How to convert your Squarespace website into a native app
Squarespace allows you to design and build a website using industry-leading templates, designer fonts, and professional ecommerce tools. However, the modern user isn’t tied to a browser. They're on mobile.
And if your Squarespace site isn’t accessible as a native app, you're missing out on retention, engagement, and monetization.
With Median.co, you can convert your Squarespace website into a fully functional native iOS and Android app — complete with native capabilities — with little to no code.
What exactly is Squarespace?
Squarespace is a leading website builder, founded with the belief that design is the ultimate competitive advantage.
With a wide range of templates and constant innovations and tools built to allow customizable options, its all-in-one platform makes it easy to build a beautiful, standout website.
With flexible designer templates, intuitive drag-and-drop tools, built-in ecommerce, and SEO features, it’s developed to help you launch and grow with confidence.
You can sell products, book appointments, publish a blog, or showcase your portfolio — all from one sleek dashboard. Plus, Squarespace handles hosting, security, and updates behind the scenes, so you can focus on what you do best.
What are the key features of Squarespace?
Squarespace makes it simple to create a website from scratch, thanks to responsive, curated templates.
It gives users powerful options to build out a business website, including payment and checkout tools, SEO capabilities, marketing integrations, and custom domains and hosting.
Website templates for every purpose
You can start your new site with a Squarespace-exclusive template or design your own to fit your style.
Template options range across all types of professional needs, from online stores to restaurants, education courses to personal portfolios.
Tools to help sell anything
Squarespace takes the hassle out of selling, whether it’s your brand new product or your professional expertise.
Integrated scheduling tools make it easy to keep your calendar booked and your time optimized.
Built-in marketing tools
You can take advantage of SEO tools and social media integrations to expand your reach and connect with new audiences.
Squarespace also provides analytics and insights into who’s visiting your site, how your store is performing, and more.
Why convert your Squarespace site into a native app?
Converting your Squarespace website into a native mobile app is the best way to give users a more seamless experience.
With a native app, you can achieve higher engagement rates and better performance than web apps. Some of the benefits of converting to a native app include:
- Native app features: With native apps, you can access device-specific features, such as push notifications, GPS, haptic feedback, and camera integration — features that aren’t possible with websites and web apps. These tools can significantly improve how users interact with your app, driving more engagement.
- App store presence: Native apps offer the opportunity to publish your app on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, where users can easily discover, download, and engage with your product. A spot in the app store is a major advantage for brand visibility and customer acquisition.
- Offline access: One of the most significant benefits of native mobile apps is offline functionality. Unlike web apps, which require a constant internet connection, native apps store data locally and allow users to interact with the app even when offline.
- Improved user engagement and retention: Studies show that mobile apps have much higher engagement and retention rates compared to web apps. Apps can offer more personalized experiences with features like user notifications and reminders, all of which are highly effective for driving repeat usage.
How Median.co can help convert your Squarespace website into a native app
Median.co offers a simple and cost-effective solution to convert your Squarespace site into a native iOS and Android app.
Using Median’s App Studio, you can convert any website into a mobile app with native features such as push notifications, haptic feedback, and device-specific functionality like GPS and camera access.
Here are some key benefits of using Median.co:
- Extensive native plugin library: Median.co's App Studio includes a wide range of native plugins that allow you to easily add advanced native features to your app, such as push notifications, haptics, Face ID/Biometric login, and more — including SDK integrations for leading mobile vendors.
- Real-time app building: The platform lets you see real-time updates of your app as you customize it, ensuring you get the exact look and feel you want.
- Easy publishing: With Median.co’s publishing service, our team will submit your app to the Apple App Store and Google Play Store while you focus on bigger business projects.
With Median.co, the conversion process is streamlined, and you don’t need to be a developer to create a fully functional mobile app.
Want to know how it all works?
Get hands-on with Median’s comprehensive documentation, and build your app with ease.
How to convert your Squarespace site into a native app using Median.co
Ready to convert your Squaresace website into a native app? Get started with a step-by-step guide to using Median.co's App Studio.
