In today’s fast-paced business environment, an online presence plays a vital role in staying competitive. The rise in technology has allowed businesses to either create a mobile app or develop a website. Both facilitate easy access to information or services via the Internet.
The market share of mobile apps is 56.8% greater than that of websites, which is 43.2%. The below image indicates the count of smartphone users to have crossed 6.4 billion in 2022 and is expected to go beyond 7.7 billion by 2028.
Considering this trend, developing apps can be a profitable strategy for businesses and startups to tap into a broader customer base.
Furthermore, it is estimated that more than and the number increases daily. On average, . So, the relevance of the web persists although the number of app users is increasing.
Let’s now explore their competitive landscape.
Apps vs. Website vs. Web apps: An overview
| Aspect | Websites | Mobile Apps | Web Applications |
| Definition | A set of interconnected web pages with static information like text and other media (including images, sounds, and video) | They are computer programs or software applications that users install on their mobile devices | They are a mix of websites & applications and are created differently from traditional web pages |
| Offline access | Limited | Possible with online functionality | Limited (unless designed as PWAs) |
| Download or install | They are accessible via web browsers, so require no downloading or installing | They require to be downloaded and installed from an app store or other mobile app distribution platforms | They can be accessed via web browsers. So, no download or installation is required |
| Updates | Real-time updates, no installation required | Regular updates and installation are required | Real-time updates, no installation required |
| Target audience | Desktop or laptop users | Majorly mobile users | Both desktop and mobile users |
| Development cost | It is budget-friendly | Require platform-specific development, thus, more expensive | Moderate cost considerations |
| Time | Quicker to develop | Takes a longer time to develop and test due to the need to maintain compatibility with different devices and OSs | Development time is moderate or similar to mobile app development |
| User behavior | Suitable for users looking for information or products | Users who are more likely to make in-app purchases or who spend more time on mobile devices | Best for users looking to read news, indulge in online shopping, watch movies, or listen to songs |
| Development | Uses web technologies | Platform-specific development | Uses web technologies |
| Integration | Limited with external services | Deep integration with device functions | Integration through external services or APIs |
Advantages of mobile apps over website
From optimizing performance to leveraging device features and fostering brand visibility, an app unlocks several opportunities. However, developing a feature-rich and advanced mobile app requires technical expertise. In such cases, it becomes imperative to consider hiring an experienced app developer or a dedicated app development team.
The following reasons discuss how having a mobile app is advantageous:
User experience
A mobile app can provide an immersive and optimized user experience compared to websites. They are faster, more responsive, and the best medium for businesses to connect with customers.
Offline access
Mobile applications can store data locally, allowing users to access it even when they are offline or during limited internet connectivity.
Push notifications
A mobile app can be used to send push notifications to a user’s device. You can use them to provide timely updates, reminders, and personalized messages that will help drive user engagement.
Access to device features
Mobile applications can tap into the device capabilities such as camera, GPS, and microphone. It opens up opportunities for providing a more personalized user experience. Also, using a mobile app provides convenience to users by allowing them to utilize various functionalities (like camera and audio) directly within the app.
Brand visibility
Having an app installed on the user’s device reinforces brand recognition and increases the likelihood of repeated interactions.
User convenience
Applications make it convenient for users to access services, products, or information without any need to open browsers or navigate websites.
Advantages of websites over mobile apps
There are a myriad of benefits that a website offers over a mobile app. Let’s see how it provides a flexible and accessible platform for businesses to engage and connect with the target audience.
Universal accessibility
Websites are globally accessible across different devices and platforms eliminating compatibility concerns. This means your content or services can be accessed seamlessly from devices including laptops, desktops, smartphones, and more, expanding your customer reach significantly.
Enhancing user experience across different devices
A well-designed responsive site can adapt to various screen sizes. It ensures a consistent user experience across different devices.
Simplified updates
Updating the site content is straightforward and doesn’t require any downloading and installing. It facilitates business owners to convey real-time data without any site visitor’s intervention.
No installation is required
Websites eliminate the need to allocate storage space for their installations. They can be accessible from anywhere with a reliable internet connection. It makes them more convenient for users with limited device storage.
Cost-effective testing
Testing a website update and changes is more cost-effective than testing a mobile app across different platforms and devices.
Choosing between a website or mobile app: Key considerations
It is a crucial decision that depends on a number of factors. Let’s look at some of the key considerations to understand which is best to get started with.
