Is your club website ready for an app?
A club website works well as the basis for an app if it is updated regularly and readable on a phone. A calendar, a news section and, where available, a member login with rehearsal plans or fixtures are ideal. Many clubs run WordPress or a site builder, and both work with WebViewGold.
Without content like this, an app is not very convincing and is likely to struggle in Apple review under Guideline 4.2. In that case, expand the website first or choose a different route.
Setting up accounts and responsibilities
The app should not be published under a board member's private name. A registered club can open the Apple Developer Program at 99 USD per year and a Google Play Console account at a one-time 25 USD as an organisation. Apple and Google require a D-U-N-S number for organisation accounts, which can be requested free of charge through Apple.
If a small club uses a personal Google account instead, the app must complete a closed test with at least 12 testers over 14 days before release. For clubs this is rarely an issue, since the board, coaches or the orchestra make up a test group quickly.
- Agree at board level who is responsible for the app and the accounts.
- Request a D-U-N-S number for the club and set up developer accounts.
- Define push categories such as youth teams, seniors, orchestra and board.
- Recruit a test group of members, gather feedback and submit the app.
Alternatives and support
If your club has no well-maintained website, an app builder may be the better starting point. With apprat.io you create an app for iOS, Android and the web without code and add events and news directly.
If no volunteer wants to handle store submission, hand it to appsubmitter.io. Signing, listings, privacy declarations and reviewer questions are then handled in the club's own account, without anyone on the board having to become an expert. Data protection works as it does on the website under the GDPR: members need to know what data the push provider processes.
Frequently asked questions
Can the app be limited to members?
Yes, in two ways. Either the app is public while internal areas are protected by a login, just like on the website, or the app is not publicly listed. The first option is simpler for most clubs because it also reaches parents and prospective members.
Can we send push notifications to specific groups only?
Yes. OneSignal and Firebase let you group members by topics or tags, such as youth section, first team or wind band. Parents of junior players then do not receive messages meant for the veterans' team.
Who takes care of app updates?
The club keeps updating content on the website as before. Technical updates to the app are only needed occasionally, for example when store requirements change, and can be handed over to jocapps.