Most people carry their radio in their pocket these days. If your station lives only on a web page, you are asking listeners to remember a link. An app puts you on their phone, one tap away.
What an app gives your listeners
- A home-screen icon. Your logo sits among their everyday apps, so you are easier to remember than a bookmark.
- Simple listening. One tap starts the stream, with no browser to open.
- Background playback. People can listen while they use other apps or with the screen off.
What it gives you
- Credibility. A branded app tells people you are a real station.
- A habit. Listeners who have installed you are far more likely to return than those who found you once.
- Your own brand. Your name and artwork, not somebody else’s.
What to prepare
You will need a clear logo and square artwork, a short description and the details of your stream. App stores also have their own requirements for publishing; our article on publishing on Google Play explains what is needed.
Apps and your plan
Citrus3 apps are available on the Large plan and above. See the plans for what is included at each level.
Make the most of it
- Tell your listeners the app exists, on air and on social media.
- Put the store badges on your website next to your player.
- Keep your artwork and descriptions up to date.
Not everyone will install it
Some listeners will always prefer a link, so keep your radio page and web player available as well. The best approach is to offer all the ways of listening and let people choose.
Next: How to broadcast live on the internet: a step-by-step overview