The “mobile app vs mobile website” dilemma is well known to anyone who wants to establish a mobile presence. Of course, it’s always possible to convert a website to a mobile app, yet, in the beginning, you usually have to choose only one path to follow. Which one is best for you? That’s what we’re going to find out. Read on!
Before we highlight pros and cons of websites, let’s take a look at the following definition:
A mobile website is a set of linked together browser-based HTML pages that users can access over the Internet.
However, this description isn’t comprehensive because it doesn’t emphasize the differences between desktop and mobile sites. But are there any?
Yes, and the most obvious one is a screen size. With the broad diversity of devices (from 3’ phones to 17’ laptops) owners of web pages have to adjust their websites to different resolutions and screen proportions. Modern websites that are able to adapt to these conditions are called responsive.
Despite applications are taking over, both sides still have arguments in the “app vs website” dispute. Which ones play into the hands of sites? Take a look:
1. It Does Not Matter What Operating System You Have
One of the most vivid advantages of the sites is a free (in all meanings) access. If the app may be available only on a specific platform – for example, Android – there is nothing that can be done by iOS users to use it too. However, you can easily access a website from a device with any OS – whether it’s Android, iOS or Windows Phone.
2. Forget About Downloading And Installing
Secondly, users have to download and install an app before they can use it. Besides it takes some time, an app will also occupy a part of device’s memory. What does it mean? It means there may occur some situations when you just won’t have enough space to install a new app. Yet, this problem disappears when we’re talking about websites.
3. Easy Updating Process
It’s impossible to create a perfect product on the first try. Anyway, you’ll have to fix some bugs or update your website and mobile app afterward. However, the main difference here is that it’ll take less money & time to update a website compared to a mobile application. Moreover, you can implement changes so your users may not even notice the process of updating. On the contrary, they have to install every new version of the app if they want to see any changes.
However, everything can’t be so perfect as it seems, right? But I won’t dwell on disadvantages of a mobile app or a website. Why? Because advantages of the one approach are disadvantages of another. For example, if I mentioned that the “easy updating process” is the advantage of websites, it means that mobile apps, unluckily, have more complicated updating process.
Let’s better find out when a website is the better solution for you!
Despite each case should be treated individually, we have some tips for you that will help you to choose a winner in this mobile app vs website debate. Talking about the latter, there are some cases when it may be reasonable to go Web at first. For example:
Yet, with the increasing number of mobile users, apps play a more significant role than ever before. Moreover, as I said earlier, a tailor-made mobile application is not the same as a “website but for a smaller screen”. Why not? You will understand after we review main advantages of mobile apps over websites. Read on!
Despite mobile applications have some disadvantages, the number of their positive qualities is definitely greater. What are they? Let’s find out!
1. Better UX
This one advantage may be enough to announce applications as a winner in the “responsive website vs mobile app” competition. For mobile users an app is better from any point of view: it works faster and smoother; it has a more user-friendly interface; it provides users with more possibilities.
In order not to be unfounded, take a look at the difference:
2. Utilize Hardware Components & Native Features Of Devices
Another argument when choosing between a website and a mobile app in favor of the latter is a set of unique mobile-only features. These may include:
So if at least one of these features is crucial for you – consider mobile as a more appropriate platform for you.
3. It’s Possible To Access An App In The Offline Mode
To open your website users must have a stable Internet connection (and many of them obviously don’t have it 24/7). However, many applications don’t need a permanent connection and can provide users with all the features in the offline mode. Take Spotify, BBC news or Google Maps as examples!
So in this app vs website duel, the first one is a winner.
4. Enjoy A Pixel-Perfect And User-Friendly Design
When building a native app, mobile developers always pay attention to features of the specific platform. The position of the buttons, proportions, colors and the overall concept – it all plays an inconspicuous, but important role for any user. That’s why bespoke applications always look more user-friendly and nice than even well-done sites.
If you’re still pondering what to choose between responsive website vs mobile app, let me lay it all out for the last time. So, you’d better build an application if:
So, what is the conclusion?
The choice between a mobile app or a website depends on many factors. In this article, I tried to explain which ones may affect you the most and how you should think in order to avoid mistakes.
If you are interested in even more website-related articles and information from us here at Bit Rebels then we have a lot to choose from.
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