How to Convert a Website to an iOS App
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December 18, 2024
Did you know that most users spend nearly all their mobile time—a staggering 90%—inside apps rather than browsers? Yet, many businesses continue to rely only on mobile websites, leaving untapped potential for deeper customer engagement and higher conversions.
Here’s what the numbers show:
- Apps achieve three times the conversion rate of mobile websites.
- Users explore over four times more products in apps than on mobile sites.
- On average, people spend 201.8 minutes per month in apps, compared to just 10.9 minutes on mobile websites.
Features like push notifications, offline access, and seamless integration with smartphone tools make interacting with your business easier and more engaging.
In this article, we’ll show you how to effectively turn your website into a high-performing iOS app. You’ll learn:
- Which features drive growth and ROI.
- How to choose between native, hybrid, or PWA solutions.
- Proven strategies for integration, retention, and monetization.
Plus, with our AI-powered App Cost Calculator, trained on over 10,000 successful projects, you can get a detailed scope of work, timeline, and accurate cost breakdown in just 3 minutes—and completely free.
How Flipkart Mastered Website to Mobile App Development
In 2015, Flipkart faced a common problem: their mobile website wasn’t keeping users engaged. Pages loaded slowly, and many visitors left before completing a purchase. They needed a solution that could deliver a smoother experience, especially on low-data networks, which are common in India.
Instead of relying on their mobile website, Flipkart built Flipkart Lite, a Progressive Web App (PWA). It combined the benefits of a website (easy access, no downloads required) with the speed and functionality of a native app.
Here’s what happened:
- Users stayed longer. The average session time jumped from 70 seconds to over 3 minutes.
- More people returned. Re-engagement rates grew by 40% as users found the platform faster and easier to use.
- Conversions increased. Customers who added Flipkart Lite to their home screens were 70% more likely to complete a purchase.
- It used less data. This made it ideal for users with limited internet plans.
Flipkart’s move to a PWA wasn’t just about modernizing its platform. It addressed real pain points for its users: slow loading times, high data usage, and poor mobile performance.
Discover how PWAs fit into how to convert a website to an iOS app and save costs here.
Key Steps to Convert Your Website Into an iOS App
1. Evaluate Your Website's Features and Content
The first step in converting your website into an iOS app is knowing which features truly matter to your users. Not every part of your website belongs in an app—focus on features that drive engagement and solve real customer problems. Here's how to do it, step by step.
Step 1: Analyze Your Website Traffic
Use tools like Google Analytics or Hotjar to identify:
- Most visited pages: These are your app's must-haves. Look at metrics like pageviews and time spent on pages (e.g., product listings, or dashboards).
- High-exit pages: If users frequently leave from certain pages, consider improving their experience in the app.
In Google Analytics, go to Behavior> Site Content > All Pages to see which parts of your site get the most attention.
Step 2: Identify Mobile Pain Points
Analyze feedback and Behavior to understand what frustrates your mobile users:
- Use Session Replay Tools (e.g., Hotjar, FullStory) to watch how users interact with your site.
- Look at mobile user bounce rates in Google Analytics. High rates may indicate that users need help to complete actions like checkouts or form submissions.
If your checkout process has a high bounce rate, plan for a simplified, one-tap process in your app using tools like Apple Pay integration.
Step 3: Map Essential Features
Ask yourself:
- What drives revenue? Prioritize these features (e.g., fast product browsing or seamless booking).
- What needs improvement? Identify parts of your site that are clunky or slow and plan to enhance them in the app.
Use Miro or Lucidchart to create a visual flowchart of your website's core features and map how they should function in the app.
Step 4: Get Customer Feedback
Ask your current users what they want from an app:
- Run a survey using tools like Typeform or Google Forms.
- Use website pop-ups with Qualtrics or Hotjar Polls to collect insights directly from users.
Question Examples:
- "What would make using our platform easier for you?"
- "What features would you love to see in a mobile app?"
Your Plan Should Look Like This:
1. Create a prioritized list of features by analyzing your website traffic and collecting customer feedback. Use tools like Google Analytics for data and Hotjar Polls for user insights.
2. Separate must-haves from nice-to-haves. Focus first on the features that are essential for user satisfaction and engagement, such as:
- Product Pages: Make browsing seamless with intuitive navigation and clear CTAs.
- Accounts: Offer fast logins, personalized dashboards, and order history.
- Checkout: Implement one-tap payment options like Apple Pay for faster conversions.
Learn which MVP features to prioritize and how they impact app development costs here.
3. Use this prioritized list to design your MVP (Minimum Viable Product). This ensures your app is lean, functional, and aligned with user expectations from the start.
By focusing on the features that matter most and avoiding unnecessary complexity, you’ll create an app that solves real customer problems and provides immediate value.
2. Decide Between Native App, Hybrid App, or PWA
Don’t just pick the cheapest option—choose the one that aligns with your goals, whether it’s user experience, scalability, or time to market.
1. Define your priorities.
- Do you need premium performance and user experience? Go with a native iOS app.
- Do you want cross-platform reach on a budget? Choose a hybrid app.
- Are you looking for a quick, cost-effective solution? Start with a PWA.
2. Talk to an expert.
Tools like Flutter or Swift can feel overwhelming if you’re new to app development. Consult a developer to determine the best approach for your business goals.
Find the best experts to guide your app development in our listing of top Flutter development companies.
3. Think long-term.
A PWA might be a good starting point, but if your business is scaling quickly, investing in a native or hybrid app early can save time and money later.
App Type Comparison Table
3. Find the Right Tools and Technologies
Frameworks for iOS Development
Flutter: If you’re looking to develop for both iOS and Android with minimal costs and quicker turnaround, Flutter is a reliable choice.
