Native Guide

Covering everything you need to know about the native app store setup and submission process.

Platform options comparison

Platform options comparison

Web, Portal app and Standalone Native: What's the difference?

Overview

The CrowdComms platform can be accessed as both a web based platform via a custom URL or by downloading a native / traditional app from the Apple app store and Google Play store. Work is involved with making the platform available as a native app and there are approval processes which require extra lead time. You can read the full process here 

Web

The CrowdComms platform is available as a web based solution as standard. On first setup, you will be able to open the platform in its current format using the web link available in the admin CMS. This url can be customised to ensure you have a branded link for users to access via. 

The web based solution is responsive and works across devices including desktop, tablets and mobiles ensuring your users have consistent experience and full access to functionality regardless of the way they choose to access the platform. 

Benefits: 

Negatives: 

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Portal App

In the event technology world, this goes by a number of names: portal; container; housing app. At CrowdComms we call this a portal app.

The portal app can "house" multiple events or platform projects over time, with new events being added to the existing portal. You have one generic branded portal app to house all of your events. The standard approach is to brand the portal in line with you overall company brand for example 'CrowdComms Events' would be branded in line with https://www.crowdcomms.com/ and all the events housed within this portal organised by CrowdComms would have their own specific branding ensuring once users land on the specific event view, its a branded event experience. 

Benefits: 

Negatives:

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Standalone native app

This option provides you with a custom app name, app icon and splash screen that users can search and download from the Apple app store and Google Play store. For high profile events it may be a priority to ensure users can search for the event name in the app stores and download an app listed and branded with the events specific branding rather than the company branding as with the portal option. If this is the case the standalone native app is the way to go. 

Benefits: 

Negatives:

CrowdComms Container App

If you do not have time or budget to go with a custom branded native app, our CrowdComms container app is always available to use. 

This provides the same benefits of a branded native app including push notificiations, however instead of seraching for your app name, attendees will download the CrowdComms container app and enter your event code to access. 

The limitation is the app icon will be CrowdComms and there will be no branded splash screen on first load. 

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Our recommendation

Virtual Events and webinars: Web based platform is usually the best option. Simple to setup and easy for all users to access regardless of the device. 

Hybrid and physical events: Web based platform promoted alongside a portal app. The portal app is by no means essential however if you have users on route to your venue or manoeuvring between sessions, exhibitors etc, a native app with information specific to the physical event and push notifications for on going communications is beneficial. The web based solution is widely used pre and post event and should always be communicated along side the native portal app to give users the option to choose their preferred method of access. 

Platform options comparison

Web vs native comparison

The primary difference between the web based version and native app is how users access the platform. The web based version is accessible via a custom URL whereas the native app is downloaded from the Apple app store or Google Play Store.

A major benefit of the CrowdComms platform is that the interface is identical across the web and native version and there is one admin dashboard to upload and edit content. There is no duplication of work and the user experience is consistent regardless of users preferred method of access. This ensure users who access the platform on desktops pre event are comfortable with the user interface when they download the native app for access onsite at in person events. This is essential for hybrid events to allow your remote audience accessing the desktop version to have the same experience as the in person audience on mobile phones. 

There are subtle differences in terms of the features available. A notable difference is push notifications which is a feature of native apps and therefore not available on the web based version. If you opt to stick with web which many clients do for ease and due to the consistent user experience, you still have the ability to send pop up alerts in platform and email alerts to ensure your attendees are up to speed with the latest information. 

Feature(s)  Web based Native add on (Same platform accessed via app stores) 
Customisation  Yes Yes
Custom URL Yes No
Security Settings Yes Yes
Push Notifications  No Yes
In Platform email alerts and notifications  Yes Yes
App store listing with custom app name and branding No Yes
Agenda Yes Yes
Session video player with engagement panel

Yes with Virtual / Hybrid platform.

No with Event app for in person only event. 

Yes with Virtual / Hybrid platform.

No with Event app for in person only event. 

Stream hosting Yes with Virtual / Hybrid platform.

No with Event app for in person only event. 

Yes with Virtual / Hybrid platform.

No with Event app for in person only event. 

