Category: Mobile App Marketing

Connectivity and personalized experiences are a driving force in today’s digital era. Musicians, bands, and singers have a unique opportunity to capitalize on this by creating a music app that deepens their relationship with fans. 

Imagine an app that does much more than just stream music—it becomes a vibrant community hub where fans can connect, discover exclusive content, purchase merchandise, buy concert tickets, and enjoy enhanced event experiences. 

All of this can be accessed at their fingertips 24/7/365.

This vision isn’t just a dream or possibility—it’s within reach for any musician. 

Whether you’re just starting out in the music industry or you have an established following, this in-depth guide will explain how to create a music app that elevates the fan experience and opens new avenues for revenue. 

If you’re looking to innovate and connect with your audience on a deeper level, creating your own music streaming app could be the game-changer that sets you apart in the music industry. 

Market Analysis and Conceptualization

There’s big money to be made with music apps—and music lovers are willing to pay top dollar to access their favorite tracks. 

Research shows that the global music streaming market is expected to reach $125.7 billion by 2032, and it currently sits around $41.5 billion. 

With music streaming services still growing at a 15.1% CAGR, there are fistfuls of money to be made—even if you can capture just a fraction of a percentage of this market share. 

To be clear, we’re not trying to compete with the popular music streaming apps that are dominating this space. If you try to make a music app like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, or Pandora, you’ll likely have a hard time contending with those giants. 

However, these platforms leave a gap for personalized, artist-centric experiences. This is where your app enters the picture as a niche service that offers something they cannot—an elevated, intimate connection between artists and their fans.

To carve out your piece of the music streaming industry, start by analyzing the needs and preferences of your target audience. 

Fans of music, especially those following specific bands or artists, are often looking for more than just streaming. They crave behind-the-scenes content, direct interactions with their favorite musicians, exclusive merchandise, early ticket sales, and improved event experiences. 

Your app can cater to these desires by offering unique features such as fan forums, VIP access to special content, in-app merchandise stores, ticketing services, and immersive event features.

Create a unique selling proposition (USP) that focuses on the specific benefits your app offers to fans and artists alike, such as fostering a community, enhancing fan engagement, and providing new revenue streams for artists.

Conceptualizing your app involves identifying these key differentiators. Ask yourself:

• What can my app offer that existing services do not?
• How can it enhance the fan experience in a way that builds loyalty and engagement?
• What unique revenue opportunities can it create for artists?

By focusing on these questions, you can begin to outline the features and services that will make your music app stand out.

Licensing and Legal Considerations

Creating a music app that streams content, sells merchandise, and offers tickets to events involves navigating a complex landscape of legal requirements and licensing agreements. This step is crucial not only to ensure the legality of your app but also to respect the rights of any other artists and creators whose content you wish to feature. 

Here’s a breakdown of the process and tips on how you can navigate these waters effectively.

Music Licensing

The first step in legally streaming music through your app involves obtaining the necessary licenses from music rights holders. 

There are generally two types of rights you need to be aware of—sound recording rights, controlled by record labels through organizations like the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), and publishing rights, which involve the composition and lyrics, controlled by publishers or songwriter collectives such as ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC in the United States.

To legally stream music, you’ll need to secure two main licenses:

• Mechanical Licenses: For the reproduction and distribution of musical compositions.
• Public Performance Licenses: For playing songs and music tracks publicly, which includes streaming over the internet.

Merchandise and Ticket Sales

Selling merchandise and tickets directly through your app introduces another layer of legal considerations. For merchandise, if you plan to use the artists’ names, likenesses, or other copyrighted material, you’ll need to negotiate rights and licensing agreements with the artists or their representatives. This ensures that artists are fairly compensated for the use of their brand.

Ticket sales through your app will require partnerships with event organizers or ticketing platforms. It’s essential to establish clear terms regarding the distribution of tickets, handling of customer data, and revenue sharing.

Legal Tips

• Consult with Legal Experts: Given the complexity of music rights and copyright law, consulting with legal professionals who specialize in entertainment law is invaluable. They can guide you through the licensing process, help negotiate agreements, and ensure compliance with all legal requirements.
• Transparent Agreements: Ensure all licensing and partnership agreements are clear and transparent, detailing rights, responsibilities, and revenue sharing. This helps avoid disputes and ensures a fair relationship between all parties involved.
• Stay Updated on Laws and Regulations: Copyright and music licensing laws are subject to change. Staying informed about current laws and industry standards is crucial to maintaining the legality of your app.

This step, while challenging, is a critical investment in the sustainability of a successful music app. 

Technical Development

The technical development of your music app is where your conceptual ideas transform into a tangible product. This phase involves choosing the right technologies, developing the app’s architecture, and implementing features that will distinguish your app in the market. 

Here are some key features to consider and the benefits they offer to users:

• High-Quality Audio Streaming: Essential for any music app, offering users the best listening experience with minimal buffering.
• Offline Playback: Allows users to download songs to their music library and listen to them without an internet connection, enhancing accessibility.
• Personalized Playlists and Recommendations: Uses algorithms to suggest songs, artists, and playlists based on users’ listening habits, offering a tailored experience.
• Artist Profiles: Where artists can share their music, upcoming events, and exclusive content, helping fans stay connected.
• Social Sharing and Interaction: Features that enable users to share songs, playlists, and concert experiences on social media and within the app, fostering a sense of community.
• Live Streaming: Allows artists to stream live performances or behind-the-scenes content directly to fans, creating intimate, real-time engagement.
• In-App Store: A platform for artists to sell merchandise and for fans to purchase it easily, supporting artists financially while offering fans a way to show their support.
• Integrated Ticket Sales: Simplifies the process of buying tickets for concerts and events, with options for notifications about upcoming events and exclusive pre-sales for app users.
• Customizable User Interface: Lets users personalize their app experience, from theme colors to layout preferences within the music streaming service.
• Interactive Features: Such as lyric displays, music videos, and artist interviews, enriching the listening experience.
• Feedback and Support Systems: To gather user feedback and provide assistance, ensuring continuous improvement and user satisfaction.

Don’t overwhelm yourself with too many features and try to build everything at once.

Instead, start with the features you need for your app to work—ideally aligned with the USP that you’ve identified earlier. Start there, and you can always add more down the road. 

UX/UI Design

By investing in a thoughtful UX/UI design process, you can create an app that not only looks appealing but also provides a user-friendly platform that encourages longer engagement and fosters loyalty among its users

Create a design that prioritizes simplicity and intuitiveness to help users easily find their way around the app, with a minimalist approach to reduce cognitive load and enhance satisfaction.

Personalization also plays a key role in the design process, allowing users to customize the app’s appearance and functionality to their liking, which fosters a sense of ownership and engagement. The design should adapt gracefully across different devices, ensuring a consistent experience whether on a phone, tablet, or desktop.

Some app designers may consider using interactive elements to enhance the design. Things like album covers or music visualizers add an additional layer to the listening experience.

Adding lyrics or artist bios can also help enrich the content. 

Accessibility is another important consideration, with features designed to accommodate all users, including those with disabilities, ensuring that the app is inclusive and available to a wide audience. Implementing multilingual support broadens the app’s appeal across different regions and cultures.

Visual branding should be consistent with the use of colors, fonts, and imagery that reflect the app’s identity, contributing to its recognizability and the user’s connection to the brand. 

High-quality imagery and icons are essential for a professional and polished appearance.

Simply stated, you can’t rush through the design process. This will ultimately determine the look and feel of your app, which is crucial to retaining your users. 

App Development and Testing

This stage involves translating your design concepts into a fully functional app—requiring a blend of technical expertise, creativity, and strategic planning. 

Music streaming app development encompasses a wide array of tasks, from coding and integrating APIs to setting up servers and ensuring your app’s compatibility across various devices and operating systems. It’s a complex process that demands attention to detail to ensure that every feature works as intended, providing users with a smooth, glitch-free experience.

For those looking to simplify the app development process, platforms like BuildFire offer a powerful solution. BuildFire is designed to streamline the creation of mobile apps, providing a user-friendly interface that allows for the customization of features without needing deep technical knowledge. 

With a wide range of plugins and templates, BuildFire can help bring your music app from concept to reality, facilitating the integration of streaming services, social media, merchandise sales, and more. 

Our intuitive platform also includes tools for analytics, marketing, and user engagement, making it an ideal choice for musicians, bands, and entrepreneurs eager to connect with their audience through a personalized app. Leveraging BuildFire can significantly reduce development time and costs, allowing you to focus on refining your app’s content and user experience.

Testing is an integral part of this phase, involving rigorous checks to identify and rectify any bugs or usability issues. This ensures that the app not only meets the technical specifications but also delivers on the user experience envisioned during the design phase. 

Monetization Strategy

After developing and meticulously testing your music app, the next critical step is devising a robust monetization strategy. This strategy is key to ensuring your app is not only a creative success but also a financial one. 

Here are some monetization strategies to consider when you build a music streaming app:

• Freemium Model: Offer basic features for free while charging for premium features. This can include higher quality audio, ad-free streaming, or exclusive content.
• Advertisements: Integrate ads into the app experience. Options include banner ads, interstitials, or sponsored content.
• Subscription Model: Encourage users to subscribe for a monthly or yearly fee to access exclusive features, such as ad-free listening, offline playback, and premium content.
• In-App Purchases: Sell digital goods or services within your app. This could be exclusive songs, albums, or virtual goods.
• Partnerships and Sponsorships: Collaborate with brands or artists for sponsored content or exclusive releases, creating a new revenue stream.
• Merchandising: Sell artist merchandise directly through the app, from t-shirts to vinyl, making it easy for fans to support their favorite artists.
• Data Monetization: Leverage user data (with their consent) to gain insights for targeted advertising or to sell to third parties interested in music industry trends.
• Crowdfunding or Tip Jar: Allow fans to support artists directly through donations or crowdfunding campaigns for upcoming projects.
• Live Streaming and Virtual Concerts: Offer paid access to live performances or virtual concerts, providing fans with unique experiences.
• Licensing and Content Creation: Generate revenue by licensing user-generated content or creating original content that can be licensed to others.
• Community Features: Enhance user engagement with paid community features, like exclusive forums or fan clubs.
• International Expansion: Localize your app for different markets to tap into global audiences, adapting your monetization strategies accordingly.

Choosing the right mix of monetization strategies depends on your target audience, the unique features of your app, and the overall goals of your project. By carefully selecting and implementing these strategies, you can create a sustainable revenue model that supports the ongoing success and growth of your music app.

Launch and Marketing

Following the development and implementation of a monetization strategy, the next pivotal phase in the lifecycle of your music app is its launch and marketing. This stage is critical for gaining visibility, attracting users, and ultimately ensuring the success of your app. 

An effective launch and marketing strategy not only introduces your app to the world but also builds anticipation, engages potential users, and sets the foundation for a strong user base.

For example, legendary American rock band 311 used BuildFire to create an app for their 30th anniversary tour that comprised 50 states in 50 days.  

The marketing efforts for the app were strategically timed to build anticipation in the weeks leading up to 3/11 Day (March 11) when the band was scheduled to perform three days of shows in Las Vegas.

By aligning the app’s launch with a significant event and leveraging targeted marketing strategies, 311 was able to maximize user engagement and downloads. The app served as a powerful tool to enhance the fan experience, offering a new way for fans to connect with the band and with each other, driving up engagement and fostering a sense of community among users.

You can read more about 311’s experience with BuildFire here and use this type of marketing strategy to inspire your own. 

Post-Launch Support and Scaling

Even after a successful launch, the journey of your music app is far from over. 

Post-launch support and scaling are critical to its long-term success and sustainability. This phase involves closely monitoring the app’s performance, gathering user feedback, and making necessary adjustments to ensure a seamless user experience. 

Continuous support not only addresses any technical issues that may arise but also demonstrates to your users that you are committed to providing a high-quality service, which can significantly enhance user retention and loyalty.

User feedback is invaluable for identifying areas of improvement and potential new features that could enhance the app’s value. Engaging with your user base through surveys, feedback forms, and social media can provide insights into their needs and preferences, guiding your development roadmap. This iterative process of improvement and adaptation helps keep the app relevant and competitive in a rapidly evolving market.

Scaling the app is another crucial aspect of post-launch support. As your user base grows, your infrastructure must be able to support increased traffic and data without compromising on performance. 

This may involve upgrading servers, optimizing code for better efficiency, or expanding your team to handle the increased workload. Preparing for scalability from the outset can help mitigate growing pains and ensure that the app can handle success without faltering.

Additionally, expanding your app’s features and exploring new markets can contribute to its growth. Based on user feedback and market analysis, introducing new functionalities, such as virtual meet-and-greets, fan-generated content, or augmented reality experiences, can keep users engaged and attract new ones. 

Considering international expansion can also open up new revenue streams and increase your app’s global reach. However, this requires careful planning to address language barriers, cultural differences, and local regulations.

Conclusion

Creating your own music app is a complex process—involving everything from initial market analysis and conceptualization to the intricacies of licensing, design, development, and beyond. 

Each step of this journey presents its own set of challenges, requiring a blend of creativity, technical expertise, and strategic planning. The goal is not just to launch an app but to create a platform that deeply engages music fans and provides artists with new ways to connect with their audience and monetize their craft.

Fortunately, platforms like BuildFire can significantly streamline the journey. BuildFire’s intuitive app development platform demystifies the technical complexities of app creation, making it accessible even to those without extensive coding knowledge. 

BuildFire has a wide array of customizable features, plugins, and templates, enabling musicians, bands, and music entrepreneurs to focus on what truly matters—their vision for a unique music experience—while it handles the heavy lifting of app development. 

With the right tools and a clear understanding of the steps involved, turning this vision into reality is more achievable than ever.

It’s no secret that our society is becoming increasingly reliant on mobile devices. But having a mobile-optimized website alone is no longer enough to thrive in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, particularly when targeting mobile users. A mobile website is just the bare minimum.

To keep pace with consumer expectations and gain an edge over your competition, converting your website into an app is critical.

The numbers speak for themselves. 88% of mobile device time is spent using apps. 70% of all digital media consumption comes from apps, and mobile apps are expected to generate over $935 billion this year alone. 

Converting a website into an app opens up countless opportunities for businesses across every industry. From improving user engagement and customer loyalty to accessing new revenue streams and expanding market reach, these benefits are hard to overlook for anyone with a website.

Fortunately, developing an app has never been easier. With the help of an app builder or website to app converter, you can turn your website into your own app quickly—without breaking the bank.

If you’re still on the fence, the information in this guide might be enough to change your mind. We’ll dive deep into all the benefits and advantages of going from a website to a mobile app that will take your business to new heights. 

Enhancing the Mobile User Experience

A whopping 85% of consumers say they prefer mobile apps over mobile websites. So when you convert your website to an app, you’re instantly improving the user experience. 

How is this possible? Let’s take a look at some key UX-related advantages of a mobile app compared to a website.

• User Interface and Interaction — Apps are designed with mobile users in mind, offering interfaces and interactions that are optimized for small screens and touch controls. This results in significant improvements in user interface (UI) design, including simplified menus, larger buttons, and intuitive gestures that enhance the overall user experience. Apps have a clear edge over mobile websites that often require pinching, zooming, and scrolling to view content.

• Speed and Performance — One of the most noticeable differences users experience when switching from a website to an app is speed. Apps store data locally on the device, allowing for quicker load times and smoother transitions between features and content. This immediate access is crucial for retaining users, as loading delays can lead to frustration and abandonment. 

• Navigation and Accessibility — Apps also offer superior navigation compared to mobile websites. With the ability to implement custom navigation solutions, such as bottom navigation bars or swipeable tabs, apps make it easier for users to find what they’re looking for. This encourages deeper exploration of what the app has to offer.

• Engagement and Satisfaction — The tailored UX that apps provide leads to higher engagement levels and customer satisfaction. Features like push notifications can be used to keep users informed and engaged, offering timely updates and personalized content that draws them back into the app. This direct line of communication is something that websites struggle to match, making apps a powerful tool for fostering long-term relationships with users.

One great example of this in the real world is H&M. 

As the second largest fashion retailer in the world, H&M has astonishing engagement rates—with 61% of its app users returning to use it on a monthly basis. Ecommerce websites don’t see this type of traction for their audience. 

This same type of success can be replicated through your own app. 

Accessing Native Mobile Features

One of the most compelling reasons to convert a website into an app is the ability to access and utilize native mobile features. These features, intrinsic to mobile devices, open up a new realm of possibilities for user interaction, engagement, and functionality that simply cannot be matched by mobile websites. Examples include: 

• GPS: Enables location-based services, providing users with tailored content, nearby store locations, or personalized offers based on their current location.
• Camera: Allows for interactive features like scanning QR codes, uploading images directly from the device, or even augmented reality experiences, enriching user interaction.
• Push Notifications: Offer a direct channel to keep users informed and engaged, whether it’s about new content, promotions, or updates, encouraging frequent app usage.
• Accelerometer: Can be used in fitness apps to track physical activity, or in gaming apps for motion-based controls, adding a layer of interactivity and fun.
• Contact List: Facilitates features like easy sharing, social interactions, or sending invites directly from the app, promoting a sense of community and connectivity.
• Biometric Authentication: Such as fingerprint or facial recognition, offers a secure and convenient way for users to access their accounts, enhancing both security and user experience.

Integrating these features into your native app not only enhances its appeal and usability but also offers practical benefits that can significantly impact user retention and satisfaction. For instance, an e-commerce app utilizing push notifications for personalized offers can see an increase in repeat visits and sales. Similarly, a travel app leveraging GPS for real-time updates and location-based services can become an indispensable tool for travelers.

Boost Brand Recognition Amongst App Users

Brand visibility and recognition are paramount for business success. Converting your website into an app offers a unique advantage in this arena, notably through the presence of your app icon on a user’s home screen. This seemingly small feature can have profound implications for brand awareness and engagement.

An app icon acts as a constant visual reminder of your brand, residing among the most used tools and platforms on a user’s device. 

Unlike a website, which requires a user to open a browser, type in a website URL, or search for your site, an app is just a tap away. This ease of access significantly reduces the barrier to interaction, making it more likely that users will engage with your app—and, by extension, your brand—on a regular basis.

Consider the difference in steps between accessing a website and an app:

• Website: Unlock phone → Open browser → Type URL or search → Navigate to the website.
• App: Unlock phone → Tap app icon.

This direct and simplified access not only enhances user convenience but also increases the likelihood of frequent engagement. Each interaction with your app reinforces brand recognition and loyalty, making your brand a familiar and trusted presence in the user’s daily digital landscape.

Furthermore, the app icon itself serves as a mini-advertisement for your brand. Well-designed app icons can convey your brand’s essence, values, and aesthetic, contributing to a cohesive and recognizable brand identity. This visual consistency across platforms—be it in the app, on your website, or in marketing materials—strengthens your brand’s presence and can lead to increased consumer trust and loyalty.

In addition to the app icon, converting your website into an app allows you to maintain consistent branding elements throughout the user experience. From the color scheme and logos to the tone of voice and messaging, an app provides a controlled environment in which every aspect can be tailored to reflect your brand identity. This consistency is crucial for building a strong brand image that resonates with users and stands out in a crowded marketplace.

Improving Customer Retention

While attracting new customers is important, retaining existing ones is even more critical—and often more cost-effective. Mobile apps offer a powerful toolset for enhancing customer retention, thanks to their ability to facilitate direct engagement, personalized experiences, and loyalty incentives in ways that websites simply cannot match.

In fact, research shows that mobile app retention rate is 50% higher than web browser. This number jumps to 90% for smartphone users. 

The effectiveness of mobile apps in retaining customers lies in their capacity to maintain an ongoing dialogue with users. Through features like push notifications, apps can deliver timely and relevant content directly to a user’s device. This immediacy ensures that your brand remains visible and top-of-mind, encouraging regular interaction. Whether it’s a reminder about an unfinished purchase, a notification about a new product, or a personalized offer based on past behavior, these notifications can significantly increase engagement rates and, consequently, retention.

Personalization is another key advantage of mobile apps. By leveraging user data and behavior, apps can tailor the user experience to meet individual preferences and needs. This could mean recommending products similar to past purchases, customizing content feeds, or even adjusting the app’s navigation based on the user’s interests. Personalized experiences make users feel valued and understood, fostering a positive connection with your brand and increasing the likelihood of continued app use.

Loyalty programs seamlessly integrated into your app can further enhance customer retention. Offering rewards, points, or exclusive benefits for app activities not only incentivizes continued usage but also builds emotional loyalty towards your brand. Users are more likely to return to an app where they feel their loyalty is recognized and rewarded.

The impact of these strategies on customer retention is clear. This ongoing engagement is vital for building a stable customer base for your brand.

