Do You Need An App For Your Online Business?

Do You Need An App For Your Online Business?

by | Jun 13, 2024 | Apps, Memberships, Web Design

A Deep Dive Into The Key Differences Between A Website and an App…

Businesses are increasingly turning to online platforms to reach their audiences. As a result, the debate between websites and apps has become more prominent.

Both serve unique purposes and can significantly enhance your online digital presence, but they are fundamentally different in terms of functionality, user experience, and development.

Our 7 point deep dive explains the differences…

1. Definition and Purpose
Website: A website is a collection of interlinked web pages hosted on a web server, accessible through the internet using a web browser. Websites are designed to provide information, showcase products, share content, and offer services to users. They are typically static or dynamic in nature and can be accessed on any device with a web browser.
App: An application (app) is a software program designed to perform specific tasks or functions directly on a user’s device. Apps can be divided into three main categories: mobile apps, desktop apps, and web apps. Mobile apps are specifically designed for smartphones and tablets, while desktop apps are for computers. Web apps operate within a web browser but offer a more app-like experience.

2. Accessibility
Website: Websites are universally accessible from any device with an internet connection and a web browser. Users simply type in the URL or click on a link to visit the site. This ease of access makes websites ideal for reaching a broad audience.
App: Apps need to be downloaded and installed from app stores (such as Google Play Store or Apple App Store) or other platforms. This requirement can limit initial accessibility, but once installed, apps often provide a more personalised and optimized user experience.

3. User Experience
Website: Websites provide a consistent experience across different devices since they are designed to be responsive. Modern web design practices ensure that websites adapt to various screen sizes and resolutions, offering a seamless experience whether accessed from a desktop, tablet, or smartphone.
App: Apps are designed to leverage the native features of the device they are installed on, such as the camera, GPS, and touch gestures. This integration allows for a more intuitive and engaging user experience. Mobile apps, in particular, can provide faster performance and offline capabilities, which websites typically cannot.

4. Development and Maintenance
Website: Developing a website generally involves using web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Content management systems (CMS) like WordPress, Wix, and Squarespace make it easier to build and maintain websites without extensive coding knowledge. Updates and maintenance are done on the server side, making it easier to deploy changes universally.
App: App development is more complex and typically requires knowledge of specific programming languages and development environments. For instance, developing a native mobile app for iOS requires Swift or Objective-C, while Android apps require Java or Kotlin. Apps also need to be regularly updated and maintained through the respective app stores, which involves more rigorous processes compared to websites.

5. Cost and Time
Website: Building a website is generally less expensive and time-consuming than developing an app. Tools and templates available on platforms like WordPress can significantly reduce costs and development time.
App: App development can be costly and time-intensive, especially if you’re developing separate versions for different operating systems (iOS and Android). The need for ongoing updates, bug fixes, and compatibility with new devices and OS versions further adds to the cost.

6. Searchability and Reach
Website: Websites are indexed by search engines like Google, making them easily searchable and discoverable. This searchability is crucial for attracting organic traffic and reaching a wider audience through search engine optimization (SEO).
App: Apps are primarily found through app store searches, advertising, and word-of-mouth. While app store optimisation (ASO) can help improve discoverability, apps generally have a more limited reach compared to websites unless they gain significant popularity.

7. Usage and Engagement
Website: Websites are ideal for providing information, sharing content, and offering services that don’t require extensive user interaction. They are well-suited for businesses looking to establish an online presence and reach a broad audience.
App: Apps excel in scenarios where user engagement, personalization, and interaction are key. They are perfect for services that benefit from push notifications, offline access, and integration with device hardware. Apps can also foster higher user retention and engagement through tailored experiences.

CONCLUSION

Choosing between a Website and an App depends on your specific goals, audience, and resources. If your aim is to reach a broad audience and provide accessible information, a website might be the best option. On the other hand, if you seek to offer a highly interactive and personalised experience, investing in an App could be more beneficial.Both websites and apps have unique advantages and can complement each other when used strategically. Understanding their differences and potential can help you make an informed decision and effectively leverage digital tools to achieve your objectives.