Learn about Flutter's strengths, weaknesses, and how to overcome them from our lead Flutter developer, Sukhrob Djumaev, here.
Swift/SwiftUI: For apps designed specifically for iOS, Swift offers the best performance and seamless integration with Apple features like Face ID, gestures, and native animations. It’s the right fit if you want to prioritize user experience on Apple devices.
Quick Conversion Tools
If you need a fast solution to turn a website into an app, tools like Convertify or WebView can help. These platforms replicate your website’s content in app form, but they come with limits—performance might not match that of a native or hybrid app, and customization is restricted. These tools work best for simple use cases with tight budgets.
4. Plan Essential iOS App Features for Success
Focusing on the features that truly matter is crucial to meeting your users' expectations and achieving your business goals.
1. Deep Linking
Enable users to jump straight to specific pages in your app from external links or your website. For example, clicking on a product link in an email should take them directly to that product in the app.
2. Push Notifications
Stay connected with your users by sending real-time alerts about offers, abandoned carts, or personalized updates.
Push notifications have an open rate of up to 90%, making them one of the most effective tools for re-engaging users and boosting conversions.
3. Offline Access
Allow users to access important content, such as saved articles, forms, or product catalogs, even without an internet connection.
4. Fast Checkout
Streamline the checkout process for eCommerce apps by integrating payment solutions like Apple Pay.
5. Personalization
Add features like user accounts, saved preferences, and tailored recommendations. Show recently viewed items or suggest products based on past behavior.
Latest iOS App Features to Boost Customer Engagement
Discover a complete guide to modern app features across industries, including costs and tech stack recommendations, in this article.
5. Integrate Your App With Existing Systems
Connecting your app to your existing systems ensures users get a smooth, unified experience while simplifying your operations. Done right, it saves time, reduces duplicate work, and keeps your data reliable.
Sync Your App With Key Systems
- CRM Integration: Link your app with your CRM to manage user profiles, track activity, and sync purchase history. This allows you to deliver targeted marketing campaigns and personalized experiences.
- CMS Integration: Connect your app to your content system so updates like blog posts, product details, or news are reflected in real time. This is crucial for content-driven platforms.
- Payment Systems: Integrate payment solutions like Stripe, PayPal, or Apple Pay for secure and seamless transactions, especially for eCommerce apps.
Use reliable APIs to ensure data syncs instantly and accurately across platforms.
Ensure a Unified User Experience
To make your app feel like an extension of your website:
- Allow single logins so users don’t need separate credentials.
- Sync order history and preferences like saved carts or wishlists across both platforms.
- Test real-time updates—for example, an item added to the cart on your website should instantly appear in the app.
By integrating key systems thoughtfully, you streamline both your customer’s journey and your internal processes.
6. Test and Optimize the App for iOS Devices
If you’re not developing the app yourself, you’ll likely hire an outsourced development team. To ensure they deliver a high-quality product, focus on clear performance metrics that reflect the app’s functionality, reliability, and user experience.
Key App Testing Metrics and How to Verify Them
How Much Does It Cost to Convert a Website Into an iOS App?
Let’s be honest: the cost of converting your website into an iOS app depends on many moving parts. Are you looking for something simple—a clean, mobile-friendly version of your website? Or are you aiming for a feature-rich app that feels tailor-made for your users?
Here’s what really influences the price:
- The simpler the app, the lower the cost: Basic apps with minimal features are quicker to develop. But the price goes up if you need advanced options like push notifications, offline access, or integrations with systems like CRM or payment gateways.
- The level of design customization: A simple app can use ready-made templates, but if you’re looking for a custom UI/UX that matches your brand, expect higher costs.
- Backend integrations: Connecting your app to existing systems like CMS (for content) or payment gateways takes extra time but adds huge value for your users.
- Tools and development approach: Native iOS apps (Swift/SwiftUI) offer the best performance but require more work. Cross-platform solutions like Flutter can reduce time and costs by covering iOS and Android at once.
iOS App Development Cost Breakdown
Want a precise cost tailored to your app idea? Try our AI-powered tool.
Why Choose Ptolemay for Your iOS App?
At Ptolemay, we combine technical excellence with business-driven solutions. Whether you need a Flutter-based cross-platform app or a fully optimized Native iOS app, we deliver products that perform seamlessly and scale effortlessly.
We’ve developed apps for over 100 successful projects, including e-commerce platforms with seamless Apple Pay integration and fintech solutions ensuring compliance with GDPR and HIPAA standards.
Our recent collaboration with a leading education startup helped them scale their app to 50,000 users within six months, reducing churn by 30% through personalized AI-powered features.
With Ptolemay, you’re not just getting an app—you’re getting a tool that engages users and delivers measurable business growth.
Our proprietary project management approach, refined over 100+ app launches, ensures we deliver MVPs in 30% less time without compromising quality.
Take the First Step Toward Your iOS App
Transforming your website into an iOS app doesn’t have to be a guessing game. Start with a clear foundation: a detailed plan that covers features, tech stack, cost, and timelines.
At Ptolemay, we combine cutting-edge technology with a deep understanding of business goals to build apps that don’t just work—they deliver measurable growth. Let’s turn your vision into a high-performing app your users will love.
Get your personalized app plan here and move forward with clarity and precision.
Meet Our Expert Flutter Development Team
Our full-cycle Flutter development team at Ptolemay specializes in building high-quality, cross-platform apps from start to finish. With expert skills in Dart, backend integrations, and seamless UX across iOS and Android, we handle everything to make your app launch smooth and efficient.
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