Mobile Apps Provide Offline Accessibility

A key benefit that sets mobile apps apart from websites is the ability to offer offline accessibility. This feature is not just a technical enhancement—it’s a fundamental shift in how users interact with your digital content. By enabling certain functionalities to be available without an internet connection, apps can significantly enhance user convenience, ensuring that your services remain accessible even in the most remote or connectivity-challenged situations.

Offline accessibility in iOS apps and Android apps addresses a critical pain point for users—the need to access information, services, or functionalities when they’re not connected to the internet. Whether it’s due to poor network coverage, data usage concerns, or the desire to save battery life, the ability to use an app offline can be a deciding factor for users when choosing between competitors.

Here are some examples of how offline features can be implemented in apps to enhance user experience:

• Content Caching: Apps can store content locally on a device, allowing users to access previously loaded articles, videos, or documents without needing an internet connection.
• Data Syncing: Changes made in offline mode, such as editing documents or updating settings, can be synced automatically once the device reconnects to the internet.
• Offline Navigation: Navigation apps can offer map downloads for offline use, enabling users to find their way without relying on a live data connection.
• Music and Video Playback: Entertainment apps can allow users to download music, podcasts, or videos to enjoy offline, providing continuous access to media content.
• E-commerce Shopping: Shopping apps can enable browsing of products and even adding items to a cart in offline mode, with transactions completed once connectivity is restored.

Implementing offline accessibility not only improves user convenience but also signals to your customers that you value their experience and are committed to providing uninterrupted access to your services. This level of thoughtfulness provided by native app development can significantly enhance user satisfaction and loyalty, as it demonstrates a proactive approach to addressing user needs and challenges.

Creating New Revenue Opportunities

The decision to convert your website into a mobile app is not just a strategic move to enhance user engagement or improve brand visibility—it also presents a multitude of new revenue opportunities. Mobile apps offer unique monetization avenues that are not as readily available or as effective on traditional websites. By leveraging these opportunities, businesses can diversify their revenue streams and drive financial growth.

• In-App Purchases: One of the most direct ways to generate revenue from your app is through in-app purchases. This could range from selling physical goods, as seen in retail or e-commerce apps, to offering digital services or content, such as subscriptions, premium features, or virtual goods. In-app purchases provide a seamless shopping experience, encouraging users to buy directly within iOS or Android apps.

• Subscription Models: Apps can implement subscription models, offering access to exclusive content or features for a recurring fee. This model is particularly effective for services that provide ongoing value, such as media streaming, productivity tools, or specialized content platforms. Subscriptions ensure a steady revenue stream and can help build a loyal user base committed to your app.

• Advertisements: Integrating advertisements into your app is another way to generate revenue. Whether through banner ads, interstitials, or native advertising, carefully placed ads can provide significant income without detracting from the user experience. Choosing the right ad network and optimizing ad placement and frequency are crucial to maximizing revenue while maintaining a positive user experience.

• Freemium Models: Offering a basic version of your app for free while charging for premium features or enhancements is a strategy known as the freemium model. This approach encourages widespread adoption of your app while monetizing a subset of users who are willing to pay for a higher value offering.

• Affiliate Marketing: By participating in affiliate programs, your app can earn commissions for referring users to other services or products. This monetization strategy works well for native apps that recommend products, offer reviews, or curate content that includes external links. It’s a way to leverage the content and user trust you’ve built to generate additional revenue.

• Sponsored Content or Partnerships: Collaborating with brands or businesses to feature sponsored content within your app can also open up revenue opportunities. This approach requires a balance to ensure that sponsored content aligns with your user’s interests and the app’s overall theme, maintaining authenticity and user trust.

By diversifying the ways in which an app can generate revenue, mobile app developers not only increase their potential income but also build a more resilient business model. Each of these strategies can be tailored to fit the unique context of your app and your target audience, allowing you to maximize revenue while enhancing the user experience.

Expanding Audience Reach

Converting your website into an app significantly broadens your reach, leveraging the global platforms of the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. 

Listing your Android or iOS app in these stores opens your business to a vast audience, transcending geographical boundaries. The presence in these app marketplaces is crucial, as they are the primary channels through which users discover and download new apps.

Optimizing your app for these stores through careful keyword selection, compelling descriptions, and high-quality visuals is essential for improving your app’s visibility. 

This process, known as App Store Optimization (ASO), enhances your app’s discoverability, making it easier for potential users to find and download your app. Positive ratings and reviews further boost your app’s credibility, encouraging more installs.

If you already have a website, you’re likely familiar with how this works—as ASO and SEO are essentially the same concept (with a few key differences).

By targeting both Android and iOS users, you ensure that your app is accessible to the widest possible audience, taking full advantage of the extensive user base these platforms offer. The algorithms of the app stores play a pivotal role in recommending your app to interested users, making an app store presence a powerful tool for reaching a global audience and driving your business’s growth in the digital marketplace.

Optimizing Performance and Speed

Users today expect instant access to information and services, and even slight delays can lead to frustration and app abandonment. Apps that are finely tuned to offer quick loading times and smooth interactions set themselves apart in a competitive digital environment, where user patience is minimal.

A well-optimized app not only ensures quicker access to content but also enhances overall usability and satisfaction. This is particularly important in retaining users and converting potential customers into loyal ones. Faster apps are more likely to be used repeatedly, as they provide the immediate gratification users seek from their digital interactions.

The performance and speed of an app directly impact its conversion rates. Users are more likely to complete purchases or engage with services when the process is seamless and efficient. In contrast, apps that suffer from poor performance can see a significant drop in user engagement and revenue.

Establishing Increased Trust

Creating a mobile app for your business is a significant step towards building a deeper trust with your audience. 

Users are cautious about where they spend their time and money—making trust a critical component of user engagement and brand loyalty. An app enhances your brand’s credibility by demonstrating a commitment to providing a secure, efficient, and user-friendly platform.

A mobile app signals to users that a brand is serious about its digital presence and dedicated to improving the customer experience. This commitment is often associated with higher quality and reliability, which can enhance users’ trust in the brand. 

Features like biometric authentication, secure payment gateways, and personalized content within an app further reinforce this trust by ensuring user data is handled safely and their interactions are tailored and meaningful.

Focusing User Attention in a Controlled Environment

The digital landscape is full of distractions, which can make it difficult to keep a user’s attention. But apps offer a unique solution by creating a controlled environment that minimizes external distractions. 

Unlike web browsing, where users can easily switch between tabs or get sidetracked by notifications, an app encapsulates the user’s full attention on a single task or experience. This focused environment is crucial for businesses aiming to engage users deeply and effectively.

The design of mobile apps inherently encourages a more immersive experience. By utilizing the full screen for content display and tailoring the navigation to suit mobile interactions, apps can significantly enhance user engagement. This immersive experience is beneficial for both informational content consumption and e-commerce activities, as users are less likely to abandon their tasks due to distractions.

This focused attention ultimately leads to higher conversion rates. When users are fully engaged with an app, they are more likely to complete desired actions, whether that’s making a purchase, signing up for a service, or engaging with content.

Streamlining Business Processes

Mobile apps offer a significant advantage in streamlining business operations, leading to enhanced efficiency and productivity. By integrating various business processes into a single app, companies can automate tasks, improve communication, and manage data more effectively. 

This consolidation not only simplifies operations but also reduces the time and resources required to manage them, directly impacting the bottom line by reducing operational costs.

For example, apps can facilitate easier order processing, real-time inventory management, and instant customer support, providing a seamless experience for both the business and its customers. 

The ability to instantly update and share information across the app also ensures that all stakeholders are informed and can make data-driven decisions swiftly, enhancing the overall agility of the business.

Apps can also improve internal communication. Features such as in-app messaging, task assignments, and progress tracking enable teams to collaborate more effectively, regardless of their physical location.

Convert Website to App: Is It Worth It? (Final Thoughts)

The decision to convert your website into an app is clearly worth it. The benefits—ranging from enhanced user engagement and loyalty to new revenue opportunities and streamlined business operations—all highlight the strategic value of embracing mobile app technology.

For businesses ready to make this transformative leap, BuildFire stands out as the ideal partner. With our cutting-edge AI app builder, the transition from website to app has never been easier.

BuildFire’s technology is designed to sync with your existing website, automatically pulling in brand information, content, and logos. This integration significantly accelerates the app development process, ensuring that your mobile app aligns perfectly with your brand identity.

Social media has undoubtedly changed modern human society. We’ve come a long way from the early days of Myspace and Friendster with the latest versions of Facebook, X (Twitter), and TikTok.

But one constant holds true across the board—there’s a massive demand for social connection through digital platforms.

You may be shocked to learn the social media world is still growing. According to Forbes, over 4.9 billion people worldwide use social media. That number is expected to reach 5.85 billion by 2027.

Revenue growth across these platforms is growing at an even higher rate. The social media app market is valued at roughly $49.09 billion, with forecasts projecting a CAGR of 26.2% between now and 2030.

This means that you don’t have to compete with Instagram or YouTube to make money with a social media app. If you can carve out just a fraction of a percentage of this market, you can still have a multi-million dollar business. 

99% of all people on social media use mobile devices to access their favorite platforms, with a whopping 78% doing so exclusively from their smartphones. 

Creating a social media app from scratch may sound daunting, but it’s an attainable task if you follow the right blueprint. This guide will walk you through the step-by-step process to get your app idea off the ground. 

Step 1 – Define Your App’s Purpose and Target Audience

Creating a successful social media app begins with a clear understanding of its purpose and the audience it intends to serve. This step is crucial, as it lays the foundation for all subsequent decisions in the app development process.

First, you need to pinpoint the primary goal of your app.

What specific need or problem does it address? Is it meant for sharing photos, connecting professionals, discussing hobbies, or something else entirely?

This objective should resonate with potential users and offer them a compelling reason to choose your app over existing options on the market. 

When narrowing in your target audience, consider factors like age, location, interest, and online behavior. Are you targeting young adults or working professionals? Is the app designed for a local community or a global connection? 

Don’t try to become the next Facebook. Saying your social media app is for “everyone” will be a recipe for disaster—as this approach often results in the app appealing to nobody at all. 

Instead, try to corner a specific market and fill a need for those users. 

Use tools like surveys, focus groups, and social media analysis to gather insights about your target audience. What are their likes and dislikes? How do they interact with current social media platforms? What are they missing in existing apps that your app can provide? 

This research will help you tailor your app to meet the specific needs and desires of your target audience.

Step 2 – Establish a Unique Selling Proposition (USP) and Strategy

Differentiating your app in the competitive social media landscape is vital for capturing attention and building a user base. A unique selling proposition (USP) is what sets your app apart from others, making it unique and appealing to your target audience. 

Your USP could be a novel feature, a unique approach to social interaction, or a specific focus that addresses a particular need or interest.

To help you brainstorm and help you further understand this concept, here are some potential USPs to consider for your social media app:

• A social media platform dedicated to connecting local artists and art enthusiasts.
• A social networking app that focuses on real-time, location-based social networking for event discovery.
• Social media with advanced privacy controls for users concerned about online security.
• A social network app with built-in language learning tools and cultural exchange opportunities. 
• Niche social media apps for pet owners, eco-conscious and environment awareness networks, social activism, etc.
• An app with a focus on mental health with features promoting positive online behavior and well-being.
• Integration of augmented reality for innovative content creation.
• A community-driven social platform where content is solely generated and moderated by users.

Each of these USPs addresses specific needs or interests, providing a clear reason for users to choose your app over others. These are just a handful of examples, but there are literally thousands of different ways to approach this. 

One real-life example is the social media app Daylyy. Created with BuildFire, Daylyy sets itself apart from the crowd with a USP that focuses on authenticity.

It targets users who are seeking a more genuine and unfiltered social media experience. Unlike other platforms where content is often heavily curated, Daylyy encourages its users to share real-time, unfiltered content. This approach taps into a growing desire for more authentic online interactions and sets Daylyy apart from other social media apps. 

All photos must be taken through the app. The platform doesn’t have any public comments either. Instead, users can connect with each other through private conversations. 

You can learn more about Daylyy’s story and how they leveraged their strategy for success here.

For more inspiration, we have a list of low-cost and easy business ideas that make money—many of which can be applied to a social media app. 

Step 3 – Conduct Comprehensive Market Research

Comprehensive market research is essential for social media app development. This research enables you to understand the current landscape of the market, trends that are shaping the industry, and the behaviors and preferences of your potential users.

Start by keeping an eye on the latest trends in the social media space. This includes tracking technological advancements, shifts in user behavior, and changing patterns in content consumption. Staying up-to-date with these trends is crucial to ensure that your app remains relevant and appealing to your target audience.

Analyzing your competitors is another key aspect of market research. Understand what other apps in the space are doing, their strengths and weaknesses, feature sets, user interface designs, marketing strategies, and user feedback. 

Identifying areas where other social media sharing networks fall short or where users express dissatisfaction can highlight opportunities for your app to offer something different and better.

Gathering direct feedback from potential users is equally important. Conduct surveys, interviews, and focus groups to understand what users are looking for in a social media app. 

Utilize online tools and social media platforms to analyze comments and discussions about existing apps. This information can guide you in designing features and functionalities that truly resonate with your target audience.

For example, a recent study found that 74% of people are tired of seeing ads on social media. 

You might see a study like this and decide to create an ad-free social media experience to give your app an edge against other social networking apps. 

Additional Reading: How to Conduct Mobile App Market Research

Step 4 – Choose Essential and Innovative Features

Choosing the right features is crucial in the development of your social media app. The features should cater to the basic needs of your users and also introduce something innovative to make your app stand out. It’s important to balance essential functionalities with unique, engaging features.

Start with the essential features that form the backbone of any social media app, such as user profiles, news feeds, messaging capabilities, and privacy settings. These core functionalities are what users typically expect from a social media platform.

Once you have the essentials covered, think about innovative features that can enhance the user experience and differentiate your app. These could be advanced functionalities or creative ways to interact with content and other users.

Here are some example features for a social media app:

• Photo and video sharing
• In-app messaging
• Live streaming
• Augmented reality filters
• Customizable news feeds
• Location-based communities
• E-commerce integration
• Gamification elements
• Virtual events and meetups
• Advanced privacy controls
• Content curation tools
• Mental health and well-being features
• Interactive polls and quizzes
• Collaborative content creation

By selecting a combination of essential and innovative features, your social media app can provide a familiar yet unique experience, attracting and retaining users in a competitive market.

Building a social media network with BuildFire makes it easy to add features with just a few clicks.

Our feature marketplace has over 150+ pre-built functions that can be added to your social app.

One piece of advice—start small. You don’t need to have everything built on the launch day. 

Focus first on the features that are an absolute must for your app to function on a basic level while still covering what makes your app unique compared to market alternatives. 

So many businesses get lost in the concept of creating their own social media app that they lose sight of things like user engagement. Get active users first by appealing to their needs, and expand from there. 

You can look at existing social media platforms that took the same approach. The biggest players in this space are still coming out with new features and advancements. 

Step 5 – Select a Suitable Business Model

At this point, you need to select a business model to support the success and sustainability of your social media app. Your business model should align with your app’s goals and target audience. Here are some popular revenue models to consider:

• Advertising: Generate revenue by displaying ads within your app. This can include banner ads, sponsored content, or video ads. The key is to balance ad presence with user experience to ensure that ads are not overly intrusive.
• Freemium: Offer the basic app for free, with premium features available for a fee. This model entices users to try your app and then pay for additional functionalities, such as advanced customization options or ad-free experiences.
• Subscription: Charge users a recurring fee for access to your app or premium features. Subscriptions can provide a steady revenue stream and are often used for apps that offer ongoing value, like exclusive content or enhanced networking opportunities.
• In-App Purchases: Enable users to buy virtual goods, additional features, or special content within the app. This model works well for apps that offer customizable experiences or have an engaged user base willing to pay for specific enhancements.
• Transaction Fees: If your app facilitates transactions, such as in a marketplace or e-commerce platform, you can charge a fee for each transaction. This model is suitable for apps that connect buyers and sellers or offer a platform for financial transactions.

By carefully selecting a business model that fits your app’s purpose and audience, you can create a viable path to revenue generation and long-term success.

If you’re looking for additional tips on how to make money with your own social network app, check out the following resources:

• The Ultimate Guide to Mobile App Monetization
• How to Make Money From Apps
• What Types of Apps Make the Most Money

Step 6 – Prioritize User-Friendly Design

One thing to keep in mind when you’re building a social media app is the importance of a user-friendly design. 

The design of your app is not just about aesthetics—it’s about creating an intuitive and enjoyable user experience. In the world of social media apps, where user engagement is key, the design can make or break your app’s success.

A well-designed app should be easy to navigate, with a clean and organized interface that makes it simple for users to find what they’re looking for. Pay attention to the layout of elements such as buttons, icons, and menus. They should be placed logically and consistently throughout the app to ensure a seamless user journey.

Color schemes, fonts, and imagery also play a significant role in the overall user experience. These should align with your brand identity and be visually appealing without being overwhelming or distracting. The goal is to create an environment where users feel comfortable and engaged.

Another crucial aspect of design is responsiveness and speed. Users expect social media apps to load quickly and function smoothly on various devices and screen sizes. Ensuring your social media app is responsive and performs well is essential to keep users satisfied and engaged.

It’s also important to consider the established design standards of popular social media apps. Users are often accustomed to certain layouts and functionalities, such as swiping to view the next post or tapping a heart icon to like content. While it’s important to be innovative, straying too far from these familiar design elements can be jarring and may hinder user adoption.

Step 7 – Develop a Minimum Viable Product (MVP)

An MVP is a version of your app with just enough features to be usable by early customers, who can then provide feedback for future product development. This approach allows you to test your app concept in the real market with minimal resources before fully committing to its development.

The key to creating an effective MVP is to focus on your app’s core functionality. 

Identify the most essential features that represent the heart of your app’s value proposition. These should be the features that directly address the needs and interests of your target audience, as identified in your market research.

Developing an MVP is not just about building a simplified version of your app—it’s also about learning and adapting. 

By launching an MVP, you have the opportunity to gather real user feedback. This feedback is invaluable as it provides insights into what users like, what they don’t, and what additional features they might be looking for.

It’s important to be prepared for both positive and negative feedback and to use this information constructively. Analyze user interactions, track engagement metrics, and listen to user suggestions. This will guide you in refining your app, fixing any issues, and adding new features that align with user needs and preferences.

Remember, the MVP is a starting point. It’s a way to validate your app idea and gain a deeper understanding of your user base. From there, you can iterate and evolve your app, adding features and making improvements based on user feedback and market demand.

Step 8 – Opt for the Right Technology Stack

Your technology stack is the collection of software, tools, and technologies you use to build and run your app. It’s important to select technologies that not only support your app’s functionality but also offer scalability as your user base grows.

When it comes to creating a successful social media app, BuildFire provides everything you need to build, launch, and scale your app under one roof.

That’s because BuildFire is so much more than just an app builder and app development company. We’re a complete mobile backend as a service (MBaaS)—meaning your entire mobile app technology is handled for you. From servers to app infrastructure, databases, and supporting every possible monetization method, we have you covered. 

BuildFire’s technology is not only user-friendly but also robust and scalable. It can handle growing numbers of users and increasing data demands, ensuring that your app remains fast and reliable as your audience expands.

For those who need more advanced customization or have specific requirements, BuildFire provides access to professional app developers. These experts can help you tailor your app to your exact specifications, ensuring that your vision is realized to its fullest potential.

Ready to build a social media app from scratch? Contact BuildFire today, or start your 14-day free trial. 

No-code AI has transformed the way businesses leverage artificial intelligence. With no-code AI tools, average business users can deploy AI models without a background in development, data science, or technology. 

Years ago, if you wanted to build a website or mobile app, you’d need to hire a developer. But today, no-code tools make it possible for anyone to build these without writing code.

The same concept can be applied to no-code AI—only the AI technology is far more advanced and capable of doing things we never thought possible. 

If you’re interested in integrating AI into your business, then no-code AI is the easiest and most cost-effective way to do it. You can use this guide to find the right AI tools for your specific needs, and learn how they can take your business to the next level. 

What is No-Code AI?

No-code AI is a term to describe the creation and deployment of AI applications without coding, programming skills, or technical knowledge. No-code AI tools typically operate in one of two ways—either a drag-and-drop interface where the user moves elements through a visual builder or through a wizard where users answer questions and the AI builds the application based on the responses. 

No-code platforms make artificial intelligence and machine learning models available to the masses, which historically was only something that was only available to those with technical skills and specialized training. 

