Twinr is a no-code builder for creating a mobile app. You can use it to convert your existing Sharetribe marketplace website into a mobile app using a wrapper approach.

There are different ways to build a mobile app for your marketplace with Sharetribe. You can build from scratch, use a Sharetribe-specific template, or use a wrapper based builder. Each approach has advantages and drawbacks in costs and capabilities.

Generally, if you’re just starting out, using a wrapper based no-code builder like Twinr is the fastest and simplest way to build a mobile app available on the iOS and Android app stores

Mobile app wrappers convert existing websites and make them function like mobile apps. Users can download it from the App Store and/or Google Play Store and open it from their home screen like any other app.

Because it reuses your existing site, this approach usually reduces development time and ongoing maintenance compared to building separate native apps for iOS and Android. Updates made to your website can show up in the app without rebuilding mobile code, which makes it easier to keep the app in sync as your marketplace evolves.

For many marketplaces, this is a practical way to offer an app experience and validate mobile app demand before committing to a fully native build.

Some no code builders also allow adding app specific elements on top of the web experience. Twinr’s no-code builder, for example, lets founders create mobile-native navigation and screens, so the app can feel more tailored than a simple website replica in an app.

Before creating your mobile app, we recommend having either a live marketplace launched or a test marketplace that is nearly ready for launch. You can start building your marketplace on any Sharetribe plan (Build, Lite, Pro, Extend, or even the free trial). You can only launch your mobile app to app stores if you have a live plan (Lite, Pro, or Extend). Learn more about Sharetribe’s pricing plans.

If you want to launch a mobile app first with no website yet, you will still need a live Sharetribe plan. A live plan is required because only a Live environment can be used to process real payments, and only a Live environment is meant to collect real user and listing data. The Test environment, meanwhile, can only be used for building and testing. Because of this, you must have a Live environment even if you plan for your users to only use the mobile app.

First, create an account with Twinr on their website. Twinr offers a 14 day free trial, which lets you test the platform for free. The trial includes all features, including ones in the Premium plan.

Learn more about Twinr pricing plans.

Sharetribe marketplaces receive a lifetime 25% discount on all Twinr plans. You can claim this discount by contacting Sharetribe.

Once you fill in the basic information for your account profile, follow these steps:

After you create your app project, follow the setup guide in your home dashboard.

Preview app: Download Twinr’s preview app. It lets you see the changes you make to your mobile app in real time while you build or customize it. Learn more about the preview app.
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Branding: Give your app a name, icon, and icon background (color or image). Learn about the branding setup.
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App theme: Personalize the visual style of your mobile app to match your brand by customizing colors and text. Learn about the app theme setup.
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Customize screens: Create multiple tab screens and adjust them as needed. A tab screen is a user interface element that lets users quickly switch between different important sections of your app. Each tab screen can have its own customization such as URL, selected icon, un-selected icon, navigation bar buttons and more. Learn more about screens.

Besides the basic setup, below are some other features you might find useful when building a mobile app for your marketplace:

App Onboarding: create screens to introduce new users to your app when they download and open it for the first time. It helps onboard the end user with a product overview, important features or anything that helps users to get used to the app.

App Review: prompt your app users to leave feedback in the form of Reviews or Ratings. User feedback directly appears on the PlayStore and AppStore app page.

Firebase integration: enable push notifications to engage users of your mobile app, with updates, custom campaigns, and reminders.

App analytics: collect, measure, and gain insights into end-user behaviour, app performance, and other key metrics that can inform decision-making, improve user experience, and enhance the overall success of your app.

Twinr offers a 25% discount on all plans for life to Sharetribe users. Visit https://console.sharetribe.com/integrations/third-party-integrations and click the link on the Twinr card to claim your discount.

Publishing your mobile app to the Google Play Store and/ or the Apple App Store involves preparing your app build, meeting each store's guidelines, and submitting it for review.

You need to create developer accounts for both platforms, provide required assets like app icons, screenshots, and descriptions, and set up app information such as category, age rating, and privacy details. After uploading your app files, you configure release settings, enable any needed permissions, and submit the app for approval. Once each store completes its review and approves the submission, your app becomes available for users to download. You can follow the exact steps to publishing your mobile app using the guides linked below:

Publishing to the Google Play Store

Publishing to the Apple App Store

Twinr.dev has a few additional resources Sharetribe operators can use: