Use a single short URL that redirects to the correct app stores based on the user's device

spideri · February 27, 2013, 6:07am

Hi folks,

For a few months now we’ve been using a service called AutoFwd (http://autofwd.com) to create a single URL (and QR Code) that will automatically forward users to the best site for their device. This is super useful if you have for example an Android app, iOS app and website.

We use it for Finger Hoola but for many other apps too. Give it a try:
http://autofwd.com/fh

I’m sure there are other similar services out there too so if you know of any please share.

Full disclosure: AutoFwd is actually made by a friend of mine. If you’d like other devices adding let me know or get in touch with him as I’m sure he’d like to improve it. It’s all totally free btw.

Cheers,
Ian [import]uid: 29093 topic_id: 36361 reply_id: 336361[/import]

Develephant · February 27, 2013, 10:06am

Finger Hoola is a nice app. Congrats. [import]uid: 202223 topic_id: 36361 reply_id: 144429[/import]

spideri · February 27, 2013, 10:07am

If it wasn’t obvious make sure you go to http://autofwd.com as that is what I was trying to let everyone know about. Thanks though :-). [import]uid: 29093 topic_id: 36361 reply_id: 144431[/import]

Develephant · February 27, 2013, 10:14am

I prefer the built in Corona [lua]native.showPopup(“appStore”)[/lua] myself, but thanks for sharing that resource.

Cheers. [import]uid: 202223 topic_id: 36361 reply_id: 144432[/import]

spideri · February 27, 2013, 10:37am

Ah of course, but if you’re promoting your game via social media, direct mails, etc, then it’s great to have a single URL that will “auto forward” to the right place - of your choice. [import]uid: 29093 topic_id: 36361 reply_id: 144436[/import]

AlanPlantPot · February 27, 2013, 10:46am

"I prefer the built in Corona native.showPopup("appStore") myself, but thanks for sharing that resource.

That’s only really applicable if you distribute your app via your other Corona apps.

Autofwd is useful for giving potential customers a link through some means other than your app (on Twitter for example), and that one universal link will take the user to Autofwd.com, which in turn detects if they are on iOS or Android and diverts them to the relevant store.

It’s pretty nifty, as you don’t have to provide an iOS link for iOS users and an Android link for Android users. If the user is on a OS for which you have no app (i.e. they’re browsing on their windows desktop), then you can just set it to just redirect to your own website.

That sounded a bit like a sales spiel, I don’t work for them, honest. It’s just really simple to use and handy for people making iOS and Android apps (i.e. Corona devs).
[import]uid: 84115 topic_id: 36361 reply_id: 144437[/import]

Develephant · February 27, 2013, 10:06am

Finger Hoola is a nice app. Congrats. [import]uid: 202223 topic_id: 36361 reply_id: 144429[/import]

spideri · February 27, 2013, 10:07am

If it wasn’t obvious make sure you go to http://autofwd.com as that is what I was trying to let everyone know about. Thanks though :-). [import]uid: 29093 topic_id: 36361 reply_id: 144431[/import]

Develephant · February 27, 2013, 10:14am

I prefer the built in Corona [lua]native.showPopup(“appStore”)[/lua] myself, but thanks for sharing that resource.

Cheers. [import]uid: 202223 topic_id: 36361 reply_id: 144432[/import]

spideri · February 27, 2013, 10:37am

Ah of course, but if you’re promoting your game via social media, direct mails, etc, then it’s great to have a single URL that will “auto forward” to the right place - of your choice. [import]uid: 29093 topic_id: 36361 reply_id: 144436[/import]

AlanPlantPot · February 27, 2013, 10:46am

"I prefer the built in Corona native.showPopup("appStore") myself, but thanks for sharing that resource.

That’s only really applicable if you distribute your app via your other Corona apps.

Autofwd is useful for giving potential customers a link through some means other than your app (on Twitter for example), and that one universal link will take the user to Autofwd.com, which in turn detects if they are on iOS or Android and diverts them to the relevant store.

It’s pretty nifty, as you don’t have to provide an iOS link for iOS users and an Android link for Android users. If the user is on a OS for which you have no app (i.e. they’re browsing on their windows desktop), then you can just set it to just redirect to your own website.

That sounded a bit like a sales spiel, I don’t work for them, honest. It’s just really simple to use and handy for people making iOS and Android apps (i.e. Corona devs).
[import]uid: 84115 topic_id: 36361 reply_id: 144437[/import]

Develephant · February 27, 2013, 6:06pm

Finger Hoola is a nice app. Congrats. [import]uid: 202223 topic_id: 36361 reply_id: 144429[/import]

spideri · February 27, 2013, 6:07pm

If it wasn’t obvious make sure you go to http://autofwd.com as that is what I was trying to let everyone know about. Thanks though :-). [import]uid: 29093 topic_id: 36361 reply_id: 144431[/import]

Develephant · February 27, 2013, 6:14pm

I prefer the built in Corona [lua]native.showPopup(“appStore”)[/lua] myself, but thanks for sharing that resource.

Cheers. [import]uid: 202223 topic_id: 36361 reply_id: 144432[/import]

spideri · February 27, 2013, 6:37pm

Ah of course, but if you’re promoting your game via social media, direct mails, etc, then it’s great to have a single URL that will “auto forward” to the right place - of your choice. [import]uid: 29093 topic_id: 36361 reply_id: 144436[/import]

AlanPlantPot · February 27, 2013, 6:46pm

"I prefer the built in Corona native.showPopup("appStore") myself, but thanks for sharing that resource.

That’s only really applicable if you distribute your app via your other Corona apps.

Autofwd is useful for giving potential customers a link through some means other than your app (on Twitter for example), and that one universal link will take the user to Autofwd.com, which in turn detects if they are on iOS or Android and diverts them to the relevant store.

It’s pretty nifty, as you don’t have to provide an iOS link for iOS users and an Android link for Android users. If the user is on a OS for which you have no app (i.e. they’re browsing on their windows desktop), then you can just set it to just redirect to your own website.

That sounded a bit like a sales spiel, I don’t work for them, honest. It’s just really simple to use and handy for people making iOS and Android apps (i.e. Corona devs).
[import]uid: 84115 topic_id: 36361 reply_id: 144437[/import]

Develephant · February 27, 2013, 6:06pm

Finger Hoola is a nice app. Congrats. [import]uid: 202223 topic_id: 36361 reply_id: 144429[/import]

spideri · February 27, 2013, 6:07pm

If it wasn’t obvious make sure you go to http://autofwd.com as that is what I was trying to let everyone know about. Thanks though :-). [import]uid: 29093 topic_id: 36361 reply_id: 144431[/import]

Develephant · February 27, 2013, 6:14pm

I prefer the built in Corona [lua]native.showPopup(“appStore”)[/lua] myself, but thanks for sharing that resource.

Cheers. [import]uid: 202223 topic_id: 36361 reply_id: 144432[/import]

spideri · February 27, 2013, 6:37pm

Ah of course, but if you’re promoting your game via social media, direct mails, etc, then it’s great to have a single URL that will “auto forward” to the right place - of your choice. [import]uid: 29093 topic_id: 36361 reply_id: 144436[/import]