Mobile vs Web Apps: How to Choose For Your Business?
Developing a digital solution for your company is one of the quickest paths to faster growth. This digital solution can be either a mobile website or a mobile application.
The evolution of web and mobile app technologies is rapidly increasing every day. It results in a challenge in selecting the suitable online medium for businesses to reach their target audiences.
However, not all businesses can build two digital solutions simultaneously due to economic restrictions. And they must choose between a mobile app and a mobile website.
What is a Mobile App?
A mobile application is a software designed to operate on a mobile device such as a tablet, smartphone, or watch. Mobile applications provide customers with services that are comparable to those available on PCs.
iOS and Android operating systems are the leaders in the era of mobile applications. Most companies begin by building apps for iOS and Android. This is because Android and iOS hold a global market share of 87% and 13% respectively.
There are three types of mobile apps built using various technologies:
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Native Applications: Building native apps utilize native technologies such as Kotlin, Java for Android and Swift, and Objective-C for iOS. A native application is only compatible with a specifically built platform. This is why you need to create two different applications if you want your app to be available on Android and iOS.
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Cross-Platform Applications: Cross-platform apps are compatible with both Android and iOS. React Native and Flutter are the most popular cross-platform technologies.
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Hybrid Applications: Web applications wrapped in a native application shell are known as hybrid apps. Hybrid applications help developers create only a single piece of code for a mobile app while supporting multiple platforms.
Pros of Mobile App
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Access to Mobile Audience
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No Functional Limitations
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Better User Experience
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Interaction via Push Notifications
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Offline capability
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Safer than mobile websites
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Competitive Edge
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Superior Analytics
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Better Customization
Cons of Mobile App
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Expensive to built
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Maintenance
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Compatibility Issue
What is a Web App?
A mobile website is a browser-based software that lets users view your content via mobile devices. Mobile websites employ the same technologies as desktop websites, such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for the front end.
It is usual practice to design websites that are responsive and mobile-friendly. These qualities make a web application appear fantastic on all displays and devices.
Pros of web apps
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Endless Access
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Does not require installation
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Less Maintenance
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Cost-Effective
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Automatic update
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Customization
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Supports Different Devices
Cons of Web-Apps
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No Offline Availability
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Restricted Access to Device Functionalities
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Over-head Size
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Difficult Web-App Testing
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No Database
Mobile Apps vs Web app: Comparison
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Number of Users: Websites claim more users than mobile apps in general. You will reach a wider audience than you would with a mobile app if you create a website optimized for mobile browsers.
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Speed and Performance
One of the most significant advantages of an app over a website is speed. Mobile applications load faster than mobile web pages and have superior overall performance.
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Development Cost
There is a significant distinction between web development and mobile app development. The cost of developing a mobile app is typically more than the cost of creating a website.
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Engagement
One of the advantages of a mobile app over a website is the high level of engagement. You can use push notifications to remind users to use your app.
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Conversion Rates
Mobile websites have lower conversion rates than desktop websites and mobile apps. A mobile app makes it easier to make sales. The user experience of a mobile app may make the user journey convenient and enjoyable.
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Offline Functionality
A mobile app is a clear winner if offline functionality is crucial to you. Mobile Apps do not require an internet connection to work. A web application requires an active internet connection to work correctly.
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Personalization
Mobile applications outperform mobile web pages when it comes to personalization. Mobile apps generally feature more extensive analytics to determine users’ demographics and enhance conversions.
What Should You Consider?
You should be aware of when to select a mobile website and when to choose a mobile app to make an informed decision.
Choose Web Application if:
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You have a restricted budget. Designing a website is less expensive than creating a mobile app. And you may save even more money by choosing frameworks and templates such as WordPress.
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You intend to utilize your software to promote your company. You can start with a web application if you do not want to establish a fully complete platform that your clients would use multiple times each day.
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You want to reach the most significant number of individuals feasible. Websites continue to have a greater audience than mobile applications. And attracting visitors to your website is more accessible than attracting people to your app.
Choose Mobile App if:
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Choose a mobile app if your service requires mobile-specific capabilities such as cameras or geolocation. For example, Uber can never function as a website since geolocation is crucial to the business.
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Offline functionality is a necessity for your users. Mobile applications will be an excellent option if people want to use them without a stable internet connection.
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Your consumers require your assistance multiple times every day. A mobile app is an obvious choice if your users use your service frequently. This is because it is easier and faster to use than a web app.
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You want to add a new revenue source to your business. Mobile applications provide you with access to a new audience and their purchasing patterns and a plethora of additional sales options. You can monetize your app in various ways to generate more cash for your company.
Conclusion
Understanding these differences is necessary before deciding on the best media to host your services.
Remember that these advantages and disadvantages will help you choose the best channel to generate more revenue from your application.
You can also take help from an experienced web and mobile app development company to make an informed decision that outperforms well.