#Implement Firebase A/B Testing

[techiegigs]

How to Overcome Common Challenges in Mobile Marketing

Mobile marketing has become an indispensable part of any successful digital marketing strategy. With the ever-growing number of mobile users, businesses are leveraging this channel to reach their audience where they spend most of their time. However, despite its immense potential, mobile marketing comes with its own set of challenges that can hinder success if not addressed effectively.

In this blog, we’ll explore the most common challenges in mobile marketing and provide actionable solutions to overcome them.

1. Fragmented Device and Operating System Ecosystem

The Challenge:

The mobile market is highly fragmented, with various devices, screen sizes, and operating systems (iOS, Android, etc.). This makes it difficult to ensure a consistent user experience across all platforms.

The Solution:

Responsive Design: Develop mobile content and apps that are responsive and adaptable to different screen sizes and resolutions.

Cross-Platform Development: Use frameworks like React Native or Flutter to create apps that work seamlessly across multiple operating systems.

Testing Tools: Regularly test your mobile campaigns using tools like BrowserStack or Appium to identify and fix compatibility issues.

2. Ensuring Privacy and Data Security

The Challenge:

With growing concerns over data privacy, complying with regulations like GDPR and CCPA is essential. Mishandling user data can lead to legal penalties and damage your brand reputation.

The Solution:

Transparency: Clearly communicate how user data will be collected, used, and stored.

Consent Management: Implement consent mechanisms for cookies and data collection.

Secure Platforms: Use encrypted connections (HTTPS) and regularly update your security protocols.

Third-Party Audits: Conduct regular security audits to ensure compliance and identify vulnerabilities.

3. Standing Out in a Saturated Market

The Challenge:

With countless apps and ads vying for attention, breaking through the noise to capture your audience’s attention is harder than ever.

The Solution:

Personalization: Leverage user data to deliver tailored messages and recommendations.

Creative Content: Use engaging visuals, videos, and interactive elements to make your campaigns stand out.

Micro-Moments: Capitalize on micro-moments by delivering relevant content at the right time, such as search-based ads or location-specific offers.

Value Proposition: Clearly articulate how your product or service solves a problem or meets a need better than competitors.

4. Managing App Retention and Engagement

The Challenge:

While acquiring app users is one challenge, keeping them engaged and active is another. Many apps experience high uninstall rates shortly after download.

The Solution:

Onboarding Experience: Create an intuitive onboarding process to familiarize users with your app’s features quickly.

Push Notifications: Use personalized push notifications to re-engage inactive users.

In-App Gamification: Incorporate gamification elements like rewards, challenges, and leaderboards to keep users motivated.

Regular Updates: Continuously improve your app based on user feedback and analytics.

5. Measuring Campaign Effectiveness

The Challenge:

Tracking the performance of mobile marketing campaigns can be complex due to the variety of platforms and metrics involved.

The Solution:

Unified Analytics Tools: Use tools like Google Analytics for Firebase or Mixpanel to track user behavior and campaign performance across multiple channels.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): Define clear KPIs such as conversion rates, click-through rates (CTR), and return on investment (ROI).

Attribution Models: Implement multi-touch attribution to understand the impact of each marketing channel.

A/B Testing: Continuously test and optimize your campaigns to identify what works best.

6. Ad Fatigue Among Users

The Challenge:

Mobile users are often bombarded with ads, leading to ad fatigue and a decline in engagement.

The Solution:

Frequency Capping: Limit how often users see the same ad to prevent annoyance.

Native Advertising: Use ads that blend seamlessly with the app or content experience.

Content-Driven Ads: Focus on ads that provide value, such as educational or entertaining content.

Rotating Creatives: Regularly refresh your ad creatives to keep them engaging and relevant.

7. Adapting to Rapid Technological Changes

The Challenge:

The mobile marketing landscape evolves quickly, with new technologies and trends emerging regularly. Staying updated can be overwhelming.

The Solution:

Continuous Learning: Attend webinars, read industry blogs, and participate in online courses to stay informed.

Embrace Automation: Use AI and machine learning tools to streamline your mobile marketing efforts.

Experimentation: Be willing to test new formats, channels, and technologies to stay ahead of the curve.

Conclusion

Mobile marketing presents immense opportunities but also comes with unique challenges. By understanding these obstacles and implementing the right strategies, you can unlock the full potential of mobile marketing and drive significant results for your business.

Start addressing these challenges today and watch your mobile marketing efforts transform your customer engagement and overall ROI.

[demesa-jump]

How you can manage and implement moderation into your GCP/Firebase apps

In this day and age, many moderation tools are AI-powered, automated or even outsourced internationally. More especially if you’re a smaller firm or a startup , saving on $$$ and manual labor can really make a difference. 

GCP Natural Language Processing API

Biggest concern I have seen is that this can very easily run through the free initial $300 you are given in credits if you aren't careful.

Through this Natural Language processing API, you can utilize custom JSON files and strings to call for specific entity sentiment analyses and syntactic analyses to break up a phrase. By utilizing methods such as analyzeSentiment or analyzeEntity you can really dive deep into the details and specify certain settings within these methods.

GCP’s Translation API can auto-translate strings of text within conversational settings and chat rooms. This can work seamlessly with your other API’s and can provide feature rich experiences for international users. This is especially important if you plan on moving past the anglosphere and your home country as well, adding a net positive to your app’s reach and value. This is also super neat for video games - ROBLOX actually implemented similar tooling during the Pandemic - so users can have automated translation while they enjoy their games.

Within a moderation perspective, this is great if your keyword catching is strictly in one or two languages and you want to moderate in these primary languages themselves.

These two API's I have listed above are really stellar at processing language and helps you have a great start to your moderation journey. I would highly recommend having a linguist or copywriter on board as well if necessary.

Lastly let's talk about Firebase! Firebase is a suite of back-end services for your app that provides hierarchical setup, scripts, Crashlytics, and A/B testing. This is a cheap and effective option if you do not wish to go the AWS or Azure route. 

With Firebase you can access a desktop / web suite of moderation tools so you can manually moderate usernames and posts users input. I personally utilized this feature extensively when I was at Blue Fever and although it is a very effective tool, we did have to input AI-Based tooling based off of a list of words and sentiment / past posts as well. 

Some words we input for the AI (Not an extensive list obviously….) were obviously cuss words and sexually charged words, and any alternate spellings. 

For example, stupid could be also spelled out stewpid, stup1d, stüüpid, etc there are many more examples, but this is a short and sweet one that we potentially put into our list. A lot of younger folks especially will try their best to circumvent rules, so as a custodian to moderation you need to find the fine line between keeping your user-base stickiness and moderating with high quality standards.

Now…. how does this all factor into Privacy Laws, Child Safety etc.?

Apple’s strict requirements force most app developers to keep users 12 years old and up. under that age you should ban or restrict these underage almost entirely.

 Additionally, with many privacy and data laws such as CCPA, GDPR, COPPA and TRUSTe Guidelines, it is going to be considerably difficult to collect data on children to determine if they are actually children (Meaning, themselves or their parents would likely have to tell you). Also, you can't catch everything on an app or website and that is why so many policies and app platforms have strict requirements regarding age boundaries.

Aside from the features app developers can utilize and import into their developer toolkit, inputting the ability for parents to make Parental Accounts and Parent Settings is very important. This is especially important if you want parents of kids under 12 to keep a close eye on their kids internet activity.

Some companies have recommended that forced ID be put in place to circumvent the issues; however, ROBLOX (one such company who implemented this for voice chats during the Pandemic) noticed that many users were being auto-approved with a fake Spongebob ID. This begs the question, "How quality are ID checkers and how far is too far??"

Some teenagers circumvent laws by doing the Spongebob ID move, some just get their parents ID's because most don't have full on Real ID or Drivers Licenses. So this begs another question to be asked, "how far is too far with enforced app rules/age requirements before shutting down these features?" I would recommend some version of ID checking, just not too hardcore to the point where teens feel the need to do this regularly (and it has to not be sloppily implemented.)

Some places such as China banned gaming for more than 3 hours a week a few years ago, and recently Australia banned social media usage for teens under 16. (Sweden is planning something similar...)

References

[digitaldata884]

10 Top Mobile App Analytics Strategies You Need to Know

In today’s mobile-first world, app developers and marketers face the challenge of capturing user attention and retaining it amidst fierce competition. Mobile app analytics plays a critical role in understanding user behavior, improving app performance, and driving business success. However, simply using analytics tools isn't enough; implementing effective strategies is key to leveraging the insights they provide. Here are ten top mobile app analytics strategies you need to know to enhance your app's success.

1. Define Clear Goals and KPIs

Overview

Before diving into analytics, it’s essential to define clear goals and key performance indicators (KPIs) for your app. These objectives will guide your analytics efforts and help measure success.

Implementation

Identify Business Objectives: Determine what you want to achieve—be it user acquisition, engagement, retention, or revenue growth.

Set Specific KPIs: Choose metrics that align with your goals, such as daily active users (DAU), session length, conversion rates, and churn rates.

Why It Matters

Having well-defined goals and KPIs ensures that your analytics efforts remain focused and actionable. This clarity helps prioritize which data to track and analyze.

2. Utilize In-App Events Tracking

Overview

Tracking in-app events is vital for understanding user interactions within your app. Events can include button clicks, page views, purchases, and more.

Implementation

Define Key Events: Identify the actions that matter most for your app’s success.

Implement Tracking: Use tools like Google Analytics, Firebase, or Mixpanel to set up event tracking.

Why It Matters

In-app event tracking allows you to gain insights into user behavior, identify bottlenecks, and optimize the user experience. Understanding how users interact with your app can inform future design and feature decisions.

3. Segment Your Users

Overview

User segmentation enables you to categorize users based on specific criteria, such as demographics, behavior, or acquisition source.

Implementation

Identify Segmentation Criteria: Choose relevant attributes, such as age, location, or usage frequency.

Use Analytics Tools: Leverage analytics platforms to create and analyze segments.

Why It Matters

Segmenting users allows for more personalized marketing and user experiences. You can tailor communications and offers to specific groups, increasing engagement and conversion rates.

4. Monitor User Retention Rates

Overview

User retention is a critical metric that indicates how well your app keeps users engaged over time. High retention rates suggest that users find value in your app.

Implementation

Calculate Retention Rate: Use formulas to determine the percentage of users who return to the app after their first visit.

Analyze Trends: Monitor retention over various time frames (daily, weekly, monthly) to identify patterns.

Why It Matters

Understanding user retention helps you identify what keeps users coming back. This insight can guide improvements to features, content, and user engagement strategies.

5. Implement A/B Testing

Overview

A/B testing involves comparing two or more versions of an app element to determine which performs better. This method allows you to make data-driven decisions.

Implementation

Choose Elements to Test: Identify specific features or content, such as buttons, headlines, or layouts.

Set Up Tests: Use A/B testing tools to create variations and track performance.

Why It Matters

A/B testing strategies provide empirical evidence on what works and what doesn’t, allowing you to optimize your app based on real user behavior rather than assumptions.

6. Leverage User Feedback

Overview

User feedback is invaluable for understanding user sentiments and identifying areas for improvement. Collecting feedback can provide qualitative insights that analytics alone cannot offer.

Implementation

In-App Surveys: Create short surveys or feedback forms within your app.

Monitor Reviews: Keep track of app store reviews and ratings to gauge user sentiment.

Why It Matters

Integrating user feedback with analytics data creates a comprehensive understanding of user needs and pain points, guiding effective enhancements to the app experience.

