9 Critical Mistakes When Using Web to App Tools

No-code app builders and website conversion services have fundamentally changed the game for app development, and removed the barrier of entry for small and medium-sized businesses to launch their own mobile app.

For web-first businesses like ecommerce, SaaS, marketplace, and media brands, it’s now possible to get an app live without spending six figures or hiring a development team, simply by converting your website into an app.

But not all paths lead to success. Many businesses make wrong turns that add unnecessary expense, or cap the potential of their mobile apps.

Below are the most critical mistakes brands make when using these tools (and how to avoid them).

1. Ignoring Your Mobile Website

Mobile apps are great, but your mobile site is still the front door for your business. 

Even after launching an app, the majority of your users will first discover your brand through the mobile web. If that experience is slow, confusing, or poorly optimized, you’re leaving money on the table (and setting your app up for failure before it even launches).

Mobile apps are best built on top of your mobile website. If your mobile web experience isn’t clean, fast, and user-friendly, your app will inherit those flaws. 

Before investing in a mobile app, make sure your mobile site is responsive, lightning-fast, and conversion-optimized. Otherwise, you're scaling a shaky foundation.

2. Rebuilding What Already Works

You’ve spent years refining your website - design, navigation, product pages, checkout flows, integrations. Why throw all of that away to start from scratch?

Some app builders force you to recreate everything using their platform’s templates and modules. That means double the work, inconsistent UX, and major limitations when it comes to custom features. 

Worse, you’re introducing another system to manage and maintain. It’s a bad trade-off.

Look for a solution that brings your entire website into the app as-is, with full parity across your tech stack, custom code, and design. If your website works, your app should too (without starting from zero).

3. Choosing a Template-Based App Builder

Template-based app builders sell you on speed and simplicity, but you pay the price in quality and differentiation.

Your mobile app should be a premium experience, a direct extension of your brand. With templates, your app ends up looking like dozens of others - often with limited design flexibility and generic UI patterns. 

That’s fine for a hobby project, but not if you’re serious about retention, loyalty, and revenue.

You also miss out on optimizing for your business goals. CRO testing? Dynamic layouts? Custom search and filtering? You’re out of luck.

Choose a solution that gives you a branded app, not a cookie-cutter replica.

4. Skipping the Launch Strategy

Even the best app won't succeed if nobody knows it exists. Many brands assume that simply publishing the app to the App Store and Google Play is enough, but more often than not, users won’t go looking unless you give them a reason.

You need a thoughtful launch plan. This includes everything from smart banners on your site, to in-app promos, to push notification onboarding, to announcing the app through email, SMS, and social.

Plan ahead. Know exactly how you’ll drive installs, what campaigns you’ll run, and how you’ll convert web users into loyal app users from day one.

5. Settling for a PWA Instead of a “Real” App

Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) are often pitched as a cheap and fast alternative to real mobile apps. But while PWAs have some use cases, they don’t deliver the full power of a native or hybrid app.

You miss out on core benefits like:

• Push notifications on iOS
• Presence in the App Store and Google Play
• A native home screen icon and fast install experience
• The real convenience of users having access to your brand outside the browser

PWAs also suffer from lower visibility and discoverability. They’re great for people who find you on the web, but not a substitute for an actual mobile app.

If your goal is serious mobile growth and retention, don’t compromise. Launch a real app that gives you every advantage possible.

6. Underestimating the App Store Submission Process

App store submission isn’t just uploading a file and clicking “publish.” Apple and Google have strict guidelines, frequent policy updates, and opaque review processes. Even experienced developers hit snags, rejections, and delays.

Many web to app platforms leave you to figure this out yourself, without guidance or support. That’s a huge risk. 

One mistake in metadata, permissions, or screenshots can derail your launch for weeks.

Work with a partner that handles the entire submission process, including design assets, copywriting, technical setup, and managing any back-and-forth with reviewers. It’s the difference between a smooth launch and a drawn-out mess.

7. Thinking the Job is Done at Launch

Launching your app is a milestone. But it’s not the finish line.

Mobile apps require ongoing support to stay secure, compatible, and performant. As your website evolves or OS updates roll out, bugs can emerge. App store rules can change. Your marketing goals may shift.

The mistake many brands make is choosing a platform that gets them to launch, then disappears. They’re stuck handling issues in-house (or worse, ignoring them).

Choose a solution that offers real ongoing support. Look for a team that will monitor your app, fix bugs, implement feedback, and help optimize performance and user experience long after launch.

8. Choosing the Cheapest or Fastest Option

App builders that promise you can “go live in hours” or advertise ultra-low prices may seem attractive. But what are you actually getting?

In most cases, you’re trading short-term savings for long-term limitations. 

These tools often lack critical features, real customization, or meaningful support. You might get live fast, but then stall completely when issues arise or your growth outpaces the platform.

Instead, look at the potential upside. A high-performing mobile app can drive 10–30% of your revenue, increase LTV, and reduce reliance on paid acquisition. Why cut corners on something that can pay for itself many times over?

9. Relying on Custom Dev to Patch Gaps

Some platforms claim they can handle “any custom integration” with enough time. But the reality is that these projects often become bottlenecks. They drag on, cost more than expected, and never quite work right.

We've spoken to brands that waited months for features that were supposed to be “simple.” Others saw performance issues or broken functionality after supposedly “custom” builds were delivered.

It’s far better to choose a platform that natively supports your website’s existing features. No hacks, no long timelines. Just smooth functionality from day one.