Apps

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How to add your videos onto your Website

by | Jul 16, 2021 | Memberships, vimeo, Web Design, web design for fitness professionals, youtube

If, like me you’ve amassed a huge online library of classes built up since March 2020, you’ll be thinking about how to monetise your video archives and sell to a larger audience.

A good solution is for you to start a Membership Website. This gives you the options of selling your different as stand alone courses, or you can opt to bundle all your classes into a monthly membership plan. The possibilities are endless.

Your website provides the perfect platform to showcase your online classes – plus the weblinks can be used to promote everything onto Social Media therefore increasing your exposure. Once you’ve created and uploaded your videos to YouTube or Vimeo they are automatically copyrighted to you, meaning you have full rights to them and can choose where they should appear. Prior to writing this article I always added the links to my videos, however I have discovered that this is not always the perfect solution.

The Benefits of Embedding your Videos

For example, have a look at my video explaining about my Membership Site – https://youronlinestudio.beaumontbodys.com/. You can play the video directly from the website without going to YouTube. This means that the reader won’t get distracted and hopefully sign up to my Membership Site.

Please note that there are drawbacks if you are using YouTube, as adverts will pop up. A better solution is to go use Vimeo for uninterrupted and ad free viewing especially for your online memberships. It’s a good idea to use both platforms as YouTube will help you with your Search Engine Optimisation (SEO).

The best option to include videos on your website is to embed them. This means that your videos can be viewed on your website without the viewer being directed to third parties.

Linking your Videos

Linking your videos via a URL makes it easier for the users to share your content – even if it’s set to Unlisted. There’s also the added distraction of other peoples video recommendations and linked videos can also take longer to load.

How to display your videos in your WordPress Website

Once you’ve got your page all set up, it’s time for you to add in your video content. Using WordPress and the Divi Builder it’s really easy to do. Follow this instructional video to find out how easy it is to add a YouTube video to your website…

To add your videos in from Vimeo, simply click the chain link icon on your video and the option to copy or embed your video displays. Use the same process to add in the video code or link.

Membership Sites

by | Jun 3, 2021 | Memberships

Membership Sites

2020 saw many thousands of full time fitness professionals make the transition from face to face teaching to online teaching. During that time we have all amassed a huge online library of content. Now that the gyms have reopened and many of us have returned to face to face teaching, what do we do with our huge library of content?

There is a way to monetize your video content through creating a Membership Website.

A subscription website, or “virtual studio” is a great option from a business point of view.

 

  • You can house more content and value for money in one space, so your clients are more likely to see its value rather than seeing just one class at a time.
  • It will give you continued income and longevity.
  • All of your marketing efforts can lead to one place – rather than scattering single classes, workshops or masterclasses to different target groups.
  • Once someone has signed up to your membership site, it provides you with recurring income until they decide to cancel. 

It’s your job as a fitpro to ensure your clients remain engaged by adding new content each week.

A good idea is to start off with 20 classes on your site, then 1 class a week after that is fine. Offer the first 7 days as a free trial so they can have a look around and try your classes.

Let’s look at the numbers…

On a low cost level, say you get 20 people to sign up at £10 a month, that’s £2400 a year!

On a higher pricing level, imagine you get 20 people signing up at £19.99 a month – that’s £4797 a year – guaranteed income!

The more people who sign up the more ongoing income you generate.

Of course at the end of the day it’s not just all about the money – it’s about providing a platform where you can showcase your talents and offer real value for money to your clients wherever they are in the world.

You can set up a Membership Site from your existing website, or have a different website entirely.

Using a Sub Domain is a good solution if you don’t want to buy a new domain name. For instance the existing domain name of www.beaumontbodys.com has the sub domain of www.youronlinestudio.beaumontbodys.com. This is a completely different website derived from the main website domain name.

How do you create a Membership Website?

If you have a WordPress website the recommended software for creating your membership website is a plugin called MemberPress. 

If you have a Wix website you’ll need the Business Unlimited Plan to allow you to set up a subscription site.

Get in touch if you want more information, or to discuss how to add a membership option to your website.