Reasons to Use No-Code AI Platforms

There are dozens of reasons and potential use cases for using a no-code AI tool. But at the highest level, all three of these boil down to three main benefits:

• Accessibility
• Speed
• Cost

These three benefits hold true regardless of your specific use case of an AI model. It gives businesses access to the latest cutting-edge technology, which can enable users to produce more results than ever before. 

Anyone can use a no-code AI tool without prior training or technical experience. This will allow them to perform tasks that would normally take weeks, months, or years in a matter of seconds or minutes. All of this can be accomplished using free or affordable tools. 

You won’t need to hire data scientists or spend years studying natural language processing. With a no-code AI tool, you can get started immediately with virtually no barrier to entry. 

Furthermore, people with a technical background or data science expertise can produce even more by using AI-powered workflows. So regardless of your skill level, you can benefit from using a no-code AI solution. 

17 No-Code AI Tools For Every Essential Business Use Case

The use cases of no-code AI are virtually limitless. To showcase the versatility of this technology, I’ve highlighted the best no-code AI tools on the market—each of which solves a unique problem and has a specific use case in the business world. 

From data analysis to image recognition and automated machine learning, business leaders can use this technology to train AI models, create AI applications, create accurate predictive models,  and so much more.

1. BuildFire AI — No-Code AI Mobile App Development

BuildFire AI is the fastest and easiest way for anyone to create a mobile app. By leveraging AI development, the platform lets you build an app in a fraction of the time compared to other no-code tools on the market. 

Just answer some simple questions about your business, and BuildFire AI will automatically generate content, suggest features, and start creating your app based on what you want to accomplish. It even pulls logos and color schemes from your website so the app matches your company branding. 

The secret behind this technology is that the AI functionality is built on top of BuildFire’s industry-leading app development software. BuildFire has already been used to create more than 10,000+ apps for iOS and Android. The AI app builder just takes technology that’s already powerful and supercharges it.

If you’re crunched for time or on a tight budget, BuildFire AI gets you to market quickly for a fraction of the cost. 

Plus, all of the design elements are handled for you—in seconds. This is something that would normally take weeks for traditional app development. 

Don’t love the first design you see? No problem. With a single click, BuildFire AI will generate a new one for you. It’s that easy. 

2. Akkio — Custom AI Chat Box For Clients

Akkio is one of the most unique AI solutions on this list. It’s a generative AI tool that’s built for agencies. 

By leveraging AI analytics and predictive modeling, it enables agencies to put the power of AI in the hands of their customers.  

The coolest feature is the ability to “chat” with data using AI. You can create custom chatbots for your clients that allow them to gain valuable business insights and create charts without writing code. For example, you could simply enter “create a chart on monthly sales.” Akkio will look at your historical data, and the tool will provide the visual. 

This tool can basically be used by any company with data (which is basically everyone). But the ability to repurpose it for client use is what makes Akkio unique—earning it a top spot on my list. 

3. DataRobot — Predictive AI For Technical Business Users

DataRobot uses generative AI and predictive workflows to improve business outcomes. 

It’s built on an open AI ecosystem, which gives businesses the flexibility to adapt and innovate without restrictions. 

The platform has been used across a wide range of industries—including banking, fintech, healthcare, insurance, manufacturing, and aviation. 

For example, hospitals and health practices can use it to predict which patients are more likely to be admitted. So doctors can proactively take steps to improve their health. An insurance company can use it to predict which products are most likely to succeed when cross-selling to specific clients. Warehouses can predict traffic to optimize resource planning. 

You get the idea.

While DataRobot has plenty of no-code features, it’s definitely built with technical audiences in mind. 

4. Obviously AI — No-Code AI For Churn Prediction

When I first discovered Obviously AI, I was blown away by the demo. I saw them take structured data and use it to create a predictive model in less than five minutes.

It turned a dataset with thousands of rows into something practical, and the user just needed to answer some basic questions about what they wanted to build. 

It’s just a matter of selecting your data source, making a few clicks, and boom—done.

The demo I watched used customer data to create a predictive model on whether or not a customer would churn. This is just one potential use case, but it was my favorite because it’s something that all businesses worry about. Since the vast majority of businesses keep customer data, this is a practical use case that anyone can benefit from. 

5. Google Teachable Machine — Create Machine Learning Models Based on Images, Sounds, and Poses

It should come as no surprise to see a solution from Google on this list—as they’ve been pioneering technology for decades.

Google Teachable Machine does exactly what it sounds like. The platform lets you use machine learning models to teach or train a website or app to recognize certain elements. 

Using computer vision, the software can be taught to recognize images, sounds, and poses. Just segment different examples of what you want the model to train and then test whether it classifies them correctly. 

For example, this would work really well if you wanted to create a mobile app that identifies birds. You’d simply gather as much information about each bird and then teach the model to recognize them based on looks or even sounds. 

6. Lobe AI — Free Machine Learning Model Using Image Classification

Created by Microsoft, Lobe AI is actually pretty similar to Google Teachable Machine. The biggest difference is that you can export your model in more ways. 

Currently, it only works by using image classification—meaning you label images based on what it is to train the model. But object detection and data classification models are coming soon. 

Lobe AI also has project templates that automatically selects the best machine-learning architecture for your project.

Let’s say you wanted to use no-code/low-code to build an app that recognizes plants. You’d first need to train the software to recognize what a specific type of plant looks like. Then when an app user points their camera at a tree or bush, the app would tell them what type of plant it is. 

7. Amazon SageMaker — Use Tools Like Notebooks, Debuggers, Profilers, Pipelines, and MLOps in a Fully Managed ML Service

Amazon SageMaker offers the best of both worlds for enterprise organizations. 

Business analysts can benefit from no-code interfaces while still leveraging the power of machine learning. But data scientists with technical expertise can use it to become more innovative with ML through their preferred choice of IDEs.

This makes it an appealing option for businesses that have both technical and non-technical users on their teams. 

8. Nanonets — AI-Powered Document Processing

Nanonets is a no-code AI platform that’s built for extracting the most information out of your documents. 

And the term “documents” is used loosely here. It can pull insights from emails, support tickets, databases—basically any unstructured data across multiple sources. 

For example, you could use it to collect invoices from emails and then automate accounts payable tasks. Or you could use historical data from old purchase orders to optimize your supply chain. 

You can try it for free and let Nanonets analyze 500 pages for your starter models. 

9. Levity AI — AI Automation For Repetitive Tasks

Levity AI is a no-code workflow automation builder. 

Business users can simply build an AI-powered model to complete common tasks based on certain triggers. It can be used for sales quote automation, direct order entry, customer tracking, and so much more. 

Just connect it with the tools you’re already using, like CRM databases, email providers, and management systems—then define your workflow by building AI blocks. 

10. Causaly AI — Human-Centric AI For Research and Development

Causaly AI is designed for biomedical scientific research and development. It’s built to eliminate human bias while conducting research and uncovering hidden knowledge in studies. 

As someone conducting this type of deep scientific research, you can benefit from asking Causaly questions. The AI answers these questions based on what it found in reading every biomedical literature that’s ever been published. 

It could otherwise take weeks or even months for researchers to find these answers. But Causaly finds them in seconds. 

The use cases of Causaly AI are pretty astonishing. It can help identify biomarkers in drug development programs, which ultimately streamlines success rates. It can also validate and qualify biomarkers in these studies. Scientists are even using it to further understand the biology behind diseases. 

11. PredictNow.ai — AI For Hedge Fund Investments

PredictNow.ai is another ultra niche-specific no-code tool. It’s built specifically for hedge funds, asset managers, and financial institutions. 

It’s designed to help these organizations forecast the probability of profitable trades and investment decisions. 

While this type of technology isn’t necessarily new, PredictNow.ai has some tools that you won’t see from other tools on the market. 

The platform is built on a concept that they call “Corrective AI.” Rather than completely relying on the AI models, the platform is designed to combine big data with human insight. So the decisions are still in your hands, but now you have more information at your disposal.

12. Invideo — AI Powered Video Generation

As the name implies, Invideo is a no-code AI tool for creating videos. 

Some of you may have experience with AI image generation. But Invideo blows that technology out of the water by creating more engaging video content. 

You can instantly turn text commands into videos, which is fun for anyone to do but also has tons of practical use cases for businesses. Rather than having to spend days or even weeks creating marketing and promotional content, you can use Invideo to create them in minutes. 

It’s also really easy to tweak and edit the videos with just a few clicks. You can even add human-sounding voice overs to your videos. 

13. AI Squared — Machine Learning For Business Web Applications

AI Squared uses both predictive and generative AI models to support web-based applications. 

It’s all about leveraging your company’s data to gain a competitive advantage. 

The platform can fill the gaps between data science and general business teams. These models can be implemented into web apps that businesses are already using, which can ultimately unlock hidden insights that were previously unavailable or too time-consuming to uncover. 

14. E42 — AI “Co-Workers” For Enterprise Functions

E42 is a no-code technology that’s powered by artificial intelligence and NLP designed to create “cognitive process automation” for enterprise organizations.

In simple terms, the platform lets companies and business users build AI co-workers to help boost productivity and complete tasks. 

The idea behind E42 isn’t to replace humans with AI—it’s to let AI supercharge human capabilities. 

One cool use case of E42 that I found interesting was the creation of an AI assistant named Neil. Neil is an accounts payable “executive” who handles 90% of accounts payable tasks. 

There are dozens of use cases like this on the E42 website. So you can check it out for yourself to see if any apply to your business. 

15. Flagright — AI-Powered FML Compliance For Fintechs and Banks

Flagright is a niche-specific AI platform that’s designed specifically for banks and financial technology companies. It helps these organizations deal with AML compliance—helping to detect money laundering, criminal financing, and securities fraud. 

While this may sound complex, it’s completely no-code. 

Compliance and fraud teams can use it on a practical basis to make fast and reliable decisions if suspicious behavior is detected. You can use it for rules-based monitoring, risk scoring, and even sanctions screenings. 

You can even use it to build custom scenarios and anonymously collaborate with other financial organizations across the globe. 

According to the Flagright website, this AI-powered risk detection tool saves the average analyst 20 hours per week, and it cuts false positive alerts by over 50%. 

16. CallFluent AI – Create AI-Powered Voice Call Agents In 60 Seconds

CallFluent is a simple, AI-driven platform that helps businesses create voice call agents in just 60 seconds. These agents can manage tasks like answering customer questions or setting up appointments, making communication smoother and more efficient. 

The platform is designed to be flexible, allowing businesses to customize the agents to match their specific needs. By automating these everyday tasks, CallFluent helps companies save time and cut costs while still delivering a personalized touch to their customers.

17. Revoicer – Emotion Based Ai Voice Generator

Revoicer is an advanced AI text-to-speech tool that enables users to create realistic, emotion-driven voiceovers for various projects. It offers a wide range of voices and customization options, allowing users to tailor the tone, pitch, and speed of the speech to fit their specific needs. 

Ideal for content creators, marketers, and businesses, Revoicer is designed to enhance engagement and accessibility across different media platforms by providing natural-sounding voiceovers that can convey a range of emotions, making the content more relatable and impactful

Final Thoughts Using AI and No-Code Tools

Saying that no-code AI tools are powerful would be a drastic understatement. As you can see from the tools in this guide, this technology can be used for seemingly anything.

We’ve shown how no-code AI can be used to build mobile apps, create videos, reduce risks for hedge fund managers, and even fight financial crime. 

The key to success with no-code AI is finding the right tools that can help your business. Hopefully the options in this guide gave you a good starting point on what you can accomplish, along with some quality recommendations for tools that meet your desired use case. 

Effective employee training builds the foundation for successful organizations. It ensures your staff learns the job-related skills required to perform their duties while further developing their careers and setting them up for success within your company.

In fact, 86% of HR leaders say that employee training is critical for retaining talent. Businesses with comprehensive employee training programs generate 218% more revenue per employee compared to those without formal training. Furthermore, 92% of employees say that workplace training has a positive impact on their engagement, and 90% say they’re less likely to leave a company that offers development opportunities. 

Training modules are one of the most effective ways to train employees. Companies can build a training module for virtually any use case or learning initiative. Staff can complete modules at their own pace, while leaders can track and measure the results. 

If you’re interested in creating modules for training employees, you’ve come to the right place. I’ll break down the different ways you can use online training modules and types of training modules before walking you through the step-by-step process of building one that delivers real results. 

What is a Training Module?

A training module is a self-contained element of instructional information that focuses on a specific topic within a broader training program. Each module is designed to provide learners with skills, knowledge, and information related to a particular subject matter.

Training modules are components of an online course or instructional guide. Typically, multiple modules must be finished to complete a course or earn a certification. 

It’s common for training modules to be delivered through an online or mobile learning management system. Within each module, there’s a range of content that’s used for training—most often starting with informational content before formal assessments and evaluations.

For example, modules may start with a slideshow or video before testing what’s been learned through a quiz or test. 

Ways to Use Module Training For Employees

Module training can be used for any type of educational setting. But within the realm of an employee training program, these are the most common ways to use a modular training course: 

• New hire training, onboarding, and orientation
• Leadership training
• Sales coaching
• Product training
• Job-specific technical training
• Employee safety training
• Diversity training
• Mandatory corporate training (sexual harassment, soft skills, etc).
• Cybersecurity training protocols

You can create online training modules for virtually any type of learning objective within an organization. 

Types of Training Modules

Employee training modules come in all different shapes and sizes. But you can mix and match your content delivery and training assessments based on the specific goal or learning objective of the module. Here are some common types of training modules used for employee training:

Online Course

This type of online training module is a comprehensive e-learning initiative that’s designed to inform learners about a specific topic. It’s commonly presented in a slideshow format with a mix of text, images, and videos. Once a slide has been consumed, the learner continues by clicking a “Next” button to proceed. Online courses work really well for providing sequential training with information that builds on what was previously taught. 

Interactive Assessment

Interactive assessments are an engaging way to evaluate employees’ understanding of the training material. These assessments can include quizzes, drag-and-drop activities, or interactive simulations. The key is to make these assessments interactive and dynamic, allowing employees to apply what they’ve learned in a practical context. This type of module is particularly effective in measuring the retention of knowledge and skills, and it can be adapted for various topics ranging from product knowledge to compliance training.

Video Lectures and Presentations

Video lectures and presentations offer a visual and auditory learning experience that can be more engaging than text-based content. These modules can feature recorded lectures, interviews with experts, or animated explanations of complex concepts. They are particularly useful for delivering detailed information in an easily digestible format. Incorporating videos in training modules can enhance learners’ understanding and retention, especially for topics that benefit from visual demonstrations, like technical skills or product features.

Scenario-Based Learning

Scenario-based learning modules immerse employees in real-life situations relevant to their job roles. These scenarios require learners to make decisions based on the information provided—mimicking the challenges they may face in their actual work. This approach promotes critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Scenario-based learning is highly effective for training in areas like customer service, conflict resolution, and decision-making processes.

Microlearning

Microlearning involves creating short, focused training modules that cover a specific topic or skill in a concise manner. These modules are typically 5-10 minutes long and are ideal for busy employees who have limited time for training. Microlearning is effective for reinforcing key concepts, providing just-in-time training, and supporting ongoing learning. It’s suitable for topics that can be broken down into small, standalone units, such as software updates, policy changes, or quick tips.

Live Group Training

Live group training modules involve interactive sessions conducted in real time, either in-person or through video conferencing tools. These sessions can include workshops, webinars, or group discussions led by a trainer or subject matter expert. Live group training fosters collaboration and allows for immediate feedback and interaction among participants. It’s particularly useful for topics that benefit from group dynamics and discussion, such as leadership development, team building, and brainstorming sessions.

How to Create Online Training Modules For Employees (5 Steps)

Creating online training modules is easy when you follow specific guidelines. Use the five steps below to build each module.

Step 1 – Establish the Key Training Objectives

The first thing you need to do is determine the learning objectives for each module. By definition, a “module” is a set of independent units or parts of a more complete structure. So you don’t need to cram everything into one lesson. 

For example, if you want to train employees about cybersecurity protocols, you can break this down into three separate modules—one for BYOD policies, another for password management, and a third for breach protocols. 

Each module is completely independent of the other topics within the broader scope of cybersecurity. An employee doesn’t need to understand password policies to complete the module on breach protocols. But each of these is a key objective within the big picture of cybersecurity training. 

Step 2 – Define Success For Each Training Module

Every module needs to have its own definition of “success” or “completion.” This can vary depending on the type of training.

For example, success for new hire onboarding may simply require an employee to watch a set of videos and consume content within a slideshow. The act of watching the video to completion and clicking the “next” button after each slide may be enough for this. Then you could collect a signature from the employee that acknowledges they’ve read all of the policies and understand what’s expected of them in the workplace.

But success for using a particular piece of software or obtaining credentials may look very different. For these types of training modules, the employee may need to take a quiz, test, or exam and get a passing grade (such as 90% or higher) to complete the module. 

Step 3 – Determine the Right Content Format

The key to creating engaging training modules is picking the right way to distribute content for consumption. Text-only slides are boring and don’t always provide sufficient training for a particular subject matter. 

Interactive lessons that require the employee to make clicks and answer questions along the way tend to be more engaging. Leverage video content, audio files, and images whenever possible. 

You don’t need to stick with a standard training module template for every lesson. In fact, I advise against it. Changing the format based on the lesson is much more effective. 

Step 4 – Create Training Modules

When creating training modules, it’s easier to treat each one as its own mini-course. That’s why it’s so important to break down the key objectives, success definition, and content format before you start building the training materials. 

Here’s a sample of what you can include in just one module:

Don’t force content that doesn’t fit within the particular lesson. 

Remember, each module is completely independent of the other. This means that some training modules could take two or three hours to complete, while others may only take 20-30 minutes. 

Step 5 – Distribute and Track Results

Once you’ve completed your modules, it’s time to get them into the hands of your employees. It’s up to you to determine exactly when and how employees will use these. But try to tie them to specific job-related events or company-wide initiatives. 

For example, when a new employee gets hired, they’ll automatically be sent the onboarding module through your company’s internal employee app. From there, they can complete modules related to various corporate policies and go through specific skills training.

If an employee switches roles or moves to a new department, they’ll automatically be sent the training materials for this new position. If you’re rolling out a new product or using new software, you can send training modules to everyone within the organization. 

Some companies offer optional training for employees who want to advance specific skills and advance themselves within the company. Others roll out mandatory training sessions every year or quarter related to different HR initiatives and compliance. 

It’s crucial to use a learning management system that accurately tracks who has completed what modules. Beyond completion rates, you need to assess how well the training translates into improved job performance. This type of data can help identify areas where employees are struggling and need additional support. 

The Importance of Effective Employee Training For Your Company Culture

Employee training is far more important than simply ensuring your staff knows how to do their jobs. It ultimately helps enrich your company culture by creating employees who are skilled, engaged, and constantly advancing. 

A recent survey found that 76% of employees were more likely to stay with an organization that offers continuous training. 

Turnover rates are one of the most important KPIs when assessing company culture. If your office is like a revolving door, it instantly tells new employees that there probably isn’t much of a future for them within the company. But low turnover rates help build strong bonds between existing staff while conveying the message to new hires that they can be happy and grow within the company for the long haul. 

39% of employees say that the potential for future growth within an organization is an important factor in job satisfaction. By offering training, you’re always giving your staff the opportunity to grow and succeed. 

A whopping 86% of job seekers say they’ll avoid companies with a bad reputation. Meanwhile, 82% of business leaders say that a strong company culture gives them a competitive advantage in the workplace. 

These results are measurable—with 46% of leaders saying that improving company culture leads to a boost in employee productivity and 38% saying it leads to increased employee engagement. 

Final Thoughts — Using Mobile Apps For Employee Training Programs

Leveraging mobile apps for employee training programs presents an innovative and efficient way to enhance learning experiences. With solutions like BuildFire, you can create and deliver training modules directly to your staff’s smartphones—making learning accessible anytime and anywhere.

This approach perfectly aligns with the modern workforce’s preference for on-the-go and flexible learning options. 

In fact, 58% of employees say that they want to learn at their own pace. Mobile apps give them this opportunity to complete modules in bite-sized sections whether they’re on the job, at home, or on the go. They can fit training into their busy schedules without distributing their workflow. 

BuildFire lets you integrate various types of training modules into a user-friendly interface. From interactive assessments to video lectures, slides, and quizzes, everything can be distributed and completed from a smartphone or tablet. 

This not only simplifies distribution and tracking but also engages employees in a more dynamic and personalized learning journey. The convenience of apps encourages higher participation rates with real-time analytics and feedback mechanisms. 

By harnessing the power of mobile technology, you’re offering much more than an employee training solution—you’re fostering a culture of continuous learning and development within your organization. 

Teaching online can be a profitable business venture. The demand for online learning is at an all-time high and continues to grow every year.

