Building a mobile app

[MikeJDS]

I've no previous personal experience with mobile apps, but I need one created.
I know a few of you will have good skills in this area, So where should I start?

I need an app that would include a payment gateway + other ecommerce features. (not a clone of a website)

I do have experience with building websites using Wordpress / HTML / PHP - Is there a similar platform for creating apps I could learn to use?
How easy would it be to do myself - What tools would you recommend?

Or what's the going rate for getting an app developed?
Can you recommend anyone?

I have looked around but it seems a bit of a minefield out there.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks

 

[Adam HAdam H is verified member.]

If you find a good APP developer ( Google Market and Apple Store ) let me know, seems to be hard to find anyone reliable and responds in good time.

 

[MikeJDS]

I know what you mean - I have contacted quite a few people local to me - and the response (or lack of it) so far has been shocking!

 

[monaghanmonaghan is verified member.]

Do you actually need an app? Could a mobile friendly HTML5 site do the job? Personally I dislike installing apps on my phone / tablet as they just seem to take over using all the memory on the device and rarely offer anything more than an HTML site.

 

[MikeJDS]

We already have a responsive site.
I think for the features I need - It does need to be an app.
I need the ability to hook into some of the functions of a mobile.
Plus it gives another angle to market from.