How do I switch from my current app provider to a white-label platform?
To switch from your current app provider to a white-label platform, you should plan a careful migration of your content and users: export your data, inform your community, set up the new app in parallel, and then encourage users to transition before retiring the old app.
We’ve guided several creators through this process. It’s a bit like moving houses; you want to move your furniture (content) and family (users) over with minimal disruption. Here’s a step-by-step game plan:
Steps to Switch App Platforms
Review Your Existing Contract/Data: First, check if your current provider has any contractual lock-ins or notice periods. Also, find out how you can export your content and user information. If it’s your own custom app, you’ll have all your videos/files already. If it’s another service (say you were on a competitor’s platform or a generic solution), see if they allow data export or have an API to pull content. For example, some platforms might let you download your subscriber list (names, emails). That’s gold for migration because you can reach out to them outside the app.
Choose Your New White-Label Platform: Since you’re considering switching to a white-label solution, let’s assume you’ve evaluated options and picked one (Sudor or another). Work with the new provider to get your app built and ready. The beauty here is you don’t have to shut down the old app while building the new. You can do them concurrently to ensure continuity for your users. During setup, you’ll customise the new app, upload your content library, and set pricing similar to (or better than) what you had before. Essentially, you prepare the new home. Sudor’s team, for instance, will assist with migrating videos (even in bulk, possibly directly from your old URLs if available) to make this easier.
Beta Test the New App: Before telling everyone to jump over, do a soft launch. You might invite a handful of trusted users or friends to download the new app, create accounts, and test that all the content is accessible and things are working (login, playback, etc.). This helps catch any issues (like “oh, video X is missing” or “the link for the meal plan PDF broke”) while stakes are low. It’s much easier to fix these now than when everyone’s watching.
Announce to Your Community: Now, communication is key. Announce that you’re moving to a new and improved app. Explain the benefits in user-centric terms: maybe the new app is faster, has new features (community chat, better video quality, etc.), or will get more frequent updates. People can be resistant to change, so frame it as an upgrade (which it is!). Provide a clear timeline: e.g., “Starting next month, I’ll be hosting all my content on my new app [Name]. The current app will be discontinued by [Date]. Please make sure to download the new app to continue your membership seamlessly.” If possible, send this message through multiple channels: email (if you have their emails), in-app announcement on the old app, social media, etc. Repetition is okay; not everyone sees a single notice.
Incentivize the Switch: To nudge users, you can use incentives. For example, “Join the new app in the next 2 weeks and get a free month” or “All content will be fresh and first on the new app. The old one won’t get the latest programs.” If your new platform allows it, maybe offer a small discount or a bonus piece of content for those who come over early. People respond to urgency and reward. If the payment can’t transfer automatically, assure them that if they’ve already paid for the month on old app, you’ll honour that on the new (maybe by giving them a free month code, etc.). You want them to feel it’s a smooth, fair transition.
Migration of Subscriptions: One tricky part can be moving the billing. If your old app had subscribers via Apple/Google in-app purchases, those can’t just be “transferred” due to platform restrictions. Users will likely need to subscribe anew on the new app. That’s why you communicate clearly and possibly time the switch at the end of a billing cycle. For example, you might stop taking renewals on the old app, and instruct users how to sign up on the new one when their current period ends. If the old platform used web payments, maybe you have credit card info (likely not, for security reasons) so again, users will need to re-enter payment on new platform. It’s a pain point, but people will do it if they want to stay. You can consider a guide or customer support to help anyone who has trouble.
Shut Down the Old App: After most active users have moved and your announced date arrives, it’s time to sunset the old app. This might involve cancelling your contract or simply not updating it further. If you have the ability, you might even put a message on it like “We’ve moved! Please download our new app here: [link].” Keep an eye for stragglers. Inevitably someone will log in after a hiatus and wonder where you went. Try to leave breadcrumbs for them (for instance, keep an announcement or last post visible directing to the new place, for a reasonable time). Eventually, you’ll want to fully close it to avoid confusion and double costs.
Real-Life Example of a Smooth Switch
Venus & Rachel of Venus Fit did a platform switch. They were on one app provider and decided to move to Sudor’s platform to gain more features and better support. We helped them by migrating their video library and setting up their new app to closely mirror (and improve upon) the old one’s structure. They announced to their members that a “new app experience” was coming. Many of their subscribers moved over within the first week of launch because they highlighted how the new app had a better community section and more reliable streaming. Our team also provided hands-on support; for instance, if any user had trouble logging in on the new app, we were there to resolve it quickly. Within a month, almost their entire active user base was happily using the new app, and they retired the old one. The feedback was largely, “this new app is so much better!” which validated the effort.
Tips to Retain Users During Switch
Carry Over Free Content or Progress: If your old app had user data like saved workouts or progress tracking, see if that can be exported. Sometimes you can’t carry that over, but if, say, a user had a profile or achievements, try to at least manually honour it (maybe ask them to screenshot anything important and you can reward them similarly on new app).
Be Present and Patient: During the transition month, be extra active in responding to user questions. Some might email “I can’t find X on the new app” or “Do I have to pay again right away?” Answer everyone personally and reassure them. People appreciate knowing there’s a human ensuring they’re taken care of.
Don’t Overlap Too Long: While you want an overlap to catch folks, don’t maintain two apps indefinitely, as it splits your attention and confuses new potential customers on which to join. A well-communicated deadline is actually helpful to prompt action.
Final Encouragement
Switching platforms might sound daunting, but it’s often a rejuvenating move for your business if the new platform serves you and your customers better. We’re here to help make it as seamless as possible. If you partner with Sudor, we take this seriously. We want your community to feel at home in the new app from day one. We’ll assist with content migration, onboarding users, and any hiccups along the way. So if you’re ready to switch to a white-label platform that supports your growth, book a free demo call and let’s chat about the specifics. We’ll create a custom migration plan with you, so nothing is left to chance. Your new and improved app awaits!