The Internet started with the web and now with the advancement in the technology and emerging market of Smartphones, there arises a necessity of different options. A native mobile app is what every startup needs for themselves, but, is it worth spending a huge amount over it or are you sure to get a good ROI ?
No, there cannot be any surety regarding the ROI because there are dozens of factors that plays a vital role here. Then comes the first question what is the need of going for a native mobile app ? There could be multiple reasons for the same, few would like to give their users a handy access, some may want to remind their users about their brand every time they see their cell phone. Whereas, some would like to give continuous notifications or popups.
Where did it all start ?
The heavy demand for the native apps got a hold over the market since September 2008, when the tech giant Google came up with Android. When it came into the market with JAVA as the native language of Android, the revolution started ! Before Google, its rival tech giant Apple had already stepped into the market with their iPhone. Apple’s first generation iPhone was released back in June 2007.
Why is The Web an Option to Native Apps ?
With the advancement in web technologies and as the browsers and developers are getting smarter, there has been a great change in websites. With the latest technologies of HTML5, CSS3, jQuery, AJAX, React JS, etc. developers has got a vast field to show up their creativity. While coding only once, the same website could be made responsive to look perfect and equally wonderful over all the devices.
This is the major factor for WEB being preferable over native apps. Over and above developing a website is many times cheaper as compared to the mobile apps. As far as mobile app development is considered, there is always a hassle of platforms. The major three platforms that need to be taken care are Android (by Google), iOS (by Apple) and Windows (by Microsoft). Developing three different apps for different platforms itself shouts “I am too costly !”.
But I need an App !
If it is highly necessary for you to get an app, there are always ways to do that. Technology can help you save your pockets from getting vacant. Here the developers can use the concept of hybrid app development. All that works here is a common code for all the platforms with a different build for each. This is one of the most emerging concepts into the app development as this reduces the time and the cost to develop three different apps for three different major platforms.
Want to make it more pocket-friendly ?
Yes, this could cost you even less than the hybrid app development option ! There are a lot of online portals that convert your website to a relevant mobile app. These apps could be uploaded to the Google Play Store or any other such platforms just like a developed app. Users can surf the data offline and moreover this could be downloaded as .apk files as well !
So this would reduce your cost by a huge amount and if you are enough lucky, you can find out a free platform as well. Just go on to your favorite search engine and type in ‘web to app’ and you can get hundreds of free and paid services where you can make your app within minutes.
When to go for mobile apps and when to go for web ?
Now, this is the question that hammers everyones’ mind. Let us discuss:
Mobile Apps:
Interactivity: When you want your users to interact more with your product, you should go for a mobile app. For example: Games
Daily Usage: If your customer needs to access your product time and again, then a mobile app should be the first preference. For example: Employee Management System’s admin panel, to keep a watch over what’s going at your office.
Continuous Connection: In case you want to have a continuous connection with your customer, to alert them with notifications, a mobile app is mandatory. For example: A stock market app.
Social Media App: If you own a social media platform then it is recommended to have a mobile app that will help your users, visit the app time and again. If it has chatting functionality then without an app, it is difficult to survive in the market. For example: WhatsApp, Facebook.
Responsive Website:
Organic Search Engine Traffic: When it is necessary for you to get organic traffic from search engines, a mobile site will be helpful. Web sites are more search engine friendly as compared to the mobile apps. For example: Blogs.
Frequent Updates: If you are making continuous updates to your product, a mobile site will help you retain your customers. While in a mobile app, the user will have to download the app time and again and this may be a tedious task for most of your users. For example: A web application.
Easy Sharing: When you want your users to share your pages, the best way is to give them a responsive site. It becomes easy to share a link as compared to the data of a mobile app! For example: News site.
Time and cost: When you have less time to develop your apps for various platforms or you have a tight budget, a responsive website is the best option. You can rather spend the extra bucks over branding and SEO which will, in turn, give you higher returns!
At the end, having an app is a luxury but having a responsive website is an ultimate need. As your users might not have enough space in their smartphones for your application and you need to think if they will prefer to install your app over Facebook or Twitter app ?
So it is highly recommended to develop a responsive website with the best web developers and get your business, on the go !
