Mobile Apps or Mobile Websites
With competition growing with every single second, business owners perfectly know the significance of having a mobile presence. However, what still confuses them is the real difference between native mobile apps and mobile web apps and what is the best criterion for selection?
With competition growing with every single second, business owners perfectly know the significance of having a mobile presence. However, what still confuses them is the real difference between native mobile apps and mobile web apps and what is the best criterion for selection? For understanding, the real difference between the two and know which one holds an edge over the other; it is important that business owners study the following points.
Accessibility – A mobile web app consists specially formatted web pages to appear better on smart phones and tablets when accessed via the Internet browser. Mobile websites on the other hand, use basic features like maps and click to call features. Mobile apps can be downloaded from app stores and installed in a smart device for use. The best element is that they can be accessed even in the absence of the Internet connectivity on the smart device. However, this will entirely depend upon the features of apps.
Audience – Before selecting anyone, you should be familiar with your audience’s needs. This would be very helpful in determining the best for your business. Suppose a customer is searching for a good restaurant in the area he is currently present in, he would use the Internet. It will allow them to check reviews, ratings, menu, discount coupons, cost and reserve a table while still standing on the road. Studies have shown that users mostly use mobile browsers for shopping, searching and entertainment and mobile apps for managing data, playing interactive games and doing productive works.
New or existing customers – This situation puts immense pressure on enterprise owners. Those looking to know more about your business and services will not download your app for that. For new customers a mobile friendly website is a best choice.
However, for present customers who are already engaged in regular dealing with you, a mobile app is a smarter choice. They will communicate more deeply using these apps and take interest in every personal manner like availing discount coupons, and other similar matters.
Cost – If compared on a feature-to-feature basis, you will find that mobile friendly web application or a mobile website is far cheaper than mobile apps. In addition, it takes lesser time, lesser investment, and lesser headache to develop, run or maintain it. Now, here is the million-dollar question; which one is better, a native mobile app or a mobile web app? One very short and beautiful answer is – it depends upon your goals. For an interactive game or an application, which requires unique inbuilt features, mobile apps are the best choice. However, if you are looking for a mobile friendly content or a simplified version of your existing website, then selecting mobile website concept is a wise decision. A mobile website has the potential to reach a large number of audiences in a shorter period. Following the on-going trend, most business owners prefer to get both for their businesses as both have diverse targeted audiences and business owners would love to grasp the opportunities presented by both of them.
CONCLUSION
Both of them have their unique qualities and it is clear to everyone that both of them help business owners in completely diversified ways. According to my experience, a business owner should first get a mobile website and employ it to gain mobile presence and once, he is contented with the popularity of his mobile website, he should jump into a bigger war turf with a mobile app.