If you remember the 90’s, you’ll no doubt remember the gold-rush felt by businesses to get on the Web. Consultants were making serious bank by telling every mom and pop store in the world that they “needed a website”. It turned out to be true, because when someone tells me about a new restaurant the first place I turn to is Google to find their website.
The call to “get on the web” has evolved into the “you need an app” trend. Yes, if you’re a serious publisher or business, being on Apple’s App Store could be a way to reach a new audience. While it’s not critical for businesses to rush to the several app markets right this moment, it’s definitely worth thinking about.
A company called Uppsite wants to be the “one stop shop” for turning your site into a multi-platform app. Sure, there are a few sites out there that will turn your blog into a web app, but Uppsite differentiates itself by handling the creation process all the way to submission and hosting.
When I sat down with the team behind Uppsite, CEO and founder Gal Brill told me that the company was getting prominent placement in WordPress’ VIP “Future Partner Program”, which means that all customers will have the option to turn their site into an app using Uppsite’s technology.
An app in two minutes or less?
The 💜 of EU tech
The latest rumblings from the EU tech scene, a story from our wise ol' founder Boris, and some questionable AI art. It's free, every week, in your inbox. Sign up now!
Uppsite promises to make the creation and customization of your app dead simple, and they’ve done a pretty good job at that. The product currently works with WordPress, Blogger, and soon Tumblr sites, and all you have to do is enter your URL to get started.
After you’ve gone through the customization process, a mobile, iOS, and Android version of your site will be generated. The company promises the addition of a Windows Mobile version in the next few months. Uppsite handles the submission process, and will keep you updated on its progress.
For those who aren’t savvy enough to build their own apps, or are worried about the costs of hiring someone to create yours, a product like Uppsite is worth taking a look at. It’s free to get started, and if you want to really customize your app, Uppsite will be more than happy to work with you on that for a fee.
While it’s not for everyone, the service is perfect for a small publisher or business to wet their whistle with having a mobile app.
➤ Uppsite
Get the TNW newsletter
Get the most important tech news in your inbox each week.