Having your website work on a tablet or smartphone is almost a requirement, now; but what about an app?
There are many advantages to building an Android and/or iOS app for your church or organization. Most people think that it’s one or the other, but actually, it’s like comparing apples and oranges. Native apps can not only tap into what the device natively offers, but it also gives the user another stream to consume media.
One of the most awesome app builder solutions is ROAR App. They are some awesome guys, that are getting churches and organizations online apps!
They also provide their own CMS, so after your app is built, you can update it!
Let me show you what ROAR can do.
ROAR App
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ROAR isn’t offering cookie cutter solutions. As you can, below, their apps are designed in many different flavors.
There’s a lot of diversity!
Here’s a deeper look into one of their apps they’ve developed:
YES! A map!
Here’s my favorite aspect about ROAR.
The CMS:
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Pretty slick, right?
I love that ROAR hasn’t zipped up the app and made it unavailable for changes.
ROAR Apps design great looking apps that are easy to update and manage.
Chris Ruddell says
Interesting concept. However it would be nice if they had graduated pricing depending on the size of church.
Matt McKee says
Chris,
Thanks for the comment about ROAR. I’m the founder and CEO. What do you mean a graduated pricing? Are you wanting it cheaper than $1000 to build an iPhone, iPad, and Android app and less than $50/month for hosting, maintenance, and upgrades?
I just want to make sure I understand the concern.
Chris Ruddell says
Hi Matt – thanks for weighing in! Yes, essentially I mean cheaper than $1000 + $50/mo … if you are a smaller church. For larger churches, that is very reasonable IMO. But for those under 500 in worship, it’s a different matter.
Matt McKee says
Chris,
I will send you an email to see what we can do for you.
Thanks for your response.
Chris Ruddell says
Thanks Matt – now that’s great customer service!!
Eric Dye says
I know, right!?! These guys are awesome …
Dave Shrein says
I have been looking into different app solutions. I really like the affordability of the ROAR and it appears pretty customizable to suite each church’s personality.
Can anyone speak to iGivings or The Church App? Both seem to have an extensive catalog of clients.
What are some things an app could give us that our mobile website fails to do? (http://mountainpark.org/mobile)
Thanks for the post.
Matt McKee says
Dave,
Great question on what can a native app do that your mobile website does not? First and foremost I think that your mobile website is great. Most people are not as far as you when it comes to thinking mobile. It brings in the functionality that most people would be looking for from their mobile device. When people ask me where to start then I tell them to start with a mobile website and then move to an app.
Reasons to have an app after a mobile website:
1. Push notifications – you get to send out
2. Easier sharing – because you can share any piece of info in a ROAR app to Facebook, Twitter, Email, SMS, and more it gets your content out more
3. People spend more time in apps then they do on the mobile web.
4. Apps have more graphical options and take advantage of the phone more (in most cases)
5. Apps can bring in everything you are doing around the web in one place in a way that is more user friendly than just the mobile web.
That is my 2 cents.
As far as my thoughts on iGivings and The Church App… They are great companies that have a very similar mission as we do at ROAR. We all want to see the message of the church make a difference in this world in a way that can be connected at all times. I’m truly happy to see that other companies have this focus.