In the US alone, the online learning industry is projected to reach $687 billion by 2030—up from $100 billion in 2020. Furthermore, it’s expected that over 57 million people will take online courses by 2027.

With so many people looking to learn new skills or get trained online, there’s an inherent need for online teaching to fill that gap. 

Using mobile apps to teach online classes is one the best and most profitable ways to enter this space—and that’s exactly what you’ll learn from this guide. I’ll explain how to build online courses and teach online classes using mobile apps in a way that’s more profitable than you ever thought possible. 

Importance of Mobile Apps For Online Teaching

Traditional lecture-style online classes aren’t suitable for the masses. With modern online learning, people want to go at their own pace. Whether that’s one class a week, three classes per day, or a mixed cadence that fits their schedule. 

It’s much easier to complete online training if you have 24/7 access to a lesson. That’s where mobile apps come into the equation. 

Someone’s smartphone is usually never more than an arm’s reach away. This makes the perfect vessel to facilitate online learning—and as a result, the best way to teach online.

This doesn’t just sound good in theory—the facts support it. 64% of learners say that accessing training materials from a mobile device is “essential.” Smartphone learners complete online course material 45% faster than people using a computer. The mobile learning market is growing at a CAGR of 30% and expected to reach $156 billion by 2026. 

As the teacher, you don’t have to be physically present at a specific date or time. You simply prepare the learning materials ahead of time, break everything up into incremental sections, and publish it through the app. 

With the right angle and solid marketing, a single course could reach tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of users. You do the work once and get paid for every new purchase.

How Much Money Can You Make Online Teaching Courses?

You can make plenty of money with an online course business. In reality, there’s no cap on your earnings. It’s just a matter of how you price the course and how many people you can get signed up.

Here’s a basic overview of how many online courses are priced:

• $45 to $150 for a mini course. 5-10 short videos around 10-15 minutes each would fall into this category. 
• $195 to $595 for a short to medium-length course. This would typically be a mix of videos, PDF files, and quizzes that take upwards of four to six weeks to complete. 
• $1,000 to $3,500 for long online courses. Think of a flagship course that would take three to six months to complete. 

Again, these are just baseline examples. You can really price the course any way you want. 
According to a recent study by Podia, the average first-time online course costs $137.

If you decide to price your first online course right around the average, you can expect to earn about $68,500 if 500 people sign up, $205,500 if 1,500 people sign up, and $548,000 if 4,000 people sign up.

You get the idea. There’s money to be made here.

The Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing Course is a great example. Taught by Michelle Schroeder-Gardner, the course costs $197, and over 6,000 people have completed it. That’s $1,182,000. 

What I love about this example is that it shows how anyone can teach a profitable online course. You don’t need an education background and really don’t even need traditional teaching skills. 

Michelle simply took something she was good at and created an online course to show others how she was successful.

This is the best way to earn money teaching online courses because it involves much less research and effort. You already possess the knowledge or skills. Now it’s just a matter of putting them into an online course template and pushing those materials out into the world.

You can also get a massive ROI from teaching online courses like this. Michelle first launched her affiliate marketing course in 2016. Fast-forward to today, and people are still buying it.

How to Teach Online Courses That Make Money in 10 Steps

Consider this your course on online teaching—specifically using mobile apps to boost profitability. I’ll walk you through ten easy steps that will simplify the way you teach online courses.

Step 1 – Identify Your Niche and Target Audience

Before you prepare any course material, the first thing you need to do is figure out who you’re planning to teach. Step outside the narrow box of college courses and students taking an online class. The online teaching space is much broader, and there are literally thousands of other ways to approach this.

The secret to this step is to look for the golden triangle combination of these three elements:

• Your area of expertise
• Long-term market trends
• Learning gaps that need to be filled

For example, let’s say you’re a software developer (area of expertise) and recognize the power of artificial intelligence in programming (market trend). Then you could see if mid-market business IT teams know how to use this technology to their advantage (learning gaps).

This is much more specific than just a general-purpose programming course. Instead, think about who’s interested in taking online courses, and fill the gap of those courses that don’t really exist yet. 

Step 2 – Choose the Right Mobile App Platform For Online Courses

Next, you need to figure out how you’re going to deliver your course. As previously discussed, mobile apps are the best learning management system—so this will be our primary area of focus.

It’s best to choose robust educational technology that’s specifically built for your use case. 

BuildFire’s education app builder is suitable for any type of online course. It’s plug-and-play, so you can easily add new types of training modules or educational content based on how you want to teach the course.

Some of you might want to use videos and audio files to share lessons. Others may prefer flashcards, PDF documents, and quizzes. Some may want to create a course that’s a combination of everything.

The best part about using an app from BuildFire to teach your online course is that it’s optimized for profits. As a no-code app builder, you can use it to build and launch an app for iOS and Android in a matter of weeks. 

It supports in-app payments for one-off courses and ongoing subscriptions. Plus, it’s super affordable. Plans range from just $100 to $500 per month. You know your fixed costs from the beginning, and you can easily break even by just selling a few courses. Everything else is pure profit. 

Step 3 – Design Engaging Course Content

Now it’s time to prepare your course materials. 

But do so in a way that drives engagement in the online learning environment. For example, lectures can be boring. But interactive quizzes and online discussions with other people are engaging. 

If you’re struggling with the right format, I strongly suggest signing up for a bunch of different online courses to see which ones fit your style. It’s worth the time and investment, and even if you’re on a tight budget, there are plenty of free online courses you can use as inspiration. 

Here’s an example of the Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing Course that I referenced earlier:

It’s also important to consider how you’re going to structure each lesson so that it keeps the learner engaged. 

For example, let’s say you’re teaching an online course about how to become a yoga teacher. There’s a level of understanding that the people interested in this course already know the yoga basics. They’ve likely been practicing for years and just need some guidance on the steps for getting the appropriate certifications to teach.

So if your first course covers beginner yoga poses, you’re likely going to lose your audience pretty quickly. 

Lots of course creators tend to “hide” the secrets for later in the lessons. I don’t like that idea, especially if people are paying. Start to give them real value from the very beginning so they keep coming back for more. 

Step 4 – Optimize and Automate For Mobile Learning

It’s extremely important that you consider the size of your “online classroom.” People will be completing your course on a four or five-inch screen.

So if there’s a video of you standing in front of a whiteboard, pointing to different things, and writing while you’re speaking, it will be tough for people to see what you’re doing.

Instead, a full-size slide or flashcard will be easier to digest on mobile. You could always have an audio voiceover or use a video that follows this format as well. 

If you’re going to deliver PDF downloads, make sure the font size is mobile-friendly. Users shouldn’t have to pinch and zoom to see everything on the screen.

Additionally, you want to automate as much as possible. There shouldn’t have to be any manual intervention by you or the user to complete the course.

For example, let’s say you’re planning to have a quiz after each module. Rather than manually correcting each quiz, you can simply set a passing standard (like 80%) and automatically open the next module if the user gets a passing score. 

If the course is sequential (which I recommend), then you can lock each section of the course and set it to automatically unlock it after the previous section is completed. This is much easier than having to manually send out new modules every week. 

Once your mobile course has been created, you really won’t have to touch anything—the entire process gets put on autopilot. 

Step 5 – Set Up Your Monetization Strategies

These are the most common ways to monetize your online course:

• One-time payments for complete access to a course
• Monthly or annual subscriptions for complete access to all training resources
• Offering a free course and then upselling another lesson or product
• Bundling multiple courses into a single purchase
• Selling courses as products
• Selling ad space or getting a sponsor for your course
• Affiliate marketing within the course (like using Bluehost to show people how to create a website and then directing them to a Bluehost affiliate link)

Don’t box yourself into just one of these methods. I recommend experimenting with different options to see which ones convert at the highest rate.

If you’re just getting started, you may need to offer some type of free course or free lesson just to help establish some credibility. 

Step 6 – Market Your Online Course

This is arguably the most important step in the entire process. You could have the best online course in the world, but if nobody knows about it, it doesn’t matter.

Treat your online course like any other type of business product. It’s all about getting the most eyes on your product and getting those eyes to convert.

Some of my favorite marketing strategies for online courses include:

• Hosting webinars for people interested in your topic
• Creating a website and blogging about the subject
• Accepting invitations to be a podcast guest in your niche
• Building an email list by giving away free materials
• Publishing a book and pitching your course in it
• Guest posting on other blogs and publications
• Collaborating with other online teachers

The list goes on and on. Yes, obviously you can run ads on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, or Google. But the point is you don’t need to spend a ton of money on marketing to be successful here. There are other ways.

My best advice, find ways to target people who are already taking online classes. It’s easier to get someone like this to buy your course as opposed to someone who has never purchased one in the past. 

Step 7 – Engage Your Mobile Learners

The best part about using mobile apps to sell your online course is that it gives a direct window straight into someone’s pocket. So you can keep them engaged before, during, and after the course material has been completed. 

Everyone has different learning styles. So you can set automation triggers to send a push notification if someone hasn’t opened the app in three days, reminding them to complete the next module.

Conversely, if someone is on a six-day streak, you could send them a push notification congratulating them on their progress and encouraging them to keep up the good work.

If another user has already completed the course, send them a notification to purchase your next one. 

In all of these examples, the student has an online teacher that’s directly reaching out to them—which keeps them coming back. 

You can also offer in-app support for your students so they can reach out to you with questions or suggestions throughout the process. Asking for feedback is another great way to keep people engaged. 

Step 8 – Track and Analyze the Performance of Your Online Course

Using sales to validate the success of your online course can be misleading. If 1,000 people signed up but only 126 completed it, there’s obviously a serious problem that needs to be addressed.

You could look at the finer details to find trends and common ground where people got stuck or didn’t come back. Maybe 70% of users completed the first three modules but stopped during the fourth.

Is this due to a technical glitch? Poor lesson planning? What’s the issue?

You could also have a near 100% completion rate but poor sales. This tells you that your course is doing well, but you need to enhance your marketing efforts.

While most of the course can be put on autopilot, there’s still going to be room for improvement. That’s what separates the average online course from the ones that make a ton of money. 

Step 9 – Scale and Expand Your Course

Once you’ve fine-tuned the details, you take your course to the next level by either enhancing it or creating a new one. 

Maybe your first course was the “Beginner’s Guide to SEO.” Your next course is “Intermediate SEO Training” or “Technical SEO 101.”

Ideally, look for something that’s the next logical step for your existing customers. Selling a new course to someone who’s already completed one is going to be much easier than finding a completely new audience. 

This could also be a good time to experiment with another format. 

For example, after the course is over you could offer a one-time payment for lifetime access to specific training materials. Or maybe you’ll offer a subscription service for online coaching. 

You should have this next step prepared from the beginning. So you can immediately hit users with another value proposition after they’ve completed the first course. This way, the topic is fresh in their mind, and they’re ready to continue their learning objectives. 

Step 10 – Keep Up With Pace With New Trends to Adjust as Necessary

Be prepared to change your course if certain ideas or concepts become obsolete. 

Let’s say you’re teaching business users how to master technology in a particular field. But there’s an updated version of the software you used, and the steps no longer translate. 

You’re better off adjusting your existing course with the latest version or supplementing it with additional materials. 

This concept applies to basically every field or practice. 

If there’s new research, updated studies, advanced technology, or anything else that can make your course better, then add it in. Be sure to promote these updates so prospective users know that it’s new, improved, and still relevant. 

Final Thoughts on Teaching an Online Course

Online teaching is a booming industry. 

With so many people looking to expand their knowledge and learn new skills, you can easily tap into this market by teaching an online course.

Mobile access to your course helps you teach in a format that your audience prefers. So creating a mobile app for online learning is really a no-brainer for anyone looking to penetrate this space. 

Consider using BuildFire as your learning management system. This app builder has everything you need to build and teach a profitable online course through your own mobile app. From driving recurring revenue to engaging with your students, BuildFire accommodates online learning for any industry or use case. Try it free for 14 days. 

In a world where entrepreneurship is more accessible than ever before, finding the right business idea can be both exciting and overwhelming at the same time. Whether you’re looking to start a small side hustle or a full-scale operation, the key is to find low-investment business ideas that can quickly turn a profit without breaking the bank. 

From online business ideas to unique service offerings, this guide presents low-cost and easy business ideas that not only make money but also have the potential to grow and adapt to the ever-changing business landscape. 

You can use this resource as inspiration to start your own business without having to borrow money, raise funds from investors, or pour your life savings into it. Most of these business ideas can be started for less than $500 and follow business models that turn a profit almost instantly. 

1. Online Tutoring and Teaching

Online tutoring has recently emerged as one of the most lucrative business ideas in the digital age—mostly due to its low operational costs and expensive market research.

Unlike traditional tutoring, which involves renting a physical space or traveling to the student’s home, online tutoring services eliminate these logistical expenses and transcend geographical limitations. 

The initial startup cost is minimal, and most of you already have what you need to get started. You just need a dependable internet connection and a decent computer, along with a quality webcam and microphone. 

One of the best parts about becoming an online tutor is that it can apply to nearly any skill or knowledge base. Think beyond the traditional student and teacher arrangement here. You could teach new mothers how to care for their babies or teach people how to build a home garden in urban environments. The possibilities are truly endless. 

Furthermore, you can automate your online tutoring by moving away from one-on-one sessions and creating online courses. This approach offers limitless scalability where people can go through your course at their own pace from their computers or smartphones using your dedicated online learning app. Whether you charge a monthly subscription fee to access all of your content or charge a fixed fee per course, there are tons of ways to earn high profits with this business idea. 

2. Dropshipping Business

If you want to sell products online but don’t want to deal with the hassle of managing inventory or fulfilling orders, then dropshipping is perfect for you. 

With this online business model, all you need to do is manage your website and marketing materials. When customers purchase something through your ecommerce site or mobile commerce app, the items get shipped directly from the manufacturer to the consumers—so you never actually touch the products.

You don’t have to pay for inventory upfront either. Your supplier charges you the wholesale rate of an item once it’s been sold to the customer and you earn profits based on the markup of the sales price. 

It takes a bit of research to find the right products to sell. You’ll also need to find the right suppliers. But if you’re using a platform like Shopify to power your online store, then you can get started for just $30 or $40 per month. Shopify integrates with all of the best dropshipping companies and supplier software, and then you can easily turn your Shopify store into a mobile app to further expand your reach and make things more convenient for your customers. 

3. Mental Health and Wellness Coaching

People have really started to acknowledge the importance of good mental health, and they’re more open to taking steps to improve it. But many don’t know where to start, which is where the coaching aspect comes into play. 

This business idea offers a unique blend of personal fulfillment and financial opportunity. So if you’re passionate about helping others but still want to turn a profit, this can work well for your goals. 

The startup investment is pretty low—often just a certification in coaching or a relevant field can help enhance your credibility. But it’s not technically a requirement. The key investment here isn’t monetary at all. It’s the ability to develop a deep understanding of mental health practices and effective communication skills. 

You can structure your coaching around individual sessions, group workshops, or even online courses. Just make sure they cater to a broad audience seeking guidance and support through their wellness journeys. 

Promoting your business shouldn’t be too expensive either. You can start by growing an organic social media following before experimenting with some low-cost ads driving people to your website or mobile app.

With such a high demand for these services on the rise, there’s plenty of room to make money in this niche without having to spend a fortune. 

4. Podcasting

Following the trends is always a good business idea, and podcasting has been skyrocketing in popularity in recent years. According to Demand Sage, there will be roughly 505 million podcast listeners globally by the end of 2024—that’s up roughly 20% from just two years ago and up nearly 85% over five years.

What’s even more astonishing is that we’re just barely scratching the surface in terms of potential. Even with this high growth rate, less than 10% of internet users worldwide listen to podcasts—meaning there’s still a massive opportunity to claim your share of this growing market.

You can start a podcast from home with a minimal upfront investment. You just need a high-quality microphone, audio editing software, and some basic soundproofing. The ongoing costs are relatively low, with the biggest expenses being the hosting fees. 

Podcasts commonly earn revenue through sponsorships, ads, and affiliate programs. You can also charge your listeners for premium content that’s locked behind a paywall for members only. 

In addition to broadcasting your podcast through popular directories like Apple Podcasts and Spotify, you can always distribute your content through your own podcast app as a way to enhance the listener experience and take more control over your revenue streams. 

5. Virtual Cooking Classes

If you love cooking or have some type of formal culinary training, this is one of the most profitable small business ideas because the costs are so low. You can literally teach people to cook different meals online without having to do anything different than you’re already doing. 

For example, if you already cook dinner for your family five nights per week—all you need to do is set up a camera or two and coach people through the process. Your grocery bill won’t change, and you likely have all of the pots, pans, and cooking materials in your kitchen. 

The profitability of virtual cooking classes comes from the ability to reach a wide audience without geographic limitations. 

You may decide to offer some free videos to promote yourself, but turn a profit by selling cooking courses, virtual cookbooks, and premium recipes. Alternatively, you can offer all of your classes for free and earn money through ads, sponsorships, and affiliate programs in this category.

6. Virtual Home Staging For Real Estate Sales

Virtual home staging in the real estate sector stands out as a lucrative business idea due to its low overhead costs and the booming real estate market. This service involves creating digital interior designs for properties that are unfurnished—helping potential buyers visualize the space. 

It’s one of the more profitable small business ideas if you can develop relationships with real estate agents and agencies. Here’s why.

According to Realtor.com, it can cost about $2,000 to $2,400 per month to stage a 2,000-square-foot home. Most staging companies require a three-month minimum contract. So even if a house sells instantly, realtors are paying upwards of $6,000 to $7,000+ at a minimum for staging. 

But if you set up your business structure to partner with real estate agencies, you can offer virtual staging for a fraction of the price—helping them save money while improving profits for the sellers. It’s a win-win-win for all parties involved. 

7. Freelance Graphic Design

Freelance graphic design stands as a sought-after business idea due to the increasing demand for digital content and branding. The primary investment involves software tools like Adobe Creative Suite and a powerful computer setup. 

The low-cost nature stems from the ability for graphic designers to work remotely and manage multiple clients simultaneously.

Profitability in freelance graphic design is driven by the ability to specialize in niches like logo design, web design, or social media content—allowing for higher rates. Building a strong portfolio and leveraging social media for marketing can attract a diverse range of clients. Networking and maintaining good client relationships are key to consistent work and referrals. As brands increasingly seek unique visual identities, the demand for skilled graphic designers is likely to remain high.

8. Digital Marketing Agency

Starting a digital marketing agency involves understanding the nuances of social media, search engine optimization (SEO), and online advertising. The initial costs are relatively low, primarily revolving around establishing a strong online presence and perhaps some initial spending on online ads to gain visibility.

The profitability of a digital marketing agency lies in its ability to adapt to the rapidly changing digital landscape and deliver results for clients. Services can range from managing social media accounts to developing full-fledged digital marketing strategies. The potential for scalability is significant, as businesses of all sizes are constantly looking for effective ways to increase their online presence. Establishing a reputation for delivering measurable results will be crucial in attracting and retaining clients.

If you’re starting from scratch, consider picking a niche-specific role—like becoming an outsourced social media manager for small businesses in a particular industry. Get really good at one thing, and then scale from there with additional services. 

But beyond a computer, stable internet connection, and maybe some SEO software, the costs of starting a digital marketing company are next to nothing. 

9. White Label App Development Services

White labeling mobile apps is one of the most profitable business ideas of this year and the foreseeable future. There are so many different ways to approach this, and all of them follow the same format—low upfront costs and limitless revenue potential.

First, the demand for app development is still at an all-time high. But the barrier to entry isn’t as difficult as it was in years past. This means that smaller businesses that previously couldn’t afford an app now have the budget for it. 

As a white labeler, you can white label an existing app builder and resell it as your own or use white label app builders to create mobile apps for your clients. You can also use a combination of these models. 

Due to the structure of white label software, you can break even after selling just one or two apps—and everything on top of that is pure profit. 

One of the best ways to make money in this space is cornering a niche. For example, let’s say you build an app for a law firm or dentist. Beyond some business-specific information like locations, logos, and contact phone numbers, the vast majority of the app features for every other lawyer or dentist will be the same. 

So if you secure more of these types of clients, you can simply duplicate the apps you’ve already built and just make small changes. 90% of the work is already done for you. 

If you’re interested in this business idea, then book a demo to learn more about BuildFire’s white label reseller program. 

10. Career Coaching and Resume Writing

With such a high demand for professional guidance in an increasingly competitive job market, many job seekers are willing to pay big bucks for expert advice.

Embarking on a journey as a career coach and resume writer can be a highly rewarding and profitable business idea for those with a knack for helping others achieve their professional goals. This business idea requires a minimal financial investment but demands a strong understanding of various industries, resume writing expertise, and coaching skills to guide clients in their career paths.

