Overview

When you build an app on our site, you can publish for a Web App, iOS, and Android all at once or individually. Unlike iOS and Android apps, Web Apps do not need to be republished to upgrade to the latest features and design. Each time we make improvements to our Web App, you will see those changes reflected in your app. Once you have built your app, you can publish for Web App to take your app live.

In this article, you will learn how to publish and enable website redirect to your web apps.

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Process

Publishing a Web App

1. From your dashboard, click Publish.
2. Fill out all necessary information and select the loading screens to publish.
3. Click Submit to Store.
4. Select the Web App option.

   

5. Include the email address where you would like the website link to be sent.

   

6. Click Next.
7. Include any necessary notes in the Upload Form and click Submit.

   

8. Check your email for the Web App Publishing information. This email contains the template for your Web App URL, your Redirect Script, and your QR Code.

 

Enabling Your Website Redirect

If you would like the front-end website for the business to redirect to the Web App when users visit on a smartphone, you can add the attached redirect script to the front-end site. This script will allow the site to recognize when someone is visiting from their phone and automatically send them to the Web App for optimal viewing.

1. Download or view the redirect attachment from the Web App Publishing information email you received. Below is an example of the Redirect Script attachment:
   (Click on image to enlarge)
   

   Note: For each Web app, you should replace <yoursubdomain> with your subdomain URL, and <yourappcode> with the app code you published. Leave the appcode= part as-is. This format should always display your active Web App URL correctly. For example, if my subdomain is login.mydomain.com and my app code is myfirstapp, then my Web App URL will be http://login.mydomain.com/mobile/?appcode=myfirstapp.

2. Copy the redirect script and paste it into the header of the front-end site’s home page. This is only possible if you have access to edit your website’s code.

   Note: Do not add this script to each page of the front-end site, because that will result in an endless loop that prevents users from visiting specific pages of your front-end site on their phone. The home page header is enough.

The first time a user visits the client’s site from a smartphone, they will be redirected to the Web App automatically. A banner will appear at the top giving them the option to return to the Desktop version.

• If they hide the banner:
  • It will never appear again (unless they clear their device’s cache).
  • They will be automatically redirected to the Web App whenever they revisit the full site.
• If they click the banner: 
  • The Desktop option will be selected, and they will be redirected to the full site.
  • If they revisit the full site, they will not be redirected to the Web App again (unless they clear their device’s cache).
  • They will, however, have the option to click the mobile link to visit the Web App.

 

Using Your QR Code

• QR codes are basically bar codes that contain a URL.
• When scanned using a QR scanner app, they take you to the given URL.
• This is easier than typing out a lengthy website address.
• QR codes can be printed and posted, shared via email, included on flyers and business cards, etc.
• Anyone with a QR scanner app installed on their phone can scan the QR codes for your apps to be taken to the given app (iOS, Android, or Web App).

1. Download your Web App QR code from the Web App Publishing information.
2. If you would like to direct iOS and Android users to the native apps when they view your Web App, you have two options that you can enable.
   • Automatic App Store Redirect:
     • This will take them straight to the App Store or Play Store URL when they visit the Web App.
     • Leave this toggle disabled if you would like to allow iOS and Android users to view your Web App.
   • Smart Banner:
     • This will provide web app visitors the option to download or open the native app in the iOS App Store or Google Play Store.
     • Leave this toggle disabled if you would like to allow iOS and Android users to view your Web App.