Video player Yes Yes
Personalised schedules Yes Yes
Round table discussion rooms Yes No
Zoom breakout integration  Yes Yes
Speaker profiles Yes Yes
Attendee profiles Yes Yes
1-2-1 private chat messaging Yes Yes
1-2-1 private video calls Yes No
Company profiles Yes Yes
Sponsor opportunities Yes Yes
Event information Yes Yes
Floor plans Yes Yes
Google maps Yes Yes
Documents Yes Yes
Social media Yes Yes
Activity feed / social wall  Yes Yes
Live polling Yes Yes
Q&A Yes Yes
Session feedback

Yes

Yes
Surveys Yes Yes
Gamification  Yes Yes
Analytics and reporting Yes Yes

 

 

Platform options comparison

Hybrid or virtual platform vs Event app (in-person only) platform

The platform itself is the same and built using the same admin dashboard. The primary difference in feature set is that the hybrid / virtual platform comes with the session video player with engagement interface to allow remote audience to participate in real time with streamed sessions. Hosting for the live streams is also supported for this version of the platform.  

 Live stream engagement interface: Available on the virtual and hybrid platform 

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The in person platform comes at a lower price point due to the support and running costs being lower for an in person platform where data costs related to hosting a stream are removed.

Feature(s)  Hybrid / Virtual Platform (Web based)  Event App, In-Person Platform (Web based)
Customisation  Yes Yes
Custom URL Yes Yes
Security Settings Yes Yes
Push Notifications  No, available if you include native submission in your package No, available if you include native submission in your package
In Platform email alerts and notifications  Yes Yes
App store listing with custom app name and branding No, available if you include native submission in your package No, available if you include native submission in your package
Agenda Yes Yes
Session video player with engagement panel Yes No, only included with the hybrid / virtual platform  package
Stream hosting Yes No, only included with the hybrid / virtual platform  package
Personalised schedules Yes Yes
Round table discussion rooms Yes No, only included with the hybrid / virtual platform  package
Zoom breakout integration  Yes Yes
Speaker profiles Yes Yes
Attendee profiles Yes Yes
1-2-1 private chat messaging Yes Yes
1-2-1 private video calls Yes No, only included with the hybrid / virtual platform  package
Company profiles Yes Yes
Sponsor opportunities Yes Yes
Event information Yes Yes
Floor plans Yes Yes
Google maps Yes Yes
Documents Yes Yes
Social media Yes Yes
Activity feed / social wall  Yes Yes
Live polling Yes Yes
Q&A Yes Yes
Session feedback

Yes

Yes
Surveys Yes Yes
Gamification  Yes Yes
Analytics and reporting Yes Yes

 

 

Native Submission Guide

Native Submission Guide

Important Native Information

Please Note: A Branded Native App is an optional add-on and may not be included in your app package. If you're unsure whether a Native App is included in your package, please refer to your invoice or contact your Account Manager.

For app packages without a Branded Native App, you can still benefit from the native experience by using our Native CrowdComms Container app. For more information, please contact your App Support Specialist.

IMPORTANT - Resubmissions resulting from requiring app imagery or descriptions to be changed after sign-off will incur a Resubmission Fee of £1200 exc vat. Please ensure images and descriptions are correct to avoid this. Changes to branding and content on the app will not require a resubmission.

Before you begin the native process, there are some important things you must be aware of.

Your Developer Accounts Must Match your App's Brand

It's very important that the Apple and Google Developer Accounts which we submit your app into both match the brand of your app. Here's a rejection message we receive when the Developer Accounts don't match the brand of the app:

We noticed that your app appears to be created from an app generation service or a commercialized template, but it was not directly submitted by the owner or provider of the business, brand, or service. - Apple

For example, if your event is Acme's Annual Conference, the developer accounts used to submit the app should be Acme's developer accounts, rather than Pinnacle Event Agency's developer accounts.

🕒 Timeframe: Creating new Developer Accounts

You must allow 1 week to setup new Apple or Google developer accounts if you don't already have them. Apple checks each new organisation's developer account and approves them manually. If you need to apply for a "D-U-N-S Number" for your organisation, this can take additional time.

You must allow 3 weeks between giving us access to your developer accounts and the app being approved in the stores. 

Requirements To Create New Developer Accounts

✅ Company / Organisation Developer Accounts

When signing up for new Apple and Google developer accounts, it's important to choose the Company / Organisation type, rather than sole trader or individual. An Individual / Sole Proprietor / Single Personal Business account will not be able to grant access to a third party, which is necessary for us to submit apps on your behalf. 

✅ Apple ID & iOS or Mac Device

In order to sign up for an Apple Developer Account, you need an Apple ID with Two Factor Authentication enabled. In order to setup Two Factor Authentication, you need access to an Apple iOS or Mac device.

Our suggestion for the smoothest way to setup an Apple Device with Two Factor Authentication is to use a Mac (rather than iOS device) and create a new user account on the Mac purely for this. This will give you the opportunity to log out of this user account once the Apple Developer account is setup, without disrupting any existing personal Apple ID or iCloud accounts on the Mac.

(An iOS device can only have one user account and therefore one iCloud account linked to it, which is why a Mac may be less disruptive.)