You can offer services like one-on-one coaching sessions, group workshops, or online webinars. Additionally, creating downloadable resume templates or guides can provide passive income streams.

Building a robust online presence is key to success in this field. Start with a professional website showcasing testimonials and successful case studies. Stay active on platforms like LinkedIn to engage with potential prospects. 

As you establish your reputation, referrals and repeat clients can significantly contribute to your business’s growth.

11. Online Dating Consultant

Starting an online dating consultancy is a unique and modern online business idea that taps into the ever-growing world of digital dating. It’s perfect for those who have an in-depth understanding of relationships and can offer advice on creating compelling dating profiles, communication strategies, and dating etiquette.

Like with any consulting business, the initial investment is pretty low. It’s just about establishing a digital footprint for your online business and maybe spending some targeted advertising dollars to attract clients. 

You could offer personalized consultations, dating profile makeover services, or even group coaching sessions. 

12. Car Detailing Business

Car detailing stands out as one of the best small business ideas for those willing to put in some hard work in the early stages. While the monetary investment is low, you must be willing and able to clean cars when you’re first starting out—at least until you’re ready to hire some employees.

This is one of the few ideas on this list that require your physical presence to get paid. So you’ll need to be located in an area where car detailing is in demand. For example, a small rural farm community in Iowa probably won’t have the same demand for car detailing as Beverly Hills. 

But for the most part, you can purchase all of the equipment you need to detail cars for less than $200. And you’ll likely make that back after just one detail.

13. Print on Demand Services

Print on demand services represent a lucrative business model in the e-commerce world. This business idea involves partnering with a supplier to custom-print designs on various products like t-shirts, books, or mugs, only when an order is placed, eliminating the need for inventory.

The low-cost nature of this business comes from its on-demand model, which significantly reduces the risks associated with unsold stock. The initial investment is minimal, often just needing a website and designs to get started.

Additionally, this business model allows for significant scalability without a corresponding increase in costs. As your brand grows, you can expand your product range and explore new markets, all while maintaining low overhead costs.

14. Event Planning Business

Launching an event planning business is a dynamic and rewarding venture, especially for those with a flair for organization, creativity, and people skills. Event planning encompasses a wide range of categories, from corporate events to conferences and weddings—offering diversity in clientele and projects.

This business idea requires a modest upfront investment, mainly in marketing and building a network of reliable vendors and suppliers. Success as an event planner hinges on attention to detail, the ability to work under pressure, and exceptional organizational skills.

Profits in this model typically come from the markup on services provided and the ability to handle multiple clients and events. Building a strong portfolio and client testimonials can significantly help in attracting new business. Networking with other industry professionals is also key to finding new opportunities and partnerships.

Event planning also offers the flexibility to start small, perhaps focusing on smaller local events and gradually expanding your services as you build your brand. With creativity and a robust network, an event planning business can thrive and grow into a highly profitable venture.

For larger events and corporate, you can even create dedicated event apps to help you manage everything. Best of all, your clients will end up footing the bill—and you can earn a markup on this as well. 

This is another great value-added service that can help differentiate your event planning business from other event planners on the market. 

15. Dog Walking Business

The best business ideas fill a specific need—which is exactly what this does. Pet owners have business schedules and aren’t able to provide their dogs with the necessary exercise. 

Plus, they don’t want their dogs to feel lonely and left at home all day. These dogs might even go 8-10+ hours without going to the bathroom unless someone lets them outside. 

If you’re an animal lover who’s looking for a flexible and enjoyable way to earn some extra cash, this might be for you. 

Your potential clients are right in your neighborhood, making this a community-based business idea. To attract clients, consider creating eye-catching flyers, setting up a simple website, or leveraging social media platforms to showcase your services.

Networking with local pet stores, veterinary clinics, and pet groomers can also help in getting referrals. Offering additional services like pet sitting can increase your earning potential. As your client base grows, consider expanding your business by hiring additional walkers.

16. Virtual Assistant Services

Virtual assistant services are increasingly sought after by most business owners who need help managing their day-to-day tasks. This business idea requires virtually no upfront investment other than a computer and a stable internet connection. The services offered can range from email management and scheduling to social media management and data entry.

The demand for virtual assistants (VAs) has risen as businesses look to outsource administrative tasks to focus on core operations.

Offering specialized services, such as graphic design or content writing, can further enhance your attractiveness to potential clients.

17. Photography Business

Launching a photography business today goes beyond just having a good camera–-it’s about offering your photography services online to reach a wider audience. This business idea requires investment in quality photography equipment and a professional website to showcase your portfolio.

• Weddings
• Corporate events
• Stock photography
• Real estate photography
• Food photography for restaurants
• Product photography for ecommerce stores

The list of opportunities here is seemingly never-ending. 

Try to specialize in a particular style or niche to set yourself apart in a competitive market.

18. Upcycling and Furniture Restoration

Upcycling and furniture restoration represent a creative and eco-friendly small business idea. It involves refurbishing old or discarded furniture into appealing and functional pieces. The startup costs can be minimal, especially if you start with smaller projects and use upcycled materials.

It’s one of the better small business ideas for creative individuals who have the means or skills to work with their hands. If you can turn someone’s trash into someone else’s treasure, there’s plenty of money to be made in this space. 

19. Personal Training Business

The personal training business has evolved beyond the traditional gym setting, especially through technology advancements. 

Starting a virtual personal training business using a mobile app can significantly broaden your client base beyond your local area. This business idea eliminates the need for a physical space, reducing overhead costs.

Through a mobile app, you can offer personalized workout plans, live training sessions, and fitness challenges to clients worldwide. The app can also track progress, provide nutritional guidance, and facilitate direct communication with clients.

Offering a mix of subscription-based models, one-off sessions, or package deals can cater to varying client preferences and increase revenue potential.

20. Mobile Public Notary Service

You can become a public notary for as little as $20. The application process and exact fees vary by state, but it’s one of the cheapest ways to start a small business.

As a notary, you simply authenticate the signing of important legal documents. You’re an impartial witness to the parties who sign, and you verify the identities of the signers. 

It’s worth noting that some states have a cap on how much you can charge for these services. For example, in California, there’s a maximum $15 fee per signature. 

But there are so many opportunities and scenarios which require documents to be notarized. You can stand out from the crowd by offering your services on the go and adding a travel fee to your bill. 

21. Blogging

Blogging has transcended being a hobby. It’s now a viable pathway to establishing a successful business. 

The beauty of blogging lies in its versatility and potential for monetization. You can start with a specific niche, offering insights, reviews, tutorials, or personal experiences. The initial costs are limited to website hosting and design.

There are plenty of ways to make money from blogging. From affiliate marketing and sponsored content to selling digital products and services, you can experiment with different monetization methods until you find what works for you. 

The key to making money in blogging is to create compelling, valuable content that attracts a loyal readership. Growing a profitable blog requires patience and consistency. SEO strategies, guest posting on other blogs, and collaborating with influencers in your niche can increase your visibility. As your blog grows, you could explore additional revenue streams like offering courses, webinars, or consulting services in your area of expertise.

22. Mobile Hairdresser or Barber

The appeal of a mobile hairdresser or barber lies in the convenience you offer clients–-the luxury of a professional haircut in the comfort of their own home. This service is especially attractive to busy professionals, elderly clients, or those with mobility issues.

This small business venture eliminates the need for a physical salon, reducing overhead costs significantly. The only investment will be in quality hairstyling tools and a reliable vehicle.

To diversify your revenue, consider offering additional services such as hair treatments, styling for special events, or even group sessions for families. Building a strong client base through word-of-mouth, local advertising, and a solid online presence can help your business thrive. Personalizing your service, being punctual, and maintaining high hygiene standards can lead to repeat customers and referrals.

23. Professional Voice-Over Services

The demand for professional voice-over services makes it a great business idea for those with a good voice and articulation skills. This field involves lending your voice for commercials, audiobooks, video games, and other multimedia. 

You’ll need to get some quality recording equipment and soundproof a space in your home. But it’s a great business idea if you want to work from home and take control over your own schedule. 

Expanding your reach can involve offering your services on freelance platforms and creating a professional website with your portfolio. Continuously honing your skills and adapting to different voice-over styles and requirements can open doors to more lucrative and diverse projects.

24. Local Travel Guide

For those with extensive knowledge of their locality, becoming a local travel guide can be a rewarding small business idea. You can organize and lead tours, while sharing insights about local history, culture, and attractions. 

Depending on your location, you may need to obtain a specific type of tourism license for this small business idea. 

But this is a great opportunity for people who enjoy interacting with others and want to have some fun while making money. Focus on the uniqueness of your tours, your storytelling ability, and the experiences you offer, which can set your service apart. 

Customizing tours for different interests–-culinary, historical, architectural-–can cater to a diverse clientele. Collaborating with local businesses for mutual promotion can also enhance your offerings.

25. Affiliate Marketing Business

Affiliate marketing is a good business idea for those looking to earn by promoting products or services online. The concept involves earning a commission for marketing another company’s products through your website, blog, or social media channels. The initial investment is primarily in setting up a digital platform and possibly in some online advertising to drive traffic.

The key to success in affiliate marketing is to choose products that align with your audience’s interests and to create engaging content that drives sales. Transparency with your audience about your affiliate relationships is crucial for trust.

Strategies for growing an affiliate marketing business include SEO optimization, email marketing campaigns, and collaborating with influencers in your niche. Continuously analyzing your performance and adjusting your strategies can optimize your earnings.

26. Landscaping Business

Starting a landscaping business can be a rewarding endeavor for those with a green thumb and a passion for outdoor aesthetics. Successful small business owners in this space typically spend an initial investment on landscaping equipment, such as lawnmowers, trimmers, and perhaps a vehicle for transporting tools. However, the costs can be scaled depending on the services offered and the size of the projects undertaken.

Landscaping services have a steady demand among both residential and commercial property owners. From routine lawn maintenance to elaborate garden design and installation, the scope of services can be diverse. The key to profitability lies in delivering high-quality work, building a reputation for reliability, and being able to work efficiently to manage multiple projects.

27. Online Music Lessons

The rise of digital platforms has revolutionized the way music is taught, making online music lessons a viable and successful small business idea. 

Online music lessons eliminate geographical barriers, allowing you to teach students from anywhere in the world. This business can be lucrative, especially if you have expertise in a popular instrument or genre. You can structure your lessons as one-on-one sessions, group classes, or even create pre-recorded lessons for students to access at their convenience through your website or mobile app. 

Offering a range of lesson packages, from beginner to advanced levels, can cater to a broad spectrum of learners.

Final Thoughts

Successful small business ideas don’t always require a ton of capital. As demonstrated through these 27 business ideas, many opportunities exist to start a profitable business with minimal upfront costs. 

The majority of these ideas capitalize on digital platforms, reflecting how the business landscape has evolved in the internet age. Whether it’s offering services online, like tutoring or personal training, or selling products through a dropshipping model, the digital world opens up a realm of possibilities. Furthermore, the integration of a mobile app can significantly enhance these business ideas, offering convenience, broader reach, and innovative ways to interact with customers.

With creativity, dedication, and a strategic approach, it’s possible to launch a successful business without a substantial initial investment. 

These ideas not only provide avenues for financial gain but also offer the flexibility and satisfaction of being your own boss. As the digital world continues to evolve, so do the opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs to turn their visions into reality.

There’s certainly no shortage of mobile app development services worldwide, giving businesses endless options for building mobile apps. But relying on mobile app development companies in the US is often the best choice compared to outsourcing overseas—especially if you’re creating an app for your business.

Working with a US-based app development company may initially seem more expensive when you compare the costs to app developers in India or Eastern Europe. However, the long-term benefits typically outweigh the marginal cost difference and may ultimately save your business money over time.

App development companies in the US help you get to market faster and deliver a higher ROI compared to overseas development. Plus, you won’t have to worry about language barriers, time zone discrepancies, or other challenges associated with cross-border agreements. 

So if you’re looking for mobile app developers in the United States, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to find the best app development company for your business.

Top 11 Mobile App Development Companies in United States

I’ve put together a list of the top app development companies in the USA and highlighted areas where they shine above the rest. You can use this guide to find the right app development company for your unique needs and app development project. 

1. BuildFire

BuildFire is the best mobile app development company in the United States. Trusted by more than 10,000+ mobile apps across every industry, it’s the perfect combination of quality, performance, and support—all at an affordable price for any budget. 

What truly separates BuildFire from other app development companies on the market is its industry-leading technology. As an app maker, BuildFire already has the backend infrastructure and core app components in place. 

So if you hire BuildFire to create your app, their developers can leverage these existing components and features to build your app in a fraction of the time. They can also handle iOS and Android app development under one roof with a single build. This gets your app to market faster while reaching the widest potential audience. 

BuildFire is versatile enough to handle the needs of businesses across a wide range of industries, including:

• Ecommerce apps
• Education apps
• Gym, fitness, and wellness apps
• Business workflow apps
• Employee communication apps
• Apps for events
• Apps for religious organizations
• Apps for content creators

The list goes on and on. 

For small businesses to enterprise organizations and Fortune 500s alike, it’s BuildFire’s mission to turn your app idea into a reality. 

Overall, BuildFire’s service is unmatched. These developers take the time to get to understand your needs to ensure your app aligns with your business goals. You can scale without limits, and BuildFire will be there to support you every step of the way. 

2. ScienceSoft

Founded in 1989, ScienceSoft is the oldest software development company on our list. They offer a wide range of development services, ranging from IT consulting to data analytics, cybersecurity, web app development, and custom software development for mobile applications. 

While the company itself is more than 30 years old, they didn’t start building mobile apps until 2005. In that time, they only delivered about 350 mobile projects. 

While mobile app development isn’t ScienceSoft’s most popular service offering, the brand’s experience and longevity still earn it a spot on our list. It’s especially good for complex builds related to custom CMS systems or supply chain management.

Working with Sciencesoft won’t be cheap. Here’s a ballpark estimate of their app development services, taken directly from their website:

• Simple apps (such as booking apps) — $30,000 to $70,000
• Complex apps (such as mobile commerce apps — $120,000 to $180,000
• Banking apps or mobile telehealth apps — $150,000+

For those of you with deep pockets and the need for an ultra-complex business solution, like using embedded AR for warehouse item picking, then ScienceSoft may be right for you. 

3. Naked Development

In addition to having an eye-catching name, Naked Development is another mobile app services company that should be on your radar. Their app developers do wear clothes (as far as I know). But you can swing by one of their offices in Irvine or Austin to find out.

They’ve launched 327 mobile apps, which puts them on the smaller side of boutique firms. 

But one unique standout of Naked Development compared to other app development services is its incubator-type environment for app ideas. Beyond development, they also specialize in app fundraising. 

According to their website, Naked Development has raised over $96.5 million in app funds. 

So if you’re a startup that needs to secure funding and get support that goes outside the scope of development, you can strip down to your birthday suit with these guys. 

4. Trango Tech

Trango Tech has offices throughout the US—including locations like Chicago, San Jose, Dallas, and New York. 

They also have an office in Pakistan. So while the company is definitely based in the US, it’s unclear whether or not you’ll be working with a mobile app developer that’s Stateside or overseas. But that’s something you inquire about if you decide to consult with Trango. 

Aside from building mobile apps, one unique standout of Trango is that they offer BPO (business process outsourcing) services. 

So if you need additional resources for things like telephone answering services, outsourced call centers, or back-office support, you can rely on Trango for these initiatives. 

5. Zco Corporation

Zco Corporation is an app development company based in New Hampshire. They also have satellite offices in Boston and New York, in case you want to meet with an app developer in those locations. 

This firm specializes in virtual reality apps and mobile game apps, relying on full-stack developers experienced in a range of different code and programming languages, including:

• Swift
• Kotlin
• React Native
• Flutter
• Maui
• Xamarin
• Java
• Objective-C

One cool project they’ve built is a golf app that has 3D images of 35,000 courses around the world. According to their website, the average cost to build an app with them is $30,000 and takes up to nine months to build. 

6. Lounge Lizard

Lounge Lizard is best known as a web development company. With offices in Miami, Nashville, Washington DC, Richmond, Charleston, and Long Island, Lounge Lizard is a professional and results-driven agency.

While mobile apps aren’t the company’s primary service, it’s still an option to consider if you want to get your website redesigned or you want to build web apps under the same roof as mobile apps. 

Lounge Lizard also offers services for:

• SEO
• Email marketing
• Conversion rate optimization
• Social media management
• PPC management
• Website redesign

So if you like the idea of working with a digital marketing company that happens to also build apps, consider working with Lounge Lizard. 

7. Chop Dawg

Chop Dawg has launched over 400+ apps in the past 14 years. Averaging roughly 30 builds per year, it’s a smaller firm that could be a good option if you don’t like the idea of working with a bigger company.

One cool part about Chop Dawg is they’ll build you a non-functioning prototype so you can get a feel for your app project without having to put up significant funds.

You can use this app prototype as a way to pitch your idea to stakeholders or potential investors, before diving into development. 

Chop Dawg also promises to lock in the rate they’ve quoted you, so you won’t have to worry about any unexpected overages.

8. Swensen He

Swensen He has an office in Beverly Hills and another in Dallas. Founded by two MIT grads, this app development agency offers strategy, design, evolution, and support for mobile apps.

What makes them unique?

Swensen He performs a “technical feasibility study” to see if you actually have a viable concept. This means that you could come to them with an idea, and they might say, “Hey, that actually won’t work.”

It’s refreshing to have this level of honesty, as other app developers on the market may just build the app to take your money and not care if it works or not. That’s what earned Swensen He a spot on our list. 

9. Jafton

Jafton is a US-based app development company with offices throughout seven states—California, Texas, New York, Illinois, Florida, Washington, and Georgia.

Some of the unique standouts and services offered by Jafton include:

• Blockchain development services
• Smart contract development
• Crypto consulting
• Telemedicine app development
• Web 3.0 development
• Fintech development

These niche-specific development services help Jafton differentiate themselves from other app development companies in the US. 

10. The NineHertz

The NineHertz is a global mobile app development agency. In addition to having a physical presence in the United States, they also have offices in Australia, India, Canada, Israel, the UK, and UAE.

This is another instance where it’s unclear if you’re getting a US-based developer or if they’re outsourcing to another branch. But that’s always something you can inquire about if you’re interested in working with them.

They deal with cross-platform app development, hybrid app development, wearable app development, flutter app development, and React Native development. 

The NineHertz offers dozens of different development solutions ranging from mobile games to blockchain, Joomla, DevOps, and beyond. Mobile is just one of the many things they do.

It’s worth noting that there’s a weird disclaimer on their website—saying something along the lines that they don’t provide any individuals with monetary compensation, freelance opportunities, or part-time jobs. While there’s nothing wrong with stating that somewhere—I found it strange that there was a pop-up banner about this on its development page.

While this isn’t a dealbreaker by any stretch, it was still something that caught me off guard. 

11. Glorium Technologies

Glorium Technologies builds apps for VC-backed startups. So if you’re funded and looking to bring your idea to reality without using a team of in-house developers, Glorium could be an alternative option to consider. 

They’re definitely a bit more selective than other companies on our list—meaning they won’t work with just anyone.

With over 12 years on the market, they’ve only delivered about 100 products. This is the lowest we’ve seen compared to the other development agencies reviewed here. 

It’s also worth noting that Glorium Technologies has expertise in the medical field building solutions for medical imaging compliance, pharmacy supply chain management, HL7, and FHIR.

How to Find the Best Mobile App Development Company in the USA

In addition to the app development companies listed above, you can use the following criteria to help narrow down your options even further. Here’s what you need to look for when you’re evaluating mobile app development solutions.

Experience

The best app development companies have experienced app developers with years of industry expertise. This means they’ve seen it all, and they’re prepared to handle anything that comes up before, during, or after the development process. 

For example, BuildFire has been trusted to build over 10,000+ mobile apps over the past decade. Other service providers on our list have been around for the same amount of time, but only built less than 350 mobile apps. 

Ideally, you should also look for a mobile application development company that has experience in your particular industry. 

App Type

Certain app development companies specialize in specific types of apps. For example, you’ll likely need to rely on highly specialized app developers if you’re creating a virtual reality gaming app or a fully custom CMS app. 

Other app developers are better for things like education apps, fitness apps, or ecommerce apps. 

You also need to determine if you’re building for iOS, Android, or both. Typically, iOS and Android development require two completely separate builds—doubling your costs and extending your timeline to launch. 

BuildFire’s technology supports simultaneous development for iOS and Android. This helps keep your cost low and gets your app to market faster than other development companies. 

