How to Convert a Website to an iOS App

Your website is a powerful tool for your business, but in today's mobile-first world, it might not be enough to keep your customers engaged on their iOS devices. Statistics show that over 90% of mobile time is spent in apps, not browsers. This means that by converting your website into an iOS app, you can tap into this vast amount of user attention and drive deeper engagement, leading to more conversions and loyal customers.

The transition is simpler than you might imagine, and the rewards are substantial. Features exclusive to apps, such as push notifications, offline access, and seamless integration with Apple's ecosystem, can significantly enhance the user experience and make interacting with your business more convenient and engaging.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through the essential steps to successfully convert your website into an iOS app:

1. Identify Key Features: Learn how to pinpoint the features that are crucial for your app, ensuring it's focused and meets user needs without unnecessary complexity.
2. Choose the Right App Type: Understand the differences between native iOS apps, hybrid apps, and PWAs to select the best fit for your business goals and resources.
3. Boost User Retention: Discover strategies to keep your users engaged and coming back to your app, fostering long-term relationships and loyalty.

By the end of this guide, you'll be equipped with a clear plan to elevate your business with an iOS app that resonates with your audience.

Additionally, to help you estimate the investment required, we offer an AI-powered App Cost Calculator. This tool, based on data from over 10,000 successful projects, provides a quick and free estimate of the cost, timeline, and scope for your project.

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How Flipkart Mastered Website-to-Mobile Development with a PWA

Introduction

In 2015, Flipkart faced a widespread challenge: their mobile website struggled to keep users engaged. Slow-loading pages drove many visitors away before they could complete a purchase. They needed a solution that delivered a smoother experience, especially for users on low-bandwidth networks—a common issue in India.

The PWA Solution

Instead of sticking with their mobile site, Flipkart launched Flipkart Lite, a Progressive Web App (PWA). A PWA is a web-based application that mimics the feel of a native app, offering features like offline access and push notifications while remaining as accessible as a website—no download required.

To optimize for users with limited data, Flipkart implemented service workers for caching, optimized images, and used lazy loading, slashing data usage significantly.

Results

The impact was striking:

Additionally, nearly 70% of new customers from smaller towns and villages came via the PWA, highlighting its broad reach.

Flipkart’s shift to a PWA wasn’t just a tech upgrade—it tackled real user pain points like slow load times and high data consumption. By 2019, these results still underscored the approach’s lasting value, proving how PWAs can transform mobile experiences and boost business metrics.

Discover how PWAs fit into how to convert a website to an iOS app and save costs here.

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Key Steps to Convert Your Website Into an iOS App

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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:

1. "What would make using our platform easier for you?"
2. "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:

1. Product Pages: Make browsing seamless with intuitive navigation and clear CTAs.
2. Accounts: Offer fast logins, personalized dashboards, and order history.
3. 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.

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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.

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App Type Comparison Table

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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.

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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.