More recently, mobile versions of websites were considered a secondary resource with dubious value and limited capabilities. Considering that phones 4-5 years ago, for the most part, could not boast of large screens and power, it was much more convenient for users to work with full-fledged desktop web pages.
However, now it is impossible to imagine any serious Internet resource without a mobile version. Moreover, every year users are increasingly accessing the Internet from mobile devices. The graph, compiled by specialists from the analytical resource StatCounter, shows that the volume of Internet surfing on smartphones and tablets over the past year has grown from 41 to 53%, with a similar drop in desktop versions.
Development mobile technologies led to another interesting trend. Previously, developers of mobile websites and applications were clearly separated from ordinary users and formed a kind of closed caste. However, in 2017, thanks to flexible and convenient tools for development, many users without special technical education can feel like real programmers. The friendly and responsive Android mobile environment, easy-to-learn templates and a little practice will help you create a website or application on Android without much difficulty.
In our article we will look at how to make a website on Android, develop an application using special designers, as well as ways to adapt a desktop site to mobile devices.
It is worth noting that for the full development of mobile sites and applications, it is advisable to master at least basic principles main programming languages PHP, CSS, JS, HTML and JSON. The first steps in this direction are best taken with the help of online tutorials and special video tutorials on YouTube, for example, on the channel GeekBrains.
Applications for creating websites on Android
In the digital store Google Play There are several free, convenient applications that you can use to create a mobile website. Many of them are essentially text editors for advanced programmers. However, we have found several programs that even those who are just starting to “pump up” their web development skills can gradually master.
Popular text editor for developing websites on Android, optimized for mobile devices. The application is based on a regular virtual notepad, which is complemented by numerous programming tools.
Main features of the application:
- Convenient code editor with syntax highlighting;
- The program is designed for more than 40 programming languages;
- Fast work with large text files;
- Unlimited rollback and redo steps;
- Intuitive code editing;
- Vertical and horizontal scrolling;
- Quickly search for the desired section of code;
- Changing encoding; Synchronization with “clouds”.
Testers this application They joke that QuickEdit can be used like a regular notepad, for example, for a list of products in a store, from which you can eventually build a real mobile site.
Android Web Developer is able to turn a smartphone into a full-fledged tool for creating a mobile website. The application's clear and responsive environment is suitable for both beginners and experienced programmers. AWD allows you to create websites in HTML, JS, CSS and PHP, compile or edit files and connect to remote FTP, FTPS and SFTP WebDAV protocols.
One of key features applications - constant synchronization with a remote server for uploading files. That is, the user is authorized once, for example, on FTP and then works with the protocol as with a local disk.
Main functions of the application:
- Code highlighting; Automatic coding detection;
- Automatic code completion;
- Error checking;
- Automatic formatting;
- Convenient line numbering;
- Quick search and navigation through the code;
- Quick test in the browser;
- Auto save code;
- Full-screen mode;
- Full management of all project files (copying, pasting, deleting, duplicating, etc.).
For greater convenience, the application developers have compiled a list of available servers to which you can upload software projects:
- Ulti Server;
- KSWEB;
- PAW Server;
- Bit Web Server.
In the coming updates, remote cloud servers on Mercurial, Dropbox and Google Drive will become available.
If you don’t have any time to master the code, but you urgently need to create a website on Android, the easiest way is to use a mobile website builder. One of the most popular applications in this area is Weebly.
The application already contains the basic themes and templates for creating a website, blog or online store from scratch. The user only selects the design, adds his own text and images. You can also connect web site analytics using the application. Weebly allows you to track all user activity in real time:
- Comments and reviews;
- Orders;
- Traffic to the site;
- Viewing time and so on.
Many people pay attention to the fact that even optimized mobile version The site is not always convenient to use. Unnecessary functions, buttons, pictures, interactive forms only take up time and confuse you. In this case, a tool will help that will turn the site into a convenient application on Android.
The most popular service for transforming a website into an applet is Hermit. Using this application, you can create applications based on mobile or desktop sites, while the user decides what management tools he needs. Hermit also integrates the Android notification function into the new application.