Business Alignment

Look for an app development company that takes the time to understand your business, industry, and target market. Without this type of understanding and alignment, there’s often a disconnect between what you’re looking for and the final product.

Think about the app development process for a moment. If you simply tell the company what you need and then wait six months for them to deliver your software, there will likely be major gaps in the end result. 

But when the app developers understand the purpose of your app, they can build it in a way that aligns with your business goals. 

Ongoing Support

What happens after your app goes live?

There’s still a ton of work that needs to be done behind the scenes. From managing the servers and infrastructure that powers your app to design changes and ensuring compatibility with the latest app store updates and requirements, there’s a serious need for ongoing maintenance support. 

Try to find an app development company that offers these ongoing services. This will allow you to focus on your core business and customers while the app development company handles all of the technical aspects on the backend. 

Cost

You’ll need to have a reasonable budget in mind as you’re comparing different app development companies in the US. This is a quick way to disqualify potential options. 

Some companies will quote you upwards of $250,000 or even $400,000 to create an app. Others will fall in the $25,000 or $50,000 range. 

Remember, paying more doesn’t automatically mean you’re getting a better quality app. Some development companies help you keep costs low by building your app on their existing infrastructure. This is a more affordable way to create an app without sacrificing quality or performance. 

Use our app cost calculator to find out how much you can save with BuildFire. 

Location

When comparing the best app developers in the United States, location doesn’t really matter. 

Let’s say your business is located in Chicago. That doesn’t mean you need to use a Chicago-based development company. All communications will be handled digitally, and it’s not like you’ll be stopping by the office to check in and oversee what’s happening. So you can be in New York and use a service provider in Los Angeles without hesitation—even though you’re on opposite ends of the country.

Furthermore, foreign companies can also rely on using an app development company in the USA. A business in Europe or Australia isn’t limited to using developers in their region and can always use a US-based development company for their project.

Final Thoughts

Navigating the app development industry can feel a bit daunting, especially if it’s your first time going through this process. But I hope that by narrowing down 11 different USA app developers can help provide you with a clearer picture of how to get started. 

All of the top app developers reviewed made our list for a different reason, and they each offer something unique that makes them stand out from the crowd. 

If you still need some assistance, request a free consultation with the app development experts here at BuildFire. We’ll walk you through our development process so you can see what it takes to bring your app idea to life. 

Thinking of a unique mobile app idea can be challenging. Sometimes you just need a little inspiration to get your brain working.

That’s why we created this guide.

Based on current business trends and technology movements, we’ve identified the best new app ideas of the year. These money-making app ideas are poised for growth and success in 2024 and beyond. 

Innovative Mobile App Ideas For 2024

Coming up with the right idea is the first step of any mobile app development project. These ideas are great starting points for any entrepreneur or investor that wants to get involved in app development.

Parking Space Finder App

Parking is a big commodity in major cities and tourist destinations. Creating an app that allows users to find a parking space using their mobile devices can be a huge winner.

There are lots of different ways you can make this work.

One creative idea is a parking space marketplace, where people who own parking spaces can rent them out by the hour, day, week, or month. Alternatively, you can direct app users to both free and paid parking lots in the area.

You can make money by taking a commission on each transaction or charging a fee to list a parking space on the platform.

Food Donation App

According to Feeding America, more than 49 million Americans rely on food assistance programs for help, and 1 in 5 children in the US are food insecure.

Such a high demand for food donations requires modern technology to facilitate the process.

Your mobile app development project can focus on this trend and look for ways to improve the way donated foods are collected and distributed. You can partner with existing non-profits and food banks to get started or create one of your own. 

Employee Communication App

Internal communication is the key to success in any organization. 

Employee apps help businesses with human resources initiatives, safety and compliance, employee training, benefits administration, and more. You can even use an employee self-service app for your staff to check pay stubs on their phones. 

Push notifications make it easy for organizations to notify employees about upcoming events and urgent scheduling changes. These such apps even work for crisis and emergency communication.

Check out our guide on the top benefits of an employee communication app to learn more. Then you can use BuildFire’s workforce app builder to get started. 

Grocery Delivery App

More than 60 million people have a food delivery app installed on their smartphone. 

They’re already used to the idea of having food delivered to their doors. Coming up with new mobile app ideas in a space that’s already trending upward will help you succeed. 

Rather than partnering with restaurants, you can use that same concept of food delivery apps for groceries. People can use your app to order produce, baked goods, household items, eggs, cheese, frozen foods, and anything else offered at local grocery stores. 

If you’re interested in this idea, you can follow our step-by-step guide on how to make a food delivery app.

Voice Translation App

There are about 430 languages spoken in the United States alone. This has created a significant demand for voice translators.

You can create an app that records someone speaking, then automatically transcribes that recording in the user’s desired language. 

This type of app can help break down language barriers in the workplace, for tourism and international travel, and even teach people how to speak a new language.

A voice translation app can help users travel abroad and feel comfortable enough to communicate with others in a language that they’ve never spoken before. There are countless ways to market this idea.

Content and Media App

Content creators that already have a presence on YouTube, social media, and other platforms can scale to create a standalone mobile app for their brands. 

This is an excellent way to produce and distribute exclusive blogs, videos, and podcasts.

You can either repurpose your existing content from all channels into a single app for your fans. Or you can use your app to promote premium content that isn’t available anywhere else. A combination of these two methods is also a viable business model.

This is a great way to turn your content into revenue by charging a subscription fee for your app users to access exclusive content. 

Click here to learn more about BuildFire’s solutions for content, media, and entertainment apps.

Supermarket Checkout App

Here’s another innovative app idea that users will love. A grocery store checkout app that lets you avoid the line.

As users are shopping, they can use a barcode scanner feature on the app to scan items and add them to their cart. When they’re done, they can simply checkout through the app and get charged to a credit card stored on file. 

They never need to take out their wallets or wait in line at the store again. 

Travel Planner App

If you love to travel, this app is a must-have. It allows users to plan every aspect of their trip from start to finish, including booking flights, finding accommodation, and creating a personalized itinerary.

Users can also access reviews from other travelers, as well as recommendations for local restaurants, attractions, and activities.

Virtual Personal Assistant App

This app concept is perfect for busy individuals who need help managing their daily tasks. Users can input their schedule and to-do list, and the app will suggest reminders and alerts to help them stay on track.

The app can also handle things like managing appointments and automating mundane workflows.

Criminal Alert App

We’re living in a crazy world these days. Having an app that lets citizens monitor police activity or suspicious behavior in their neighborhood will help people feel safer.

Users can be notified whenever a new incident takes place within their geofenced location.

You can also set up a feature for users to report suspicious behavior in their area and create a community space within the app—like a virtual neighborhood watch program. 

Wedding Planner Mobile App Idea

Planning a wedding is a full-time job. This great mobile app idea can be marketed toward wedding planners and engaged couples alike. 

Wedding planners can create an app to manage events and simplify everything from a single source of truth. They can use it to create schedules, connect with vendors, share information with their clients, and handle all communication. You can even use this app to manage, sign, and distribute contracts. 

Someone getting married can take advantage of wedding planning mobile apps to manage guest lists, discover local vendors, and create a checklist of tasks to complete. 

Church and Religious App

Even churches and religious organizations are going mobile. 

You can create a church app to deliver daily inspiration to your community, collect donations, manage upcoming events, and share your schedule. These apps are great for anyone that wants to upload videos of previous sermons so people can virtually attend church from anywhere. 

Check out our guide on how to build a church app and click here to learn more about BuildFire’s church app builder. 

Video Editing App

Good app ideas look at existing trends, habits, and consumer behavior.

People are using their smartphones for everything, and they’re constantly taking videos seemingly everywhere they go. What are they doing with these videos? Most people are sharing them on social media.

But the problem with social media is that it’s tough to stand out from the crowd. Everyone is using the same built-in video editing tools, filters, and features—so everyone’s content looks the same.

You can come up with your own unique video editing toolkit and offer it in the form of a standalone mobile app. From there, users can connect with their favorite social channels and upload the edits directly from your platform. 

Random Chat App

A random chat app connects strangers. 

Every time someone opens the app, they’ll be connected with a new person. Think of this like a virtual pen pal. 

You can use it to connect people from around the world or use it for people to make new friends in their local area. 

Mental Health Therapy App

Mental health is just as important as physical health, yet many people struggle to access therapy due to scheduling or location constraints. This app allows users to connect with licensed therapists for virtual sessions, eliminating the need to travel to an office.

Users can also use the app to track their mood and progress, and to access self-care resources and exercises.

Weather Alert App

This app goes beyond just providing weather forecasts. It can be used to alert users of potential weather hazards in their area. This can include things like thunderstorms, tornadoes, and hurricanes, as well as air quality alerts for people with respiratory issues.

App users can even set up personalized alerts for specific weather conditions and access emergency resources and evacuation plans.

Gym and Fitness App

This is one of the best mobile app ideas of the year. 

Personal trainers, gym owners, dietitians, nutritionists, yoga instructors—the opportunities are endless. 

It’s a great way for anyone in the health and fitness industry to scale their business. Mobile apps can be used to share custom workout videos or meal plans. They’re also great for managing class schedules and letting people manage their memberships. 

Personal trainers can earn recurring revenue on a subscription basis through virtual training. You can infinitely scale your client base by offering in-app training lessons without ever meeting them in person. 

Learn more about BuildFire’s solutions for fitness and wellness apps here. 

Home Security App

Innovative app ideas are always in high demand. 

Smart home technology paired with mobile apps is definitely something that users will be interested in. 

You can create an app that lets people lock their doors, put their lights on timers, and monitor security cameras from anywhere. Apps can even notify homeowners and renters about motion sensors that were tripped on the property.

These apps can connect with local police, fire, and medical services for fast responses to an incident. 

Virtual Fashion Assistant

This app allows users to have a personal stylist at their fingertips. Users can input their style preferences and budget, and the app suggests clothing and accessory options for them to purchase.

The app also offers features like personalized recommendations on what to wear based on the user’s current wardrobe. 

Home Maintenance App

This is a must-have app for homeowners and landlords looking to keep track of home maintenance tasks. Users can input the details of their home, including the age and type of appliances, and the app will suggest a personalized maintenance schedule.

Users can also access home maintenance resources and tips, and track their progress as they complete tasks.

Augmented Reality App

Augmented reality apps have been trending upward for quite some time. In fact, augmented reality made our list of the top app development trends of the year. 

That’s because the use cases are so versatile.

We’ve seen augmented reality used in gaming apps like Pokemon Go. They’ve also been used in home furniture apps, letting users see how a couch, desk, or table looks or fits in a space before it’s ordered and delivered. 

You can apply these same concepts to nearly any type of business and create an app that leverages AR technology.

Music Streaming App

If you have a band or make music, you can make your own app to showcase your portfolio. This app allows users to stream their favorite music from a library of songs. Users can create personalized playlists, discover new artists, and listen to curated radio stations.

The app can also offer features like offline listening and the ability to create and share playlists with friends.

Dating App

A modern dating app can help users find potential romantic matches in their area. Users create a profile, input their preferences, and the app suggests compatible matches. 

To stand out from other popular dating apps on the market, consider going after a smaller niche market.

The app also offers messaging and video chat features to allow users to get to know each other before meeting in person.

Digital Receipt App

Here’s an innovative app idea that can benefit business users and general consumers alike.

Help your target audience get better control over their finances with digital receipts. They can simply take a picture of a physical receipt or download copies of digital receipts and store everything within the app. 

It’s a great way for people to track spending, separate personal spending from business purchases, create an expense report, and stay organized if they’re audited. 

Tourist Helper App

This is one of my favorite app ideas for startups. 

You can create a completely new business from scratch by targeting tourism in different areas. The app can serve as a digital itinerary for travelers both domestically and overseas. 

People can use it for something simple like finding a restaurant or museum on a weekend getaway. Or they can use it to map out a backpacking trip across Europe. 

Pet Sitting App

This app allows users to find and book trusted pet sitters in their area. Users can add their pet’s details, including breed, age, and any special needs, and the app will suggest compatible sitters.

You can even include features like messaging, scheduling, and payment through the app, as well as the ability to rate and review sitters.

Virtual Party Planning App

You can create a mobile app for planning and hosting virtual parties, including birthdays, baby showers, and holiday gatherings. Users can invite guests, set a theme, and access a range of party resources, including games, activities, and recipes.

Access and add features like virtual backgrounds and the ability to record and share the event.

Education App

There are dozens of use cases for educational apps.

You can create an app for schools and universities, language learning app, or use apps to teach users new skills. 

E-learning is trending upward. Apps can be used to facilitate tests, share video instructions, access documents and learning materials, and create a digital community for learners. 

Disaster Management App

Disasters often happen unexpectedly. 

You can create a mobile app that helps people prepare for disasters, so they’re not scrambling when an unexpected event occurs. 

This is definitely one of the more brilliant app ideas for commercial use. We’ve seen these types of apps built first-hand here at BuildFire. You can read our Disaster Hawk case study to get inspiration and see how one app was used to help small businesses prepare for emergencies in the workplace. 

eBook Reader App

This app allows users to access a library of ebooks and audiobooks from their smartphone or tablet. Users can purchase books or rent them for a limited time and can customize the font, size, and theme of the app to their preferences.

The app also offers features like bookmarking, highlighting, and note-taking to help users engage with the material.

Job Search App

This intuitive mobile app makes it easy for people to find job opportunities in their field or location. Users can input their skills, experience, and desired salary, and the app suggests relevant job openings.

It should also include mobile resources like resume templates, interview tips, and salary negotiation guidance to help users land their dream job.

Social Networking App

You don’t need to be the next Facebook or Instagram to create a social media app.

Instead, you can focus on a niche community or group to target a more specific audience. For example, maybe you want to create a social networking app that’s specifically for bird watchers. Or maybe you have an awesome app idea for gardening that you can turn into a social network. 

Check out this story of Daylyy—a new type of social media concept that was created with BuildFire. 

Motivation App

Everyone needs a little motivation from time to time.

You can use an app to deliver daily words of inspiration or inspiration on-demand for your user base. 

This is another example of an app that we’ve seen succeed in the past. 

See how a solo entrepreneur used BuildFire to create PepTalks—a mobile app that reaches thousands of people around the world and earns recurring revenue by providing motivation. 

Interior Design App

This app is perfect for those looking to redecorate or redesign their home. It offers a range of interior design templates and tools, including a 3D design feature to visualize changes.

For instance, HomeDesignAI provides an advanced 3D visualization tool that allows you to see how different design elements will look in your space before making any changes.

Users can also access a library of design ideas and inspiration, and connect with professional designers for personalized advice.

It’s also worth noting that this made our list of the best business ideas for women entrepreneurs.

Virtual Tour App

You can create an app that offers virtual tours of museums, landmarks, and other tourist attractions from the comfort of home. Users can access high-quality 360-degree imagery and detailed information about the sites they are visiting.

The app also offers features like guided tours and the ability to save and share favorite tours.

Virtual Shopping App

Mobile shopping has become the new normal.

If you currently have a retail store or ecommerce site, you need to create a mobile app to improve the user experience. This will help you increase sales and reduce cart abandonment rates. 

Check out our in-depth guide on the top reasons why you need an ecommerce app. You can also click here to learn more about the BuildFire ecommerce app builder. 

Anti Smartphone Addiction App

The average smartphone user checks their phone 150 times per day. 75% of people even admit to using their phones while driving. A whopping 47% of parents say their kids are addicted to their smartphones. 

You can create an app that monitors smartphone activity, helping people track how much time they’re spending on their devices and preventing people from overusing them.

The app can be used to set time restrictions and send users alerts when they’ve used their phone too frequently or have the screen on for an extended period of time. 

Mood Monitoring App

Mental health is a priority for millions of people worldwide. 

You can create a simple mood monitoring app for people to check in on themselves. They can record their feelings, take notes, and see how their mood progresses over the course of days, weeks, months, and even years.

This type of app can also offer tips, best practices, and methods for improving your mood. With a no code development platform, you can build and launch a mood monitoring app in weeks.

Virtual Art Gallery App

Provide mobile access to a range of virtual art exhibits and exhibitions from around the world. Users can browse artwork by artist, style, or location, and can save and share their favorites.

The app also offers features like guided tours and the ability to purchase artwork directly through the app.

Eco-Friendly Lifestyle App

This app helps users make more eco-friendly choices in their daily lives. It offers tips and resources on how to reduce waste, conserve energy, and live sustainably.

Users can also track their progress and set goals to help them stay on track.

Gift Delivery App

There are countless occasions where giving gifts is appropriate.

From birthdays to holidays, Mother’s Day, engagements, weddings, graduations, special achievements—the list goes on and on. People even like to give “get well” gifts and send gifts randomly to family and friends. 

But if you don’t live within a reasonable driving distance of the person you’re gifting, this can be a challenge. You have to rely on regular online shopping, which just isn’t quite the same as having a gift delivered in person.

A gift delivery app would operate similarly to a food delivery app. App users can simply select gifts from local stores and get them sent to the recipient in person. Regardless of each party’s location, a courier will hand a gift to the recipient. 

Charity Donation App

Collecting donations for a charity is easier if people can pay using their smartphones. 

Most people aren’t carrying much cash with them anymore. Even fewer people are carrying checkbooks. 

So charity collections outside of local grocery stores and events aren’t keeping up with modern technology trends. 

But a charity donation app solves this problem. You can collect donations by letting people scan a QR code in person to give money. Apps can also facilitate recurring donations from your users—automatically. 

Goal Tracking App

People are 42% more likely to achieve their goals if they’re written down. 

But what’s better than writing goals down? Using a mobile app to track and manage everything.

You can create an app that lets people track both short-term and long-term goals. They can add a goal in the app and monitor progress along the way. Each goal can even contain a checklist or milestone achievements that users can check off in real-time as they’re accomplished.

This can be used for personal goals, professional goals, education goals, fitness goals, and more. The possibilities here are endless. 

Meditation and Mindfulness App

Offer guided meditation and mindfulness exercises to help users reduce stress and improve their mental health. Users can choose from a variety of themes and durations, and can track their progress over time.

You can add features like daily reminders and a journaling function to help users incorporate mindfulness into their daily routines.

Gardening App

This app is perfect for green thumbs or those looking to get into gardening. It offers tips and advice on how to care for a variety of plants, including information on watering, fertilizing, and pruning.

Users can also create a virtual garden and track the progress of their real-life plants, as well as access a library of plant-specific care guides.

Meal Prep and Cooking App

Calling all chefs! This is your chance to share your recipes with the world.

You can create videos and upload instructions for all of your recipes. Categorize your recipes into folders like breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, vegan, gluten-free, pescatarian, keto, and more.

Use this as an opportunity to sell meal plans or create a digital recipe book. You can sell recipes for a one-time fee or offer collections of recipes on-demand for a monthly subscription. 

Real Estate App

You can create a mobile app to manage your real estate business.

Use your real estate agent app to schedule appointments, upload new listings, and add photos and videos of properties. The app can also serve as a contact management solution—a place where all communication is handled.

For property managers, the app can serve as a place to collect rent, manage applications, gather feedback, and handle all maintenance requests. 

If you’re in this industry and on the fence about building an app, you can refer to our guide on the top reasons why you need a real estate app for more information.

Pet Care Mobile Apps

This is a must-have mobile app for pet owners. It offers tips on how to care for a variety of pets, including information on feeding, grooming, and training.

You can provide quick access to a library of pet-specific care guides and let users create a profile for their own pets, including information on their breed, age, and medical history.

Virtual Event App

With the rise of remote work, virtual events have become more popular than ever. This app allows users to host and attend virtual events, including conferences, workshops, and networking events.

The app can display a calendar of upcoming events, event registration, and the ability to participate in live sessions and breakout rooms.

Tip Calculator App

Create an app that lets users calculate tips automatically. People can scan a receipt, and the tip calculator can take care of the rest.

This is also great for situations when you’re dining with a large group of people, since everyone has their mobile phones with them when they’re out to eat.

The app can calculate what everyone owes based on what they ordered and automatically include the tip amount for each person or group at the table. 

Final Thoughts

Great mobile app ideas may seem hard to come by. But there are tons of trending app ideas that you can use to make money.

Use this guide as inspiration and motivation for the next great mobile app idea.

Once you’ve narrowed down an idea, you still need to validate it. Check out our guide on how to validate your app idea and turn it into a reality. 

From there, you can follow our step-by-step tutorial on how to create an app. 

Sign up for a 14-day free trial to get started with BuildFire—the world’s most powerful app builder for iOS and Android.

At one time, social media consisted of just a handful of sites. Over time, however, numerous niche and specialty social media sites have proliferated, giving consumers more choices. The same is true of mobile app stores.

