I've built a mobile-ready web site that does most of the features that an app would do. However, some people still like the idea of an 'app' on their phones because it would load the 'app' (web site) directly, rather than having them load their browsers and type the URL.
Is there a way to create an app in Android and in iOS that works this way? The idea is that there's simply a custom icon reflecting the web site, and once it's tapped it loads the browser with the URL of the web site already input.
It seems like it would be simple enough to do in both Android and iOS, but scrolling through my reference books only yields concepts like putting a clickable URL inside a 'main screen' in the app, rather than effortless redirection.
For iOS a "mobile web shell" kind of applications will get rejected in the app review process.
From App review guidelines document (you will require to login with your AppleId),
2.12 Apps that are not very useful, unique, are simply web sites bundled as Apps, or do not provide any lasting entertainment value may be rejected
Which means that applications which merely wrap a UIWebView to display the mobile site and do not support any other functionality/purpose will be rejected. Such shell applications can be achieved even through Safari browser which allows to "Add website to Home screen".
There is similar question asked previously on SO, please go through it: Does Apple reject “mobile web shell” applications?
Hope this helps!