Contact us anytime to know more - Amit A., Founder & COO CISIN
There are many app types available these days. But the most popular debate lately is between the mobile app and web app. There are two types of app: native app and progressive web app. Both types of apps are very popular. While web apps are definitely gaining popularity, native apps still make a great choice for many situations.
The Popularity of Mobile and Web Apps
There has been a lot of innovation in the worlds of mobile apps and web apps.
The smartphone user base is expected to reach 3.8 billion in 2021. This is due to the rapid growth of these trends.
Global mobile app revenues amounted to more than 365 Billion US dollars in 2018. It is predicted that mobile apps will generate over 935 billion US Dollars in revenue by 2023 through paid downloads, and advertising applications.
This will encourage many start-ups to develop apps and join the mobile-first revolution.
Companies can benefit from having a mobile device for their business. This is because the majority of consumers shop on their mobile phones.
This is the time to start your own start-up if you're a founder of a start-up.
What is a Mobile App?
Mobile apps are an integral part of our daily lives. It is rare to find a world without mobile apps. A mobile app is an application that runs on a handheld device or mobile device (such as a smartphone) and provides a service to its users.
Microsoft is second in Mobile App development, with Android and iOS leading the pack. Most companies focus on creating apps for iOS or Android first and then move to the other platforms as they catch up. This is because of the large user base for iOS and Android in the global market, which covers around 75.85% and 22.87%, respectively.
Pros:
Web apps are faster than desktop apps
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They have greater functionality when they have access to the system resources
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Can work offline
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Secure and safe -- Native apps must be approved by the App Store first
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Developer tools, interface elements, and SDKs make it easier to build.
Cons:
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Web apps are more expensive to develop than web apps
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Compatibility with other platforms (i.e. iOS and Android are often the same thing. This means that you have to design and build the app from scratch.
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It is expensive to maintain and upgrade.
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It might be difficult to get an app for native use approved by the app store
What is a Web App?
Web Application is self-sustaining software that runs completely on the web browser. The web application doesn't need to be downloaded or installed on the user's local computer. You can have multiple web applications or a limited number of pages.
A web app can be used in any web browser regardless of its underlying platform. They don't have to be built for specific platforms or hardware. It reduces development time and effort, as opposed to writing code that must be migrated across multiple platforms.
Examples of web application development that can easily be used every day include the GSuite from Google and Office 365 by Microsoft.
Pros:
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Web apps don't need to be installed or downloaded. They work in-browser
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They are easy to maintain; they share a common codebase regardless if you use a mobile platform
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Will they update themselves?
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Mobile apps are quicker and easier to create than mobile apps
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App store approval is not required. You can launch quickly.
Cons:
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You cannot work offline
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Mobile apps are slower than mobile apps and offer fewer features.
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They may not be as easily discoverable as mobile applications because they aren't listed in a particular database such as the app store
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Web apps are not required to be approved by the App Store. Quality and security can't always be guaranteed
Progressive Web Apps - A middle ground to Web and Mobile apps
PWAs are a way to give a mobile app the same properties as a web browser. Progressive web apps are built using web technologies such as HTML, CSS, and JS. They offer the same experience as a Native Mobile app.
Chrome Developers, Alex Russel and Frances Berriman from Google introduced the term "Progressive Web Apps". Their vision was to create better experiences across all devices using one codebase.
It is our goal to create web apps that look and feel like native apps without the need for users to download or install any software.
Factors to Consider While Confused in Web Apps Vs Mobile Apps
It is difficult to choose between web apps and mobile apps.
Many people believe that developing a web app is more efficient than creating mobile apps.
The reality is that there are many advantages to a mobile app over a website. This proves the previous statement wrong. This same principle can be applied to web applications.
Mobile apps are created from scratch using tools, while web apps adapt to the website version.
Do you need a phone's native features?
Native features refer to mobile hardware features such as a microphone, speaker, camera, and speaker. These are two questions that you should be able to answer.
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Do you want to store the current location of a device?
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Are there any requirements to use the features of a mobile such as a camera, microphone, and speakers?
If the answer to both questions is "yes", then you should consider a native mobile application for start-ups. Developers can create a web app that can use a mobile's native features. However, they don't improve the solution and make it more complicated and moderate. Some smartphone platforms also restrict web apps' ability to use certain native features, just as iOS does with geo-notifications.
Where will users want to access your product?
To understand whether you build mobile-first or web, it is important to know your users' preferences. A mobile app is a great way to provide your users with better services, such as if they want to be able to access them on the move.
Mobile apps can be used offline, send push notifications when the device isn't in use, and offer location services. You should also consider the fact that most people carry their mobile devices with them at all times.
There are still activities that take place primarily on desktops or in static places like offices or homes. Your users will want to access the SaaS platform via their desktop browser if you're trying to create a business-use case.
A web application is a perfect solution. It can be optimized for mobile, but it will offer the best user experience when it involves complex functionality and multiple device use.
How will your customers engage with your solution?
Next, ask yourself how your customers will interact with your solution. Think about the different ways your customers can use your product, and plan accordingly.
You need to determine if customers want real-time data analytics and actions in your product. You also need to determine how your product could be improved. Is it possible to improve the product's functionality and usability by creating a mobile app?
The next step is to find out how often your customers use your app. Most young people use mobile apps like Instagram and WhatsApp every day. It is no surprise that most people don't want to go to their web apps in order to access the features they have on them.
However, if you are trying to imitate businesses like Amazon and Myntra, which aren't that often used by most people, it might be a good idea to have a website instead of an app during the initial stages.
Customers don't want apps. They prefer to download them from app stores and then use it to shop once a month. This type of business model is better than having a website.
Online or Offline?
Next, you will need to decide if your solution requires an internet connection.
It might be a good idea to start a website if your product is only able to survive without the internet. It isn't as easy as it seems nowadays. You can only use certain solutions if you have an internet connection.
These products include music streaming and social media. Although both Spotify and Facebook have websites, it's much more convenient to use their apps to access them. These apps also need to be connected to the internet at all times in order to function.
Understanding the many ways you can use your product is what you should do. Start with a website if your product is completely internet-dependent. If your solution has offline capabilities, you should consider an app.
Many internet-enabled games apps can be used offline or online. When the app is offline it saves data and tracks player progress. Once it connects to an internet connection it uploads scores and achievements to the server.
Will users be motivated to download a mobile app?
App downloads are growing in popularity all over the globe, but there has been a drop in the number of users who downloaded them in developed markets such as the USA, Japan, UK, and Japan. It can be difficult to get people to download mobile applications. This adds another frustrating point to the user experience.
It is possible to create a mobile application first if there is an advantage to downloading the app. Tickets apps are a popular example. They collect all the necessary data and functionality in one place. This provides a consistent user experience, optimized for speed, that's why they are so widespread.
This solves a major problem for users who are in a hurry or just want to have all their movements in one place. It might be worth looking into a web application that allows instant access if this is a less urgent need.
This is especially true if you provide data or content. Users are less likely to wait to download an app if they have immediate needs.
The Key Takeaway
Every start-up is unique and each build will require considerations that are specific to the idea, functionality, and audience. Your understanding of the preferences and behaviours of your users will determine whether you build web or mobile-first.
It all depends on your business model and your budget. A combination of a mobile app or a website is a good idea if you have investors willing to invest big. If you are a nervous investor, market research will help you determine the best option.