Two-Factor Authentication is not the same as Two-Step Verification

Apple has a help article explaining the difference which you can read here. In short, in Apple's ecosystem, two-step verification is when Apple sends a text message or email to a phone number or address which they have on file for you. Two-Factor authentication requires an Apple device which is signed into iCloud using the Apple ID which is being used for the Apple Developer Account. 

Apple assumes Two-Factor Authentication is more secure than Two-Step Verification because they control the security of Apple devices, whereas the email or phone network providers are outside of their control.

✅ D-U-N-S Number

A D-U-N-S number is a requirement of Apple during the enrolment process. If you have a D-U-N-S number, you are ready to continue. If you are unsure, you can use this easy look-up tool logging in with an Apple ID. If your organisation does not have a D-U-N-S, you can register for one here - as a note, this can take between 5-10 business days to receive.


Our guide for creating Apple Developer Accounts can be read by clicking here.

Final Steps Before We Submit

Once you've got on-brand, Company / Organisation Developer accounts setup,

Invite CrowdComms to Your Accounts

Approve App Submission Details

Even when you've created Apple and Google developer accounts which match the brand of your app, and have given us access to those accounts, we still need you to sign off certain app content and design assets which can't be changed after we submit the app without a resubmission.


IMPORTANT - Resubmissions resulting from requiring app imagery or descriptions to be changed after sign-off will incur a Resubmission Fee of £250 exc vat. Please ensure images and descriptions are correct to avoid this. Changes to branding and content on the downloaded app will not require a resubmission.


If you have any questions about this process, please email support@crowdcomms.co.uk and we'll get back to you!

Native Submission Guide

Creating Your Developer Accounts

If you're looking to get an app submitted to the Apple iOS and Google Play stores, we must publish the app using your organisation's developer account. This article will give you a step by step guide covering how to setup your developer accounts.

For app packages without a Branded Native App, you can still benefit from the native experience by using our Native CrowdComms Container app.

Apple: iOS App Store

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When selecting Entity Type on creation of an Apple dev account, do not select Individual / Sole Proprietor / Single Person Business as this will not allow you to add a secondary developer account or grant access to a third party.

Instead, select Company / Organisation regardless of it being a single person business. The cost is identical to you, however a Individual / Sole Proprietor / Single Personal Business will not be able to grant access to a third party, which is necessary for us to submit apps on your behalf. 

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Google: Play Store

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Developer Accounts Setup? Grant Us Access!

Click here for a guide to give us access to your accounts, now they're setup.
Native Submission Guide

Granting CrowdComms Access to Your Accounts

Apple

For Apple, you'll need to give CrowdComms access to App Store Connect.

App Store Connect

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CrowdComms UK Details

First Name CrowdComms
Last Name Limited
Email buildteam@crowdcomms.co.uk

CrowdComms Australia Details

First Name Peter
Last Name Hair
Email info@crowdcomms.com.au

Be sure to tick the "Admin" role - and also to check the box saying "Access to Certificates, Identifiers and Profiles". 

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Google Play

The Google Play Console has received a number of updates and changes and now requires a higher level of permissions than in the past. We recommend inviting us as an "Admin" level to keep things simple so we can handle the entire app creation process. If this is a concern for you, please reach out to the team and we'll be able to hop on a meeting with you to talk you through performing the "admin-only" parts of the process and you can give us a lower level of permissions in that specific scenario. 

CrowdComms UK Details

Email buildteam@crowdcomms.co.uk
Access Expiry Date Never

CrowdComms Australia Details

Email native@crowdcomms.com.au
Access Expiry Date Never

One More Step

Now we've got access to your developer accounts, the final step is to complete our app submission details form.

Full App Store Access Problems? 

If you aren't willing to give us full app store access, there are some other options:

1. Full App Store Access

The easiest option is for you to give us full access to your developer account as outlined above.

2. Access to Only a Single App

The next option would be for you to begin the app creation process yourself and give us access to just a single app - this would require you to create an app on App Store Connect with specific details provided by us, which your support specialist can help you out with. Then, you can grant us access to just this app. This can be handy if you have several apps on your App Store account and don't want us to have any way of seeing or editing any others.

3. Send Us Your Developer Certificates

If you don't want to give us any App Store access, you can give us a distribution certificate P12, matching provisioning profile and also a push certificate P12 file and we can create the IPA and APK files for your app and return them to you for submission yourself. 

4. Only Send us Push Certificate and Resign App Yourself

The final option would be that we create your IPA and APK app files using our own CrowdComms distribution certificates and our own provisioning profile, then you resign the app yourself before submitting to your own app store.

