In today’s digital landscape, users expect fast, mobile-friendly, and app-like experiences on every device. With billions of people using smartphones daily, converting your website into a mobile app has become one of the smartest ways to improve user engagement, brand visibility, and overall business growth. Whether you run an eCommerce store, a service-based website, a blog, or a SaaS platform, turning a website into an app allows you to offer improved performance, offline accessibility, push notifications, smoother navigation, and a more personalised user experience.

But how exactly do you transform a website into a fully functional app? What tools do you need? What features should you add? How much does it cost? And which method is the best for your business?

This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about making a website or an app, including planning, choosing the right development method, essential features, UI/UX principles, costs, publishing processes, and best practices for long-term success.

1. Why Convert a Website Into a Mobile App?

Before jumping into development, understand why app conversion is beneficial:

✔ Better User Engagement

Apps keep users engaged through quick access, smoother UI, and personalised content.

✔ Push Notifications

Apps let you send instant alerts directly to users’ phones—boosting sales, visits, and retention.

✔ Improved Performance

Native and hybrid apps load faster than websites, offering a more reliable user experience.

✔ Offline or Low-Internet Use

Apps can store key content locally, allowing users to browse features without a stable connection.

✔ App Store Presence

Being available on Google Play or the Apple App Store increases brand visibility and credibility.

✔ Increased Conversions

Mobile apps have higher conversion rates than mobile websites due to better usability and speed.

2. Types of Apps You Can Build From a Website

There is no “one-size-fits-all” method. Choose a type based on your website’s complexity, budget, and goals.

A. WebView App (Cheapest and Fastest)

A WebView app loads your website inside a mobile app shell. It’s the simplest method.

Best For:

Blogs, news sites, simple eCommerce stores, and content websites.

Pros:

• Fast development

• Low cost

• Works exactly like your website

Cons:

• Limited offline features

• Limited native functionality

B. Hybrid App

Built using web technologies (HTML, CSS, and JavaScript) wrapped in frameworks like Ionic, React Native, or Flutter.

Best For:

Medium-complexity apps, dashboards, and customer portals.

Pros:

• Faster than native

• Works on iOS and Android

• More features than WebView

Cons:

• Not as fast as native

C. Native App

Developed separately for iOS (Swift) and Android (Kotlin/Java).

Best For:

Large-scale applications, streaming platforms, social networks, fintech, and advanced eCommerce.

Pros:

• Best performance

• Full access to device features

• Most stable and secure

Cons:

• Expensive

• Longer development time

3. Steps to Convert a Website Into a Mobile App

This is the complete step-by-step development process:

Step 1: Analyze Your Website

Evaluate the structure, features, and purpose.

Checklist:

• Is your website mobile-responsive?

• Do you need login/signup features?

• Will your app require offline access?

• What type of users will use the app?

• What features are essential?

If your website isn’t responsive, fix that before turning it into an app.

Step 2: Decide the App Type

Choose between WebView, Hybrid, or Native based on your goals, budget, and functionality.

If you need push notifications, offline mode, or advanced features, WebView is not enough.

Step 3: Choose a Development Method

You have 3 options:

Option A: Use No-Code App Builders

Popular tools:

• AppMySite

• Convertify

• BuildFire

• MobiLoud

• AppPresser

Pros:

• Fast

• No coding

• Affordable

Cons:

• Limited customization

• Recurring monthly fees

Option B: Hire a Professional App Developer

Hiring developers gives you full control and customisation.

Pros:

• Full customization

• Better performance

• Long-term scalability

Cons:

• More expensive

Option C: Build the App Yourself (If You Know Coding)

Use frameworks:

• React Native

• Flutter

• Ionic

• Swift (iOS)

• Kotlin (Android)

This method offers ultimate control but requires technical expertise.

Step 4: Define App Features

Your website may not have all the features your app needs.

