Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know about ReadyCircle and family emergency preparedness.

General Questions

What is ReadyCircle?

ReadyCircle is a family emergency preparedness platform that helps you get actually prepared, not just worried. We provide location-based emergency kits, smart inventory management, family coordination, and step-by-step guidance specific to your area's disaster risks.

How is this different from other emergency preparedness apps?

Most emergency apps focus on fear or generic lists. We focus on practical, location-based solutions that actually work for real families. Our approach is calm confidence, not panic. We're the confident neighbor who has their family prepared, not the prepper who's always worried.

Do I need to be a "prepper" to use this?

Not at all! We're designed for regular families who want to be prepared, not extreme survivalists. Our approach is practical and family-focused. Think of us as the friend who calmly handles crises and helps you do the same.

Is there a free trial?

Yes! Start with a 14-day free trial to see how ReadyCircle works for your family. No credit card required to get started.

Features & Functionality

How does location-based kit generation work?

We analyze your city's specific disaster risks (hurricanes, earthquakes, wildfires, etc.) and generate personalized emergency kits based on what you actually need. No more guessing or buying generic supplies that don't match your area.

What is the family coordination feature?

Family coordination helps everyone know their role and responsibilities. Mom handles medical supplies, Dad manages water and food, teens handle communication devices. Everyone can see progress and stay accountable to each other.

How do disaster alerts work?

When your area is at risk, we send alerts like "⚠️ Grandma (Henderson, NV) - Flash flood warning until 8pm PT". This reminds you to check if she actually has her flood kit ready, not just to call her.

What is the "Mark Safe" feature?

During emergencies, family members can quickly let everyone know they're safe. It shows "[Name] marked safe - [Disaster type]" to your family circle, validating that your preparation worked.

How does smart inventory management work?

Track expiration dates, get restock reminders, and never wonder if your supplies are still good. You can scan barcodes to easily update inventory and assign family members to manage specific items.

Family & Privacy

What counts as a household?

A household is people who live together under one roof. This includes immediate family members, roommates, adult children living at home, or elderly parents in the same home. Extended family in different homes would need separate household plans.

Can extended family see my specific supplies?

No. Extended family circles can only see preparedness completion percentages, not specific inventory items or household details. Your supplies stay private to your household.

Do you track my location?

We only collect city-level location data for two purposes: generating location-specific emergency kits and sending relevant disaster alerts. We don't track your movements or share precise locations. Alerts show "Henderson, NV" not street addresses.

What if I have more than 5 people in my household?

Contact our support team for custom pricing. We're happy to work with larger families and multi-generational households.

Technical & Support

What devices does ReadyCircle work on?

ReadyCircle works on all modern devices - smartphones, tablets, and computers. We're built as a Progressive Web App (PWA) so you can use it like a native app on any device without needing to download anything from app stores.

What is a Progressive Web App (PWA)?

A Progressive Web App is basically a website that works like a mobile app. Think of it as the best of both worlds:

  • It's a website - You access it through your browser, just like any website
  • But it works like an app - You can add it to your home screen, it works offline, and feels just like a native app
  • No app store needed - You don't download it from Apple's App Store or Google Play Store

Popular examples include Twitter, Pinterest, and Spotify - they all work as PWAs. You probably use PWAs without even knowing it!

Why did you choose PWA instead of native mobile apps?

Great question! As a solo developer bootstrapping this company, I chose PWA technology for several strategic reasons:

  • No app store fees: Apple and Google take 30% of subscription revenue. That's $8.70/year per household that goes to tech giants instead of improving your family's preparedness.
  • Instant updates: When there's an emergency or new feature, I can push updates immediately. No waiting for app store approval that could take days.
  • Works offline: Critical for emergency preparedness. Your plans and inventory are stored locally, so you can access them even when internet is down.
  • No download friction: Families can start using ReadyCircle immediately without convincing them to download another app.
  • Cross-platform: One codebase works perfectly on iPhone, Android, tablets, and computers. No need to maintain separate apps.
  • Lower costs: As a bootstrapped company, I can focus resources on building great features instead of paying app store fees and managing multiple codebases.

The result? A more reliable, faster, and more affordable tool for your family's preparedness. You get all the benefits of a native app without the corporate overhead.

Do I need internet to use the app?

You need internet to sync data and receive alerts, but your emergency plans and inventory lists are stored locally on your device. This means you can access your preparedness information even if the internet is down.

How do I get help if I have questions?

Contact our support team through the app or website. We're here to help you get your family prepared and answer any questions about using ReadyCircle.

Is my data secure?

Yes. We use industry-standard encryption and security practices. We don't sell your data to third parties, and we're transparent about what data we collect and why. See our Privacy Policy for full details.

Still have questions?

We're here to help you get your family prepared. Contact us with any questions.

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