We still require a P12 push certificate to do this - and you will need to ensure the bundle ID of the app matches what our system is outputting.

Please speak to a member of the team for more information about these processes.
Native Submission Guide

Granting CrowdComms Access to Just a Single App

Apple App Store Access

Whoever is your Apple Developer Admin should be able to follow the below 12 steps to give us access to just a single App in the App Store Connect part of your Apple Developer account – and this should (I think!) give us all the access we need to get the app setup for you 😊 Please see the “Apple Instructions.zip” attached to this email which includes 12 screenshots – each one corresponding to the 12x steps below.

1. Login to your Apple Developer Account as the Account Holder at this URL: https://developer.apple.com/account and press Identifiers

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2. Press the plus to add a new identifier

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3. Choose App ID – the default – and press continue

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4. Ensure App is selected and press continue

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5. There are a few bits to get exactly correct here!

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6. Review and press continue

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7. Go back to https://developer.apple.com/account and this time press Apps

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8. Press the plus to add / create a new app – and choose New App

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9. Here you will put in some app information:

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10. Go back to https://appstoreconnect.apple.com/access/users - Users and Access and press the Plus to add a new user

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11. Fill out Crowd as the first name, Comms as the last name and buildteam@crowdcomms.co.uk as the email and scroll down

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12. Be sure to tick ‘access to certificates, identifiers and profiles’, and then you can select which apps you want to grant this user access to – select the app you just created and press invite

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That should do the trick for the Apple side of things!

Android Google Play Console Access

1. Login as an admin to the Google Play Console: https://play.google.com/console/developers

This Google guide should help setup the equivalent for Google Play: https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/answer/9844686?hl=en-GB

If you need to make the app on Google Play first, which I think you do – the two screenshots below should show the process. You will again have to put in the app name as you want it to appear on the app store page when creating it, but there’s less to do in terms of setup on Google than Apple, so hopefully the two screenshots combined with the help guide above helps!

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Native Submission Guide

App Submission Details

Ready to Submit?

Fill out our native submission form by clicking here. This tells us we can go ahead and submit your app! 

If you have any questions about the form, read on.

What We Need

There are two main types of content we need from you in order to submit your app - Text Content and Design Assets. You must provide us with the text content, however we can create the native design assets for your native app if you choose to use our in-house design service. 

It is important to get these approved from you, because the below content cannot be changed after submission - only content within the app itself can be changed after submission. 

Text Content

App Store Listing Title

This will be the title in the app stores.
Please note this is limited to a maximum of 30 characters (Spaces included)

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App Short Title

The app short name is the name which appears underneath the icon on smartphone home screens.

Please note that app short names longer than approx. 10 characters will have “Ellipses” inserted into their names under the App Icon. If this is a problem, please use an app name shorter than or equal to 12 characters. Screenshot below to explain.
App short names cannot contain special characters.

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Short Description

Just needs to be a brief description about the app/event
Please note this is limited to a maximum of 80 characters (Spaces included)

Long Description

This is the description that appears in both of the app stores, and should be a full description about the app/event
Please note this is limited to a maximum of 2000 characters (Spaces included)

Keywords

One or more keywords that describe your app when people search for the app in stores. Keywords make App Store search results more accurate.
Please note you are limited to 100 characters. There is no max character limit per keyword as long as you don't go over the overall limit.

Example Information

App Name

Plantconf

Short Description

This year's Plantconf app contains all the information you need to enjoy a great weekend at Kew Gardens.

Long Description

This year's Plantconf app contains all the information you need to enjoy a great weekend at Kew Gardens. Some of the key features of this year's app are:

Keywords

Plants,botanicals,conference,game,app

Design Assets

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Splash screen image

The splash screen image appears whilst the app is loading/opening.
Please note the Image must be 2732px (Width) x 2732px (Height) PNG (no alpha or transparency). See the example splash screen image above - be sure to keep important text or images in the very centre to avoid any cropping. 

App Icon

Please note the Image must be 1024px (Width) x 1024px (Height) PNG (no alpha or transparency)

Feature Image

Please note the Image must be 1024px (Width) x 500px (Height) JPG or PNG (no alpha)

The feature image can be displayed on the Google Play store. More information available here.

*IMPORTANT - Resubmissions resulting from requiring the imagery or descriptions to be changed will incur a Resubmission Fee of £500 exc vat. Please ensure images and descriptions are correct to avoid this. Changes to branding and content on the app will not require a resubmission.

Native Imagery Template

Click here to download a zip folder with a Splash Screen, App Icon and Google Play banner if you'd like to design your own native imagery.

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Native Build Guide (Staff Only)