Essential features include:

• Smooth navigation

• Login/signup

• Offline content

• Push notifications

• In-app search

• Contact/support section

• Secure payment gateway

• Bookmarking or favorites

• Personalized recommendations

The more valuable the features, the more users will return.

Step 5: Design the App UI/UX

Even if your website design is good, mobile apps require a different UX approach.

Rules for creating a good mobile interface:

• Keep buttons large and tappable

• Use clean and simple layouts

• Avoid clutter

• Use attractive colors and fonts

• Make navigation easy

• Prioritize speed and functionality

• Add animations for smooth transitions

Good UI/UX can increase retention by up to 70%.

Step 6: Connect the App With Your Website

This ensures your app displays real-time content from your site.

Options include:

• API integration

• WebView

• Database syncing

• REST API or GraphQL

If your website uses WordPress, WooCommerce, Shopify, Laravel, or custom code—everything can be synced.

Step 7: Add Push Notifications

Push notifications help:

• Boost user engagement

• Increase returning visitors

• Encourage sales

• Send updates, promotions & alerts

Tools for notifications:

• Firebase Cloud Messaging

• OneSignal

• AWS SNS

• Pushwoosh

Notifications can increase conversions by 300%.

Step 8: Test Your App Thoroughly

Before launching, test your app for:

Functional Testing

Check every button, link, form, and feature.

Compatibility Testing

Test on multiple devices and screen sizes.

Performance Testing

Check:

• Loading speed

• Smooth scrolling

• Memory usage

• Battery consumption

Security Testing

Make sure your app is safe against hacks and vulnerabilities.

Step 9: Upload Your App to Google Play & Apple Store

Google Play Store Requirements:

• Android app (.aab file)

• Screenshots

• App icon

• Short & long description

• Privacy policy

Apple Store Requirements:

• iOS app (.ipa file)

• App Store screenshots

• App icon

• Privacy details

• Strict review process

Apple takes longer to approve apps.

Step 10: Maintain and Update the App

Once your app is live, continue improving it.

The update includes:

• Bug fixes

• Adding new features

• UI enhancements

• Security updates

• Performance improvements

Apps that update regularly rank better and retain more users.

4. How Much Does It Cost to Turn a Website Into an App?

The cost depends on the app type and complexity.

WebView App

Cost: $100–$500

Hybrid App

Cost: $2,000–$10,000

Native App

Cost: $10,000–$60,000+

Factors affecting cost:

• Features

• Design complexity

• Platform (iOS, Android, both)

• Developer country

• API integrations

5. Best Practices for Turning a Website Into an App

To ensure success, follow these best practices:

✔ Improve Website Speed Before Conversion

A slow site = a slow app.

✔ Make Navigation Simple

Users should find everything quickly.

✔ Use Analytics Tools

Track user behaviour:

• Firebase Analytics

• Google Analytics for Mobile

✔ Add Personalized Content

Users love custom recommendations.

✔ Offer Offline Mode

Helps users stay engaged even without the internet.

✔ Keep the App Lightweight

Smaller apps get more downloads.

6. SEO Benefits After Turning a Website Into an App

Converting your website into an app can indirectly improve your SEO:

✔ More Returning Visitors

Apps bring back users through notifications.

✔ Better User Behavior Signals

Lower bounce rates help SEO ranking.

✔ Brand Awareness Improvement

App Store listings boost discoverability.

✔ Increased Engagement Time

Apps increase session length, which Google loves.

Conclusion

Turning your website into an app is one of the smartest decisions you can make in today’s mobile-driven world. It enhances user experience, increases engagement, improves brand loyalty, and gives your business a modern, competitive edge. Whether you choose WebView, hybrid, or native development, the key is to create an app that aligns with your goals and delivers real value to users.

By following the steps in this guide—evaluating your website, choosing the right app type, designing a seamless UI, integrating push notifications, testing thoroughly, and publishing on app stores—you can successfully convert your website into a powerful mobile application.