Release Your Own App Or Be Part Of The Tour Buddy Historic Tours App
Launching an app tour is an important step for many organizations to rounding out a digital strategy that reaches more guests. Once an organization decides to offer an app to their guests, the next question is usually, “Do we want our tour to be available through a branded app to our organization or included in a larger app?” Let’s explore the benefits and challenges for both options.
Branded App For Your Organization
Overview:
Creating a branded app (also known as a white label app) for your organization means that the home icon and every aspect once the app is downloaded shows your brand’s colors, images and messaging. There are no traces of Tour Buddy in your app at all. Even the developer account under which you launch your app will be your organization’s developer account. Your app’s name and your keywords will be searchable on the App Store and Google Play with screenshots that show your app.
Pros:
A branded app is very easy to find on the App Store and Google Play by simply searching the name of the app. Users only see your organization as the developer and owner of the app and your organization can also charge for the app (excluding organizations that register as non-profits).
Cons:
Your organization will have to open an Apple and Google Developer Account (over $300/year) and the process for publishing the app takes longer (around 2 weeks). Price is also a factor with branded app options costing between $3,000 – $8,000 for the first year.
Include Your Tour in The Tour Buddy Historic Tours App
Overview:
Including your tour in the Tour Buddy Historic Tours App will allow users who download the Tour Buddy Historic Tours App to download your tour through the larger Tour Buddy Historic Tours App. The list of tours will sort based on miles away from where the users is located (closest tours show up first in list).
Pros:
Your tour will be listed with other high quality tours all over the world. Launch your tour in the Tour Buddy Historic Tours App is a fast process (24 – 48 hours) and being listed with other tours gives your tour more exposure. Pricing is affordable for non-profits and smaller organizations at $500/year.
Cons:
Your tour name is not searchable on the App Store and Google Play. Users have to download the Tour Buddy Historic Tours App and then download your tour. Unable to charge for tours in this app.
Still not sure which option is best for your organization?