7. Analyze User Acquisition Channels

Overview

Understanding which channels drive the most valuable users to your app is essential for optimizing marketing strategies and budget allocation.

Implementation

Track Acquisition Sources: Use UTM parameters or built-in analytics features to identify where users are coming from.

Evaluate Performance: Assess the effectiveness of each channel in terms of user engagement and retention.

Why It Matters

By analyzing user acquisition channels, you can allocate resources effectively and focus on the channels that yield the highest ROI. This knowledge allows for targeted marketing campaigns that attract high-value users.

8. Use Funnel Analysis

Overview

Funnel analysis visualizes the steps users take to complete a specific goal, such as making a purchase or signing up for an account. This analysis helps identify where users drop off in the conversion process.

Implementation

Define the Funnel Steps: Outline the key actions users must take to achieve the desired outcome.

Analyze Conversion Rates: Use analytics tools to track how many users complete each step of the funnel.

Why It Matters

Understanding where users drop off in the funnel helps identify obstacles and opportunities for optimization, ultimately improving conversion rates and user satisfaction.

9. Monitor App Performance Metrics

Overview

Tracking performance metrics, such as load times, crash rates, and app responsiveness, is crucial for ensuring a smooth user experience.

Implementation

Use Monitoring Tools: Implement tools like Crashlytics or New Relic to monitor app performance.

Set Performance Benchmarks: Establish acceptable performance standards for your app.

Why It Matters

Performance issues can lead to poor user experiences and increased churn rates. Regular monitoring helps identify and address problems before they impact users significantly.

10. Continuously Iterate and Improve

Overview

The mobile app landscape is constantly evolving, and so are user expectations. Continuous improvement based on analytics insights is vital for long-term success.

Implementation

Regularly Review Analytics: Schedule periodic reviews of your analytics data to assess performance against your goals.

Adapt Strategies: Be willing to pivot and adapt your strategies based on data insights and user feedback.

Why It Matters

A commitment to continuous improvement ensures your app remains relevant and competitive. Regularly updating features and addressing user needs fosters loyalty and drives sustained engagement.

Conclusion

Implementing effective mobile app analytics strategies is crucial for understanding user behavior, optimizing performance, and achieving business objectives. By defining clear goals, tracking in-app events, segmenting users, and leveraging feedback, you can create a comprehensive analytics framework that drives success.

As the mobile landscape continues to evolve, staying informed and adaptable is key. Regularly monitoring performance metrics and iterating on your strategies will help you meet and exceed user expectations. Embrace these ten top mobile app analytics strategies to ensure your app not only survives but thrives in today’s competitive market.

[navdurga32]

How do I get a global rank of Android apps?

In the ever-competitive landscape of mobile applications, achieving a high global rank is crucial for visibility, user acquisition, and overall success. The global ranking of Android apps is determined by various factors, including downloads, user ratings, reviews, and engagement metrics. This article will explore effective strategies to enhance the global rank of your android app and why ElanceMarket is one of the best platforms to help achieve this goal.

Understanding Global Ranking of Android Apps

Global ranking is a reflection of how well an app performs compared to others worldwide. It encompasses metrics such as:

Downloads and Installs: The total number of downloads is a primary factor influencing global rank. More downloads often correlate with higher rankings, as they indicate popularity and user interest.

User Ratings and Reviews: User feedback significantly impacts an app’s visibility. High ratings and positive reviews can enhance an app's credibility and attract more downloads.

User Engagement: Metrics like session duration, frequency of use, and retention rates contribute to an app’s engagement score, affecting its global ranking.

App Store Optimization (ASO): Properly optimizing an app's title, description, keywords, and visuals can significantly improve its discoverability in app stores, directly influencing its ranking.

Social Media Presence: Promoting your app through social media platforms can drive traffic and downloads, enhancing its global rank.

Strategies to Improve Global Rank for Android Apps

To achieve a high global rank for your Android app, consider implementing the following strategies:

1. Optimize Your App Store Listing

Keyword Research: Use tools like Google Keyword Planner or ASO-specific tools to identify relevant keywords for your app. Integrate these keywords naturally into your app title, description, and tags.

Compelling Description: Write a clear, concise, and engaging app description that highlights its features and benefits. A well-crafted description can persuade users to download your app.

High-Quality Screenshots and Videos: Visuals play a vital role in attracting potential users. Ensure that your app’s screenshots and promotional videos showcase its key features and user interface effectively.

2. Encourage User Reviews and Ratings

In-App Prompts: Implement prompts within your app that encourage users to leave feedback or ratings after a positive interaction.

Respond to Feedback: Engage with users by responding to their reviews, especially negative ones. Addressing concerns shows users that you value their opinions and are committed to improving their experience.

3. Implement a Strong Marketing Strategy

Social Media Promotion: Utilize social media platforms to reach a broader audience. Share engaging content, user testimonials, and updates about your app to generate buzz and attract downloads.

Influencer Marketing: Partner with influencers in your niche who can promote your app to their followers. Their endorsement can drive credibility and encourage downloads.

Paid Advertising: Invest in targeted advertising campaigns on platforms like Google Ads and Facebook Ads to reach potential users.

4. Monitor and Analyze Performance

Analytics Tools: Use analytics tools such as Google Analytics for Firebase to monitor user behavior, app performance, and key metrics. Analyzing this data can help you make informed decisions to optimize your app further.

A/B Testing: Test different elements of your app listing, such as app icons, descriptions, and screenshots, to identify which versions yield the best results in terms of downloads and engagement.

5. Collaborate with App Review Platforms

Engage with Review Platforms: Connect with credible app review platforms and websites that can provide honest reviews and features of your app. Positive reviews from reputable sources can enhance your app's credibility and visibility.

Why ElanceMarket is One of the Best Platforms to Get a Global Rank for Android Apps?

ElanceMarket is a leading platform that offers a comprehensive suite of services aimed at improving the global rank of Android apps. Here are several reasons why it stands out:

1. Expertise in App Marketing

ElanceMarket boasts a team of professionals with extensive experience in mobile app marketing. They understand the nuances of the app ecosystem and are equipped with the latest tools and techniques to enhance your app's visibility and ranking.

2. Tailored Strategies

ElanceMarket offers personalized marketing strategies tailored to your app's unique needs and target audience. By analyzing your app's current performance and market trends, they can develop a plan that maximizes your app's potential for success.

3. Comprehensive App Store Optimization

The platform specializes in ASO, ensuring that your app is optimized for maximum discoverability in app stores. This includes keyword research, creating compelling app descriptions, and designing eye-catching visuals that attract users.

4. Review Generation Services

ElanceMarket can facilitate the generation of authentic user reviews and ratings, which are crucial for improving your app's credibility. They employ ethical methods to encourage genuine user feedback, helping you build a solid reputation in the market.

5. Data-Driven Insights

The platform provides in-depth analytics and reporting tools to track your app's performance. With access to real-time data, you can monitor key metrics, identify areas for improvement, and adjust your strategies accordingly.

6. Cost-Effective Solutions

ElanceMarket offers competitive pricing for its services, making it accessible for startups and established businesses alike. Their cost-effective solutions ensure you get value for your investment while enhancing your app’s global rank.

7. Ongoing Support

ElanceMarket believes in building long-term relationships with its clients. They provide ongoing support and consultation to ensure that your app continues to perform well in the dynamic app market. This commitment to client success sets them apart from other platforms.

Conclusion

Achieving a high global rank for your Android app requires a strategic approach encompassing app store optimization, user engagement, and effective marketing. By implementing the right strategies, you can improve your app's visibility and attract more downloads.

ElanceMarket emerges as one of the best platforms to help you navigate this journey. With its expertise in app marketing, tailored strategies, and comprehensive support, ElanceMarket equips you with the tools needed to elevate your Android app’s global rank and ensure long-term success in the competitive mobile landscape.

[ecens]

What are the technical requirements for implementing server-side tracking?

Implementing server-side tracking involves setting up a secure server environment capable of handling data processing tasks. This typically requires a cloud service provider, such as Google Cloud or AWS, to host the server infrastructure. The server needs to be configured to receive tracking data from client devices, process it, and forward it to analytics platforms like Google Analytics 4 (GA4) or Firebase. Additionally, setting up a robust database to store and manage the tracking data is essential. Developers must ensure that the server can handle incoming data traffic efficiently, which may involve using load balancing and scalable storage solutions. Security measures, such as encryption and authentication, are crucial to protect user data and comply with privacy regulations.

Server-side tracking benefits are numerous, including improved data accuracy, enhanced privacy controls, and reduced dependency on client-side tracking, which can be affected by ad blockers and browser restrictions. When comparing Firebase vs GA4, Firebase offers a more comprehensive suite for app development and tracking, including features for crash reporting, performance monitoring, and A/B testing. GA4, on the other hand, is more focused on web and app analytics with advanced machine learning capabilities to provide deeper insights. Choosing between Firebase and GA4 depends on the specific needs of the project, such as whether the focus is on app development or detailed analytics. Both platforms support server-side tracking, but their integration and features may differ based on the use case.

[appmasterd]

Harnessing the Power of Push Notifications in Android Apps

Push notifications have become a cornerstone of user engagement in the dynamic landscape of Android apps. These timely and personalized alerts not only enhance user experience but also play a crucial role in app retention and interaction.

As the app market continues to evolve, understanding the significance of push notifications and mastering their effective implementation is essential for developers.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the key components, technical intricacies, and analytics that contribute to the successful harnessing of push notifications, empowering Android developers to elevate their app's engagement and user satisfaction.

II. Key Components of Effective Push Notifications

A. Importance of Personalization

Personalization lies at the heart of effective push notifications, allowing developers to tailor messages based on user behavior, preferences, and demographics. By leveraging user data such as location, past interactions, and app usage patterns, developers can deliver notifications that are highly relevant and engaging.

For example, a fitness app can send personalized workout reminders based on the user's activity history, motivating them to stay active. This level of customization not only increases the likelihood of user engagement but also fosters a sense of connection and value, ultimately leading to higher retention rates.

Moreover, personalization extends beyond content to include the timing and frequency of notifications. Understanding when and how often users prefer to receive notifications is crucial for maximizing their impact.

Utilizing data analytics tools, developers can identify optimal delivery times based on user activity patterns, ensuring that notifications are received at times when users are most likely to engage with them. This strategic approach helps mitigate the risk of notification fatigue, where users may become overwhelmed by frequent or untimely notifications, leading to app abandonment.

B. Crafting Compelling Copy

Crafting compelling copy is another essential component of effective push notifications. Given the limited space and attention span of users, it's crucial to convey the message concisely and persuasively. The notification copy should be clear, concise, and action-oriented, prompting users to take the desired action without ambiguity.

Incorporating persuasive language and a sense of urgency can further enhance the effectiveness of notifications. For example, a retail app can use phrases like "Limited-time offer" or "Don't miss out!" to incentivize users to take advantage of promotions or discounts.

Additionally, A/B testing is a valuable tool for optimizing notification copy. By experimenting with different variations of copy and analyzing their performance, developers can identify which messages resonate most with their audience and drive the highest engagement rates.

This iterative approach allows developers to continuously refine their notification strategies and deliver messages that resonate with users. Through thoughtful personalization and compelling copywriting, developers can create push notifications that capture users' attention and drive meaningful interactions with their apps, ultimately contributing to higher user retention and satisfaction.

III. Technical Implementation

A. Setting Up Push Notification Services

Integrating push notification services is a pivotal step in ensuring that your Android app effectively communicates with users. One widely used platform for this purpose is Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM), provided by Google. To publish your app on Google Play Store, you must first establish a connection between your app and FCM. Begin by creating a Firebase project, adding your app to it, and configuring FCM. This involves obtaining a unique API key and sender ID, which are crucial for sending notifications. The FCM SDK integration into your app's codebase follows, enabling seamless communication between the server and the Android device.

