---
title: "Talking Tech: App Alternatives"
id: "20448"
type: "post"
slug: "talking-tech-app-alternatives"
published_at: "2013-11-15T09:30:39+00:00"
modified_at: "2026-03-15T21:27:35+00:00"
url: "https://associationsnow.com/2013/11/15/talking-tech-app-alternatives/"
markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2013/11/15/talking-tech-app-alternatives.md"
excerpt: "American Institute of Architects Managing Director of Web Management and Development Jonathan Sullivan on thinking outside the mobile-app box."
taxonomy_category:
  - "Marketing / Communications"
taxonomy_post_tag:
  - "AssociationsNow"
  - "digital strategy"
  - "mobile app"
  - "Technology"
taxonomy_content_format:
  - "Article"
taxonomy_role:
  - "Association CEO / Executive Director"
  - "C-Level"
  - "Executive Team"
  - "VP"
taxonomy_persona:
  - "Association Professionals"
---

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 » Talking Tech: App Alternatives

**Why should associations consider alternatives to apps?**

For a lot of organizations, an app can seem like kind of a daunting thing to do, and they may not have the specialized expertise or the finances to hire or contract out that expertise. There are a lot of different ways that you can approach the mobile space short of developing an app, including the mobile web, social media, white labeling [using an app developed by someone else with your brand on it], and mobile partnerships.

It’s not so much that they shouldn’t develop an app, but they don’t have to in order to be an active participant in the mobile space.

**When choosing an alternative, what advice would you give?**

Which one you choose largely depends on your objectives—because not every one of these four things is ­compatible with certain objectives—and it also depends on your capabilities as an organization.

For example, if you’re a content-driven organization, some of these options might be better suited for you, but if you’re more of a program- or product-oriented association, other alternatives might work better.

(Handout photo)

[ASAE Staff](https://associationsnow.com/author/asae-staff/)

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Tags: [#digital strategy](https://associationsnow.com/tag/digital-strategy/)
 [#mobile app](https://associationsnow.com/tag/mobile-app/)
 [#Technology](https://associationsnow.com/tag/technology/)

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