SiteTo.App

Back to Guides
Intermediate

Customizing Your App's Appearance

Michael ChenJanuary 15, 20248 min read

Customizing Your App's Appearance

Creating a cohesive brand experience across your website and mobile app is essential for user recognition and trust. This guide will show you how to customize your app's visual elements using SiteTo.App's powerful theming system.

Understanding App Design Elements

Before diving into customization, it's helpful to understand the key elements that make up your app's interface:

  • **App icon**: The image that appears on the user's home screen
  • **Splash screen**: The initial loading screen when opening your app
  • **Navigation elements**: Menus, tabs, and buttons used for moving through your app
  • **Content areas**: How your website content is displayed within the app
  • **Typography**: Fonts, sizes, and text styling
  • **Color scheme**: Primary, secondary, and accent colors

    • Creating Your App Icon

    Your app icon is the face of your application on users' devices. It should be:

  • **Simple and recognizable**: Avoid complex details that won't be visible at small sizes
  • **Consistent with your brand**: Use your logo or a simplified version of it
  • **Square format**: Although app stores will round the corners, start with a square design

    • Creating an App Icon in SiteTo.App

  • Navigate to the **Branding** section of your app dashboard
  • Select **App Icon** from the customization menu
  • Either:

    • - Upload your own icon (recommended minimum size: 1024×1024 pixels)

    - Use our icon generator by entering your brand name and selecting a style

    **Pro Tip**: Test your icon at multiple sizes to ensure it remains recognizable even at the smallest display sizes.

    Designing Your Splash Screen

    The splash screen is displayed briefly while your app loads. A good splash screen:

  • Reinforces your brand identity
  • Is simple and uncluttered
  • Sets expectations for the app experience

    • Customizing Your Splash Screen

  • Go to the **Branding** section in your dashboard
  • Select **Splash Screen** from the menu
  • Choose from several layout options:

    • - Logo only (centered)

    - Logo with app name

    - Custom background with logo

    - Animated intro (premium feature)

  • Adjust colors, position, and sizing to your preference

    • Setting Your App's Color Scheme

    Colors play a crucial role in your app's identity and usability. SiteTo.App allows you to set:

    Primary Colors

    These are used for:

  • App bars and headers
  • Selected tabs
  • Primary buttons
  • Progress indicators

    • Accent Colors

    These appear in:

  • Links
  • Secondary buttons
  • Highlights
  • Selection states

    • Background Colors

    Used for:

  • Main content areas
  • Card backgrounds
  • Modal dialogs

    • How to Customize Colors

  • Navigate to **Branding** > **Colors** in your dashboard
  • You can either:

    • - Use our color picker to select custom colors

    - Enter specific hex codes for precise matching

    - Use our "Extract from Website" feature to automatically pull your site's color scheme

  • Preview changes in real-time on the app preview

    • **Accessibility Tip**: Ensure sufficient contrast between text and background colors. SiteTo.App will alert you if your color combinations may cause readability issues.

    Customizing Navigation

    Your app's navigation structure significantly impacts user experience. SiteTo.App offers several navigation styles:

    Tab Bar Navigation

    Best for apps with 3-5 main sections:

  • Appears at the bottom of the screen (iOS style) or top (Android style)
  • Each tab can have an icon and label
  • Provides quick access to main app areas

    • Side Menu Navigation

    Ideal for apps with many sections:

  • Accessed via a hamburger menu icon
  • Can include categories and nested items
  • Supports longer labels and more menu items

    • Customizing Navigation Elements

  • Go to **Navigation** in your dashboard
  • Select your preferred navigation style
  • Customize:

    • - Icon selection for each menu item

    - Label text

    - Order of items

    - Grouping/categories (for side menus)

    - Colors and styling

    Typography Customization

    Consistent typography enhances readability and brand identity:

    Font Selection

  • Navigate to **Branding** > **Typography**
  • Choose from:

    • - System fonts (best for performance)

    - Google Fonts library (800+ options)

    - Custom fonts (upload your own fonts - Premium plan only)

    Text Styling

    Customize:

  • Font sizes for different elements (headings, body text, captions)
  • Font weights (regular, medium, bold)
  • Line spacing
  • Text colors

    • **Performance Tip**: Using system fonts improves app loading times, while custom fonts might increase initial load time but provide a more unique brand experience.

    Advanced Customization Options

    CSS Overrides (Premium Feature)

    For users with CSS knowledge, SiteTo.App offers direct CSS customization:

  • Go to **Advanced** > **Custom CSS**
  • Enter CSS rules to override default styles
  • Use our element inspector to identify CSS classes and IDs

    • Custom Header and Footer

    Create a completely custom experience:

  • Navigate to **Layout** > **Header & Footer**
  • Enable custom header/footer
  • Use the visual editor to design your custom elements
  • Add custom actions and links

    • Testing Your Design

    Before finalizing your design, test it thoroughly:

  • Use the **Live Preview** to see changes in real-time
  • Test on multiple device sizes using the device simulator
  • Check both light and dark mode if you've enabled it
  • Send a test link to team members for feedback

    • Design Best Practices

  • **Maintain consistency**: Keep styling consistent throughout the app
  • **Prioritize readability**: Ensure text is legible on all backgrounds
  • **Consider thumb zones**: Place important actions within easy reach
  • **Use familiar patterns**: Follow platform conventions for intuitive navigation
  • **Test with users**: Gather feedback from actual users when possible

    • Next Steps

    Now that you've customized your app's appearance, consider exploring:

  • [Advanced Navigation Patterns](/docs/guides/advanced-navigation)
  • [Creating a Custom Onboarding Experience](/docs/guides/onboarding)
  • [Implementing Dark Mode](/docs/guides/dark-mode)
  • [Optimizing Images for Mobile](/docs/guides/image-optimization)

    • If you need design assistance, our Premium and Enterprise plans include design consultation services to help you create the perfect mobile experience for your brand.

    Found this helpful?

    View all documentationTry SiteTo.App