In addition to FCM, other third-party services like OneSignal or Pusher offer alternative solutions. Choose a service that aligns with your app's requirements and development preferences. Once the integration is complete, thorough testing is essential to ensure notifications are delivered as intended. This technical implementation not only facilitates effective communication but is also a prerequisite to successfully uploading your app on Google Play with functioning push notifications.

B. Handling Permissions

Respecting user privacy is paramount in the Android ecosystem. Therefore, handling permissions for push notifications requires a delicate approach. When users install your app, seek their consent explicitly for receiving push notifications. Clearly articulate the value proposition of your notifications to encourage opt-ins. Android's evolving permission models demand adherence to guidelines for requesting permissions at runtime, ensuring a transparent and user-centric experience.

Developers should be mindful of users who may want to manage their notification preferences. Providing an accessible in-app settings section allows users to control the types and frequency of notifications they receive, contributing to a positive user experience. It's imperative to stay informed about changes in Android's permission policies, ensuring that your app remains compliant. By adopting responsible and transparent practices in handling permissions, you not only enhance user trust but also fulfill the prerequisites for successfully publishing your app on Google Play Store.

C. Customization and Interactivity

Push notifications can go beyond being informative; they can be interactive, enriching the user experience. Adding interactive elements to notifications, such as buttons or quick actions, allows users to engage with the app directly from the notification shade. For example, an e-commerce app could include buttons like "View Offer" or "Shop Now" in its notifications.

Customization is another crucial aspect. Design notifications to align with your app's branding to create a cohesive user experience. Incorporate your app's color scheme, logo, and styling into the notification's visual elements. This not only reinforces brand identity but also ensures that users easily recognize your app's notifications amidst others.

By implementing customization and interactivity, developers can make push notifications more engaging and user-friendly. These features not only contribute to a positive user experience but also play a role in user retention and satisfaction, key factors in the success of an app on the competitive landscape of Google Play Store.

IV. Push Notification Analytics

A. Importance of Analytics in Evaluating Notification Effectiveness

Analytics play a pivotal role in the continuous improvement of push notifications. By closely monitoring key metrics, developers gain valuable insights into the performance of their notification campaigns. Metrics such as open rates, click-through rates (CTR), and conversion rates provide quantitative data on user engagement. Understanding these metrics allows developers to evaluate the effectiveness of their notifications and make data-driven decisions to enhance future campaigns.

For instance, if a notification has a high open rate but a low conversion rate, developers can analyze the notification content and call-to-action to identify areas for improvement. Conversely, a low open rate may signal the need to reassess the timing or relevance of the notification. By leveraging analytics, developers can optimize their notification strategies, ensuring that messages resonate with users and drive the desired actions.

B. Utilizing Insights for Continuous Improvement

The real value of analytics lies in the actionable insights it provides. Developers should view analytics not just as a reporting tool but as a guide for iterative improvement. Conduct A/B testing to experiment with different notification variations, such as changing the message tone, adjusting delivery times, or refining the call-to-action. Analyze the results to identify which variations perform best and iterate accordingly.

Continuous improvement also involves staying attuned to user feedback. If users consistently ignore or dismiss certain types of notifications, it's crucial to understand why. Solicit feedback through surveys or in-app prompts to gather qualitative insights. This user-centric approach ensures that notifications align with user preferences and contribute positively to the overall app experience.

V. Challenges and Solutions

A. Overcoming Notification Fatigue

While push notifications are a powerful tool, there's a delicate balance to strike between engagement and potential user irritation. Notification fatigue occurs when users feel overwhelmed by a high volume of notifications, leading to frustration and, in extreme cases, app uninstallation. To mitigate this risk, developers should implement strategies to personalize and limit the frequency of notifications.

Implement user-controlled preferences within the app settings, allowing users to specify the types of notifications they want to receive and their preferred frequency. Additionally, consider implementing intelligent algorithms that assess user engagement patterns and adjust the timing and frequency of notifications accordingly. By giving users control and optimizing notification delivery, developers can prevent notification fatigue and foster a positive relationship between the app and its users.

B. Navigating Platform-Specific Considerations

Android's ecosystem is diverse, with a multitude of device models and operating system versions in use. Developers must be mindful of platform-specific considerations to ensure consistent and reliable push notification delivery. Regularly update your app to adopt the latest Android APIs and features, as these updates often include improvements to the notification system.

Compliance with Google Play Store policies is paramount. Ensure that your push notification content adheres to content guidelines to avoid potential app suspension or removal from the store. Stay informed about changes to Android's notification handling across different versions, addressing any compatibility issues promptly. Navigating these platform-specific considerations ensures a smooth and reliable experience for users, contributing to the app's longevity and success on the Google Play Store.

VI. Future Trends in Push Notifications for Android Apps

A. Innovations in Notification Technologies

The landscape of push notifications for Android apps is continually evolving, driven by innovations in notification technologies. One notable trend is the integration of rich media and interactive elements within notifications. Embracing images, videos, or interactive buttons allows developers to create more engaging and dynamic notification experiences. For example, a travel app could send a notification featuring a captivating image of a destination, enticing users to explore more.

Furthermore, the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) is influencing how notifications are personalized. AI algorithms can analyze user behavior patterns to predict the most effective timing, content, and even the preferred communication channel for each user. As these technologies advance, we can anticipate more sophisticated and context-aware push notifications that enhance user engagement and satisfaction.

B. Predictions for the Future of Push Notifications in the Android Ecosystem

Looking ahead, we can make predictions about the future of push notifications in the Android ecosystem. Increased emphasis on user privacy and data protection may lead to advancements in permission models, ensuring users have even more control over the types of notifications they receive. The development of standardized notification templates could streamline the creation process for developers, fostering consistency and user familiarity across different apps.

Moreover, the integration of push notifications with emerging technologies such as augmented reality (AR) and wearables is a promising avenue. For instance, AR-enhanced notifications could provide users with immersive previews of new app features or exclusive content. Wearable devices could offer new opportunities for glanceable notifications, enabling users to interact with apps directly from their smartwatches.

In the future, we can expect push notifications to evolve beyond mere informational prompts, becoming integral components of immersive and personalized app experiences. Staying abreast of these trends will be crucial for developers aiming to deliver cutting-edge and impactful notifications that resonate with users in the ever-competitive environment of Android apps.

VII. Conclusion

A. Recap of Key Points

In this comprehensive guide, we've delved into the intricacies of harnessing the power of push notifications in Android apps. From understanding the importance of personalization and crafting compelling copy to the technical implementation of push notification services, we've covered essential aspects of creating effective communication channels with users.

Analytics emerged as a crucial tool for evaluating notification effectiveness, and developers learned to utilize insights for continuous improvement. We addressed challenges such as notification fatigue and platform-specific considerations, providing solutions to navigate these complexities.

B. Emphasizing the Ongoing Importance of Push Notifications

As we conclude, it's paramount to emphasize the ongoing importance of push notifications for the success of an app on the Google Play Store. Push notifications, when executed thoughtfully, contribute not only to user engagement and retention but also to the overall positive perception of an app.

Developers should remain vigilant about evolving trends and technologies to ensure their push notification strategies remain effective in the dynamic landscape of Android apps. By staying informed and adapting to changing user expectations, developers can position their apps for sustained success on the Google Play Store and beyond.

[wamatechblog]

How to Optimize Mobile App Performance for a Better User Experience

Introduction:

In the fast-paced world of mobile app development, ensuring that your app performs flawlessly is key to keeping users engaged and satisfied. A sluggish, unresponsive app can drive users away faster than you can say "download." In this blog, we'll delve into the vital topic of optimizing mobile app performance to create a better user experience. We'll explore the best practices, tools, and strategies that developers can employ to ensure their mobile apps run smoothly and efficiently.

Why Mobile App Performance Matters

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of optimization, let's first understand why mobile app performance is crucial:

User Retention: A seamless and responsive app keeps users coming back for more. On the other hand, a slow app is likely to be uninstalled in no time.

Ratings and Reviews: App store reviews and ratings significantly impact an app's discoverability. Poor performance can lead to negative reviews and low ratings, hampering your app's success.

Competitive Advantage: In a crowded app marketplace, well-optimized apps stand out and gain a competitive edge.

Best Practices for Mobile App Performance Optimization

1. Efficient Coding:

Writing efficient and clean code is the foundation of a high-performing app. Avoid memory leaks, excessive CPU usage, and unnecessary network requests.

2. Image and Data Compression:

Optimize images and compress data to reduce the load on the app. Use modern image formats and content delivery networks (CDNs) to deliver content quickly.

3. Caching:

Implement effective caching strategies to store frequently accessed data locally, reducing the need for repeated requests to the server.

4. Minimize Network Requests:

Limit the number of network requests your app makes. Combine multiple requests when possible and use lazy loading techniques.

5. Background Processing:

Offload non-essential tasks to background threads to keep the main thread responsive. Use background processing for tasks like data syncing.

6. User Feedback Loops:

Implement feedback mechanisms within your app to gather user insights and bug reports. This information can help you identify and fix performance issues.

Tools and Technologies for Performance Optimization

To make the optimization process smoother, consider using these tools and technologies:

Performance Profiling Tools: Tools like Android Profiler and Xcode Instruments can help you identify performance bottlenecks.

CDNs: Content delivery networks like Cloudflare and Amazon CloudFront can speed up content delivery.

Crash Reporting Services: Services like Crashlytics and Firebase Crashlytics can help you identify and fix app crashes quickly.

A/B Testing: Experiment with different optimizations and features to find out what works best for your users.

Monitoring Tools: Use tools like New Relic or AppDynamics for real-time performance monitoring.

Conclusion

Optimizing mobile app performance isn't just a one-time task; it's an ongoing effort to meet the evolving expectations of users. By following the best practices, leveraging the right tools, and continuously monitoring your app's performance, you can ensure a better user experience and maintain a positive presence in the competitive app market.

Mobile app performance is the foundation of user satisfaction, and it's up to developers to keep their apps running like well-oiled machines. Start implementing these optimization strategies today and watch your app's user experience soar to new heights.

[priyankarathodsblog]

Track Your iOS App Performance with Firebase Analytics

Firebase Analytics is a powerful tool that can help app developers track and analyze user behavior within their iOS apps. This comprehensive guide will provide an overview of Firebase Analytics and its key features, as well as step-by-step instructions for implementing it in your iOS app.

One of the key benefits of Firebase Analytics is its ability to track user behavior across multiple platforms and devices. This means that app developers can gain a more complete picture of their users' behavior and preferences, allowing them to make more informed decisions about how to improve their app.

Firebase Analytics also provides a range of customizable reports and dashboards, allowing developers to track key performance metrics such as app retention, user engagement, and revenue. Additionally, Firebase Analytics integrates with a range of other Firebase services, such as Remote Config and A/B Testing, to provide a comprehensive suite of tools for optimizing your app's performance.

Overall, Firebase Analytics is an essential tool for any iOS app developer looking to gain a deeper understanding of their users and improve their app's performance. With this comprehensive guide, you'll be able to implement Firebase Analytics in your app and start tracking user behavior in no time.

