with the latest iOS and Android versions.

Wix Branded App: Pricing and Plan Options

Wix Branded App offers several plan options to suit different business needs and budgets. The “wix branded app price” is a common query for those considering this solution. While specific pricing details can vary, you can typically expect three tiers:

  • Basic: Provides essential features for creating a simple app.
  • Professional: Offers a wider range of features and customization options.
  • Unlimited: Unlocks all features and functionalities for maximum app customization and scalability.

Each plan comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, giving you the flexibility to try out the platform risk-free. Additionally, remember that the “wix branded app” price does not include the enrollment fees associated with creating developer accounts on Apple and Google.

It’s important to note that Apple’s In-App Purchase Policy restricts the direct sale of digital goods and services within apps, with the exception of online booking services. While this policy might seem like a limitation, you can easily overcome this by linking from your app to your website for users to make purchases or upgrade memberships.

Tips for Creating a Successful Wix Branded App

Here are some additional tips to maximize your Wix Branded App experience:

  • Simplicity is Key: Start with a clean and concise app design to ensure a smooth review process and a user-friendly experience.
  • Stay Organized: Separate your membership site from your public site to provide distinct experiences for free and paid users.
  • Follow Apple’s Guidelines: Hide direct purchase options for shop items and membership plans within the app due to Apple’s policy. Instead, guide users to your website for those features.
  • Stay Engaged in the Review Process: Maintain active communication with Wix and monitor the app review process closely to ensure a timely launch.

FAQ

  • Is Wix Premium required to use Wix Branded App?
    No, a Wix Premium plan is not required to use Wix Branded App. You can create a mobile app using a free Wix account, but some features might be limited.
  • Can I change the Wix Branded App plan I’ve chosen after purchasing?
    Yes, you can upgrade or downgrade your plan anytime to access different features or adjust to your budget.
  • What happens if I cancel my Wix Branded App subscription after my app is live?
    If you cancel your subscription, Wix will automatically remove your app from the app stores. Users will be notified that the app is no longer available.
  • Can I transfer my Branded App plan to another site or a different Wix account?
    You can assign your plan to another site within your account. To transfer it to another Wix account, you need to transfer ownership of the connected premium site.
  • Are there limitations on the types of content or features I can include in my app?
    While Wix Branded App offers many features, not all Wix site features are supported. Some third-party apps might also be incompatible.
  • What are some effective ways to use push notifications to engage my app users?
    Push notifications can be used to announce new offerings, send personalized recommendations, remind users about events, offer promotions, and share valuable content.

Wix Branded App empowers businesses of all sizes to enter the mobile app market with ease and affordability. With its intuitive platform, seamless integration, and ongoing support, creating your own mobile app is no longer a distant dream but a tangible reality.