Purpose and functionality
Your desired app or web development goal plays an important role in deciding which you should consider first. Let’s understand it with an example. Suppose you are a grocery store owner, or restaurant owner, or want to provide ride-hailing services, here a mobile app will work wonders. Applications like Blinkit and Rapido are the most relatable examples of the same.
Mobile App – If you require complex interactions, offline data availability, or access to device features like camera and GPS, a mobile app will be better suited.
Website – It is ideal for delivering blogs, news, and online stores. So, if your primary goal is to share information or showcase your products online, website development will be suited to you.
Target Audience
Your audience’s behavior, preferences, and needs influence this decision.
Mobile App – If you have to serve users that mainly use smartphones and tablets, consider the use of a mobile app.
Website – To reach a broader audience worldwide, a website might be a better option. It is the best medium to cater to the multi-platform audience that includes desktop and mobile users.
User experience
In terms of user convenience and seamless experience, let’s see which one is suitable between a website and an app.
Mobile Apps – They are created to provide a user-centric and polished experience. This means users can engage with the app whenever it suits them, whether they are on the go or relaxing at home. Also, unlike websites, some mobile apps (like gaming apps) do not require internet connectivity for interaction.
Websites – They are designed to provide a consistent experience across different browsers.
Despite the ability to offer a good user experience, they may require responsive design for optimal mobile usability.
While mobile apps excel in providing a focused, device-integrated user experience, websites, on the other hand, offer versatility and accessibility to a wider audience. The choice between the two depends on your target audience and goals.
Development costs and time
Before establishing an online presence, the major factor that a startup or an established business considers is its budget and the required time. To gain clarity on these crucial aspects, business owners often seek the assistance of experts. It lets them get accurate estimates of the time needed to design, develop, and deploy a website or mobile app.
Website – The speed and budget-friendliness of website development varies according to your requirements. Simple projects can be quick and cost-effective, while complex endeavors demand more time and resources.
Mobile App – Like website development, creating mobile apps is also influenced by various factors that impact both the timeline and budget. Developing simple apps with basic functionalities generally incurs lower costs and allows for faster deployment. Whereas, complex mobile apps with advanced features typically require a larger budget and longer development timeline.
Maintenance and updates
Here, a website wins. Easier maintenance and updates are the reasons why experts recommend banks, news agencies, and industries to have a website.
Website – Website maintenance is simpler as changes will be made on the server side. There can be quick updates without necessitating user downloads or installations.
Mobile App – Updates in a mobile app need to be developed, tested, and published. There will be a need to install or download them leading to slower adoption of new features for users.
Offline access
Sometimes it is difficult to perform online activities, especially in locations with limited internet access. Such scenarios bring up opportunities to develop location-dependent applications. Here, mobile apps beat websites.
Websites – They have limited offline functionality. They are inherently online and hard to access in areas with poor internet connectivity.
Mobile Apps – They provide robust offline access, enabling users to perform tasks with no internet connection. It is especially useful for functionalities like reading content and playing games.
Discoverability
So, between websites or apps, which one is easier to find? Surely, a website. Users who are actively searching for products, information, or services related to your niche can find your site easily on the web.
Website – A site can be optimized for search engines, driving more organic traffic over time. However, we must not overlook the chances of losing it among the availability of a lot of web solutions.
Mobile App – In contrast, mobile applications can be found on a dedicated platform. Also, to improve visibility, you should focus on its metadata and customer reviews.
Platform compatibility
In terms of platform compatibility, a website wins. It can automatically adjust to the screen size of the device it is being viewed on. A user can access it on any device with reliable internet connectivity, including desktops, laptops, smartphones, or tablets.
Website – It ensures broad compatibility among various devices with browsers. However, a user can face inconsistencies in switching between different browsers.
Mobile App – A mobile application is developed specifically for each platform and can provide a more consistent user experience. Apps are required to be compatible across different OSs like Android and iOS.
Assessing these factors will help you make an informed choice about whether to go for a website or an app. Once you have made a decision, the next imperative step is to hire developers with the relevant expertise to ensure the successful execution of your digital strategy.
Conclusion
In the end, the choice between creating a website or mobile app should align with your business goals, the nature of your content or services, and the target audience. While many businesses think about building mobile apps, it may not be the best choice if your main focus doesn’t revolve around mobile-centric services. So, it is vital to choose according to your business niche, target audience, budget, and deadlines.