Contact Us for digital marketing services:- 9011285959 Click here for more about performance marketing company-  www.radon-media.com

[hydralisk98]

hydralisk98′s web projects tracker:

Core principles=

Fail faster

‘Learn, Tweak, Make’ loop

This is meant to be a quick reference for tracking progress made over my various projects, organized by their “ultimate target” goal:

(START)

(Website)=

Install Firefox

Install Chrome

Install Microsoft newest browser

Install Lynx

Learn about contemporary web browsers

Install a very basic text editor

Install Notepad++

Install Nano

Install Powershell

Install Bash

Install Git

Learn HTML

Elements and attributes

Commenting (single line comment, multi-line comment)

Head (title, meta, charset, language, link, style, description, keywords, author, viewport, script, base, url-encode, )

Hyperlinks (local, external, link titles, relative filepaths, absolute filepaths)

Headings (h1-h6, horizontal rules)

Paragraphs (pre, line breaks)

Text formatting (bold, italic, deleted, inserted, subscript, superscript, marked)

Quotations (quote, blockquote, abbreviations, address, cite, bidirectional override)

Entities & symbols (&entity_name, &entity_number, &nbsp, useful HTML character entities, diacritical marks, mathematical symbols, greek letters, currency symbols, )

Id (bookmarks)

Classes (select elements, multiple classes, different tags can share same class, )

Blocks & Inlines (div, span)

Computercode (kbd, samp, code, var)

Lists (ordered, unordered, description lists, control list counting, nesting)

Tables (colspan, rowspan, caption, colgroup, thead, tbody, tfoot, th)

Images (src, alt, width, height, animated, link, map, area, usenmap, , picture, picture for format support)

old fashioned audio

old fashioned video

Iframes (URL src, name, target)

Forms (input types, action, method, GET, POST, name, fieldset, accept-charset, autocomplete, enctype, novalidate, target, form elements, input attributes)

URL encode (scheme, prefix, domain, port, path, filename, ascii-encodings)

Learn about oldest web browsers onwards

Learn early HTML versions (doctypes & permitted elements for each version)

Make a 90s-like web page compatible with as much early web formats as possible, earliest web browsers’ compatibility is best here

Learn how to teach HTML5 features to most if not all older browsers

Install Adobe XD

Register a account at Figma

Learn Adobe XD basics

Learn Figma basics

Install Microsoft’s VS Code

Install my Microsoft’s VS Code favorite extensions

Learn HTML5

Semantic elements

Layouts

Graphics (SVG, canvas)

Track

Audio

Video

Embed

APIs (geolocation, drag and drop, local storage, application cache, web workers, server-sent events, )

HTMLShiv for teaching older browsers HTML5

HTML5 style guide and coding conventions (doctype, clean tidy well-formed code, lower case element names, close all html elements, close empty html elements, quote attribute values, image attributes, space and equal signs, avoid long code lines, blank lines, indentation, keep html, keep head, keep body, meta data, viewport, comments, stylesheets, loading JS into html, accessing HTML elements with JS, use lowercase file names, file extensions, index/default)

Learn CSS

Selections

Colors

Fonts

Positioning

Box model

Grid

Flexbox

Custom properties

Transitions

Animate

Make a simple modern static site

Learn responsive design

Viewport

Media queries

Fluid widths

rem units over px

Mobile first

Learn SASS

Variables

Nesting

Conditionals

Functions

Learn about CSS frameworks

Learn Bootstrap

Learn Tailwind CSS

Learn JS

Fundamentals

Document Object Model / DOM

JavaScript Object Notation / JSON

Fetch API

Modern JS (ES6+)

Learn Git

Learn Browser Dev Tools

Learn your VS Code extensions

Learn Emmet

Learn NPM

Learn Yarn

Learn Axios

Learn Webpack

Learn Parcel

Learn basic deployment

Domain registration (Namecheap)

Managed hosting (InMotion, Hostgator, Bluehost)

Static hosting (Nertlify, Github Pages)

SSL certificate

FTP

SFTP

SSH

CLI

Make a fancy front end website about 

Make a few Tumblr themes

===You are now a basic front end developer!

Learn about XML dialects

Learn XML

Learn about JS frameworks

Learn jQuery

Learn React

Contex API with Hooks

NEXT

Learn Vue.js

Vuex

NUXT

Learn Svelte

NUXT (Vue)

Learn Gatsby

Learn Gridsome

Learn Typescript

Make a epic front end website about 

===You are now a front-end wizard!

Learn Node.js

Express

Nest.js

Koa

Learn Python

Django

Flask

Learn GoLang

Revel

Learn PHP

Laravel

Slim

Symfony

Learn Ruby

Ruby on Rails

Sinatra

Learn SQL

PostgreSQL

MySQL

Learn ORM

Learn ODM

Learn NoSQL

MongoDB

RethinkDB

CouchDB

Learn a cloud database

Firebase, Azure Cloud DB, AWS

Learn a lightweight & cache variant

Redis

SQLlite

NeDB

Learn GraphQL

Learn about CMSes

Learn Wordpress

Learn Drupal

Learn Keystone

Learn Enduro

Learn Contentful

Learn Sanity

Learn Jekyll

Learn about DevOps

Learn NGINX

Learn Apache

Learn Linode

Learn Heroku

Learn Azure

Learn Docker

Learn testing

Learn load balancing

===You are now a good full stack developer

Learn about mobile development

Learn Dart

Learn Flutter

Learn React Native

Learn Nativescript

Learn Ionic

Learn progressive web apps

Learn Electron

Learn JAMstack

Learn serverless architecture

Learn API-first design

Learn data science

Learn machine learning

Learn deep learning

Learn speech recognition

Learn web assembly

===You are now a epic full stack developer

Make a web browser

Make a web server

===You are now a legendary full stack developer

[...]

(Computer system)=

Learn to execute and test your code in a command line interface

Learn to use breakpoints and debuggers

Learn Bash

Learn fish

Learn Zsh

Learn Vim

Learn nano

Learn Notepad++

Learn VS Code

Learn Brackets

Learn Atom

Learn Geany

Learn Neovim

Learn Python

Learn Java?

Learn R

Learn Swift?

Learn Go-lang?

Learn Common Lisp

Learn Clojure (& ClojureScript)

Learn Scheme

Learn C++

Learn C

Learn B

Learn Mesa

Learn Brainfuck

Learn Assembly

Learn Machine Code

Learn how to manage I/O

Make a keypad

Make a keyboard

Make a mouse

Make a light pen

Make a small LCD display

Make a small LED display

Make a teleprinter terminal

Make a medium raster CRT display

Make a small vector CRT display

Make larger LED displays

Make a few CRT displays

Learn how to manage computer memory

Make datasettes

Make a datasette deck

Make floppy disks

Make a floppy drive

Learn how to control data

Learn binary base

Learn hexadecimal base

Learn octal base

Learn registers

Learn timing information

Learn assembly common mnemonics

Learn arithmetic operations

Learn logic operations (AND, OR, XOR, NOT, NAND, NOR, NXOR, IMPLY)

Learn masking

Learn assembly language basics

Learn stack construct’s operations

Learn calling conventions

Learn to use Application Binary Interface or ABI

Learn to make your own ABIs

Learn to use memory maps

Learn to make memory maps

Make a clock

Make a front panel

Make a calculator

Learn about existing instruction sets (Intel, ARM, RISC-V, PIC, AVR, SPARC, MIPS, Intersil 6120, Z80...)

Design a instruction set

Compose a assembler

Compose a disassembler

Compose a emulator

Write a B-derivative programming language (somewhat similar to C)

Write a IPL-derivative programming language (somewhat similar to Lisp and Scheme)

Write a general markup language (like GML, SGML, HTML, XML...)

Write a Turing tarpit (like Brainfuck)

Write a scripting language (like Bash)

Write a database system (like VisiCalc or SQL)

Write a CLI shell (basic operating system like Unix or CP/M)

Write a single-user GUI operating system (like Xerox Star’s Pilot)

Write a multi-user GUI operating system (like Linux)

Write various software utilities for my various OSes

Write various games for my various OSes

Write various niche applications for my various OSes

Implement a awesome model in very large scale integration, like the Commodore CBM-II

Implement a epic model in integrated circuits, like the DEC PDP-15

Implement a modest model in transistor-transistor logic, similar to the DEC PDP-12

Implement a simple model in diode-transistor logic, like the original DEC PDP-8

Implement a simpler model in later vacuum tubes, like the IBM 700 series

Implement simplest model in early vacuum tubes, like the EDSAC

[...]

(Conlang)=

Choose sounds

Choose phonotactics

[...]

(Animation ‘movie’)=

[...]

(Exploration top-down ’racing game’)=

[...]

(Video dictionary)=

[...]

(Grand strategy game)=

[...]

(Telex system)=

[...]

(Pen&paper tabletop game)=

[...]

(Search engine)=

[...]

(Microlearning system)=

[...]

(Alternate planet)=

[...]

(END)

[karonbill]

Android ATC AFD-200 Real Questions

To become a Flutter Certified Application Developer, you have to pass the AFD-200 exam which assesses your knowledge and experience. Using PassQuestion Android ATC AFD-200 Real Questions will allow the candidates to master their learning and skill set before they enroll themselves in the actual exam. Make sure that you are going through all of our Android ATC AFD-200 Real Questions so you can ensure your success in the final exam. After using all of our AFD-200 questions and answers, you will be able to succeed in the final Flutter Certified Application Developer exam. Make sure that you are using these Android ATC AFD-200 Real Questions multiple times to ensure your success.

Flutter Certified Application Developer (AFD-200)

This certification is critical for your mobile development career. It will enhance your potential in the ever-growing mobile development market and push your development career forward since it verifies that you have adequate knowledge to be considered an iOS and Android developer. To become a Flutter Certified Application Developer, you have to pass the AFD-200 exam which assesses your knowledge and experience.

AFD-200 Exam Details

Exam Code: AFD-200 Exam Name: Flutter Certified Application Developer Number of Questions: 45 multiple-choice questions Exam Duration: 90 minutes. Passing Score: 70% Language: English and Spanish Price: 100 USD instead of 150 USD with a free retake until January 31, 2022

AFD-200 Exam Objectives

Introduction to Flutter and Dart Programming Language Dart Programming - Syntax Dart Functions & Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) Introduction to Flutter Flutter Widgets Fundamentals Navigation and Routing visual, Behavioral, and Motion-Rich Widgets implementing Material Design Guidelines Firebase Location-Aware Apps: Using GPS and Google Maps App Testing & Publishing

View Online Flutter Certified Application Developer AFD-200 Free Questions

If you created a Flutter app using the Firebase services where the app users had to login to this App using Firebase user accounts (email and password), which of the following Firebase products store these app users' accounts? A.Database B.Authentication C.Storage D.Hosting Answer:B

You can add or import a new font to your Flutter by pasting this font file in a font folder in your Flutter project without needing to declare this font file or the font folder in the pubspec.ymal. Is this correct ? A.True B.False Answer:B

A floating action button in Flutter development is by default a circular icon button, and you should add the Icon widget as a child widget of FloatingActionButton widget. Which of the following choices is correct to add a phone icon to the FloatingActionButton widget in a Flutter app ? A.Icon<'phone'>, B.icon(icon.style:'phone'), C.Icon(Icons.phone), D.icon=phone.Flutter, Answer : C

________ command checks your environment and displays a report of the status of your Flutter and Android Studio other than IDE software installation. Which of the following choices is the correct answer to fill in the blank above? A.Flutter Doctor B.Flutter Connection C.Flutter Screen D.Flutter IDE_XML Answer : A

Flutter works with many development tools which are compatible with Flutter plug-ins (Flutter SDK). Which of the following software can be used to build a Flutter app ? (Select three) A.NotePad B.Visual Studio C.IntelliJ D.Android Studio Answer : B, C, D

[firebasetutorials]

via Firebase Tutorials

What is Firebase? Want to know the 15 reasons? Keep reading.

