Mobile apps have turned the world upside down with tremendous growth in all sectors. Around half the traffic globally comes from a smartphone. In the first quarter of 2020, smartphones produced 51.92% of website traffic worldwide. This number has been stable at around 50% since 2017. However, many businesses are currently growing digital initiatives, switching to digital approaches of business exclusively, increasing IoT devices, and the revelation of 5G. It’s safe to anticipate that this number will increase substantially in the upcoming years.
The question of whether your business needs a mobile app development strategy is redundant because it certainly does. It would be best if you instead considered what will serve better for your business, a mobile app or a mobile website by
top app developers 2020.
Mobile websites and apps look quite similar at their face value. But the two are very different. Several factors are to be considered in determining which one serves the best. They can be the target audience, budget, and motive. This article will flow in a way to make you easily understand which alternative is better for you.
Mobile Apps
Native mobile apps are for specific platforms such as Android or iOS. A user installs mobile apps on their devices, and usually, native apps provide a quicker and more reactive experience than mobile websites.
Effects on User Experience (UX)
1. More interactive ways for users to involve
A mobile app enables you to deliver value to your existing users via a new channel for engagement. Instead of looking at the same fonts and pictures as a website, apps can sync features that enable users to communicate with the app’s particular components. For instance, Instagram users can see photos on the webpage, but cannot import them without the app.
2. Personalization
Mobile apps let the users set their preferences as soon as they are installed and tailor it to best serve their needs. Apps can also track user engagement and leverage it to provide custom recommendations and upgrades, making the app more helpful for the users. Apps also enables businesses to send customized interaction to users depending on their location, interests, usage behavior, and more. Sending tailored notifications to users has had a positive impact on open-rate, conversion rates, and user engagement, as per the Business of Apps. Personalization can let the user get the most out of the app.
3. Offline work facilities
If you are the user of a mobile app, you must know many apps work even without web connections. Many apps do require internet connectivity to perform various tasks, but they still do offer material and features to users in offline mode. This can help users access data anytime and anywhere.
4. User-friendly interface
Mobile apps usually offer a more user-friendly interface, making it simpler to complete tasks. This unusual interface environment allows users to become more engaged in the mobile experience. Users of particular operating systems have also got used for specific features and characteristics, creating an app for particular platforms provides users the features they expect. Responsive websites do not promise a standard of functionality users prefer.
5. Use Device Capabilities
Mobile apps can access and utilize default device features like camera, location, and GPS. Using device capabilities can drive to more better and convenient user experience. For instance, the capacity to naturally use GPS and location data enables retail apps to send users flyers particular to their area.
Responsive Mobile Websites
These are websites that can make room for various screen sizes. Moreover, a responsive website is a tailored version of a regular website that is used ideally for mobile.
Effects on User Experience (UX)
1. Available for everyone
A responsive website can be reached from any smartphone irrespective of the operating system with a web connection, of course, whereas mobile apps can only function on particular platforms. It is crucial to remember that quality, network access, and speed are all factors that will affect that mobile web experience. Responsive websites do not require installation and are completely free, unlike apps in the app stores.
2. Users don’t have to update
Users won’t have to spend time downloading new versions and updates of your product to encounter improvements on the website. Since websites are easy to fix bugs, updates, and support, users mostly won’t notice any update process and can climb right into enjoying an enhanced experience.
3. Cost-effective
Cost-effectiveness is more advantageous for a business than an impact of user experience. But, depending on intricacy, a responsive website can be more cost-effective than mobile app development. Cost is a crucial factor to consider if you want your app to have a presence on more than one platform.
What’s Better?
Mobile apps win the battle when it comes to statistics. The latest Sensor Tower report revealed that user spending on mobile apps and app downloads grew profoundly during the first half of 2020, i.e., $50.1 billion globally across the Google Play and the App Store. Covid-19 undoubtedly drove this growth, and it’s effects on user behavior, these numbers are up 23.4% from the first half of 2019 and are still going to rise.
As per the same report, 71.5 billion first-time app downloads during the first half of 2020. So, there is a 26.1% year-over-year, giving companies more incentives to create an app service.
But, the right choice depends on your company’s objectives. If your aim to offer mobile-friendly content to a broad spectrum of people, then a mobile website is most likely the way to go. However, if you want to drive more engagement, interact with, and communicate with your users to drive customer loyalty, a mobile app presents itself as a better option.
In some cases, you might opt for both a mobile website and a mobile app. If done right, it can be a valuable and strategic choice. Making the right choice is in your hands, and the best
mobile app development companies can help to do it.