First things first – since you found this article, you might already know the difference between PWA, the technology our Universal App is based on, and native mobile apps. Check out our PWA vs Native Apps Article here to get up to speed.

We’ve compiled some big milestones for you to jump-start your Universal App journey. We’ve broken it down into the ideal chronological steps, but you don’t have to follow it to the T. It’s up to you!

Introduction

STEP 1: Book your fast-start training call with MagLoft.

We know you’re not new to MagLoft, but you’re probably new to our Universal App. That’s why we recommend you book a fast start training call with our Customer Success team. During this call, you will learn more about how you can get started and how we can help you out best.

STEP 2: Launch the live preview of your Universal App

Experience Universal App from a reader’s perspective using our Live Preview feature. After you sign up, you’re able to access the Universal App admin dashboard and launch Live Preview from any Article or Collection page. We’ve already prepared some dummy content for you so you can get a clear picture of what your Universal App may look like.

Prepare your content

STEP 1: Move your content from the Classic portal to the Universal App admin

Did you know that you can manage your content across Classic and Universal App? It’s super simple. You only need to follow the instructions highlighted here.

STEP 2: Set up your content SEO

In this step, you need to fill in the SEO details for your content before it can be published. Preparing your content for SEO is incredibly important when publishing content, so that search engines and social networks can easily pick up, index, and rank your articles and collections. At the very least you should have the Keyword Phrase field filled.

How to do it? In your Universal App admin dashboard, navigate to Content > Collections / Articles and click the edit button for the content piece you’d like to update. From there, you’ll be able to set up your articles’ or collection’s SEO information.

STEP 3: Set up Stripe if you have paid content

Setting up Stripe is essential if you want to sell either subscriptions and/or single issues. To set up Stripe, all you need to do is follow the steps in this article. After that, your contents’ unlock type will transfer over from Classic.

Complete Basic Branding

STEP 1: Upload a header graphic to customize your Universal App

Header graphics are an important part of your branding. It’s the first thing that your readers will see upon visiting your Universal App. That’s why we recommend uploading your header graphics as one of the first things that you need to set up.

It’s pretty easy! You can learn more about how to do it here.

We also compiled asset guidelines to make sure your image is optimized for header graphics which you can check out here.

STEP 2: Upload your logo and use it as your Universal App Icon

Just like header graphics, you need to upload your logo to establish your brand. You can upload your logo in two places: as your app icon and on the Top Menu. To upload your logo as your app icon, you can do it in the Branding > App menu. To change the icon on the Top Menu, you can check out the steps here.

STEP 3: Customize your brand colors n the Universal App Designer

Colors are also a big part of your branding. They set the tone of your app and - together with your header graphics and logo - work inharmony to represent your brand. To change the brand colors of your Universal App, you can check out this guide here.

If you’d like to customize the colors of your Top- or Footer Menu, you can do that by following these instructions:

Add Your Custom Domain

The most important part of going live with your Universal App - besides preparing your content - is adding your custom domain. Your custom domain is a part of your branding. It lets people find you and your content on the internet.

You can find a guide on how to connect your own domain here.

Things You Need to Know

There are a number of things that you need to note while making the switch between Classic and Universal App:

Subscriptions generally carry over from Classic to Universal App, but you need to be aware that readers who purchased their subscriptions through App Store or Google Play Store will not be able to manage their subscriptions through Universal App. The only way to manage or cancel is through the App Store and Google Play Store.

If you no longer wish to keep your Classic apps, you may need to remove your app listings from App Store and Google Play Store. You can learn more about it here.

Basically everything, except things that are exclusive to Classic apps like App Listings. Your reader list, your subscriptions, and your content will sync with Universal App.

Get stuck? Feel free to reach out to our live chat at the bottom right corner of your Universal App dashboard or simply send an email to support@magloft.com