How to Create a Mobile App Website in 5 Steps

If you've recently created a mobile app, are in the process of developing one, or are just curious about what it might take to get your app of the ground once it has been developed, learning how to build a site for your app is the best first step you can take.

Every app needs a place to call home on the web, and while simply having a spot in the Google Play Store or Apple App Store is enough to establish a small web presence (since the app's download page will show up in web searches), having an official site that can be used to further the development and promotion of the app is absolutely imperative if you want your app to be downloaded and popularized as much as possible. So, without further ado let's look at 5 simple steps you can take to setup an official website for your app:

1. Register an Ideal Domain Name

First and foremost, your app's website will need an address online, which means you'll need to register a domain name. Preferably, you'll want the site name to be as close to the name of the app as possible, to make it easier for people to find the site in the beginning. However, web developers have had success simply naming their site after the development company itself, which makes more sense if you plan on developing more apps in the future. Even if your development company has its own site, consider the merits of building an individual site for each app you create as well.

2. Examine Your Web Development Options

Once you've obtained a suitable domain name for your app's website, it's time to start looking into ways to build a site on your new domain. The main options are: build it yourself using a DIY site building tool or CMS like WordPress, Joomla, or Magento, and/or hire a web design company to help you get the most professional look possible. If you're even remotely involved in app development, chances are you have the capacity needed to build a basic site for your app. Still it's always best to get some outside help from a professional web design firm.

3. Build a Fully Functional Site

Now that you've either made the commitment to build the site yourself, or outsourced the hard work to a web design firm, it's time to get started on finding all the necessary components to make your site as informative, aesthetically appealing and user-friendly as possible. This will involve sharing the app's main features, screenshots, and artwork with the your developer's, as well as utilizing stock photos, vectors, and design templates to bring in the most conceptual influence during the design process.

4. Incorporate Responsive Design

Once the main site template has been chosen and you have a barebones core for the site, don’t forget to find ways to incorporate responsive design into the site as a whole. Responsive design elements will allow your site to be viewed optimally across all devices, browsers, and display sizes. This is an especially important design feature to have as an app website, because you should expect your visitors to come from a diverse range of device types and operating systems.

5. Connect Your Site to the Necessary Platforms

Now that you have a fully functional site for your app, the real tests will be to see if you can attract a large number of visitors, and subsequently turn those visitors into downloaders and fans of your app. While a percentage of your site's traffic will come organically form search engines with no additional help on your behalf other than publishing relevant content and media on the site, the best way to promote the popularity of your app is to reach out via social networks, blogs, and forums. A great way to call attention to your app is to publish guides that show people how to solve common tech problems or make their lives easier using your app. You can then link to the app's website or download page within the guide to funnel traffic towards your download page.

In closing we should emphasize the importance of continually maintaining your site after it has been set up. This is especially important if your app is frequently updated, as chronicling the apps changes and responding to user requests and questions will be an important part of avoiding negative reviews and gaining a loyal user base.