An internet presence has become imperative for businesses. Websites allow businesses to highlight their products and services, provide information about the company, store financial records for investors, and enable people to find them on the internet easily. Organizations have two main choices to develop an online identity: a mobile app or a mobile website. These two forms have strengths and drawbacks. This blog explains the two formats to help you choose the appropriate one for your business.
Understanding mobile apps and mobile websites
Mobile Apps are used on mobile instruments such as tablets and mobile phones. The apps connect to the business resources of an organization and users can perform several tasks. Some of these tasks are shopping, entertainment, obtaining information, completing transactions and payments, communication, and interacting through social media and chatting forums.
The main types are native apps designed for iOS or Android, and these work only on either of the two operating systems. Hybrid apps have functions seen in native and web apps and features of websites and platform-specific apps. Apps can be downloaded through the internet, and all websites do not have apps.
Mobile websites Mobile websites are different from traditional or regular websites and are designed for access with mobile devices. The pages and components are designed to automatically fit the screen of mobile instruments. However, they are primarily designed for laptops and desktops.
Mobile websites can be built with components such as location mapping, click to call, that traditional websites do not have. They can even have touch buttons where users can touch the icons, menus, and links to open the related assets. The page loading can be faster if the site is coded efficiently.
Considering that 7.5 billion use mobile devices to access the net, traditional websites are upgrading to mobile websites. This transformation helps businesses to attract mobile users. However, all of these mobile-friendly sites do not offer mobile apps either.
When to select mobile App or website
Features of mobile apps and mobile websites are examined.
Objectives
This feature refers to the intention and objective that drives the decision to create the site. Mobile apps are highly personalized and target precise customer segments. Some examples are shopping, online payment, interaction on social media platforms, music and videos, maps and navigation, sending small emails, and other such activities. They are used to send push notifications and use features of phones such as cameras, chat applications, and others. They help in getting to know how customers behave and direct in-app marketing.
Mobile websites are created for a much larger audience, beyond people who have installed mobile apps. They are essential for search engine optimization when products or services are searched on the internet using keywords. Products and services are much more substantial, and expensive, and the information is extensive. Mobile apps give the basic content and SEO techniques are not relevant since the information is in the app services. Longer content with detailed explanations, and links to other sources are best used in mobile websites. They are useful when real-time notifications are not needed. They give a better social media and internet presence and are available for casual users.
Installation and accessibility
Installation and accessibility are about methods used to view the site. Mobile apps have to be downloaded and installed on mobile devices. The file for installation can be downloaded through Google Play Store, Apple Stores, and the Internet. Most of the apps are free, and they can be uninstalled anytime. However, space available on mobile phones for the installation is limited. These apps need regular updates and consume bandwidth. Some mobile apps such as maps, and gaming can work with low net speed. In general, performance for speed, accessing services, and payment is faster.
Mobile websites are accessed through a URL and do not need any installation. Access is free though payment may be needed for certain features and content. It is also possible to block and blacklist certain websites. Security breaches and hacking can occur with mobile websites and separate cybersecurity applications are needed. Space for installation on the hard disk is not needed and some cookies can be installed in the browser. Net speed has to be consistent else the site will not load. User interactions and behavior are easier to observe since they open links and pages.
Platform compatibility
The term shows the platforms on which the applications run. Mobile apps are designed for Apple iOS or Android platforms and devices. The apps are platform and device-specific. This means that an iOS app will work on only Apple devices and platforms and Android apps will work on only Android devices and platforms. People usually have one kind of device that they frequently use. As a result, businesses will be isolated from users of other platforms. This restricts the market reach and segments for in-app marketing. Consequently, businesses will have to create and maintain apps for both platforms resulting in extra efforts and expenses.
Mobile websites do not have any restrictions and they can open any URL from any platform. They are restricted by iOS or Android since the HTML pages are accessed with browsers. Some browsers such as Google, Safari, and Mozilla may give better performance. As a result, mobile websites allow access to all types of user segments, irrespective of the device used such as mobile or computer. As a result, vast opportunities for marketing and targeting different segments and markets are possible. Organizations can block specific websites and domains, thus offering increased security.
Technical and development
This feature refers to coding technology, hosting, budget, development time, and features. Mobile apps have a considerably longer development time since the apps are to be internally and externally tested, reviewed, and accepted by app stores. Mobile apps are developed with special tools for Android and iOS such as Xcode and Android Studio. The budget for a mobile app is higher since people with specific skills are needed. Any changes must be approved by App stores, who can block an app for complaints. However, mobile apps can have very attractive designs and UI. The number of features available is also extensive.
Mobile websites have a relatively shorter development time. All the testing, review, and approval is done internally and external entities are not involved. Free development tools and kits such as integrated development environments, Java, and various Java Scripts can be used. Several developers with expertise in these tools are available since web coding languages have been in use for decades. The development time and budget are considerably less. Web apps may not have the fine features, look, and feel of apps. The number of features is less and using mobile device properties such as a camera, and recorder is not possible.
Conclusions
The blog examined four important areas to decide if mobile apps or mobile sites are suited for a business. First, the objective of creating the site was examined. Mobile apps are needed for relatively light tasks such as watching movies, listening to music while walking, or any other actions done when away from a desk. Apps are also useful for simple shopping, and activities that use the phone features. Mobile sites on the other hand are used for information-heavy and complicated tasks and decision-making.
You can hire app developers who will help you develop tailored approaches and provide maintenance for each version. This leads to significant development and maintenance expenses.
It is also clear that mobile apps require the app to be installed while mobile sites are accessed through a URL. The method indicates that apps use space on the mobile with regular updates. Mobile sites are free from this constraint.
Businesses must consider these issues before deciding to build only an app or a mobile website. The ideal choice for using a mobile app or a mobile site depends on these issues.
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