Does your blog need a mobile app?

I recently read a post on Chris Brogan's blog that he had an iPhone app created for his blog. Interesting.

Being the curious gal that I'm, I had to check it out. Turns out a company called MotherApp can turn your blog into an app. It's free if you agree to have ads (they split revenue with you 50/50) or pay $99 per year. 

Their BlogEngine turns your blog into an iPhone app and integrates your twitter feed and YouTube Channel if you wish. Then, MotherApp takes care of submiting the app to Apple for approval. Just occurred to me...I wonder if they also create apps for Android phones. I have a first generation Google phone so I wouldn't be able to use an app for my blog on my phone unless it's developed for the Android operating system.

Well, I have to see how it works, so I submitted my information. The application process is simple: provide your blog feed, your twitter ID, your YouTube feed, a description, keywords and images. Press Submit and wait.

With mobile marketing gaining steam and something like 3 billion people world-wide using mobile devices, it doesn't take a genius to know that the future is mobile and you want your content to be accessible where your readers hang out.

I'll keep you posted on if/when my Blog Squad app gets approved.

Related:

How to Mobilize Your Blog (audio replay with Kim Dushinski)

Recommended Reading

The Mobile Marketing Handbook: A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Dynamic Mobile Marketing Campaigns (affiliate)

Comments

[Werner Patels]

Very interesting. I might consider doing that with my blogs. I would go for the free, ad-supported version, of course.

[Deb Ng]

I've been thinking about hiring someone to create an iPhone or other smartphone app for my blog network but the price quotes I'm receiving are beyond my budget.

As the folks who visit my blogs aren't much into spending money, I'm not sure a paying iPhone App would work?

Still, I'll look into it a bit more. I do think folks can benefit.

Thanks, Denise!

[Kim Dushinski]

Denise:

Very interesting concept. Of course getting the app approved is only the first step, then you have to market the app to get people to get it.

This is the same concept as writing a book, then marketing it. Building a site and getting traffic to it. Opening a store and getting customers to walk in.

The app itself is not the end result.

[Denise Wakeman]

Kim,you are spot on about the marketing for an app or anything else for that matter. That's a discussion for another blog post!

[Lauren McMullen]

I for one don't want ads on my IPhone and I think I will quit carrying it 24/7 if I am bombarded with marketing.

[Deb Ng]

After consideration, I went for it and also applied for consideration. I feel it will be an interesting experiment - for me and other bloggers and another perk for my community.

Thanks for the tip. I read about it at Chris' blog but it didn't really sink in until I read it here.

[KEO Marketing - Innovative Online Marketing Solutions]

I think Iphone Apps have really changed they way things work this is just another example of how apps have really made things easier.