Contemporary, a bunch of clouds (server-side) technologies exists created by many companies, offering their services and easing the work of developers.

The best part with Firebase?

You no longer need to write all the server-side code.

If you just want to implement the sign-in/sign-up feature saving a ton of time, and it’s not limited to sign-in/sign-up only.

Server-side technologies nowadays can handle pretty much as long as it is concerned with the cloud, like saving/reading the files, data-security, building a huge database, sending push notifications, as I said, pretty much everything, you just name it.

Many companies but here, today, we will explore only one of them. Which is no other than Firebase by Google itself!

What is Firebase?

Firebase is a mobile and web application development platform developed by Firebase, Inc in 2011. Later, it was acquired by Google in 2014.

More technically, Firebase is a BAAS short for Backend-as-a-service which helps you to build better apps, websites, or games regardless of server-side coding, API or backend data storage.

Firebase offers 19 products which can significantly reduce the amount of time you write code.

We can split Firebase products into 3 categories:

Development products

Improvement products

Grow products

Now, we’ll jump into each category and will give you the know-how of each product. We will not be covering the topics which are in the beta state.

1. Development Products

Developments products offer great help especially when your product is in the development phase.

When I say your product it could be anything you are currently working on: mobile app, a web app, an IoT project, etc.

So the development products by Firebase are as below:

a) Firebase Database

Firebase Database is quite a confusing thing for beginners. If you go to the Firebase Console, open any project and open the Database section from the left sidebar then there would be two options waiting for you.

Firebase Realtime Database

Firebase Cloud Firestore

Let’s explore each of these in detail but keep in mind that both of these are non-SQL and realtime databases.

First I wanna make you clear about what is a Real-time Database. You can read the nerdy definition here on Wikipedia about the real-time database, but long story short:

It is a database, where we don’t need to request the data, the server provides it in realtime.

In fact, the Realtime Database is the Firebase’s first and original cloud-based database. For the mobile apps requiring synced states across clients in realtime, it is an efficient and low-latency solution.

Let me make it more understandable with an example.

Suppose you are going to develop a chat app, where a user can sign-in and chat with their friends. The sign-in part can easily be handled by Firebase Authentication (later described in this article).

But for sending and receiving messages, we need a database, except apart from Firebase there are thousands of online databases out there but most of them don’t provide the functionality of Real-Time.

Do you know what happens without a real-time database?

We need to hit the refresh button to check if there is any other message or not, and I think it is scary, isn’t?

b) Firebase Real-time Database

Screenshot of Firebase Realtime Database of my Android App

Real-time Database is the way of the future, now most of the servers need HTTP requests to read or write data where most database gives data only when you ask them.

But when you are connecting your app to the Firebase Real-time database, you are not connecting through normal HTTP but through Web Sockets which are a lot faster than HTTP.

Data is stored in JSON and synchronized in realtime to every connected client.

Besides when you build cross-platform apps with our iOS, Android, and JavaScript SDKs, all of your clients share one Realtime Database instance and automatically receive updates with the newest data. And when they call it Realtime, they mean it.

Here comes the more advantage of Real-time Database:

It automatically calls a function when some change is happening in the database, and through that function, we can easily create a notification to inform the user about the new message.

You don’t need to restart your app or push a button to check if there is any change in the database. It can be a lot more helpful for Apps and especially Games.

We do that using Firebase Cloud Functions that we will be learning too in this tutorial.

Real-time Database works very fine even when there is no internet connection, it persists your data to disk. And once, the connectivity is back the client device receives any changes it missed.

Real-time Database supports iOS, Android, Web, C++, and unity

c) Firebase Cloud Firestore

Screenshot of Firebase Cloud Firestore containing dummy data

Cloud Firestore —which was released way after the Firebase Realtime Database — is the new flagship database for mobile apps.

It is faster, richer and more scalable than the realtime database.

Cloud Firestores uses documents and collections to store data.

Documents will also frequently be pointed to subcollections, which contain other documents, which themselves can contain other documents, so on and on.

And this document-based database makes it faster while performing a search since you can request the document without grabbing all the data underneath.

The other difference between both of these databases is their pricing model.

Realtime Database charges on the base of storage or network bandwidth where Cloud Firestore charges you on the base of operations performed.

Which one is best for you? That depends on your app.

Like if you are developing a news app, the turn-based multiplayer game then Cloud Firestore would be the best option for you from a pricing point of view

But if you are developing an app that sends multiple updates to multiple users in a fraction of second then Firebase Realtime Database is the thing for you.

Did you know?

Cloud Firestore supports iOS, Android, and Web

d) Firebase Cloud Storage

Well, there is a difference between Firebase Storage and Database.

You can find a lot of fancy differences between them but the main thing is the Database. It is more organized and we can perform queries on them while Storage is not organized and we can not perform queries on them.

The thing we discussed above deals with Database, that’s why it’s called Firebase Database, where the Firebase Cloud Storage deals with Storage as the name suggests.

Screenshot of Firebase Storage containing dummy data

Now that difference is clear so we can move on now.

You know storage is a necessity, even an app with just registration feature have to store at least the profile picture of the user. So that simple app does need some server to save the picture and retrieve upon request. And that’s exactly what Firebase Cloud Storage does.

Firebase Cloud Storage provides the easiest way to save binary files – most often images but you can save anything like a video, pdf, etc. – to Google Cloud Storage directly from the client.

Cloud Storage supports iOS, Android, Web, C++, and unity.

e) Firebase Cloud Functions

There comes a need when you want to do a certain task on the base of some change. Like in the chat app, we want to notify the user when someone sent a message.

If I make it more technical then, we need to notify the user when there is some change in the database did by some other user.

That’s where Firebase Cloud Functions play their roles. You need to write code that you want to be executed when a specific change happens. Your code is stored on Google’s cloud and runs in a managed environment. There’s no need to manage and scale your own servers

The code is written in Node.js language. And can be triggered by other Firebase and Google Cloud features like

Cloud Firestore triggers: which can help you to trigger the function on the base of following events

Event Type Trigger onCreate Triggered when a document is written to for the first time. onUpdate Triggered when a document already exists and has any value changed. onDelete Triggered when a document with data is deleted. onWrite Triggered when onCreate, onUpdate or onDelete is triggered.

Realtime Database Triggers: This also provides almost the same events as Cloud Firestore triggers, to trigger function.

There are many more triggers like:

Remote Config Triggers

Firebase Test Lab Triggers

Firebase Authentication Triggers

Google Analytics Triggers

Crashlytics Triggers

Cloud Storage Triggers

Cloud Pub/Sub Triggers

HTTP Triggers

f) Firebase Authentication

In our chat app, we need to know the identity of the user, which allows us to save the user chat and the same personalized experience across all the devices.

Firebase Authentication provides the best back-end service. You can authenticate the user by integrating Federated Identity Providers. Firebase Authentication SDK’s provide multiple options for sign-in like sign in with Google, Facebook, Twitter, Github, phone number, or email address.

Not only this but it handles everything that is required for sign up like email/phone number verification and even the password reset process.

Screenshot of Firebase Auth

Everyone wants to provide rich user experience, but to provide smooth UX as well as solving all the backend problems could be a lot of work.

Luckily FirebaseUI makes all of these really easy. You can use this open-source library to provide a rich user experience. FirebaseUI provides a drop-in auth solution that handles the UI flows for signing in users with email addresses and passwords, phone numbers, and with popular federated identity providers, including Google Sign-In and Facebook Login.

Firebase Authentication supports iOS, Android, Web, C++, and unity

g) Firebase Hosting

Firebase Hosting — as the name suggests — provides hosting for web either you are building a simple landing page for your app or you are going to develop a very complex Progressive Web App (PWA), it can help you in both.

The special thing is, you can use Cloud Functions for Firebase or Cloud Run to serve dynamic content and host microservices on your sites.

2. Improvements Products

Now that you have successfully developed your product using Firebase amazing features, now is the time to improve your product, otherwise, your product may become outdated over time.

So, speaking of improvements, Firebase is there for you as well. There are a few products that can save you a lot.

a) Crashlytics

Whenever an app is crashed, it invites your users to rate the app poorly or uninstall it. Even after testing your app multiple times, it’s quite possible that it can get crashed or stop responding to several devices depending on different factors.

To avoid that situation, we can use Firebase Crashlytics. It is quite easy to implement and tries to show the crashes of your app in Firebase Console as soon as possible. So that you can get rid of the crash before it hit a large number of users.

Firebase Crashlytics Screenshot of my Android App

Crashlytics can intelligently group the crashes and highlight the circumstances.

Crashlytics supports Android, iOS, and Unity only.

b) Performance Monitoring

After your product is deployed, it’s very crucial to check its performance. Not only it will help you to remove the bugs, but it will also be very useful when you are making a decision regarding your product.

Firebase Performance Monitoring is services that can help you get detailed insights into your iOS, Android or Web app.

You implement the performance monitoring SDK and the reports will be available on Firebase Console.

There are three types of traces that performance monitor SDK monitor for you before I explain those first understand what is a trace?

A trace is a report of performance data measured between two points in time in your app.

Screenshot of Firebase Performance Monitoring containing dummy data

Now the three types of traces are as below:

i) Automatic duration traces

Performance monitor automatically includes several default duration traces

For native apps (Android, iOS) it includes

App Start traces – measure the time between when the user opens the app and when it becomes responsive

Foreground and Background traces: shows how your app performs when in foreground and background

For web apps, the automatic duration trace is page load, which breaks down into the following metrics:

first paint and first contentful paint — measure when the browser starts to render your app versus when the user first sees actual content on the page

first input delay — offers insight into how quickly the browser can respond to the user’s first interaction with your app (rather than it being busy loading and parsing your app’s resources, like a large JavaScript bundle)

DOM-related events — offer insights about possible user perception of your app’s performance by measuring how long it takes to load and parse your app’s resources (like HTML, JavaScript, CSS, and images)

ii) Custom traces

In Custom traces, you define the start and end of the trace and then the task performed within that scope will be monitored. Moreover, you can also configure a custom trace to record custom metrics.

iii) HTTP/S Network Request Traces

HTTP/S Network Request Traces are helpful to monitor the network-related tasks. An HTTP/S Network Request Trace is a report that captures the time between when your app issues a request and when that requested is completed

c) Test Lab

As we all know that Android is an open-source Operating System, which means that anyone can use or modify it, so a mobile company only needs to create hardware, inject the Android and device is ready.

There are many mobile manufacturing companies out there, creating a variety of mobiles – different sizes and specs – all running Android.

So as an Android Developer, you have to provide a great user experience across all those Android devices. It could be hard to test your app on all Android versions and screen-sized Android devices.

Here Firebase Test Lab comes into action.

Firebase Test Lab lets you test your Android app on Real Android Devices hosted in a Google Data Center.

Test Lab helps you to find issues that only occur on specific device configurations (for example, a Nexus 5 running a specific Android API level and specific locale settings). You can run the Robo Test, Instrumentation Test or a Game Loop.

They are all different types of tests that are more than enough to get the results. At the end of the test, Firebase Test labs provide you logs, screenshots, activity maps, video, and performance reports.

It can help you a lot to understand the workflow of your app across different Android devices.

Firebase Test Labs supports Android only because only Android Contains a large variety of devices and I think it is logical.

3. Grow Products

Now comes my favorite pack of Firebase Products. Grow products are more intended for the growth of the product. It can help you perform A/B Testing, engage with users, check insights and much more. Let’s jump into it.

a) Firebase Analytics

Firebase Analytics is my most favorite product.

