How to Write an iOS App for WordPress Websites
It’s fairly common for individuals to have a mobile phone and use it in conjunction with various websites and/or social media accounts. If you’re one of these individuals, then it’s likely that you’ll find yourself wanting to create an iOS app for WordPress websites. Let’s take a look at how you can do this.
The Need For An iOS App
As previously stated, it’s fairly common for individuals to have a mobile phone and use it in conjunction with various websites and/or social media accounts. While this may be the case, the fact remains that not everyone will want to use their phone for everything. For instance, if you have a WordPress website which is hosted on a web host that doesn’t offer an iOS app, then it’s likely that you won’t want to write one either. The need for an iOS app will depend on your target audience. If you’re looking to create an app for kids, then it’s probably best to avoid this platform since, as we’ll see later, the App Store has age restrictions. Keep in mind that if you go over these restrictions, you’re going to have to pay hefty penalties.
The Ultimate App Guide For WordPress Websites
If you’re looking to write an iOS app for WordPress websites, then you’ll need to familiarise yourself with a number of terms and concepts which don’t necessarily relate to programming. Let’s take a look at an overview of the App Store tools and resources that you’re going to need to become familiar with before you start coding.
iPad
If you have an iPad, then you’re going to want to make sure that you have the latest version of the app. You’ll also need to make sure that your iPad is plugged in and charging overnight so that it’s ready to go when you wake up. In terms of storage, it’s best to choose the 16GB version since it’s unlikely that you’ll ever need more than 16GB of storage. If you have less than 16GB of storage space, then you’re either going to have to choose either an even lower priced model or make do with the built-in storage space which is, in either case, not guaranteed to be enough. Another important factor to consider is the memory, particularly if you’re planning on using third-party plugins which can potentially cause performance issues. If your iPad is struggling to keep up with the demands of your WordPress website, then it might be a good idea to invest in more powerful hardware or consider an upgrade.
iPhone
The iPhone is a bit more streamlined than the iPad when it comes to mobile hardware. As a general rule of thumb, you’ll want to make sure that you have either the 6S or 6S Plus version since these are the only two models that support wireless charging. This is also the case if you have an older iPhone since these models don’t support wireless charging either. If you have one of these older models and you absolutely must have wireless charging, then you can either buy a separate charger or connect the iPhone to a nearby wireless charger when it’s plugged in to recharge. The one thing that you want to avoid is having your phone charged up to 100 percent just to check a few emails or look at the headlines on social media. Doing this regularly is going to seriously damage the battery and you’ll have to replace it sooner or later.
iPod Touch
The iPod Touch is used pretty much the same way as the iPhone in that it’s an all-purpose tablet which can be used for media consumption and creation. In terms of storage, the 16GB version should be sufficient for nearly everyone. If you have a smaller storage capacity, then you can either choose an even lower priced model or make do with the built-in storage space which is, again, not ideal. In terms of performance, the newer the better as they support faster CPUs. If you’re feeling particularly generous, then you can purchase a 128GB version for only $249.99 (as of September 2019). Keep in mind that while the speed and capacity of modern iPods is amazing, the fact remains that they are, essentially, obsolete in terms of technology. If you’re really doing a lot of heavy lifting on your WordPress site, then it might be a good idea to invest in a new device.
MacBook Pro
The MacBook Pro is Apple’s answer to the MacBook which was first introduced in 2015. While the standard MacBook only has one port for connecting devices, the MacBook Pro has a series of USB-C ports which allow for multiple connections and faster data transfers. If you have a MacBook Pro, then you’ll want to make sure that it’s up to date and has the latest operating system installed. You’ll also want to ensure that it’s plugged in and charging overnight so that it’s prepared to use when you wake it up. In terms of storage, it’s best to go with the 256GB version as this is the standard capacity and, again, you’ll struggle to find a laptop with more storage space for the price. If you have less than 256GB of storage space, then you’re either going to have to choose an even lower priced model or make do with the built-in storage space which, once more, is not ideal. If you’re doing a lot of heavy lifting on your WordPress site, then it might be a good idea to invest in a new MacBook Pro.
PC
The PC is a bit more archaic than the other devices listed here but, for the most part, it functions in the same way. You’ll want to make sure that you have either the Windows 10 or Linux version of the operating system installed for your PC since these are the only two versions which support wireless charging. The one important thing to keep in mind with a PC is the fact that it needs to be powered on all the time for you to use it. This is, generally, not the case with other devices where, usually, you won’t need to charge it up unless you’re actually using it. While this might not sound like a big deal, it takes a lot of effort to keep a desktop PC powered on overnight when you aren’t using it. The other thing to keep in mind is that if you have more than one user on your PC, then you’ll want to create separate accounts for each one and assign specific usernames to each one to ensure that people can’t unintentionally overwrite the data of another user. These are, generally, the things that you’ll need to keep in mind if you decide to write an iOS app for WordPress websites.
Getting Ready To Code
Before you start coding, it’s a good idea to get an Apple Developer account. This is a fairly straightforward process and will only take a few minutes to complete. Once you have this account, you’ll be able to download all the necessary tools and resources which you’re going to need to write an iOS app. You’ll also need to download the iOS dev platform which you can do from the Mac App Store. Once you’ve got this installed, you’ll be able to start creating an iOS app for your WordPress site.
Coding Is Easy
Coding for the iOS dev platform is very easy and straightforward. There are a few terms and concepts that you need to be familiar with but, for the most part, it’s just basic HTML and CSS. If you know what those are, then it’s easy to find your way around. If you’ve programmed before, then it’ll be very easy for you to pick up again. There are definitely some terms and concepts which you’ll need to learn but, generally, it’s just HTML and CSS which you’ve either already been using or are very familiar with.
The great thing about iOS programming is that, once you’ve completed the basic course, you can branch out and start learning more complex concepts. With that, a whole world of possibilities opens up before you. You can start creating advanced features which can be monetised using the inbuilt software tools or use various API’s to interface with external services for even more functionality.
If you’re looking to write an iOS app for WordPress websites, then there’s no real reason to not go ahead and do so. The fact remains that not everyone will want to use their phone to access all the websites that they visit so creating an app is, potentially, the perfect solution. It’s also a very cost-effective solution since you’ll be able to purchase a low-cost device from the App Store with all the necessary accessories to do the job. It’s a win-win scenario.