If you’re starting a business, you ought to make tough choices, and one such instance where you’ll probably face such a dilemma is when considering how to interact with your clients and customers. Communication has been made very effortless thanks to the internet where there are multiple ways one can make contact without having to abandon their comfort space.
However, this has been challenging for a business, particularly if they have to choose between the two best communication alternatives: mobile apps and websites.
Mobile apps dominate the digital world since there are over 5 billion mobile users across the globe. There has been a new app quotidian for every use and its flexibility makes it more reliant than a website. However, a website comprises more information required to educate the stakeholders.
Undoubtedly, both mobile apps and websites possess their own set of pros and cons and that’s why we have assessed which approach might be an ideal solution for your business.
Mobile Applications for Businesses
Mobile applications are software that has been designed with specific features to serve a variety of purposes. These purposes can range from any, such as social interaction, gaming, taxi hailing, ordering food, reading books, online purchasing, etc. Most if not all mobile applications are available for download on digital stores like Google Play Store and App Store.
Mobile applications are very versatile and user-friendly, and any mobile app can perform several functions instantly. They do not comprise excessive information but rather essential data because they are programmed only to resolve basic and intricate actions required by users.
Due to a surge in mobile users, most companies are shifting towards building apps for their brands and commodities to garner a large customer base. There is also a notion that companies are following current trends with the launch of mobile apps to have a competitive edge in the market.
Websites for Businesses
Websites were the pioneer way of enlightening the stakeholders about a particular company’s vision, product portfolio, services, and whatever the users were keen to know about. Websites are generally web pages that are developed to contain a copious amount of information.
Web developers also exert intense effort to ensure that web pages contain as much relevant information as possible while also making the website presentable and user-friendly. This is because users can feel monotonous when reading through a website due to the quantity of data presented hence web developers add captivating images, designs, and features to attract the readers.
Websites are also pivotal for a company’s growth and exposure because this is where most official procedures take place. Although websites aren’t dynamic like mobile apps, potential investors and clients would be more interested in examining a company’s website for additional information. They also guarantee the credibility of a company by creating more brand awareness.
Differences Between Mobile Apps and Websites
It is a widely known fact that there are many evident differences between mobile apps and websites. Nevertheless, not all differences are obvious and well-known among the masses, and that’s why we felt the need to enlighten our readers by extensively discussing the differences between mobile apps and websites.
Purpose – The key purpose of a website is to educate visitors about a company or a brand hence it contains abundant information for the visitors to take in. On the contrary, a mobile app is more service-orientated where users generally visit to get their needs and wants served by performing multiple functions.
Availability – Websites are available via web browsers and all devices can access these browsers. Mobile apps on the other hand are only made available on digital stores like Google Play Store and iOS. However, this depends on certain types of mobile apps since some apps can be downloaded via web browsers as well.
Installation – Websites do not require downloading or installing to be used. A simple search on the search engine on what you’re looking for will lead you to the site and it’s accessible from then onwards. Mobile apps require installation before use because these are software that can only be run when the entire package is downloaded.
Updatability – Not many people are aware that even websites require updates, however, this is done by web developers on the backend and not by the visitors. When a website is being updated it cannot be accessed until the updating process is completed. Mobile apps require regular updates and this can be carried out only by the user. These apps can be updated on digital stores where new updates are launched now and then.
Internet Connectivity – Connecting to the internet is the only way to access websites. However, mobile apps on the other hand can be used with or without an internet connection, and this depends on the app and its functions. Numerous apps require an internet connection to operate such as social media apps.
Development and Launching – Websites are much easier to develop and launch since they’re not targeted towards a specific platform. Contrary to websites, apps are much more complicated to develop because of the needs and wants of the targeted customers along with some functions that must be considered before implementing features. The launching procedure of the apps can be time-consuming because apps must pass approval tests conducted by digital app stores.
Pros and Cons of Mobile Apps
Pros:
User Convenience – It’s no rocket science that apps are more convenient than websites and there are multiple reasons to back this claim. Apps are developed keeping in mind the requirements of users thus they tend to be user-friendly. As opposed to websites, apps can perform functions promptly, are easy to connect, load faster, and provide the results the users are looking for instantaneously.
Accessibility – Not all apps require an internet connection to operate hence users can use apps and some of their features offline without a hassle.
App Notifications – This is the feature that sets apart an app from a website. Only apps can notify the users of the latest news, messages received, daily reminders, and whatnot. Notifications make it convenient for users to be reminded of their next move and you can even check the notifications without using the app.