Not only because it is easy to implement, but also because it’s free.

Moreover, it helps you to understand how people use your product. So that you can make an informed decision when marketing your product.

It automatically captures a number of events and user properties and also allows you to create custom events.

Screenshot of Firebase Analytics containing my android app data

The captured data then becomes available to the Firebase Console dashboard. This dashboard provides detailed insights about your data — from summary data such as active users and demographics to more detailed data such as identifying your most purchased items

It is highly compatible with other Firebase Services like it automatically logs the corresponding event when a notification is opened which was sent using Firebase Cloud Messaging.

b) Predictions

Predictions a little new to the Firebase Products list but it could be very helpful. It just reads the analytical data of your app, applies machine learning to it and then creates dynamic user segments based on your users’ predicted behavior.

These predictions are automatically available for use with Firebase Remote Config, the notifications composer, Firebase In-App Messaging, and A/B Testing.

Screenshot of Firebase prediction containing my android app data

Like it can create a segment of users which are more likely to perform certain In-App purchase in your app, and make it available to Firebase Remote Config, which then you can use to provide discounts or encourage them to perform the In-App Purchase

c) Cloud Messaging

Notifications are a great way to grab the attention of your dormant users, they help us re-engage the user and increases the chance of using the app. That’s why Google-branded it is a Grow Product.

Firebase Cloud Messaging or often known is FCM is a perfect messaging solution. You can send push notification using FCM.

Push notification is some simple messages that appear with a notification in the notification tray or like a popup messaging – depends on the platform.

Push Notifications are usually pushed from some backend server like Firebase in this case. It is the way to deliver users a messaging without opening the app. It is a highly effective tool for developers and advertisers to re-target/re-engage your dormant users.

Screenshot of Firebase Cloud Messaging containing dummy data

Firebase Cloud allows two types of push notifications to be sent

Notification Messages: handled by FCM SDK

Data Messages: handled by the client application

I already explained in detail about how you can send push notifications in Android.

d) Remote Config

Probably the best free tool out there for executing A/B Testing. You can change the behavior and appearance of your app for an unlimited number of devices. You can target the user based on the platform, device language, country/region and much more.

For example, if you want to show a greeting message to the users of India for their local event then you can do that easily by using Remote Config.

Screenshot of Firebase Remote Config containing dummy data

Don’t forget to ask a question from our Android experts. Your every question will be answered in the below comment section.

FAQs

What is Firebase?

Firebase is a mobile and web application development platform developed by Firebase, Inc in 2011. Later, it was acquired by Google in 2014.

How many products Firebase has?

Firebase has 19 products that can help you accelerate your app development.

What is Firebase Database?

Firebase Database is quite a confusing thing for beginners. If you go to the Firebase Console, open any project and open the Database section from the left sidebar then there would be two options waiting for you.

What is Firebase Cloud Storage?

Firebase Cloud Storage provides the easiest way to save binary files – most often images but you can save anything like a video, pdf, etc. – to Google Cloud Storage directly from the client.

What is Firebase Test Lab?

Firebase Test Lab lets you test your Android app on Real Android Devices hosted in a Google Data Center.

The post What is Firebase? 15 Reasons to Master It appeared first on Firebase Tutorials.

[lindarifenews]

Back to Basics: App optimization and Firebase indexation

Let’s just set the record – app indexation and app optimization are two different things. OK, maybe not totally different so let me summarize what they each do:

App store optimization (ASO) – The process of improving the visibility of an app within the app store.

Firebase app indexation (FAI) – The process of making the content on your app available within Google’s search listings.

Considering the mobile-first consumer trends across the majority of industries, and a booming number of apps available, ASO and FAI is growing more and more imperative in your marketing strategy. While your SEO strategy may contain worthwhile activities such as optimizing site speed, it’s important to get on the bandwagon. Before getting into the basics of firebase indexation, it’s better to understand precisely what ASO is, and how it works.

App store optimization

As we’ve established, this is the process of improving the visibility of an app within the app store. This is crucial to getting your app seen, and improving the number of downloads, as well as brand awareness and loyalty. This is usually focused on Apple’s app store and android’s Google Play. Consider app store optimization as the basic “front-end” optimization in SEO, much like meta title optimization for example. You’re given a word limit and a clear set criteria of how you can set up your app, and you optimize based on keyword research and CRO.

The process is straightforward to plan, provide recommendations and implement. Like any robust SEO strategy, you start with keyword research and build your copy to incorporate those keywords without intensive stuffing (unless black hat is your thing) and testing along the way. There are different tools and platforms available to provide you with the appropriate keyword research for app store optimization.

Similar to SERP optimization, you need to ensure that each feature fits the word limit, and is relevant to the user. You have a lot more opportunity to optimize your listing considering the long word limit, images, reviews and more – a catchy logo doesn’t hurt either. Say you complete all these, what’s next?

A lot of this comes down to testing, especially A/B testing. Maybe tweak some copy here or there and see how it goes. It would also be good to optimize your images as well to see what works. It’s that simple; you don’t have an excuse not to start optimizing now.

Firebase app indexation

This is the process of making the content on your app available within Google’s search listings. It is important to improving the number of downloads, engagement, sales and more. An example of firebase indexing would be if you’re searching for a particular twitter account on Google. You click what you are searching for, and you’re automatically taken to the app. It’s a seamless user experience which encourages user engagement and retention as they are already on your app so less likely to click away.

There is a clearly defined process on how to implement this, which you can find in excruciating (but very helpful) detail here. You must implement and monitor through Firebase Console (Search Console for apps). It’s a bit more complicated to set up and requires an app developer to make the changes if you don’t have full access to the development platform. It took me FOREVER to decipher the web development guides considering I’m not a developer, but I got there in the end:

Set up Universal Links

Build Index (android only)

Log User Actions (android only)

Test Implementation

Measure Impact

To implement firebase indexing, you must set up universal links for your android and apple app. Universal links enable apps to process HTML URLs. The process of setting up these links between an app and website differs for each app store, and takes a few more steps for android devices:

For iOS devices, you upload this piece of code called the “Associated Domains Entitlement” in Xcode (a program that manages your app) which lists the domains you want to associate with the app. Then you upload the “app-to-site association JSON file” to each of these domains. The app should then be connected to the website and vice versa.

For android devices, the concept is the same. Connect the app to firebase using Firebase Assistant in android studio, and add the app indexing library to the project. Then, the structure of the app needs to be defined and corresponding app screens need to be created matching HTTP URLs. Finally, add android app links to your app.

Setting up universal links is essential for firebase indexing while building an index if you want to go the extra mile. Building an index for android devices means you can refine public content indexing (a bit like a robots.txt file using the disallow parameter). You can also enable personal content indexing, which means some information is only shown on the user’s device and not shared with Google Servers.

Again, this is only available for android. Naturally, this is more time consuming to implement depending on how complex your website is. If you have the budget, it can be excellent for user experience and customer retention.

If you are a Google Tag Manager freak like I am, then you will like logging user actions. It works similarly, you can track how users interact with your app and do whatever you need to with that information whether it be testing or updating features available.

Once you’ve put in the hard effort to implement whatever changes apply to your business, then it’s time to measure the impact of changes made. You can use search console and firebase console to monitor the effects and feel like a boss.

The post Back to Basics: App optimization and Firebase indexation appeared first on Search Engine Land.

Back to Basics: App optimization and Firebase indexation published first on https://likesfollowersclub.tumblr.com/

[andreacaskey]

Back to Basics: App optimization and Firebase indexation

Let’s just set the record – app indexation and app optimization are two different things. OK, maybe not totally different so let me summarize what they each do:

App store optimization (ASO) – The process of improving the visibility of an app within the app store.

Firebase app indexation (FAI) – The process of making the content on your app available within Google’s search listings.

Considering the mobile-first consumer trends across the majority of industries, and a booming number of apps available, ASO and FAI is growing more and more imperative in your marketing strategy. While your SEO strategy may contain worthwhile activities such as optimizing site speed, it’s important to get on the bandwagon. Before getting into the basics of firebase indexation, it’s better to understand precisely what ASO is, and how it works.

App store optimization

As we’ve established, this is the process of improving the visibility of an app within the app store. This is crucial to getting your app seen, and improving the number of downloads, as well as brand awareness and loyalty. This is usually focused on Apple’s app store and android’s Google Play. Consider app store optimization as the basic “front-end” optimization in SEO, much like meta title optimization for example. You’re given a word limit and a clear set criteria of how you can set up your app, and you optimize based on keyword research and CRO.

The process is straightforward to plan, provide recommendations and implement. Like any robust SEO strategy, you start with keyword research and build your copy to incorporate those keywords without intensive stuffing (unless black hat is your thing) and testing along the way. There are different tools and platforms available to provide you with the appropriate keyword research for app store optimization.

Similar to SERP optimization, you need to ensure that each feature fits the word limit, and is relevant to the user. You have a lot more opportunity to optimize your listing considering the long word limit, images, reviews and more – a catchy logo doesn’t hurt either. Say you complete all these, what’s next?

A lot of this comes down to testing, especially A/B testing. Maybe tweak some copy here or there and see how it goes. It would also be good to optimize your images as well to see what works. It’s that simple; you don’t have an excuse not to start optimizing now.

Firebase app indexation

This is the process of making the content on your app available within Google’s search listings. It is important to improving the number of downloads, engagement, sales and more. An example of firebase indexing would be if you’re searching for a particular twitter account on Google. You click what you are searching for, and you’re automatically taken to the app. It’s a seamless user experience which encourages user engagement and retention as they are already on your app so less likely to click away.

There is a clearly defined process on how to implement this, which you can find in excruciating (but very helpful) detail here. You must implement and monitor through Firebase Console (Search Console for apps). It’s a bit more complicated to set up and requires an app developer to make the changes if you don’t have full access to the development platform. It took me FOREVER to decipher the web development guides considering I’m not a developer, but I got there in the end:

Set up Universal Links

Build Index (android only)

Log User Actions (android only)

Test Implementation

Measure Impact

To implement firebase indexing, you must set up universal links for your android and apple app. Universal links enable apps to process HTML URLs. The process of setting up these links between an app and website differs for each app store, and takes a few more steps for android devices:

For iOS devices, you upload this piece of code called the “Associated Domains Entitlement” in Xcode (a program that manages your app) which lists the domains you want to associate with the app. Then you upload the “app-to-site association JSON file” to each of these domains. The app should then be connected to the website and vice versa.

For android devices, the concept is the same. Connect the app to firebase using Firebase Assistant in android studio, and add the app indexing library to the project. Then, the structure of the app needs to be defined and corresponding app screens need to be created matching HTTP URLs. Finally, add android app links to your app.

Setting up universal links is essential for firebase indexing while building an index if you want to go the extra mile. Building an index for android devices means you can refine public content indexing (a bit like a robots.txt file using the disallow parameter). You can also enable personal content indexing, which means some information is only shown on the user’s device and not shared with Google Servers.

Again, this is only available for android. Naturally, this is more time consuming to implement depending on how complex your website is. If you have the budget, it can be excellent for user experience and customer retention.

If you are a Google Tag Manager freak like I am, then you will like logging user actions. It works similarly, you can track how users interact with your app and do whatever you need to with that information whether it be testing or updating features available.

Once you’ve put in the hard effort to implement whatever changes apply to your business, then it’s time to measure the impact of changes made. You can use search console and firebase console to monitor the effects and feel like a boss.

The post Back to Basics: App optimization and Firebase indexation appeared first on Search Engine Land.