Read more: Does Your Website Need a Mobile App? Your Guide to Making the Right Decision

Why MobiLoud Helps You Avoid These Mistakes

Every mistake listed above stems from the same root issue: choosing the wrong approach or platform to turn your website into a mobile app. 

MobiLoud exists to eliminate that risk. We’ve helped over 2,000 brands successfully launch apps that look great, perform flawlessly, and drive real business results - without extra complexity, cost, or compromise.

We’re not just a tool. We’re your mobile app team, as invested in your app’s success as you are.

Let’s take a closer look at why MobiLoud is a better way to convert your website into an app.

Your app is your website

MobiLoud turns your existing website into a fully functional mobile app with no need to rebuild or reconfigure. 

Your design, content, checkout flow, and third-party tools all work out of the box. If it works on your site, it works in the app.

‍

Best of all, you only have to manage one platform (your website). Your app’s content doesn’t exist separately from your website. It stays 100% in sync.

We don’t use templates or impose limitations

You get a fully branded, premium app experience built around your website - not one squeezed into a cookie-cutter layout. 

Your mobile app mirrors your site perfectly, while still feeling intuitive and native to mobile users.

We handle everything. Seriously

From onboarding to app store approvals, we take care of every technical detail, so you don’t have to. 

That includes QA, setting up push notifications, App Store submission, and handling app store feedback. If there's a hiccup during submission, we resolve it. If something breaks post-launch, we fix it.

We don’t disappear after launch

Our customer success team stays with you as your app grows. 

You’ll have real people - project managers, QA specialists, app strategists - proactively checking in, optimizing performance, and helping you drive engagement and revenue.

We work with your entire tech stack, even the tricky stuff

Whether you’re on Shopify, WooCommerce, a headless CMS, or a custom backend, we’ve done it. 

You don’t need to worry about platform compatibility, performance issues, or needing custom development to “make it work.” Everything on your website works, no matter the tech stack.

We help you drive installs and usage, not just go live

Launching is just step one. We also guide you on app promotion, install conversion tactics, and push notification strategy to help you grow your mobile channel. 

Need help with copy, visuals, or campaign ideas? We’ve got you covered.

We want your app to be as successful as possible. We’re not just handing it over and calling it a day.

Want to see what MobiLoud can do for your website, first-hand? Get a preview of your app now.

MobiLoud: Your Website to App, Done Right

Here’s a step-by-step overview of how we turn your website into a high-performing app in just a few weeks - without you lifting a finger beyond the essentials.

1. Kickoff & Setup

You can start by getting a preview of your app, to get an idea of what’s possible, how your app will look.

All this requires is your site URL, branding assets, and app details.

You’ll be able to play around with the app, customize a few things, and get on a call if you have any questions.

2. App Configuration

We build your app based on your website, setting up native features like navigation, tab bars, loading indicators, splash screens, and more. 

Your existing site structure, custom code, and plugins all work as-is.

3. Customer Testing

We send you preview builds for iOS and Android. You and your team can click around, test the experience, and provide feedback. 

4. Quality Assurance

Behind the scenes, our QA team tests the app across various devices and OS versions. We catch bugs and UX issues before your users ever see them. This includes checkout flows, user logins, and deep linking; nothing is left unchecked.

5. App Store Submission

We prepare and submit your apps to the Apple App Store and Google Play, creating custom screenshots, writing optimized descriptions, and handling technical compliance. 

We manage the back-and-forth with reviewers so you don’t have to think about it at all.

6. Final Optimization

We monitor both stores during review and apply any final tweaks to ensure a smooth approval. If either platform requests changes, we handle them immediately to keep your launch on track.

7. Launch & Growth

Once approved, we help you go live with a strategy tailored to your business. We’ll help you install smart banners, set up push notifications, and launch marketing campaigns that drive downloads and build long-term app engagement.

Ready to take the first step? Get a free preview of your app now - and get a look at your site as a mobile app.

The Results Speak for Themselves

MobiLoud helps brands launch mobile apps that drive real business results:

• 7x higher LTV for app users vs mobile web
• 15–30% incremental revenue directly attributed to mobile apps
• Up to 3x more visits per user, with increased frequency and order value
• 53x ROI in some cases from push notification, increased engagement and improved retention

And that’s on top of huge cost savings compared to custom development, and less stress and effort than DIY app builders.

The whole process is taken care of for you, meaning your focus stays on running (and growing) your business, not managing the quirks of a new platform.

Check out these case studies to learn about the brands we’ve delivered results for.

What You Get With MobiLoud

You get:

• A fully managed service from setup to long-term growth
• A fast and predictable launch (typically under 30 days)
• An app that syncs with your website in real time, no duplicated effort
• Push notification strategy and execution included
• Flat-rate pricing - no revenue sharing, no hidden fees
• Direct access to a dedicated, timezone-aligned team
• Unlimited support for changes, updates, and bug fixes

When you work with MobiLoud, you’re not buying a software subscription. You’re partnering with a team that has done this over 2,000 times and knows exactly how to build and launch an app that delivers real results for your business.

Bottom Line: Why MobiLoud is the Right Web to App Tool for You

With MobiLoud, you're not just launching an app. You're investing in a fully managed, high-performing mobile channel that drives results - without duplicating work, hiring developers, or settling for cookie-cutter solutions.

Let’s build something great together. Your website might be great; but your best customers want the convenience of a mobile app.

Get a free preview now to take the first step, or book a consultation to discuss your project and goals for the app.