Step 1: Build your app in the Median.co App Studio
Start by visiting https://median.co/app. Enter your Squarespace site’s URL as the "Website URL" and update your "App Name" as needed.
An email address is required for ongoing access to your app in the App Studio — you’ll then receive an email with a link to verify your account. To continue, click “Start Building my App!”
Step 2: Preview & test your new app
Median.co offers browser-based simulators to easily preview your app on iOS and Android devices without leaving your web browser.
As a starter, test that the basic functionality within your new app is performing as expected.
Step 3: Customize your app
In the Branding tab, you can upload an app icon and splash screen image or animation, and set theme colors to fully customize your app and align with your brand.
Additionally, you can explore options for Interface Settings, Link Handling, Website Overrides, and Permissions to tailor your app user experience to meet your requirements.
Native Navigation is where you can create a natural native app experience for your users, as well as finding help to meet Google and Apple design requirements.
Finally, you can explore Median’s Native Plugins to add advanced native features and integrations like push notifications, haptic feedback, and analytics to enhance user experience and maximize outcomes for your app.
Want to learn more about our plugins?
Launch a full-feature native app without native development!
Step 4: Test your app
Now that your app is customized, it’s crucial to test it on different devices before submitting it to the App Stores. Median.co offers:
- Browser-based simulators to help ensure everything is functioning properly.
- A convenient Public Sharing Link to provide access to stakeholders during testing.
- Functionality to easily test on physical devices (an Apple Developer account is required for iOS).
Step 5: Launch your app
Access the License tab to choose a license and annual plan that suits your needs. Median.co offers various tiers based on the functionality needed for your app.
Additionally, Median offers a service whereby our team will manage the publishing process to ensure your app is approved by the Apple App Store and Google Play.
Why native apps offer better business results
Converting your Squarespace site into a native mobile app is not just about better features—it's also about driving tangible business results. Here's how.
- Easier user acquisition: Having your app in the app stores gives your business more credibility. Customers are more likely to download an app that is easily accessible from the Apple App Store or Google Play. Plus, depending on your expected user base, you can serve app install ads to acquire new user app installations, leading to increased downloads and conversions.
- Engagement and retention: Native mobile apps have a higher retention rate than web apps. They provide a more personal and interactive experience through personalized push notifications powered by analytics that can be used to increase user retention. They also offer offline access and native device features, such as your app icon being present on user’s home screens, providing easy access to your app and ensuring users stay engaged longer.
- Better user experience: Native apps offer faster load times and smoother transitions compared to web apps, which can lead to greater customer satisfaction and higher reviews on app stores. They also offer an improved app navigation experience, boosting user satisfaction.
- Revenue generation: With access to in-app purchases, advertisements, and subscriptions, native apps provide more opportunities for monetization compared to traditional web apps.
Case Studies
Discover how Median empowers companies to speed mobile app development, engage users, and reduce expenses.
Conclusion
In a nutshell: Squarespace is an industry leader for building new websites, offering a wealth of design, ecommerce, and marketing tools to maximize your brand. But an app conversion platform like Median.co can give you access to powerful new native features and push your business to new heights.
Whether you’re looking for more engaged customers, growing a community, or simply seeking better mobile accessibility, converting your Squarespace site to a native app can unlock new potential.
Median.co will get you to the App Store and Google Play, without any of the stress of dealing with teams of developers or infrastructure overhead.
Ready to get started ? Take the first steps with Median.co and find out firsthand what benefits you can enjoy with a native app today.
Frequently asked questions
Does Squarespace offer any AI website building tools?
Squarespace has integrated AI tools to help you build and publish your website. However, these tools are limited to browser-specific elements, and you’ll need to use an app development option like Median.co to unlock access to native application features and publish on the app stores.
Do I need to know how to code to build a Squarespace website or native application?
Squarespace is designed so users don’t need any coding experience to build a beautiful website. Similarly, app development platforms like Median take all the coding necessity out of your hands, allowing you to design and manage your app without writing any code.
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