Personalized functions – An app can be personalized to run a set of functions based on the user’s preferences. Every user has distinguished preferences hence apps are built in such a way to cater to everybody’s needs. Users can choose which content to view, keep away from unpleasant people, schedule events, set a time limit to their app usage, etc.
Cons:
Download & Installation – Mobile apps must be downloaded before they can be accessed, unlike websites where one can simply visit. Users can only experience what the app is like after downloading and some may not be pleased with the user interface and hence might delete the app which can be a disadvantage for your business. If the app requires payment for download, then the odds of earning new customers are low.
App Development Costs – Companies must pay app developers to build the app for different platforms like iOS and Android, which can be expensive. These platforms also call for a fee to launch the app and the approval process may take longer than anticipated.
Updates & Maintenance – Both apps and websites entail updates and maintenance but the former tends to be more expensive because developers must research to learn more about customer preferences to include them in updates and the development process is even more time-consuming.
Pros and Cons of Websites
Pros:
Enhanced User Experience – Websites have now adapted to fit the screens of all devices thanks to web developers utilizing responsive websites. This is one of the genius ways of targeting customers because users can view your website via any device. Developing websites to fit all devices will aid your business in identifying the requirements and preferences of customers which can consequently help you implement features and actions to the site based on their preferences.
Garnering More Viewers – With the help of responsive web designing, garnering the attention of more viewers has been made simpler. When websites can be conveniently viewed via an extensive range of devices without users having to zoom in or out of the screen to read the content, more viewers will be drawn in to visit your business website.
Device Compatability – Unlike mobile apps which are specifically built for different operating systems, website developers face no such hurdle. A website can be viewed on any type of device regardless of what operating system and software version the said device runs. This compatibility feature is one of the aspects where websites have the upper hand over mobile apps.
Instant Access – Websites don’t require download or installation and can instantly be accessed with a search query. The web pages also load promptly and the users can access the information they’re looking for without any delay.
Easy Maintenance – Websites don’t require frequent updates, unlike mobile apps. It’s much more convenient to maintain and update a website than a mobile app because any alterations and edits are made to an existing website where the operating system nor the software version needn’t be considered. The costs of updating and maintaining a website are also cheaper as opposed to mobile apps.
Cons:
Offline Accessibility – Offline accessibility is impossible for websites because they can only be accessed via an internet connection, unlike most mobile apps which can still operate offline.
Device Limitations – Although most websites use responsive web designing, there are still many websites that can’t adapt to certain devices and use their features and specifications efficiently. For instance, websites that entail GPS, cameras, and other features might not have the same performance when the websites are visited via different devices.
Additionally, the content presentation on laptops and mobile phones varies according to screen sizes thus some viewers may experience difficulties when adjusting to these devices.
URL Maintenance – It’s neither cost-efficient nor convenient to maintain separate URLs for mobiles and desktops. There are circumstances when viewers on mobile phones end up clicking on the website URL for desktops and vice versa. This would hamper their user experience as mobile phones can’t view the entire content designed for desktops and the users will have to adjust.
In Conclusion
We are aware of how challenging it can be when choosing between developing a mobile app or website for your business. Certainly, both alternatives have their benefits and drawbacks and there’s no conclusive decision on which is the best. However, it’s highly recommended to pay heed to your business goals and what you’re planning to achieve.
If you’re a business that offers services where customers are inclined to come back regularly then the best alternative to go for in such a scenario would be building a mobile app. In contrast, if the business is more informative-related then developing a website would be an ideal option because it can hold and present excessive data.
We hope our article has assisted you in making the wisest decision for your business objectives.
Frequently Asked Questions
A website is essential for a business to create brand awareness and enhance its reputation among stakeholders. It allows the business to offer more information and enlighten the viewers. A mobile app becomes useful if the business wants to retain customers and provide them with personalized services.
Mobile apps have their perks when it comes to user experience. They can perform multiple functions instantly, can be accessed offline, and the users can also customize the app features to their will. Apps also come with an extensive range of built-in features that allow customers to have a convenient experience rather than a website.
Companies prefer if their customers use apps rather than their websites. This is because the app collects relevant data based on a user’s preferences and activities, and these would assist companies in targeting customers based on such components.
Developing a website is more cost-efficient than building an app because websites are adaptable to any device despite its operating system or version. Updating and maintaining a website is also cheaper because websites don’t need frequent updates that undergo major alterations in their features compared to mobile apps.