An important advantage of Hermit is its accessibility in the complete absence of built-in advertising. Moreover, the ad blocker is built into the utility itself.
How to use the Hermit app:
- Install the application on your smartphone;
- Open the utility;
- Click on the round red button in the lower right corner;
- Type the site address in the search bar;
- Select a name for the new application;
- Click Create;
- Go to the Customize section;
- Configure the necessary functions.
After the transformation is complete, a new application icon appears on the smartphone’s desktop, which can be changed to a custom one. Also in the application settings you can change the color of the text, background and upload pictures.
In this video you can see an example of how, using Hermit, we made an application from the website of the British smartphone manufacturer Wileyfox:
As we have already noted, open and accessible code operating system Android allows you to perform any software manipulation. If the user already has a website, for example, an online store or a blog, he can create a separate application for it using special web services.
Among the many services for creating applications, the most convenient and easy to learn are:
A free online service for creating applications, in which you need to go through a simple registration for further work. Using this service, you can create applications from available templates in a few minutes, for example, your own messenger or game. After which the application can be monetized directly on Google Play, namely, published in the store by placing advertising in the program itself.
The main feature of this service is that it offers a ready-made set of templates for applications for a specific industry. For example, a user can create an application for booking hotel rooms, a nightclub, a law office, and so on. The service is available in 23 languages.
A very convenient platform for self-made applications that do not require programming skills from the user. With its help, you can create not only applications, but also catalogs, reports, resumes, collections and much more. All application templates are sorted into sections: Education, Food, Travel, Culture and so on.
Which smartphone to choose for creating websites and applications on Android yourself
So, you have decided to design your own website or application for Android. All that remains is to choose a smartphone that will allow you to easily do all the important work. To do this, the mobile gadget must meet certain requirements:
- Large amount of RAM and built-in memory for storing and publishing necessary materials;
- Powerful processor for installing large design utilities and data processing;
- A large, bright and contrasting screen, on which it is most convenient to create and edit code and texts to fill applications and websites;
- A capacious battery that will allow you to continue working on programs and pages;
- High-speed Internet, with which you can quickly test your project.
We recommend paying attention to the products of the young British brand Wileyfox. Over the past 1.5 years, smartphones with a logo in the form of a fox's face have won wide recognition among users thanks to the combination high performance, excellent quality build, inspiring design and most importantly, affordability.
A smartphone is an excellent tool for a beginner or advanced programmer. This model, available for only 12,990 rubles, gives the user complete freedom of action to create websites or programs due to high-quality and productive filling.
The smartphone has a powerful 8-core processor with 1.4 GHz and 3 GB. random access memory, which will easily launch the most resource-intensive programming application, and also allow you to quickly compile all project data. If the user does not have enough of the already large internal storage of 32 GB, the memory can always be expanded up to 128 GB using an external SD card.
A high-quality 5.2-inch 2.5D IPS screen, made using Oncell Full Lamination technology, simultaneously supports 10 clicks. On such a display it is incredibly convenient to perform the smallest manipulations with program code and text for content. And FullHD resolution will greatly simplify viewing and selecting illustrations to fill a page or application.
Due to the installed module high speed internet LTE 4G user will be provided with instant access to remote servers and browsers for testing the project. Moreover, a capacious 3010 mAh lithium-polymer battery will allow you to stay connected to the Internet for up to 11 hours without interruption.
In addition, the user of this model can be calm about all the personal data that he uses when creating an application or website. Multi-stage protection latest version Android 7.0 OS is complemented by a reliable fingerprint scanner.
Thus, creating and publishing your own applications and websites using modern mobile tools is not difficult. The user can take a simpler path and work according to templates, or master programming languages, at least in entry level, and with their help create unique products.
Figure 1. You can make your web content available to users in two ways: in a traditional web browser and in an Android application, by including a WebView in the layout.
