Is Mobile Website or Mobile App Development Best for Your Business?
In the past two years, a marketing revolution of sorts took place. Where web browsers had dominated user time consistently for years, the rise of the accessibly-priced smartphone has changed the marketing landscape considerably. Many companies began by testing the waters with a mobile-friendly website. Others have plunged feet-first into the world of web app development. But which is best for your business? In this article, you will learn the key advantages and disadvantages of each, as well as some information which may indicate the best move for businesses in your industry.
Web App Development Pros
The benefits of designing a web app for your business are numerous. Web apps are accessible off-line, can be easily monetized, and web app users consume 2.4 more impressions than their web site user peers. Another excellent benefit of web apps is that they can access phone features, encouraging users to engage with them more frequently. They also tend to be very fast, eliminating complaints about slow loading time and poor visual performance that many mobilized websites experience.
Web App Development Cons
The cost of web app development can be prohibitive for smaller business. If your company is in a rush to join the mobile market, it may be a poor fit due to the time that development can take. In some cases, your app will have to pass an approval process before it can be made public, as well. Additionally, despite the growing market share, there are still many more website users than mobile app users.
Mobile Website Development Pros
The development of a mobile-friendly website is an option that many smaller companies choose. It is cheaper, and more users engage with mobile websites than with mobile apps. Additionally, where shopping is concerned, mobile websites dominate the market, accounting for 73% of mobile-based purchases. Mobile-friendly websites are free of approval processes, and some web hosting services allow you to instantly update the mobile site while working on your regular website.
Mobile Website Development Cons
Mobile websites can be more complicated to monetize than their app counterparts. Although they are often fast, their speed pales in comparison to apps, as well. If you would like your users to have access to your content offline, you are out of luck, as well. That feature is the domain of mobile apps. Also, unlike mobile apps, the user interface for your site will be static, and not interactive.
Industry Specifics
After looking at the features listed above, many companies are ready to plunk down the extra cash to create mobile apps. That’s not always the smart move, however. Think about the goals of your company’s mobile presence. Now consider the following:
Mobile app development is most successful for industries that aim to inform, help navigate, assist in management of social media or business, or connect. In short, if you offer a GPS service, publish news articles, or provide social networking opportunities then a web app may be a good choice.
On the other hand, if your company intends to sell via mobile format, stick with a responsive web design for now. You’ll also do well if you aim to entertain – although games fare better as apps, if your mobile web presence offers users the chance to listen to music, watch videos, or otherwise engage in entertainment, you’re probably better off sticking to a mobilized website as opposed to a mobile app for now.
As you can see, there are many factors to consider. The most important is, perhaps, the goals of your organization. If you aren’t sure which direction to pursue, consult a professional web designer for more information and a better idea of the strengths and limitations of each type of mobile presence.