Small Business Technology News
Best App Building Platforms For Small Businesses
Written by Tim Morral
Published: 7/27/2012
Top app-building platforms equip small businesses to compete with larger companies in the mobile marketplace.
A proprietary mobile application can play an important role in a growth-minded business strategy. With increasing numbers of consumers and B2B buyers using their mobile devices to access products and services, small businesses need to consider whether an internally developed app may be the right way to connect with customers.
There are many different types of app-building platforms available in the current marketplace. Some proprietary app development platforms are designed for individuals with a developer background; others make it relatively easy for app development newbies to get in the game. But with more and more businesses moving from the desktop to SaaS, leading development platforms should target cloud-based features and benefits.
If your small business is interested in leveraging app development to compete in the mobile space, there are several app-building platforms that are worth exploring.
- Tiggzi. Tiggzi is a SaaS or cloud solution that combines sophisticated app development tools with simplified drag-and-drop functionality. This solution allows developers to easily connect to REST APIs and export apps for use on Android, iOS or Mobile Web devices.
- Buzztouch. Buzztouch allows small businesses to develop a proprietary app and submit it to iTunes or Google Play after using a compiler. In addition to offering lessons for first-time app builders, Buzztouch is supported by a strong development community and is designed to help app creators learn how to create feature-rich apps in conjunction with the Android and iOS software developer kits (SDKs).
- AppExpress. AppExpress is designed primarily as a DIY app resource for small and medium-sized businesses. Leveraging a rookie-friendly user interface, the AppExpress platform facilitates the creation of apps for appointment scheduling, invoicing and accepting payments, messaging, and coupon marketing. In addition to streamlining the development of system-specific apps, developers can use the platform to create a 1-page, mobile-optimized website.
- Titanium. Appcelerator's Titanium app development platform allows inexperienced SMB developers to create attractive and useful apps with HTML, CSS and JavaScript. Mobile applications developed with Titanium can easily incorporate user experiences that rely on cloud services, e.g. push notifications and check-ins.
- PhoneGap. PhoneGap is an open source mobile framework and HTML5 app platform that enables small businesses to create native apps and obtain access to APIs and app stores. Since the solution relies heavily on HTML and JavaScript, it offers a familiar and comfortable environment for most developers.
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