App creators and consumers no longer find themselves limited to the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store. Many other options and alternative app stores exist, and since such app stores are smaller than the Big Two, apps prove far more discoverable via these platforms.

Mobile app stores designed for specific niches and industries or for particular markets deserve your attention if you want more app downloads and better visibility. No matter the nature of your app, you want people to use it and interact with your brand.

Unfortunately, many mobile app stores have shut down over the last few years, creating confusion among both brands and consumers. That’s why we need an updated mobile app stores list so you know where to reach consumers in 2024. Continue reading “Ultimate Mobile App Stores List (2024)”

With over 6.3 billion smartphone users across the world, it’s no surprise that the mobile app industry is thriving. App usage and smartphone penetration are still growing at a steady rate, without any signs of slowing down in the foreseeable future.

Now factor in the 1.14 billion tablet users worldwide, which a number that’s grown about 36% over the past six years.

If you take a second to look up from your phone during the day, I’m sure you’ll notice that everyone else has their eyes glued to a mobile device as well.

In fact, studies show that the average American checks their phone 262 times per day! That’s once every 5.5 minutes.

We use our phones at work, at home, on the street, while we’re eating, in bed, and even in our cars. You might be reading this from a mobile device right now.

What’s everyone doing on their phones? Well, 88% of mobile time is spent on apps.

This is encouraging news for app developers, app publishers, and anyone who plans on developing an app. But in order to be successful in this space, two things need to happen.

1. Users need to download your app.
2. Users need to use your app.

These two seemingly simple actions are what inspired me to write this guide. Sure, we know that people are using apps more than ever before. But that’s just barely scratching the surface in terms of the available data on this usage. You can’t develop an app based on this information alone.

That’s like saying, “People like to eat, so I’m going to open a restaurant.”

If you want to compete and claim your share of this multi-billion dollar industry, you need to have a better understanding of exactly how people are downloading and using mobile apps.

Use the research that I’ve identified in this guide to help you develop or improve your mobile app.

Continue reading “Mobile App Download Statistics & Usage Statistics (2024)”

In today’s highly competitive mobile app market, creating a user-friendly app that stands out is crucial for success. One of the most important aspects of any app’s success is its user onboarding process. 

User onboarding helps new users understand the app, along with its features and how the app can benefit them. Onboarding sets the foundation for a lasting relationship between the user and the app—which is essential for achieving long-term success. 

In this blog post, we’ll discuss the importance of user onboarding for mobile apps, best practices for creating an effective onboarding experience, collecting and analyzing user feedback, measuring success, common onboarding mistakes to avoid, and more. 

Whether you currently have a mobile app or you’re in the process of creating one, this comprehensive guide will provide you with valuable insights and actionable tips to improve your app’s user onboarding process. This will ultimately help enhance user satisfaction and boost retention rates.

Understanding User Onboarding

Before we delve into the best practices for creating a smooth onboarding experience, it’s essential to understand what user onboarding is and why it’s vital for your mobile app’s success. In this section, we’ll explore the definition of user onboarding, its goals, and its importance in the world of mobile apps.

What is User Onboarding?

User onboarding is the process of guiding new users through your app while helping them understand its value, features, and functionality. This process typically begins the moment a user downloads and installs your app, and it continues until they’ve become comfortable navigating the app and utilizing its core features. 

The onboarding experience varies depending on the app’s complexity and the user’s familiarity with similar apps. However, the primary aim remains the same—to provide a seamless introduction and pave the way for users to achieve their desired outcomes with minimal friction.

Goals of User Onboarding

The main goal of user onboarding is to help new users feel confident in using your app, so they continue coming back to it over and over again in the future. But there are several other objectives to keep in mind when designing the onboarding experience. 

A successful onboarding process should:

• Educate users about the app’s core features and benefits
• Demonstrate the value your app provides
• Foster user engagement from the beginning
• Reduce the learning curve for new users
• Encourage user retention and long-term loyalty
• Motivate users to sign up and create an account or profile

Certain apps may have use-case-specific goals based on the app type or business model. Some of you may want users to complete a desired action during the onboarding process. 

For example, an ecommerce mobile app may want new users to activate a promo code or complete a checkout process from where they started shopping elsewhere. 

Importance of User Onboarding For Mobile App Success

User onboarding is a critical component in the success of any mobile app. A well-executed onboarding process can lead to higher user engagement, increased satisfaction, and improved retention rates. Conversely, a poor onboarding experience can result in users abandoning the app and opting for a competitor’s solution.

Onboarding is the first impression users have of your app, and it sets the tone for their entire experience. By investing time and resources in crafting an effective onboarding process, you’ll ensure that users can quickly understand and appreciate your app’s value. This helps increase the likelihood that they’ll become loyal, long-term users. 

Furthermore, a positive onboarding experience can lead to user referrals, further expanding your app’s user base and overall success.

Best Practices for User Onboarding

Now that we understand the importance of user onboarding for mobile app success, let’s dive into some best practices to ensure your app provides an exceptional onboarding experience for your users. By following these guidelines, you’ll create a smooth, user-friendly process that encourages engagement, satisfaction, and long-term loyalty.

Simplify the sign-up process

An intuitive sign-up process is crucial for user onboarding. You can streamline the process by incorporating these elements:

• Social media login options — Enable users to sign up using their social media accounts, such as Facebook, Google, or Twitter. This reduces friction and makes it quicker for users to get started.
• Minimal required information — Request only the most essential information during sign-up. Too many fields can overwhelm users and lead to abandonment.
• Quick and easy verification process — Keep the verification process simple and quick, such as sending a confirmation email or text message with a one-time code.

Personalize the user experience

A tailored experience can significantly enhance user engagement and satisfaction. Here are some quick ways you can personalize the experience for app users:

• User preferences — Allow users to set their preferences during the onboarding process. This can include language, notification settings, or content preferences.
• Tailored content — Display content relevant to individual users based on their preferences, location, or previous interactions with the app.
• In-app messaging and notifications — Send personalized messages and notifications to users that are relevant to their interests or app usage patterns.

Utilize progressive onboarding

Progressive onboarding is an approach that introduces features and functionality to users as they become relevant during app usage. You can achieve this by:

• Introducing features in context — Instead of overwhelming users with all features at once, introduce them when they’re relevant to the user’s actions or when the user encounters the feature for the first time.
• Breaking down complex tasks — Divide complicated tasks into smaller, manageable steps. This approach makes it easier for users to understand and complete the task at hand.
• Encouraging exploration —  Allow users to discover additional features and functionality as they navigate your app. This can create a sense of accomplishment and deepen their engagement with your app.

Provide a clear and concise app tour

An effective app tour can quickly familiarize users with your app’s features and functionality. Keep these points in mind when designing your tour:

• Highlight key features — Focus on showcasing the most important and useful features of your app. Avoid overloading users with too much information.
• Use visual aids — Utilize images, animations, or short videos to demonstrate how your app works. Visual aids can make it easier for users to understand and remember key features.
• Offer an option to skip the tour — Some users may prefer to explore your app independently. Provide an option to skip the tour for those who want to dive right in.

How to Measure the Success of Mobile App User Onboarding

After implementing the best practices for user onboarding, it’s essential to evaluate the effectiveness of your approach. In this section, we’ll discuss how to measure the success of your mobile app’s onboarding process and make data-driven improvements for an even better user experience.

Collect user feedback

Gathering user feedback is essential for identifying areas of improvement in your onboarding process. You can collect feedback through various channels, including:

• In-app surveys — Integrate short surveys or questionnaires within your app to gather feedback on specific features or the overall onboarding experience.
• App store reviews — Monitor user reviews on app stores, as they often provide valuable insights into user experiences and pain points.
• Social media and forums — Keep an eye on social media platforms and online forums to identify user concerns, feedback, and suggestions for improvement.

Review user feedback

Once you’ve collected user feedback, it’s crucial to analyze the information and use it to enhance your onboarding process:

• Identify patterns and trends — Look for recurring themes or common issues mentioned by users to pinpoint areas that need improvement.
• Prioritize improvements — Rank potential improvements based on their impact on the overall user experience and allocate resources accordingly.
• Implement changes — Make necessary changes to your onboarding process based on the insights gained from user feedback, and monitor the results.

Establish KPIs to track

To measure the effectiveness of your onboarding process, establish key performance indicators (KPIs) that reflect your goals. Some important KPIs for user onboarding success include:

• Activation rate — Percentage of users who complete the onboarding process and engage with your app’s core features.
• Time to first key action — Time it takes for users to perform their first meaningful action within your app, such as making a purchase or completing a task.
• Retention rate —  Percentage of users who continue using your app after a specific period, typically 7, 30, or 90 days.

Analyze KPIs

Monitoring and analyzing your KPIs is crucial for evaluating the success of your onboarding process and identifying areas for improvement:

• Establish benchmarks — Set targets or industry benchmarks for your KPIs to help gauge the effectiveness of your onboarding process.
• Monitor progress — Regularly track your KPIs to identify trends, areas of success, and opportunities for improvement.
• Compare to industry standards — Compare your KPIs to industry standards or competitor data to understand how your onboarding process performs relative to others in your market.

Common User Onboarding Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Creating an effective onboarding process is not without its challenges. There are some common pitfalls that app developers may encounter when designing their onboarding experience. 

We’ll discuss some of these mistakes and how to avoid them in greater detail below. This will help you ensure a seamless and engaging user onboarding journey.

Overloading users with information

One common mistake is inundating users with too much information during the onboarding process. While it’s crucial to educate users about your app’s features and benefits, overwhelming them can lead to confusion and frustration. To avoid this, focus on introducing the most important features first and gradually introduce additional functionality as the user becomes more comfortable with the app.

Utilize progressive onboarding to help users learn about your app at their own pace. By breaking down complex tasks into smaller steps and introducing features when they’re relevant, you can reduce the cognitive load on users and provide a more enjoyable onboarding experience.

You should also make use of visual aids such as images, animations, or videos to demonstrate how your app works. Visuals can make complex concepts easier to understand and remember—ultimately reducing the amount of text users need to read.

Ignoring user feedback

User feedback is invaluable for identifying areas of improvement, as it provides insights into the real-world experiences and pain points of your users. Ignoring feedback can lead to missed opportunities for enhancing your onboarding process and overall user experience.

Implement various channels to collect user feedback. Try a mix of in-app surveys, app store reviews, and social media monitoring tactics. You should regularly analyze the feedback you receive to identify trends, patterns, and areas where users are encountering difficulties.

Prioritize improvements based on the impact they’ll have on the user experience and allocate resources accordingly. By continually refining your onboarding process based on user feedback, you’ll ensure that your app evolves with the needs and expectations of its users.

Neglecting personalization

Failing to personalize the onboarding experience is another mistake that can hinder user engagement and satisfaction. A one-size-fits-all approach may not resonate with all users—as their preferences, needs, and familiarity with your app can vary significantly. Personalization can help users feel more connected to your app and increase the likelihood that they’ll continue to engage with it over time.

To combat this problem, try to incorporate personalization into your onboarding process. Allow users to set preferences, so you can tailor content based on their interests or previous interactions. You can also send personalized in-app messages and notifications to new users. 

Remember that personalization doesn’t need to be overly complex. Even simple adjustments, like addressing users by their first name or offering customized content suggestions, can make a significant difference in how users perceive and interact with your app. This will help you create a more engaging and enjoyable onboarding experience that caters to the unique needs and preferences of your users.

Final Thoughts

Creating an effective user onboarding experience is vital for the success of your mobile app. By focusing on simplifying the sign-up process, providing a concise app tour, personalizing the user experience, and utilizing progressive onboarding, you can significantly enhance user engagement and satisfaction. 

Pay close attention to user feedback and monitor your KPIs. This will allow you to make data-driven improvements to your onboarding process, ensuring that it remains relevant and effective as your app and user base evolve.

Remember that a great user onboarding experience is not just about educating users about your app’s features. It should also make them feel welcomed, valued, and connected to your brand. By prioritizing the needs and preferences of your users, you can create an onboarding journey that encourages long-term loyalty and contributes to the overall success of your mobile app.

With the ever-increasing demand for mobile apps, creating your own app has become easier than ever before. But with so many app building websites out there, it can be difficult to know which one to choose—and that’s why we’ve created this guide.

Based on our knowledge of the app development industry, our team scoured the internet and gathered reviews from experts and real users alike to bring you our top picks for the best app building sites. 

Whether you’re an individual looking to create a simple app, or a business in need of a full-scale mobile solution, we’ve got you covered. So let’s dive in and find the perfect app building site for you.

1. BuildFire

BuildFire is the best app building site on the market today—and for good reason. It comes with a wide range of features and functions to help users create mobile apps for their businesses without any coding experience or technical knowledge.

What sets BuildFire apart from other app building sites is its ease of use and flexibility. You’ll never outgrow the platform, and the possibilities for what you can build are virtually limitless. 

More than 10,000+ mobile apps for iOS and Android have been created with BuildFire.

Getting started is a breeze. Just select a professionally-designed template in your app category, and start customizing it from there. You can add features to your app with a single click. There are over 150+ plugins to choose from in the BuildFire Marketplace, and those options are constantly expanding.  

You can easily integrate third-party services like social media, e-commerce, and messaging. You’ll also have access to user management features, app analytics, and push notifications. Plus, with its scalable cloud infrastructure, BuildFire can handle apps of any size or complexity—ensuring that your app will perform well even as your business grows.

Beyond its core app building tool, BuildFire offers something you won’t find from other app building sites on the market. You’ll also have access to app developers, designers, and professional expertise. 

So if you want help getting the app off the ground, BuildFire’s setup and design team can handle that for you. Once the app is built and live, they’ll hand you the keys to the kingdom so you can make any minor tweaks or adjustments on your own. 

BuildFire is unlike any other app building website out there. If you’re building an app for your business, it’s a no-brainer choice. Start your 14-day free trial today.

2. Zoho Creator

Zoho Creator is a popular app building site that’s best known for its low-code development capabilities. 

One of the key benefits of Zoho Creator is its ability to integrate with other Zoho applications, such as Zoho CRM and Zoho Books. This allows businesses to create seamless workflows between tools they’re already using—streamlining their processes and increasing their efficiency. 

It’s worth noting that as a low-code platform, Zoho Creator requires some level of technical experience to use effectively. While the interface makes app building accessible to a wider audience, some level of coding and technical knowledge is still necessary to create apps with this tool. This means that businesses without a dedicated technical team may struggle to fully leverage the platform’s capabilities.

If you’re already using lots of Zoho products, this can help extend the functionality of those tools. Just make sure you carefully evaluate your in-house technical capabilities before committing to the platform, as it may not be the right fit for everyone.

3. AppMaster

AppMaster is a versatile app building site that is well-suited for creating both mobile and web applications. While the platform offers the ability to create mobile apps, its web app building capabilities are where it really shines. 

With its drag-and-drop interface and comprehensive toolset, AppMaster provides users with everything they need to create fully-functional web apps quickly and easily.

One of the standout features of AppMaster is its responsive design capabilities. It ensures that web apps are optimized for any device, regardless of screen size. This can be a huge advantage for businesses looking to create a seamless user experience across multiple platforms.

AppMaster also has a wide range of pre-built templates and design elements to help users get started quickly. From customizable forms and templates to advanced integrations with third-party services, the platform makes it easy to create a professional-looking web app that meets your specific needs.

It’s worth noting that AppMaster.io may not be the best fit for businesses with complex app development needs. While the platform offers a range of features and tools, its capabilities are not as extensive as other app building sites on the market. 

4. AppsGeyser

AppsGeyser is an app building site that focuses exclusively on the creation of Android apps. While this can be a good option for individuals looking to create a simple app for personal use, the platform is not well-suited for businesses,

The platform is designed to be user-friendly and easy to use, which is great for beginners. But it also means that the platform can be quite limited in terms of what it can do. 

While the platform may be suitable for hobbyists looking to create simple apps, it is not well-suited for businesses looking to create a large-scale application with complex features and integrations. This may limit the platform’s potential for businesses that are looking to expand their app offerings in the future.

Despite these limitations, AppsGeyser can still be a good option for individuals looking to create a simple Android app for personal use. With its easy-to-use interface and a range of pre-built templates, the platform provides a straightforward way to create basic apps without the need for extensive technical knowledge. 

It’s worth noting that AppsGeyser does offer some options for monetization. One way to monetize your app is through ads, which can be integrated into your app using AppsGeyser’s ad network. However, it’s important to keep in mind that AppsGeyser takes a 50% cut of any ad revenue generated through their network, which is significantly higher than you’ll find almost anywhere else.

5. SellMyApp

SellMyApp is unique compared to other app building sites on the market. 

You can use it to access app templates and gaming templates to create your own app. But as the name implies, it also acts as a marketplace for selling your apps and source code.

Beginners can use it to access game templates. But developers can also use this site to earn some cash. Just be aware that you can earn up to 70% commissions for selling through this marketplace—meaning SellMyApp is going to take a hefty fee for its role in the transaction. 

SellMyApp is primarily geared towards creating gaming apps, and may not be the best choice for businesses or individuals looking to create apps for other purposes. It’s also worth noting that while the templates can be easily customized, they may not provide the flexibility required to create truly unique and innovative apps.

6. Appsmakerstore

AppsMakerStore is a UK-based app building site that allows users to create apps without needing extensive technical knowledge or experience. With its user-friendly platform, the site is a great option for businesses and individuals looking to create CMS apps quickly and easily.

One of the standout features of AppsMakerStore is its user interface, which is intuitive and easy to use. The platform offers a drag-and-drop builder, allowing users to easily create and edit app content without needing any coding experience. 

The app building site also offers a wide range of customization options, including the ability to add multimedia content, such as images, videos, and audio files.

7. Alpha Software

Alpha Software is a company that offers a range of low-code development solutions, including the popular Alpha Anywhere product. With Alpha Anywhere, developers can create web and mobile applications using low-code technology.

It combines low-code skills with no-code features to streamline the development process. 

While Alpha Anywhere is a powerful tool, it may not be the best choice for those with no technical experience. 

The platform is designed for developers and may require some level of coding knowledge to fully utilize its capabilities. It essentially offers developers a way to create web apps faster than they would if they were coding from scratch. 

8. AppQuantum

AppQuantum is an app building site that empowers developers interested in building gaming apps. 

If you already have a game, they can help you scale and provide feedback. If you have a studio, AppQuantum helps you create a new game from scratch using its co-development model. 

The co-development brings you through game design documentation, prototype testing, and MVPs before a soft launch. 

This site is designed to help game developers beyond the app development process through creative production, ASO, performance marketing, ad monetization, and more. 

It’s a really use-case-specific solution. So if you’re not a developer building games, you’ll need to look at other app building sites on the market. 

9. URL Genius

URL Genius is not a full-scale app development solution. Instead, it’s an app building site that’s focused on helping marketers with sales and installations.

The site specializes in app linking and deep linking. You can use it to create unique web URLs for links that can open either directly in an app installed or without an app installed. 

You can set these links to open apps like Facebook, YouTube, Spotify, Amazon, and more. 

Think of this like an advanced UTM tracking feature, but within apps. They also help create QR codes for marketing purposes. 

10. Linx

Linx enables developers to build and host APIs. It’s a low-code development solution that helps you create apps without the need for frameworks and infrastructure. 

You can use it to build backend web apps, backend processors, Webhooks endpoints, microservices, and more. 

Linx ranks tenth on our list due to its complexity. It’s more of a low-code IDE instead of a traditional app building site. 

While you’re not necessarily coding everything from scratch, you still need development skills. Furthermore, the use cases for what you’re building on Linx are definitely geared toward developers. You’ll be using it to extend the functionality of another software or solve problems for other web apps. 

How to Find the Best App Building Site For You

As you can see from the options reviewed above, app building sites come in all different shapes and sizes. So as you’re shopping around and comparing different options, make sure to keep the following considerations in mind:

Mobile vs. Web

Right off the bat, the first thing you should do is decide whether you’re building a mobile app or a web app. The best app building sites focus on one or the other.

While it’s possible to find solutions that offer both, it’s better to go with a site that specializes in what you’re building. 

If you’re creating a mobile app, make sure you find a site that lets you build for iOS and Android. Some of the tools on our list are only compatible with Android apps, which will limit what you can do post-launch. 

No-Code vs. Low-Code Development

While they might sound similar, no code and low code are not interchangeable. Your technical expertise will determine whether a no-code builder or low-code builder is right for you.

As the name implies, no-code app sites don’t require any coding. This means that you don’t need any technical knowledge to create your app.

Conversely, low-code solutions require development skills. You won’t be coding from scratch. But you still need to have basic programming skills to get the most out of those tools. 

Additional Reading: Low-Code/No-Code App Development: What’s the Difference?

