Traffic on this blog since I began the redesign a few weeks ago has grown considerably. That had been especially true since adding polls, like buttons and other opportunities for interactivity. In turn, that has also encouraged the number of comments, which have grown, with many new participants. The data speaks for itself:
Last week was the fourth best ever in the blog's history and the week before was the fifth, and neither with an event like an election or lockdown to provoke traffic, which was the cause of earlier peaks.
This has led to new readers asking if there are other ways to read the blog. I have added an explanation as to how to install it on a phone or iPad via a feed reader this morning, but the other obvious alternative is an app.
Apps for both Mac and android devices might be possible although Apple can be a bit snooty about adding apps that in essence replicate a website, so there is no guarantee one is possible. Before going to the expense of trying this though the obvious question to ask is whether people would use an app on phones and pads. There needs to be some demand to justify the time and expense,, so a quick poll, with participation both positive and negative encouraged, please:
Would you use a Tax Research mobile app?
- No (47%, 101 Votes)
- Yes (24%, 53 Votes)
- Maybe (15%, 32 Votes)
- I am not sure, but show me the answers anyway (12%, 27 Votes)
- Only if it allows comments to be added (2%, 4 Votes)
Total Voters: 217
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Hi Richard, just a quick wee reply about the app idea…
I run The Hub which gathers neesfeeds from Pro-Yes websites and groups. People than then subscribe to get instant notifications on android/ios whenever there are new articles, videos, livestrreams, events and fundraisers.
I added TaxResearchUK to it a while back with some of the articles and videos you produce being part of our Fact Check area about Scottish independence as well.
Subscribing to your news feed on The Hub is how I get informed of your new content, and is a great way for me to keep up to date with it all. Might help others who follow your blog to keep up to date too.
The app is available on ios and android. Just search for “The Hub Scotland”
https://thehub.scot/+TaxResearchUK is your groups page.
Thanks
But that sort of makes the case fir its own app
I can already access the blog on my android phone, by using taxresearch.org.uk. I can buy you a coffee or leave a reply exactly as I can on my PC.
Thanks
The web site already views well on a smartphone, so I can’t see what advantages an App would bring.
For me it would depend primarily on the licence the application was published under as I am not prepared to run any proprietary software on my phone unless I absolutely have to. For my Fairphone 3 that is only the modem driver but there is not much I can do about that except shout at the Fairphone people.
The easiest way to write an app. that satisfies the requirements of the digitally paranoid, like me, and that will run on Android devices is to write a standard Android app. but to ensure it does not depend on any proprietary software such as the Google Services Framework and then to publish it in the FDroid repository as well as the Google Play Store or whatever they call it now.
It would also be nice if it had the option to store data on an “external” SD-Card.
I doubt we could meet that requirement
Sorry
Yes, because phone notifications are easier to deal with than email notifications.
Interesting
Hi Richard
I think a mobile app is definitely required and the way forward.
I think you will find that by building/developing a mobile app the website will also benefit as I expect the mobile app developer(s) will be in a position and able to make/suggestions with a view to improving website layout/features as well.
For example, I don’t think it is possible to share an image/screenprint within the comments at present, so this is something I think you may want to consider. Also the txt cannot be changed to bold/italics. Not sure if this is deliberate.
Don’t know if its useful for you to leverage features of mobile phone device, for example, apps usually ask permission to access the camera, location service, payment gateways. So a mobile app could allow access to mobile phone camera/gallery etc and allow readers to share images/photos and take screen captures.
These are WordPress issues
We cannot change those
I don’t think you need an app. I get plenty of notifications from you through Twitter and mastodon.
What is needed is a redesign of the site and usability updates.
One thing which has annoyed me are the links. If I click through an email to this article and want to repost it elsewhere I get this link: https://www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog, instead of the deep link to the article.
That is quite odd. I just checked by clicking through on the ‘read more’ link on the email and it went to the article and not the generic site.
What browser and email reader are you using?
Sorry. What I meant was after clicking the link and coming to the article the share button which the webview has gives me that url.
I click through the emails in gmail iOS app which brings up a webview.
I cant post a video/image here it seems.
The share button goes through too many iterations in the version you are using – you need to come to the site to ue it
Re posting images – that is a WordPress constraint and I admit I am happy with it, or my job as moderator would get even more difficult
Sorry – but there are limits on what I can do
I would suggest no to a dedicated mobile app. You’d have to cover the cost of building and maintaining two of them when there alternatives that already do the job and give people more than you could alone.
In my opinion, making sure your content is well supported within RSS Feed Readers is the best way to go. With my reader I can consolidate work from multiple writers into a common place. I can get notifications for writers and articles I choose whilst having other stuff appear in the background for when I have spare time. RSS Readers generally are already available as apps, providing formatting that suits small devices as readily as desktops. Most readers can be used freely, or made more capable with a Pro subscription.
This article might be useful:
https://www.wired.com/story/best-rss-feed-readers/
Cheers, Nick
Thanks
I tend ti agree with you but younger people are horrified by such an idea
I’d first invest some time looking at the analytics to get a deeper understanding of what’s below those increases and compare time periods. Where are visits coming from and going to. Time spent. Device. Country etc. Whatever is available.
Then have a look at Twitter analytics. It has changed under new ownership, but so has the your twitter content. To what extent might that be leading a new audience over to the blog?
Regular blog visitors are managing fine without an app. Poll results therefore unsurprising. The question is more what could an app do to help widen and deepen engagement with the blog now and in the future?
1. The way people are interacting with technology is changing rapidly.
2. Deepen engagement and improve user experience. In addition you can understand more about users experience.
3. Ability for users to personalise easily, notification if you want them, easier to share, bookmarking etc.
4. Options to better utilise video content.
Thanks
I am considering all those issues
Pass!
I don’t see any reason why your blog (or blogs generally) would warrant an app.
If I were you, I would be more concerned about how you are going to be able to resource the time and effort needed to moderate feedback comments, if you are expecting and / or hoping for a significant increase in interaction.
Wow
Patronising, or what?
Ask a 21 year old if you want to know
Enter “mobile app for wordpress site” into your search engine and you’ll probably come up with some good leads.
Yes please.
I always read your blog on my phone. I don’t do Twitter so I’m reliant on your email notifications. I find I am perhaps a little later in coming to your excellent posts as a result, so a mobile app with notifications as and when you post would suit me perfectly.
I don’t comment often but find your blog and the wealth of knowledgeable people responding with comments very helpful and encouraging. Good to find there are more people than myself absolutely fed up to the back teeth with the Tories and also sceptical about NuNewLabourAKARedTories.
Interesting
And thanks
Active research into how best to do this is ongoing even though the poll suggested it a minority interest.
The younger audience I reach less often, who see to have little clue what a blog is, like the idea
I agree with you about the younger audience, as a three score and tenner, can I include myself in that category
Yes
Now that you have introduced me to rss feed app that takes me directly to your blog, absolutely no need for a phone app . But then I am no longer a Young Thing and know what a blog is ….so am content- thanks.
I kept someone happy!