How to Convert Website to Flutter App?

Flutter is a popular open-source mobile application development framework created by Google. It allows developers to build high-quality, native apps for both Android and iOS platforms using a single codebase. With its fast development and hot reload features, Flutter has gained immense popularity among developers.

Apart from building new apps from scratch, Flutter also offers the option to convert existing websites into mobile apps. This can save time and effort, especially for businesses looking to expand their online presence. In this guide, we will discuss the steps involved to convert website to Flutter app.

Understanding the process

Converting a website to a Flutter app involves a multi-step process that includes creating a wrapper around the website’s URL. This wrapper essentially packages the website as a standalone application, providing users with a native app experience. To achieve this, webviews are used, acting as embedded browsers within the app. These webviews are responsible for loading and rendering the website’s content, seamlessly integrating it into the app’s interface.

By leveraging this approach, developers can bridge the gap between the web and mobile platforms, extending the reach of their website and enhancing user engagement. The convenience of a dedicated app interface allows users to access the website’s content more easily, providing a smoother and more immersive experience. Whether it’s accessing interactive features, browsing products, or consuming content, a Flutter app offers the flexibility and convenience of a native application, while still leveraging the power and versatility of the web.

Steps to convert website to Flutter app

• Create a new Flutter project: The first step is to create a new Flutter project using your preferred IDE or command-line tool.

• Add webview plugin: Once the project is created, you will need to add the webview plugin to your pubspec.yaml file. This plugin will enable your app to display web content.

• Configure webview: Next, you will need to configure the webview by specifying the website’s URL that you want to convert into an app.

• Customize app appearance: You can customize the appearance of your app by adding a custom icon, splash screen and other features.

• Test and debug: It is important to test the app thoroughly on different devices and screen sizes to ensure that it functions correctly.

• Publish the app: Once you are satisfied with the app’s performance, you can publish it on Google Play Store or Apple App Store for users to download and use.

Also Read: How to develop my own flutter app

Benefits of converting a website into Flutter app

• Improved user experience: By converting your website into an app, you can provide a more seamless and engaging experience for your users. With a mobile app, you can leverage native features like push notifications, gesture-based interactions, and offline caching to enhance user interaction and satisfaction. This level of interactivity and responsiveness can leave a lasting impression on users, making them more likely to engage with your brand.

• Increased reach: Mobile apps have a larger reach compared to websites as they are easily accessible on smartphones and tablets. With the increasing number of mobile device users worldwide, having a mobile app allows you to tap into a broader audience base. This expanded reach can translate into more downloads, increased user engagement, and ultimately, a higher potential for conversions and revenue growth.

• Offline access: With a mobile app, users can access your content even without an internet connection, making it more convenient for them. This offline access feature is particularly useful for users who may have limited or intermittent internet connectivity, such as when traveling or in low-signal areas. By enabling offline access, you can ensure that your users can still interact with your app and access important information, increasing their overall satisfaction and loyalty.

• Better monetization opportunities: Mobile apps offer various monetization options such as in-app purchases, subscriptions, and advertisements, which can help generate revenue for your business. By integrating these monetization strategies into your app, you can create additional streams of income and maximize the value derived from your app. This can include offering premium content or features, providing subscription-based access to exclusive content, or partnering with advertisers to display relevant ads to your users.

• Enhanced brand presence: Having a mobile app can improve your brand’s visibility and credibility in the market, leading to potential growth and success. A well-designed and user-friendly app can create a positive impression of your brand and differentiate you from competitors. It allows you to showcase your products or services in a more immersive and interactive way, strengthening brand recognition and loyalty among your target audience.

• Integration with device features: Flutter apps have access to various device features such as camera, GPS, and notifications, allowing for more advanced and interactive functionalities. By leveraging these device capabilities, you can create unique and compelling experiences for your app users. For example, you can incorporate real-time location tracking for delivery services or enable users to capture and share photos directly from within your app. This integration with device features adds depth and richness to your app, enhancing user engagement and satisfaction.

• Easy updates and maintenance: Unlike websites, which require constant updates and maintenance, mobile apps can be easily updated through app stores, ensuring a smooth user experience. With the ability to push updates directly to users’ devices, you can quickly address bugs, add new features, or make design improvements without requiring users to manually update the app. This streamlined update process not only saves time and resources but also helps maintain a high level of user satisfaction by ensuring that they always have access to the latest version of your app.

Related: How to Convert Your Existing Mobile App to Flutter Quickly?

Key features of converting website into flutter app

• Cross-platform compatibility: Flutter, a powerful and versatile framework, empowers developers to create apps for both iOS and Android platforms effortlessly. By leveraging a single codebase, Flutter saves valuable time and resources, streamlining the development process. Its robust cross-platform capabilities enable developers to build high-quality applications that reach a wider audience and maximize market reach.

• Hot reload feature: One of Flutter’s standout features is its hot reload capability. This innovative functionality allows developers to witness real-time changes reflected instantly on the app’s interface as they modify the code. With hot reload, the development process becomes not only faster but also more efficient. It facilitates smooth iteration and debugging, enabling developers to iterate and fine-tune their apps quickly and effectively. This feature significantly accelerates the development cycle, empowering developers to deliver high-quality and polished apps in less time.

• Widget-based architecture: Flutter’s widget-based architecture serves as the foundation for its flexibility and design prowess. Every element on the app’s interface is a widget, enabling seamless customization and adaptability. Whether it’s tweaking the layout, adjusting the colors, or refining the interaction, Flutter’s widget-based approach empowers developers to craft unique and visually compelling designs. This enables developers to create intuitive and captivating user interfaces that enhance user engagement and satisfaction.

• Fast performance: Flutter apps have gained a reputation for their exceptional speed and responsiveness, providing users with a seamless and enjoyable experience. With its native-like performance, Flutter ensures smooth animations, quick loading times, and fluid user interactions. This makes Flutter an ideal choice for demanding and high-traffic applications, such as gaming or media streaming apps, where fast performance is critical to delivering a compelling user experience.

• Support for multiple languages: Flutter facilitates the development of multi-language apps, allowing developers to effortlessly reach a broader audience. By supporting multiple languages, Flutter ensures that your app can cater to diverse users and make a global impact. Whether you are targeting a specific region or aiming for international success, Flutter’s built-in support for multiple languages simplifies the localization process, making it easier to adapt your app to different markets and languages.

• Rich and customizable user interface: Flutter offers an extensive collection of customizable widgets and design options, enabling developers to create stunning and engaging user interfaces. From sleek animations to intuitive navigation, Flutter empowers developers to bring their app’s visual identity to life. With Flutter’s flexibility, developers can design unique and visually compelling user interfaces that align with their brand and captivate their target audience. This ensures a memorable and delightful user experience that sets your app apart from the competition.

• Strong community support: Flutter boasts a vibrant and thriving community of developers, providing a wealth of resources, tutorials, and support. This active community serves as a valuable asset, empowering developers to stay updated with the latest trends, best practices, and techniques. Developers can engage in knowledge exchange, collaborate on building high-quality apps, and seek assistance when facing challenges.

Read More: How to create Flutter app for my business?

What is the cost of converting a website into a Flutter app?

The cost of converting a website into a Flutter app can vary significantly based on a range of factors. A simple app conversion might cost as little as $5000, while a more complex app with advanced features could cost upwards of $30,000. These figures are approximate and actual costs can vary depending on factors such as the complexity of the website, the features required in the app, the geographical location of the Flutter development team, and the timeline for project completion.

• The cost of converting a basic website into a Flutter app can start at around $5,000. This includes essential functionalities and a simple user interface. The development team will work closely with you to understand your requirements and ensure a seamless transition from website to app.
• However, for a more complex website conversion with advanced features, the cost might go up to $30,000 or more. This would involve integrating complex functionalities, custom animations, and a sophisticated user experience. The development team will utilize their expertise to create a visually appealing and highly interactive app that exceeds your expectations.
• The actual cost can vary greatly depending on various factors, such as the complexity of the original website. If the original website has intricate design elements and intricate interactions, it would require more effort and may increase the cost. The development team will conduct a thorough analysis of your website to provide an accurate cost estimate.
• Additionally, the features required in the Flutter app also play a significant role in determining the cost. If the app needs to incorporate advanced features like real-time updates, payment gateways, or social media integration, it would require more development time and expertise, thus increasing the overall cost. The team will work closely with you to understand your feature requirements and provide an estimate based on the complexity of implementation.
• The location of the development team is another factor that can impact the cost. Development teams based in different regions might have different hourly rates, which can influence the overall project cost. Rest assured, our team is experienced and dedicated to delivering high-quality results at a competitive price.
• Lastly, the projected timeline for completion can affect the cost as well. If there is a tight deadline, developers may need to allocate more resources or work overtime, which can increase the cost. Our team will provide you with a realistic timeline and ensure that the project is completed efficiently without compromising on quality.

Suggested: Cost to Develop a Flutter App

How can iTechnolabs help you to convert website to Flutter app?