Android offers a variety of ways to present content to a user. To provide a user experience that’s consistent with the rest of the platform, it’s usually best to build a native app that incorporates framework-provided experiences, such as Android App Links or Search . Additionally, you can use Google Play-based experiences, such as App Actions and Slices, where Google Play services is available. Some apps, however, may need increased control over the UI. In this case, a WebView is a good option for displaying trusted first-party content.
Figure 1 illustrates how you can provide access to your web pages from either a browser or your own Android app. The WebView framework allows you to specify viewport and style properties that make your web pages appear at the proper size and scale on all screen configurations for all major web browsers. You can even define an interface between your Android app and your web pages that allows JavaScript in the web pages to call upon APIs in your app-providing Android APIs to your web-based application.
However, you shouldn't develop an Android app simply as a means to view your website. Rather, the web pages you embed in your app should be designed especially for that environment.
Alternatives to WebView
Although WebView objects provide increased control over the UI, there are alternatives that may provide similar functionality with various advantages: they require less configuration, may load and perform faster, provide improved privacy protections, and can access the browser's cookies.
Consider using these alternatives to WebView if your app falls into the following use cases:
- If you want to send users to a mobile site,
Although mobile applications Just like mobile sites work on smartphones and tablets, they are different from each other. Progressive Web Apps (PWA) is an open-source initiative from Google that leverages modern web capabilities to provide users with a better experience than native apps or mobile sites. Because it is a relatively new framework, it is not yet supported by all browsers and does not support some of the features that make native apps so attractive to consumers: camera use, GPS, and a fingerprint scanner. This will certainly change if PWAs gain wider acceptance.
Today, the emergence of PWA represents the same breakthrough in the mobile web as the emergence of responsive web design five years ago. This new technology, which will inevitably evolve and change over the years as developers continually improve versions of it and brands increasingly turn to PWAs as part of their mobile strategies.
More about PWA
PWA has several benefits for users, one of them is faster browsing. They are instantly discovered in the browser without the need to download an app and can work anywhere, including in areas with low level Internet signal. They can be "saved" to the main screen, at least on Android devices, for easier access and a personalized interaction channel. They also provide quick re-access without having to open a browser and enter a web address.
Well-designed PWAs are four times faster than other mobile sites, helping to speed up the purchasing process as purchasing a product is just a few clicks away, so customers always remain engaged.
There are other benefits for marketers, too. PWAs are predicted to have a big impact on conversion rates in mobile devices, as well as reduce the high investment costs associated with developing custom applications.
PWAs look just like native apps and ultimately customers will prefer PWAs because they have more high speed, provide the same experience as native apps, and also allow you to use any mobile site offline.
PWAs also support browser push notifications, allowing marketers to send contextual and personalized messages in real time with a single click directly from the PWA.
Because PWAs are websites at their core, they are easier to update and don't require users to download and install updated version applications. Moreover, they can be easily found in search engines, - this means that the potential audience reach is millions of customers.
PWA tasks
However, along with the advantages, PWAs also have some disadvantages, and for some, these can be a deciding factor in their decision.
The key problem is that not all browsers currently support PWA. While newer versions Chrome browser, Opera and Android support PWA, IE, Edge, Safari and many custom browsers do not. Currently, PWAs do not support all the hardware components supported by traditional native apps, including cameras, GPS, and fingerprint scanners on mobile phones.
Another challenge is that traditionally app stores have been central repositories for apps, helping users find what they need and maintaining a certain level of legitimacy. However, PWAs do not require such stores, so marketers may have some difficulty promoting their PWAs and their legitimacy.
Finally, many third party applications, which require login, such as Facebook and Google, will continue to ask for a login and password, since PWAs cannot collect this data themselves.
The future of PWA
The popularity and functionality of PWAs is only gaining momentum; in the coming years they will become more popular and improve technologically. According to experts, PWAs are expected to grow significantly as companies like Pinterest, Tinder, Uber, and Starbucks have already launched PWAs with excellent results. The number of features supported by PWAs will also increase year by year. For marketers, a significant advantage will be the ease of collecting analytical data, because PWAs integrate perfectly with standard analytics tools from Google and Adobe.
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