Help article
Why and why does my app have an app address?
The apps you create with us are, by definition, what are known as Progressive Web Apps. These types of apps are modern and extremely forward-looking.
They combine the traditional capabilities of a native app—in terms of interactivity and an outstanding user experience—with the advantages of a mobile website in terms of speed, reach, and discoverability across all search engines.
A PWA, as it’s commonly abbreviated, no longer relies on app stores as a distribution channel. Such apps can now be distributed much more easily on the global internet, just like a traditional website.
In addition, all PWAs are assigned a unique web address, just like a website. Just as you’re familiar with www.amazon.de or ebay.com, your app also has such an address.
Where can I find my current app address?
You can find it at any time in the admin panel in the header at the top left, next to the logo. In this case, it is tierheimdorsten.app.
With this address, the app can almost always be accessed directly via any search bar on a smartphone, tablet, PC, or Mac.
Whereas previously you had to search for the app’s name in the App Store on a smartphone and hope that users would find it right at the top of the results, this is always guaranteed with the address.
My app is also listed in search engines!
If users happen to enter the address incorrectly, that’s not a problem. Your app—along with its content—will, just like a website, be found by search engines after a certain amount of time and visited repeatedly. All content will be searchable and discoverable on Google, Bing, and other search engines.
This is a striking difference from apps in the App Store, where this is still only possible to a very limited extent.
Furthermore, users who access your app directly via its URL can start using it immediately and don’t have to wait for an unnecessary download. This also works on PCs and Macs, where the App Store plays no major role.
Users hardly ever download apps from app stores anymore
Using an app via a URL reflects a clear trend among all mobile users, who now download few to no apps via the traditional app stores.
The vast majority—in fact, all users—use the aforementioned search bar on all their devices, which usually directs them via the internal search function to a pre-configured search engine.
However, if your app appears as a result in the App Store or on Google Play, users usually skip the download, multiple clicks, and—in most cases—an occasional login via password or fingerprint. Due to the unnecessary wait time, users skip the result and usually turn to other results that provide information more quickly.
This is where your PWA really shines, as it can be used immediately and without any significant delay. Users can then decide whether to install it while they’re using it.
This saves you and your users valuable time and has a positive impact on repeat customer engagement with your company.
And installation is so simple and intuitive—it’s done in a flash on smartphones like the iPhone and Android devices, as well as on desktop PCs and Macs.