Back to Basics: App optimization and Firebase indexation published first on https://likesandfollowersclub.weebly.com/

[opticien2-0]

Co-op drives up use of membership app to 1.3m users, eyes ecommerce play

Co-op app: success from testing and iteration

Co-op, an early adopter of mobile in retail, has seen its membership app explode to reach 1.3 million users and rank number one in the App Store’s Top 10 Shopping Apps, as it looks to integrate its card into Apple Wallet and roll out an exciting ecommerce venture.

  Speaking on a webinar produced by InternetRetailing, Co-op’s head of digital products Adam Warburton said that the revamped app received more than 80,000 downloads in the first two days of launch. But it wasn’t an overnight success.

  “It’s been a bumpy ride as we’ve started to figure out what customers want, what they don’t want. I think we’ve really settled on something in a moment that’s really winning, and working for customers,” says Warburton.

  Co-op started its app journey in 2017, but with no real idea of where it wanted to go. Much of what it had on the web didn’t translate to an app and, as a consequence, uptake was low. Management,however, took the bold step of sticking with it and, through a large amount of A/B testing, iterative releases and constant reevaluation, the retailer slowly started to form the basis of the app it has today.

  “You might think of us as a food retailer, but we’re actually the biggest funeral care business in the UK and we’ve got a big insurance business, legal services and health business – so for us it wasn’t just about one app or multiple apps across one business it was actually like, how does funeral care and food play together, and they’re not naturally adjacent into the same experience?” explains Warburton.

  “So what we did is we came together and said, ‘we’ll have a single app, but that will only be for food and membership and everything else won’t live in the app’,” he says. “So, you actually will find very little reference those other businesses inside our app because we wanted to have a single app that was focused on doing a few things and fitting them really well.”

  By not going down the multi app strategy, Co-op decided to have to have a few things inside the app and do them really well and so adopted a strategy of testing small trials at every stage and with every idea.

  “So ultimately we decided what we needed was a single app strategy, around food and membership that will come together,” says Warburton. “Food is high volume and high frequency, so it’s perfect for a mobile experience and membership is essentially our USP as a business, it’s what we are. So, we thought our opportunity was one that fused those things together.”

    Working with Apadmi, the retailer then set about looking at how to optimise its app so that it would get found. Emma Allison, head of product marketing at Apadmi, picks up the story: “ASO is essentially the App Store equivalent of SEO and is the process of optimising your product page to boost visibility and to get that percentage of users who convert to a download as high as possible. Essentially the ultimate goal for any ASO campaign is to generate more organic downloads.”

  She continues: “For the Co op we’ve got some really interesting feedback from the team at Google around tweaking some areas of material design on one piece of feedback that we implemented just a couple of weeks after the relaunch was to add more touch feedback – again, tying back to the iterative releases and enhancements approach.”

  Allison also points out that being featured in Google and Apple stores can really drive downloads and conversions, as well as ratings and reviews. “An 89% increase in downloads can happen if you jump from being a three star app to a four star app, but actually the more ratings that you have, and the higher your app rating, the more likely you are to appear in search results for those keywords that you’re optimising for,” she explains.

  “So when the current relaunch was done, we had an issue with some users having a problem with login, which brought the average score down – hitting 2.8 at one point. So we used Google Firebase to SAP event tracking across those parts of the app, and essentially defined the criteria to highlight users that were having a positive experience to balance out those users that were having that login issue. What the prompt did it was generate about 17 times more returns a week than we were getting previously, because we were targeting users that were coming back the app for selected offers. Having that positive experience saw the app inundated with five star reviews, and so we managed to jump up to that 4.7 star rating easy in the app stores now in the Co-op apps got over 60,000 ratings and it’s rapidly growing each week.”

  So what’s next for the Co-op app? According to Warburton there’s a new promotion live at the moment in the app to acquire more members, and the retailer is going to continue to optimise for more relevant keywords and screenshots.

  Naturally, the company is going to be doing some more testing leading to new iterations coming soon, Warburton says. “We shall also add some features and there’s an exciting ecommerce integration coming soon. And team is also working on our most asked for feature in app reviews, which is to have your Co-op cards stored in your Apple and Google Wallet.”

[mbaljeetsingh]

100 Jamstack Tools, APIs & Services to Power Your Sites

We’ve explained the Jamstack, a popular new way to build secure, scalable, high-performance sites. Now we’ll introduce you to the tools, services, and APIs that power Jamstack sites.

The A in Jamstack stands for API. APIs can do anything for you, from sending a form to authenticating a user, or from storing and retrieving data in real time to shopping for products.

In this article, we’ll do an extensive review of existing APIs and how they compare to one another. This review couldn’t possibly encompass the whole spectrum of third-party APIs that you can integrate into your website, but hopefully you’ll still find the coverage enlightening enough.

We’ll use the words “headless”, “detached”, and “serverless” a lot in this article. If you haven’t already, check out our introduction to the Jamstack, which covers all the basics.

Hosting (Mostly for Free)

Provided: Netlify

Hosting a Jamstack site usually involves automated deployment pipelines. For example, you might have a repository in GitHub which, on every push, automatically triggers an online deployment (via webhooks), running the necessary build tools (such as Jekyll) and regression tests (via Travis CI).

Sound difficult? It can be a surprisingly simple process!

Most of the services here include these goodies out of the box:

SSD drives

CDN deployments

free SSL (including for custom domains)

command line deployments and rollbacks

Note: look out for another article in this series, coming soon, covering how to use these services.

Services

Google Firebase and AWS Amplify

Firebase Hosting is Google’s take on a hosting service that’s easy to understand and implement, and it’s free to use (limits apply). Firebase’s backbone actually lies on top of the Google Cloud Platform (GCP), and you can in fact access and tweak some Firebase deployments through the GCP console. But by implementing something of an “gateway” (Firebase) that transparently handles GCP resources for us, Google gave developers a brand new and highly improved user experience (UX) … and the Firebase’s YouTube channel is just brilliant! 👏

AWS Amplify is also an effort to reduce the complexities of Amazon Web Services (AWS) for web and mobile deployment that doesn’t quite offer free hosting but 12 months of free use for new accounts for its Storage with Amplify as part of the AWS Free Tier.

Google really made a brilliant move with the Firebase family of products by “detaching” them from the GCP, but Amazon went half-way with AWS Amplify. It sure is a dramatic improvement from the regular AWS workflow, especially for novice users, and its documentation hub is superb and way more down-to-earth than the way Amazon usually documents services. But Amplify is still accessed from the same old (horrifically bloated) console. You still need a credit card to just open an account, deployments are still region-specific (no built-in CDN, seriously?), and the workflow isn’t as straightforward when compared to that of Firebase or Netlify.

GitHub Pages and GitLab Pages

Both hosting services for Git repositories also have a built-in service to host static pages right out of your codebases, 100% free: GitHub Pages and GitLab Pages.

In a future article we’ll cover how to use these services, but in the meantime make sure to check out these easy-to-follow guides:

Getting Started with GitHub Pages

Hosting on GitLab.com with GitLab Pages

Netlify and Heroku

In a very short period of time, Netlify not only coined the Jamstack term but also positioned itself as the place to go for all things static. While you could certainly accomplish more with an elaborated AWS pipeline, the simplicity and unparalleled ease of use that Netlify offers is unbeatable. Want to host a static site? Just drop it here and it’s online. Want automatic updates? Link a repo and just push a commit. And batteries are included — instant builds, worldwide CDN, free SSL, CLI tool, on-click rollbacks, and more.

Heroku is the only service in this list that allows you to host dynamic pages: Node.js, Ruby, Python, Java, PHP, Go, Scala and Clojure (check their Language Support page). So if you aren’t yet quite ready to go static, this might be a good way to test your dynamic sites online for free.

Others Services

With 194 data centers as of 2020, Cloudflare is — by many metrics — the company that offers the lowest latency for their DNS and CDN services around the world. They serve big companies but also have a number of services oriented to developers, like Workers Sites. The service isn’t free ($5/mo minimum charge) but it’s as top performant as you can get, and fairly easy to use.

Other tools targeted at static pages include Aerobatic, which offers a free trial with no credit card required and support for internationalization (i18n) and full-text search built-in plugins; Surge.sh with npm run scripts and CI services; and Vercel (formerly ZEIT Now) with an Edge Network serving big names such as Twilio and The Washington Post.

Comparison

Service Free plan Easy-of-use Tooling Aerobatic 1 month easy good Firebase Hosting yes easy very good GitHub Pages completely free easy poor GitLab Pages completely free easy good Heroku yes somewhat easy very good Netlify yes extremely easy very good Storage with Amplify 1-year (new accounts) somewhat easy very good Surge.sh yes easy good Vercel yes easy good Workers Sites no somewhat easy good

Storing and Retrieving Data: Real-time NoSQL Databases

NoSQL solutions like MongoDB have been coexisting with relational databases like MySQL for some time (see the differences and how to choose), but real-time processing takes NoSQL to the next level by enabling cloud storage for state management, such as a user entering their name or clicking a radio button.

If you’re familiar with Redux and Vuex — React and Vue.js libraries for state management, respectively — think of integrating that concept with a cloud storage provider.

Services

Amazon DynamoDB is a ��fully managed, multiregion, multimaster, durable database with built-in security, backup and restore, and in-memory caching for internet-scale applications”. But as with many things AWS, it’s difficult to implement and very hard to debug (see Why Amazon DynamoDB isn’t for everyone, by Forrest Brazeal). In all fairness to Amazon, they also built DataStore into AWS Amplify (with GraphQL and REST API support) with a more straightforward approach, in line with the simplicity of the rest of Amplify’s products.

Google Firestore made real-time NoSQL databases — a fairly complex topic in and of itself — as simple as they can be, with pretty much all the capabilities DynamoDB has. It’s very well documented (with introductory clips that are fun to watch). And React and Vue.js have wrappers around Firestore with react-redux-firebase and Vuexfire, respectively.

Cloudflare sure knows how to take performance to the very extreme, and Workers KV, a serverless key-value storage for applications, is a fine example of what a well engineered product looks like. The premise of Workers KV is that you can access a key as if it were a local file within your app, and the content will be the value stored for that key. That’s it — no API to implement, no extra coding. And because of the unbeatable performance of the Cloudflare CDN, this approach can actually be faster than querying a NoSQL database. And as simple as it is, it scales seamlessly to millions of requests. 👏

And finally, there’s FaunaDB, a startup that crafted a solution with native GraphQL and a simple pricing (including a free plan) that can be implemented in minutes.

Managing Content: Headless CMS

In the “monolithic” way of doing things, whenever we used a given content management system — such as WordPress, Django, or Joomla! — it meant that we also needed to use the front-end engine that came attached to it, as back and front end were “coupled” components of a single piece of software (see our introduction to the Jamstack for more info about tightly vs loosely coupled sites).

Enter the headless CMS — a back end only without a front end. Since a headless CMS would normally expose an API or generate static content in the way of Markdown or HTML files, the front end can be anywhere really. In fact, multiple and simultaneous interfaces can be created for web sites, mobile apps, and Internet of Things (IoT) apps.

Products and Services

There are a number of headless CMSs, both as software you can download and configure where you do the deployments yourself, or offered in the software-as-a-service (SaaS) model where everything is taken care of for you.

Some features you can expect to find:

localization (l10n) and internationalization (i18n)

microservices architecture with a RESTful API

editor interface

customization

versioning*

* Since some headless CMS will integrate smoothly with your git repo, the versioning capability can actually be a remarkable improvement over a regular CMS.