Business vs. Personal

Some app building sites are great for people who just want to build apps for fun. If you’re building an app for yourself or as a hobby, those will be fine.

But the hobbyist app builders won’t work for business users. 

Most of those tools won’t offer the features you need to succeed with your customers. The features will be limited, and the final product likely won’t be as user-friendly. App performance is also something you need to evaluate here. So if you’re a business user, make sure the site you choose can truly accommodate what you need. 

App Development Services

Most app building sites are DIY tools. They enable you to create an app on your own, exactly as described.

But the best app building sites also offer professional services. BuildFire is the best example for this consideration.

With BuildFire, you have full control if you want to create an app on your own. But if you want a head start, you can reach out to BuildFire’s setup and design team to simplify your development process. They’ll build your app’s core features, and then you can make minor content tweaks as needed post-launch. 

This is perfect for business users who don’t have the time to sit and tinker with an app builder on their own. It’s also ideal if you want to get to market quickly and for a fraction of the cost compared to traditional development. 

Additional Reading: The Value of App Development Services vs. App Builders

Scalability

Look beyond what you need an app for today. Think about when your app scales from 1,000 to 10,000 or 100,000 users. Can the app building site keep up?

You should also consider any features that your app might need down the road. Does the site have those capabilities?

Too many people overlook this when they’re evaluating app building sites. Just because a site has what you need right now, it doesn’t mean it’ll be able to accommodate your needs in a year or two. 

Choosing a platform with limitless scalability and functionality options is crucial for business users. 

Final Thoughts on the Top App Building Sites

BuildFire is the best app building site for the vast majority of users. The platform makes it easy for anyone to create iOS and Android apps without writing a single line of code.

The platform is built to scale, and you’ll never outgrow it.

What really makes BuildFire stand out from the crowd is its app building services paired with the platform. Other solutions on the market offer app development services or DIY builders—but BuildFire offers both. 

Easy enough for beginners but powerful enough for technical users and businesses, BuildFire is truly one of a kind in this space. Start your 14-day free trial today to bring your app idea to life. 

As the app industry grows in popularity, the demand for mobile app development and app-related services has never been higher. 

Mobile apps dominate our day-to-day lives. With the average smartphone owner using 30 different apps per month and millions of apps available for download, the use cases for apps are constantly expanding. 

With a white-label app builder, any agency or business-minded entrepreneur can offer app development services to their clients. 

If you don’t know how app reseller programs work or you’ve never used a white-label app builder, this guide is perfect for you. We’ll answer all of your questions about white-labeling apps. You’ll even learn more about the benefits of white-label app builders and discover the best white-label app builder for your specific needs. 

What is a White Label App?

A white-label mobile app is built by one app development company or developer and then rebranded and resold to others. The app reseller has the ability to brand the white-label app as their own in a way that the final client or end-user doesn’t know the app actually came from somewhere else. 

For example, most restaurant apps and food delivery apps have the same core features. It’s just a matter of updating small changes like the restaurant’s name, menu, hours, and similar details.

Rather than creating a unique app from scratch for every restaurant, a white-label app can be used as an alternative. This is just a generic mobile app that can be completely customized and rebranded for each restaurant that wants an app. 

You can think of a white-label app the same way as a blank t-shirt with a brand’s logo on it. 

Instead of manufacturing their own shirts from scratch, any clothing company can just print their logo on a generic shirt and then resell that shirt to customers. So three different shirts, each with three different brand logos, can all come from the same factory. It’s the exact same shirt. The only difference is the branding.

White labeling, in any industry, lowers the barrier to entry for sellers. You don’t actually need to have a manufacturing facility to sell shirts, nor do you need an app development company to sell apps. White labeling bridges the gap.

What is an App Builder?

An app builder gives anyone the ability to create their own app without any coding skills or technical knowledge. It’s the fastest, easiest, and most-efficient way to build mobile apps without hiring a developer or learning to code. 

App builders use intuitive editors and drag-and-drop software to customize the look and feel of an app without having to worry about the backend technology or code behind it.

All of the technical requirements are handled for you behind the scenes. You can simply use a front-end builder to customize text, add menus, add videos, change the colors, and do everything else that’s required to design and build an app.

Mobile app builders are user-friendly and can be used by anyone with basic computer skills for app development. There’s no specialized training or learning curve required to use an app builder.

Most of the best app builders don’t require any software downloads either. They’re entirely web-based, so you can create an app from scratch directly from your web browser.

What is a White Label App Builder?

A white label app builder is app maker software that’s been rebranded and resold to a third party.

A mobile app reseller can use this technology to offer application development services to clients without actually running the technology. 

For example, let’s say you’re running a marketing agency. Your marketing clients want mobile apps, and you want to provide them with a DIY solution to develop apps on their own.

Instead of creating a new app builder from scratch, you can sign up for a white-label app builder program to rebrand existing software as your own. 

So when your clients log into the app builder to create their app, they’ll only see your logos and branding information. They’ll never know that the software is actually being maintained by a third party. 

You pay a subscription fee to join the white-label program, and your clients pay you a subscription fee to use your app builder. This gives you complete control of your profit margins, making it easy to generate a fast return on your investment. 

White Label App vs. White Label App Builder

White-label apps and white-label app builders might sound like interchangeable terms. But they’re actually different. Let’s take a moment to quickly clarify these differences to ensure you have a complete understanding of how this works.

White-label apps are the final product. They’re mobile applications that can be rebranded and resold to multiple companies or users. 

A white-label app builder is an actual platform. It’s just used to create mobile apps, but it’s not actually a mobile app.

For example, let’s say you want an app for your real estate business. Rather than creating an app on your own, you can just purchase a generic real estate app and rebrand it as your own. That’s a white-label app.

Now let’s say that same real estate company wants to use DIY software to create an app. They do some research and find an online platform—EZ App Maker—that has an online DIY app builder. But EZ App Maker doesn’t actually run or maintain the platform. They get that software from a third party, then rebrand the software as EZ App Maker. The real estate company can still sign up for EZ App Maker and use it to create an app. That’s a white-label app builder. 

Alternatively, we’ll say the real estate company turns to an agency for app development. Rather than employing in-house developers, that agency uses an app maker to create apps for their clients. That’s a white-label app created using a white-label app builder. 

Who Are White Label App Builders For?

There are so many different use cases for white-label apps and white-label app builders. White-label app builders are trusted by agencies, entrepreneurs, high-volume business users, and more.

Below we’ll take a closer look at the top scenarios that white-label app builders are used for. If you fall into one of these scenarios, there’s a good chance that a white-label mobile app builder is right for you.

Scenario #1 — You have an agency and want to offer app development services to your clients

Any existing agency can expand its existing service offerings with a white-label app builder.

Maybe you’re currently offering marketing consulting services, social media management, or SEO services to your clients. But your existing and prospective clients also need mobile apps.

Rather than referring them elsewhere, you can become a white-label app reseller. You’ll use a third-party app builder to create apps for your clients and then deliver completed apps as a final deliverable to those businesses. 

Scenario #2 — Your agency wants to sell DIY app maker subscriptions

Similar to the first scenario, any agency can use a mobile app reseller program to give their clients an app development solution. 

But rather than creating those apps internally with a third-party tool, you’re rebranding and reselling that third-party tool for your clients to use.

Your current and prospective clients can sign up and start using the app builder directly from your website. They’ll only see your logos and pricing information. But the software is actually being maintained by a third party, and you’re acting as the mobile app reseller. 

Scenario #3 — You want to start your own mobile app business

The demand for mobile apps is at an all-time high. Starting a mobile app business is an excellent way to profit in a world where so many organizations have mobile app development needs. 

With a white-label app builder, you don’t need any development skills to launch your company. In fact, you don’t even need to hire any skilled developers. 

You can simply join a white-label reseller program and use that software to create apps for your clients. This is an excellent way for any tech-savvy entrepreneur to earn money as a side hustle or full-blown business. 

Scenario #4 — You need to create lots of mobile apps for your business

Historically, this scenario hasn’t been too common. But there’s definitely an uptick in demand for businesses in this category, especially with more and more organizations relying on citizen developers for mobile app development. 

If your business needs to create multiple mobile apps, a white-label app builder will likely be cheaper than using a regular app maker.

For example, let’s say your team needs to create 12 new mobile apps for different business workflows. A white-label subscription will likely be more cost-effective than 12 different app maker subscriptions. Even though you may not necessarily be rebranding or reselling the apps, you can use some white-label programs to take advantage of bulk discounts on an app maker. 

This option also makes it much easier to manage all of your apps from a single dashboard.

Benefits of Using a White Label App Builder

Let’s take a closer look at the top advantages of white labeling an app builder platform. Regardless of your unique use case or scenario, the benefits below still apply to you.

Cost

Traditional app development has a reputation for being expensive. But app builders make it possible to create an app for a fraction of the cost. 

When you white label an app builder, you’re paying a low monthly fee for the rights to use and resell the service. This makes it really easy for you to offer low development costs to your customers while still turning a substantial profit.

You can usually break even on your investment in a white-label app builder by selling just one or two subscriptions to customers. Plus, offering your white-label app builder as a subscription to your clients is an excellent way to earn recurring revenue for the lifetime of the app.

Speed

White-label app builders help you and your clients get apps to market significantly faster than coding an app from scratch. Some apps can be built in just a couple of weeks as opposed to six months or even a year with traditional development. 

If you’re planning to use a white-label app builder to create apps for your clients, the development process is even faster if you’re landing clients in the same industry.

All you need to do is create one generic app. From there, you can just copy and customize the app based on each client’s branding and specific content requests. But all of the same core features will remain the same. 

Value

App development is in high demand. 

By offering app development services and solutions to your clients, you’re providing tremendous value for real business needs. 

For example, if one of your agency clients is using you for SEO services or marketing consulting, there’s a good chance that app development is on their radar. Rather than having to do more research and get acquainted with a completely new agency, they can get everything they need from you under one roof. 

Low Barrier to Entry to Develop Mobile Apps

White-label app builders are the easiest way for entrepreneurs and agencies to create client apps. 

If you’ve always wanted to build apps for clients but never learned the technical requirements, a white-label app builder is the clear solution. 

Once you find the right app reseller program, it’s just a matter of signing up for the service. From there, all you need to do is handle the marketing side of the equation. All of the technology is handled for you. Just drive clients to your onboarding page, and they’ll be able to create apps on their own using your white-label app builder. It truly doesn’t get much easier.

Scale Revenue Streams

Selling apps does more than meet market demands. It also helps generate new revenue for your business. 

Agencies are built on retention. So the more services that you can provide, the greater chance you have of retaining your clients. 

The great part about a white-label app builder is that you can continue charging a monthly, quarterly, or annual subscription for the service even after the app launches. The app builder still maintains the app post-launch, so you can generate recurring revenue for the lifetime of your customer apps. 

Best White Label App Builder

BuildFire Reseller is the best white-label app builder on the market today. 

It gives you and your clients access to the exact same platform that’s been used to create over 10,000+ mobile apps for the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. 

Unlike cookie-cutter app builders on the market, BuildFire’s white-label app maker offers limitless functionality. 

In addition to 150+ plugins in our feature marketplace, BuildFire Reseller is also developer-friendly. So if your client has a unique request that can’t be accommodated with a plugin, the BuildFire SDK can be used to create custom features. 

As a white-label reseller, you’ll also have complete access to the BuildFire development team. We can create custom plugins and features for your clients, so you don’t have to worry about the technical side of things. We even offer turnkey app build-outs, so you can focus on sales and marketing instead of building apps. 

With BuildFire Reseller, you’re getting a white-label app builder and white-label development service under one roof. Creating custom plans and configurations for your clients is easy, and they’ll never see the BuildFire logos on anything. All they’ll see is your branding, and they’ll never know the platform is being managed by a third party. 

BuildFire also provides training for white labelers and dedicated white label support. We’ll even handle the publishing process when your client apps are complete and ready for launch. 

Ready to get started? Book a reseller demo today!

A general rule of thumb is to spend about as much time promoting your product as you do creating it. If you spent two days writing a blog post, then spend the next two days distributing your blog post in as many outlets as possible.

The same concept can be applied to your mobile app. Months on developing phone apps should translate to months of promotion.

The more you promote your app, the easier and faster the process becomes. We know small businesses do not have a large budget to dedicate to marketing or promotional events. Even those that do have the money may find themselves only having a few channels to promote their content.

This in-depth guide will show your how to market an app and take your app marketing strategy to the next level.

Let’s dive in.

1. Customer Research

Mobile app marketing starts long before you ever bring it to market. Before you start telling your development team to start building out your app with a million different things, reach out to your customers and talk to them.

After all, you want to make sure that whatever you are building, is going to be just right for them.

You can start your market research by first creating a list of every single person you have ever sold to and even those who have only signed up to your newsletter. Send them an email and ask them for 5 or 10 minutes of their time.

Incentivize your customers by offering them a special discount, or some form of educational content. After you have their attention, ask them a few questions to get an idea of what they might be searching for in an app.

You want to understand the expectations your current and potential customers have with your app. In going through this process you will begin to uncover gaps you may have never seen before and you will have successfully built a bridge between yourself and your customers.

By including your customers in the app creation process not only are you subtly promoting your app, but you are making sure that the app you make fits the people you are catering to.

Retain your customers by letting them know about your idea and ask them what they would really like to see in it. How can you make the product more savvy and beneficial for them? Remember, your use base has their own audience (word of mouth) and if you’re able to convince them, you’ll be hitting all the right notes to bolster your success and staying power.

All of your marketing campaigns need to start with effective research. This ensures that you deliver a seamless user experience.

2. Influencer Marketing

Developing honest, authentic, and mutually beneficial relationships with influencers will go a long way in helping to promote your app.

The key to this strategy is finding influencers who align with your user base and target audience. Most social media platforms give influencers data on follower demographics. Installations coming from an influencer campaign are less likely to churn. In addition to social, you should also look for bloggers to partner with and promote your app before its launch.

Leveraging the power of influencers can drive mass amounts of traffic to your mobile. To do this you simply have to go to a website like buzzsumo.com to find a list of relevant influencers in your mobile app’s space.

3. Leverage Your Website

If you have an existing website that is fully functional and mobile-friendly, then your site can be one of the greatest assets to promoting your app. At one point or another, all of your customers or anyone interested in your company will find their way to your website. When they do, it is important they all know you have an app.

Including your app in your site could mean sectioning off a part of your site exclusively for the app. Such as the corner of the screen or towards the middle of the web page. You can even use web push notifications for app promotion.

In addition to including your app on your website, including it in your regularly scheduled blog post is one of the best mobile app promotion strategies you can leverage. You may do so by creating a complete blog post solely about your app or including a call to action at the end of every blog post to invite your viewers to download the app.

When writing the blog post solely about the app, write a complete story about your app and let your target audience know the purpose behind it. Tell them how this app can facilitate and make things easy for them. Include your app links, screenshots and videos to help them get a good understanding.

As mentioned previously in the influencer section of this guide, you can also get bloggers on other websites to build hype for your blog.

4. Email Marketing

Your new app needs to be engraved into every aspect of your marketing, which includes all of your emails. As a business, you will send out countless emails and not including your app in each of those is a missed opportunity.

Any email that is sent out, whether it be from your tech support, your newsletter or even the payment confirmation email should include a footer with one line advertising your app. Include details such as what can be accomplished through the app and a link redirecting towards the download page.

Emails still have their charm provided they’re used under the right circumstances. According to a study by Exact Target, “91% people check their email daily”. Capitalize by incorporating your app links into newsletters, customer service emails and also make it a habit to use it in email signatures.

Example Template:

• Our new app, (Insert app name here), helps you (insert what the app does). Click here (include hyperlink) to check it out!

5. Create a Teaser Video

Videos are an easy way for you to showcase everything your beautiful and well-built app has to offer. For your demo video, create a simple 30 second commercial with the principles of Simon Sinek’s Golden Circle: Why, How, and What.

Once you are finishing creating your demo video, be sure to leverage your social media channels and other platforms to promote your app. Your demo video can be included in your blog post, Instagram, and Youtube channels.

We have included a link to Feicobol’s app demo video we think you would enjoy. May it inspire you to create exceptional demo videos for your customers:

 

6. Consider Alternative App Stores

Do not rely only on Google Play and the App Store; there are various other app stores on the online market where you can upload your app.

According to One Platform Foundation, if an app is submitted on other relatively less popular stores, it will increase the expected downloads 200% more compared to Google Play.

These are some very good app stores that you should consider, and they’re growing in the mobile app market.

• GetJar
• SlideMe
• Opera Mobile Store
• AppsLib
• Amazon Appstore
• AppBrain

Remember, the app market is bigger than those two popular stores. Expanding your reach can make it easier for you to drive in-app purchases as well.

7. Apply for Awards

Participating in app awards can give you tons of press, exposure, reviews and plenty of downloads. Although the chances of winning very much depend on your pitch and app idea, however, if you manage to get things right the first time, you can expect to enjoy a little stardom.

These are some of the most famous app awards sites:

• Appy Awards
• Best App Ever Awards
• AppCircus competition
• Apple Design Awards
• Appsters Awards
• Ericsson Application Awards
• The Webby Awards
• Best Mobile App Awards
• OZApp

8. SEO Matters Here

Yes, I’m talking about SEO not ASO… what happens is your app URL shows up in search results when users key-in related queries; for example when they look up music apps, you want your app to start popping up among the first 5 entries or so, before users hit Enter.

All you need to do is identify “best-targeted” and most relevant keywords that you want to rank for. Also analyze which keywords your app is currently ranking for, build some quality links accordingly to boost rankings.

For this purpose, try these two awesome tools.

• MobileDevHQ
• SearchMan

This is obviously an overly simplified explanation of SEO. You can refer to Google’s SEO Starter Guide for more depth.

9. Reach Out Like Mr. Fantastic

Don’t rely on App Stores alone. Explore Google’s search engine and believe me it can do wonders for your app.

Let’s say your app is related to music; Google the term “best music android apps” and see what results you get.

Out of these 5 top results, at least 4 of them are high authority blogs that can be contacted to your app featured. If you get this shot, you can kill more than a few birds with one stone. Getting your app featured offers long-term benefits such as:

• Exposure
• Targeted Traffic
• Powerful Link-building
• Rating & Reviews

10. Choose the Right Social Media Platforms

Increase your visibility on social media groups and communities, especially Linkedin, and Facebook, to become better known among entrepreneurs and app developers.

Ask for their feedback on your app and give them free promo codes to try it out. Discuss current features, bug fixes, future updates and value their opinion.

You can build great relationships with them which might present the opportunity to cross-promote each other’s apps without spending a cent.

11. Create An Eye-Catching App Icon

With over 1.6 million apps in the Google Play Store and 1.5 million in the App Store, there’s a lot of noise in any category you choose you to have your app in. Due to that noise, many people choose to take interest in apps, only when the app icon entices them.

To make your app icon stand out, it should:

1. Have a unique shape that stands out
2. Have a limited pallet of colors – 2 is enough to create contrast
3. Avoid using a photo – it blends in too much!
4. Avoid a lot of text, it’s barely readable anyways
5. Be creative!

Testing your app icon out on a dozen different wallpapers also doesn’t hurt.

Here are some great examples of great app icons

You’ll notice Squarewallet really stands out by using a simple design but a great use of color to almost make it look like a hologram.

In this image you can see how some top apps make use of a simple pallet of colors to make their icons stand out and build a recognizable brand.

Finally, some of the most popular mobile apps with a great take on the idea of leveraging a logo icon over text.

12. Take Great Screenshots

Just taking a screenshot of your app and dropping it in the app store, while simple, does a really poor job of getting across what you’re trying to show that potential user.

Adding captions and adding more visual elements to your screenshots is the best way to turn a boring app, into a high download winner.

Take Uber for example:

Uber’s app page is able to put you in a scenario where just by looking at the screenshots, you can fully understand the features offered within that app. It makes it a simple choice to download or not to download.

13. App Store Optimization (ASO)

App store optimization (ASO) is, at its core, search engine optimization (SEO) for the Google Play and App Store. Just like search engine optimization, app store optimization focuses on keyword relevance, search relevance and the keyword density in your description.

With almost half of iPhone users in the US finding apps through search, your app description is one of the most important things you can focus on in your mobile app marketing efforts.

It’s also really easy to get started with competitor research through platforms like App Annie where you can search something like “healthy recipes for women” and see what apps show up and their ranking.

We wrote an entire article just about how app store optimization works. In it we run through why it’s important and how to get your app listing optimized.

14. Build A Great App Landing Page

A great landing page is must-have for any business, even if you don’t have a mobile app. Having a great landing page is like always having a great business card, just in case you ever need it, it’s good to have with you.

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