At iTechnolabs, we specialize in converting websites into high-performance Flutter apps. Our team of experienced developers can assist you with every step of the conversion process and ensure a seamless transition from website to app. Firstly, our team will conduct a thorough analysis of your website to determine the complexity and features necessary for the app. This analysis will help us provide an accurate cost estimate and timeline for the project.

Next, our developers will use their expertise in Flutter to create a custom app that replicates the design and functionality of your website. This includes incorporating advanced features like real-time updates, payment gateways, or social media integration.

Our team will also ensure that the app is optimized for performance and user experience on both iOS and Android devices. This will guarantee a smooth and efficient app for your users, leading to increased engagement and satisfaction.

• Thorough Analysis: Our team conducts a comprehensive review of your current website to understand its complexity and necessary features, ensuring an accurate cost estimate and project timeline.
• Expertise in Flutter: Leveraging our deep knowledge in Flutter, we create a custom app that replicates your website’s design and functionality, including real-time updates, payment gateways, or social media integration.
• Optimization: We optimize the app for performance and user experience on both iOS and Android devices, ensuring a smooth, efficient app that boosts user engagement and satisfaction.
• Post-launch Support: After launching the app, our team continues to provide technical support and updates to ensure its ongoing stability and growth. This includes bug fixes, feature enhancements, and any necessary updates to keep the app aligned with your website’s changes.
• Seamless Integration: Our app development process also involves seamlessly integrating the app with your existing website, ensuring a cohesive and consistent brand experience for your users across all platforms.
• User-Centric Approach: We prioritize user needs and preferences throughout the app development process, incorporating user feedback and testing to ensure a user-friendly and intuitive app design.
• Security: Our team implements the necessary security measures to protect your users’ data and transactions, giving them peace of mind while using your app.
• Continuous Improvement: We understand that technology is constantly evolving, which is why we continuously monitor and improve our app development processes to keep up with the latest trends and technologies.
• Ongoing Collaboration: Our team believes in open and transparent communication, fostering a collaborative relationship with our clients to ensure their vision is brought to life in the app development process.
• Affordable Pricing: We offer competitive pricing for our high-quality app development services, ensuring that you get the best value for your investment.

Want to convert your website into a Flutter app?

iTechnolabs brings a multitude of benefits to your Flutter app development project. Our team is proficient in the Flutter framework, enabling us to build beautiful, natively compiled applications for mobile, web, and desktop from a single codebase. Our expertise spans across diverse industries, allowing us to understand and cater to unique business needs. We stay updated on the latest Flutter updates and industry trends to ensure your app is modern and competitive. With our innovative solutions, we aim to deliver an app that not only converts your website effectively into a Flutter app, but also enhances user engagement. Our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction makes us a trusted partner in your digital transformation journey.

• Proficiency in Flutter Framework: Our team’s deep understanding of the Flutter framework, including its core features, widgets, and state management, enables us to build visually appealing, efficient, and interactive applications that work smoothly across multiple platforms. We leverage our expertise in Flutter’s UI toolkit and hot-reload capability to create seamless user experiences and streamline the development process.
• Industry-wide Expertise: With a rich background in various industries, such as e-commerce, healthcare, and finance, we possess the unique capability to understand and cater to specific business needs when converting a website into a Flutter app. Our in-depth knowledge of industry standards and best practices allows us to design and develop applications that align perfectly with your industry requirements.
• Up-to-Date Knowledge: Staying up to date with the latest Flutter updates and industry trends is at the core of our development philosophy. We continuously invest in learning and exploring new features, libraries, and techniques to ensure that our apps are built using the most modern and efficient approaches. By incorporating the latest advancements in Flutter technology, we create apps that are not only cutting-edge but also future-proof.
• Innovative Solutions: Our innovative approach goes beyond simply converting your website into a Flutter app. We strive to understand your target audience, business goals, and unique value proposition to deliver an app that not only effectively converts your website but also enhances user engagement. Through thoughtful UI/UX design, smooth animations, and intuitive interactions, we create immersive experiences that captivate users and drive conversions.
• Commitment to Quality and Customer Satisfaction: Quality is at the forefront of everything we do. We have a rigorous quality assurance process in place, including comprehensive testing and code reviews, to ensure that our apps are bug-free, performant, and reliable. Moreover, our customer-centric approach means that we prioritize your satisfaction at every step of the development process. We value your feedback and actively involve you in the decision-making process to ensure that the final product exceeds your expectations.

Important: What Should You Choose from Flutter vs React Native

Conclusion: 

With our expertise in Flutter development, we can seamlessly convert your website into a high-performing, feature-rich app that elevates your online presence and drives business growth. Our team of skilled developers, designers, and project managers work together to deliver tailor-made solutions that meet your specific requirements and exceed your expectations.