Self-hosted Headless CMS

Ghost, “the #1 open source headless Node.js CMS”, is certainly the one with the most stars on GitHub. Not only can Ghost handle content, but it also offers a number of integrations to manage payments (Stripe), email lists (MailChimp), shopping (Shopify), and many more. And then there’s Ghost(Pro), which is the official managed hosting for Ghost with commercial support.

Fairly close to Ghost in popularity comes Strapi, with REST and GraphQL APIs, and 1-click deployments on Heroku, AWS, and DigitalOcean. It has “starters” (template projects) to work seamlessly with Gatsby, Vue.js with Nuxt.js, React with Next.js, and Angular. It also runs on Node.js and has support for a number of database engines.

Netlify CMS is also a popular option built as a single–page React app. There’s Directus, which wraps custom SQL databases with an API and provides an intuitive admin app to manage its content, and the commercial companion Directus Cloud. There’s also TinaCMS, which is also React-based, and Ponzu, Copckpit, and many more, which you can explore oin the comprehensive list provided by headlesscms.org.

SaaS Headless CMS

CloudCannon is the cloud CMS for Jekyll (we’ll review Jekyll later in the “static site generators” section), with smooth integration with GitHub, Bitbucket and Dropbox. They have a free plan as well but with no global CDN hosting.

Contentful is something different: a content hub where business owners, marketers, developers and project managers can all go to set and manage all of the data sources of an organization. And their headless CMS is just a part of that strategy. The Contentful platform is fully featured, very well documented, with plenty of open-source tools. And while the pricing is a bit confusing, there’s actually a free plan that only requires attribution.

There are other SaaS headless CMSs with free plans, such as DatoCMS and Sanity with a proposition similar to that of Contentful; Forestry, with support for a number of static generators; GraphCMS, with GraphQL support; and Prismic. These are just a few of the many options.

Sending Information: Forms without Code

Sending data through forms has forever been one of the main uses for server-side processing. There are essentially two approaches to addressing this problem on a static site, each with pros and cons.

From Builders, Embedded and Hosted Forms

Many times integrating a “powered by” external form is more than enough to collect email addresses or to receive feedback.

Google Forms have offered this possibility since 2008 entirely for free, with a simple interface that stores submissions on Google Sheets, and that can send alerts via email every time there’s a submission.

Formstack takes forms to another level by providing an integrated workflow supporting digital signatures, document generation, Salesforce integration, and more. They offer a free tryout but no free plans.

Then you have the extremely easy-to-use form builders JotForm and Wufoo, which integrate handling payments, among other things, or Typeform, which makes forms and surveys … pretty? All of them offer free plans.

External API: Form Processing as a Service (FPaaS)

Sometimes a builder won’t cut it, as you need more flexibility to present information and fields, or to fully integrate the look and feel of the form with the rest of your website. For this you will need to integrate an API.

The way these services work is surprisingly easy: you specify a URL for submission that will do the processing for you. At most you’ll have to set a few things up but most probably won’t need to do any extra coding.

There are a number of providers offering free plans, such as Form.IO, Formcarry, Formspark, and Netlify Forms. They all work in a similar way and are very easy to implement.

FormDen and FormKeep are also form builders that can otherwise be used just as back ends, though none of them offer free plans.

Programming Server-Side Logic: Function as a Service (FaaS)

Couldn’t find an API that does quite what you want? Create it! You don’t need to resort back to a hosted back-end system to process server-side logic, with all the hassle that comes with it (maintenance, bills, credentials, security patches). Instead, you can implement a micro-service in your language of choice (oftentimes JavaScript, Python, or Go), encapsulate that logic into functions, and offer them through a RESTful API.

As with pretty much everything else in this list, you won’t be paying anything for a function that’s not being actively used, so no worries for just leaving it sitting there (but beware that spikes in traffic might also trigger extra billing).

Providers

While the implementation details for AWS Lambda, Azure Functions and Google Cloud Functions may differ, they all work in pretty much the same fashion and you’ll need a degree of familiarity with AWS, Azure or GCP. AWS Lambda has the richest language support of them all (and also Amazon API Gateway to help you wrap your functions into a maintainable API with monitoring tools), while Azure — not surprisingly — has the best support for .NET Framework and .NET Core (with different versions supporting different runtimes and even TypeScript transpiled to JavaScript). But be aware that Azure systematically ranks as the slowest service by a margin.

Cloud Functions for Firebase and Netlify Functions are wrappers around Google Cloud Functions and AWS Lambda, respectively. They greatly simplify the management of functions on the cloud, as you effectively can get away without even having an account on such services. Code deployment and versioning become trivial with Netlify — which also has very good community support — as it will smoothly integrate with your repo offering stage, previewing, and rolling back at a click (or a commit). Simplicity naturally comes at the expense of losing some flexibility (see Firebase Cloud Functions: the great, the meh, and the ugly by Pier Bover).

IBM Cloud Functions (based on Apache OpenWhisk) and Cloudflare Workers are other services you might want to look at. IBM has an impressive list of supported languages, including the option to deploy Docker containers with your own runtime. However, it ranked somewhat poorly performance wise. And just as Netlify systematically manages to make things the simplest, Cloudflare again makes things the fastest (and by a difference).

Comparison

service languages overhead* coldstart* difficulty support AWS Lambda C#, Go, Java, JavaScript, PowerShell, Python, Ruby 86 ms 🟢 589 ms high 👍 very good Azure Functions C#, F#, Java, JavaScript and TypeScript, PowerShell, Python 760 ms 🔴 5,907 ms 🔴 high 👎 very poor Cloud Functions for Firebase JavaScript and TypeScript 642 ms 🔴 168 ms low 👍 very good Cloudflare Workers JavaScript, COBOL 70 ms 🟢 76 ms 🟢 intermediate intermediate Google Cloud Functions Go, Java, Node.js, Python 642 ms 🔴 168 ms high 👍 very good IBM Cloud Functions .C#, Go, Java, JavaScript, PHP, Python, Ruby, Swift, and Docker containers 136 ms 2,103 ms 🔴 high no info Netlify Functions Go, Node.js 86 ms 🟢 589 ms very low 👍 very good

* As measured by λ Serverless Benchmark, the overhead is the time from request to response without the time the function took (for a concurrency of 50), and the coldstart is how long the servers takes to respond when queried are spanned every 3 hours; the lower the values, the better.

Authenticating Users: Identity as a Service

Identity as a Service (IDaaS), also called sometimes Authentication as a Service (AaaS), involves managing a full user registration, confirmation, and authentication with just APIs. The Geist of “stateless authentication” is that a user will authenticate against a third-party and come back to you with a valid “token” that you can verify, or revoke if need be.

In some cases, a provider might even offer a “drop-in” user interface (UI) that will work seamlessly across desktop and mobile, all of which could potentially save you very long hours of work.

Services

Auth0 has been in business the longest and has quickstart guides for a number of scenarios. It’s an excellent provider if you want to implement a complex solution and already have some experience implementing authentication. But as they point out, “identity is complex, deal with it”. The large scope Auth0 services (universal login, single sign on (SSO), multifactor authentication, branch password detection, and so on) can be overwhelming if you’re just starting on the topic.

Firebase Authentication (with its ready-to-use UI) and Authentication with Amplify are also very comprehensive and flexible, and somewhat presented in a more straightforward manner than Auth0. Firebase also offers anonymous authentication! Curious? Check out this clip:

Once again, Netlify seems to come up with the easiest solution to implement with Netlify Identity and its open-source zero config netlify-identity-widget to create a secure login in 10 minutes! But of course, there are some limitations (check out Four Dealbreakers in Netlify Identity, by Jean Cochrane).

You can also check Okta, FusionAuth and LoginRadius, all of which have free plans. There are no freebies for Ping Identity, OneLogin, and Ubisecure, which are more oriented to the enterprise sector. Finally, consider Cloudflare Access, as everything Cloudflare does is rock solid.

Going F·A·S·T: Static Site Generators (SSG)

I can hear some of you saying “all of this might be okay for future projects, but my sites are already dynamic, so what to do?” Here’s when static site generators enter the picture.

You can have the best of both worlds — the convenience of a familiar CMS and static pages with code and data splitting, preloading, caching, image optimization, and all sorts of performance enhancements. An SSR will bridge that gap by querying your database and generating static output out of it (for example, Markdown pages), and with some settings to set your template, you’ll be all set.

The listing here is tiny compared to the ever increasing list of SSRs. Have a look at StaticGen for more info.

Main Products

GatsbyJS is powered by React.js and webpack, meaning that it can generate progressive web apps (aka PWAs, websites that look and feel like an apps). It also supports GraphQL (see Write Apps with Better Building Blocks) and it has +1,000 plugins to get data from anywhere (WordPress, Drupal, Contentful, GraphCMS, DatoCMS, and many more). See how GatsbyJS says it compares to its main competitors, Hugo and Jekyll.

All of this flexibility comes at a cost, as setting and customizing GatsbyJS can be a time-consuming process, and if you don’t have a decent understanding of React — and therefore JavaScript — you won’t be able to make much of it. That’s where Gatsby Cloud comes in, offering support to build and maintain Gatsby sites for free or for a fee, where you could automate your fast builds, access to previews, generate daily edits, and fire deployments with ease to Netlify, Cloudflare, AWS CloudFront or Akamai.

Hugo claims to be “the world’s fastest framework for building websites”, and it sure can generate massive sites in milliseconds. With built-in templates (literally hundreds of them available) and native support for internationalization (i18n), it’s also one of the most popular SSGs. Hugo is a Go app, and while Go isn’t hard to set and learn, you’ll definitely need to be checking the documentation often if you aren’t familiar with it.

Unlike GatsbyJS, configuring and deploying Jekyll is a rather straightforward process. Furthermore, Jekyll is the only SSR supported by GitHub Pages (Tom Preston-Werner, creator of Jekyll, is also a co-founder of GitHub), and can smoothly deploy static sites for free right out of your GitHub repos! Jekyll uses Shopify’s Liquid template language, which is also easy to learn. The downsides? As a Ruby app, Jekyll can be hard to set on a Windows environment, and optimizations such as minimizing JavaScript code and image preloading aren’t included by default. In fact, Jekyll doesn’t even aim at generating a PWA but just purely static sites — which might still be fine depending on what you need.

Comparison

Product Language Templating Setting GitHub stars GatsbyJS JavaScript React.js difficult

Hugo Go Go (library) intermediate

Jekyll Ruby Liquid easy

Others

WP2Static is an SSR designed specifically for WordPress (WP). It has a small but very interesting set of plugins, like Algolia search, and Cloudflare Workers and Netlify deployments. HardyPress is actually a SaaS solution to generate static WP sites, and for a fee you’ll have an admin panel from where you can enter some credentials to access your online WP installations to manage everything: shut down live WP installs that were already imported, transparent deployment to global a CDN, HTTPS, forms, search. Other WP-related SSGs with commercial support are Shifter, Strattic, and Sitesauce.

Since I am admittedly biased towards Vue.js, I had to include VuePress, which is intended to generate single page applications (SPAs) and has a minimal setup with markdown-centered files, and it’s also powered by webpack. Gridsome and Nuxt.js are more featured Vue.js powered frameworks with SSR capabilities.

Selling and Processing Payments: Headless Shopping Carts

The architecture and benefits of headless ecommerce is not that different from that of a headless CMS: massive cost reduction (hosting, licenses, maintenance), less time to market, seamless integration, and — a big one for commerce — “omnichannel” capabilities.

Continue reading 100 Jamstack Tools, APIs & Services to Power Your Sites on SitePoint.

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