At CedarWaters, we are experts in mobile web application development and we know how effective these types of web applications, or web apps, can be for businesses that want to reach customers who search for and buy products on the internet using their mobile devices. Web apps, however, aren’t the only option for reaching these customers. A mobile website is a separate version of a business’s desktop website that is designed to be used exclusively on smartphones and tablets. Here are the answers to some questions you may have about both:
What Is A Mobile App?
A web application, or web app, is a software program that runs on a web server. Unlike traditional desktop applications that are launched by an operating system, web apps must be accessed through a web browser. These apps are developed for smartphones and must be downloaded and installed, typically from an app marketplace. Some of the mobile apps customers are most familiar with are mail apps, messaging apps, news apps and apps for retailers like Amazon.
What Is A Mobile Website?
A mobile website is one that, for the most part, looks like a company’s desktop website except that it is specifically designed for the smaller touchscreens that are found on smartphones and tablets. Mobile websites can be accessed on any web browser, like Safari on iOS devices and Chrome on Android devices. Users simply type in the URL or click a link to the business’s website. Once the website is reached, it detects the mobile device and redirects the user to the mobile version of the website.
What Are The Benefits Of A Mobile App?
Mobile apps often have many of the same functions of a mobile website with the advantage that an app has a permanent place on a user’s device screen – making it visible and ready to use 24 hours a day. Because users have to download and install an app, businesses that use them have more control over their presence than they would have with a mobile website. For instance, a mobile app can be closed or inactive and still work in the background sending push notifications and gathering data about a customer’s preferences and browsing habits. In addition, mobile apps are easier to access than mobile websites. Users can open and use them with one tap as opposed to having to open a web browser and then typing in a URL.
What Are The Benefits Of A Mobile Website?
Though web application development is on the rise and many businesses are turning to them for easier customer interaction, mobile websites still have their place. The primary benefit of a mobile website is that it makes a business’s desktop website accessible to mobile users and it has all of the information and functionality of the desktop website, including the same look and feel, the same pages, images and other content all in a mobile-friendly layout that offers improved readability. With a mobile website, customers can access a website anytime, anywhere using any device, without compromising their experience.
To find out more about which your business would benefit from the most – a mobile app or a mobile website – talk to an expert in web application development. Call us at CedarWaters at (469) 535-7500 or visit axissoftwaredynamics.com to schedule an appointment to discuss your business’s online needs.
