Website or mobile app?
In a world where online activity grows day by day, each of us is trying to find a place for ourselves. Ideas come to mind — some fascinating, sometimes fanciful, sometimes realistic — and we want to bring them to life. Realising these ideas requires a budget, and we have to make a choice: “Website or mobile app?”. Naturally, a platform where both exist may be better, but if the budget is not enough for both, we have to start with one.
First of all, I can say that there is no single definitive answer to this question. By reading this article you will make the choice that suits your own needs. To do that, you first need to understand the difference between the two options and weigh them against your requirements. Let us begin.
The difference between a website and a mobile app
Websites are groups of pages linked together in HTML format. Their designs can be adapted for every portable device, and no additional download is required when a user enters. Simply having an internet connection is enough to open a website, and it is also a relatively inexpensive way of delivering information to users.
Mobile apps, meanwhile, are fully featured, functional programs that can work offline or online depending on their algorithms. They require a download for users and a higher level of funding for the founder. However, they are necessary for promoting a popular brand more effectively.
According to research by the Emarketer platform, mobile websites are still used more than apps in the field of e-commerce. But before making a choice, let us look at the characteristics of both.
Characteristics of a website
Fast and easy updating
Building a website and then updating it can be done faster than with a mobile app. A website can be built with the help of a CMS (for example WordPress, Joomla, DLE), and there are endless resources for this on the internet. In addition, an initial-stage website can be built with languages such as HTML, CSS and XML (which are easy for beginners). Even if you do not do it yourself, any programmer will build a website for far less than a mobile app. Once it is ready, every update becomes visible to all users instantly. For a mobile app, however, approval of each update takes on average 2 hours on Google Play and 2 days on the App Store.
Websites suit all operating systems and screen sizes
As we noted at the start, websites can be made responsive to all screen sizes when they are built. This way, users with any operating system and screen size can access the site comfortably. That means reaching a wider audience in a shorter time. With a mobile app, separate development is required for each operating system.
Websites are more easily optimised in search engines
With this functionality, when the SEO process is carried out correctly, websites become visible to users in all search engines, which leads to results being achieved faster. In mobile apps this process is called ASO (App Store Optimisation). However, its algorithm is shaped by the ratings users give, independently of your own activity. This results in you being unable to control the process, and creates delay.
Characteristics of mobile apps
Closer contact with the user
What does this mean? If your project requires you to carry out instant transactions with your customers, or to run processes based on their instant reactions, a website will not be the right choice for you. This is the greatest advantage mobile apps have over websites.
Use of the functions on the user's device
Through a mobile app you can use the functions of the user's mobile phone or tablet (camera, sensors, GPS, etc.). This makes it possible to create a fuller and more functional program for the user, and with this functionality you can also collect the data you need and make more accurate updates.
Notifications
Notification marketing is indispensable for informing users about your program. Sending news to all our users at the same moment is something we all wish for. Mobile apps do this very well. Push notifications can also be set up for websites, but the usage rate of this route is considerably lower than with mobile apps.
Offline use
Mobile apps have the advantage of offline use. You can add offline functionality to the mobile app you build with the features that suit you, and thereby provide users with a more comfortable program.
Conclusion
So which side wins in the end? Let us sum up. When we weigh the advantages and disadvantages of both sides, we might mistakenly say that the website is superior. That is partly true. If your goal is to build a program in a short time for every user who can connect to the internet, a website may be the right choice. But if you want to build a fully functional program that stays in constant contact with users' devices and uses their sensors, and if you have the time and the funds, a mobile app is the right choice. In the end it can be said that for a grown brand, both should exist. As a result of this article you can decide which one to start with.
If this topic matters for your business, take a look at NS Studio’s website development and mobile app development services, and continue with “Mobile App Development: Flutter, Native or PWA?”.