Mobile websites and applications
are the two means to establish web-presence of any business. However, the
choice between website and application depends upon a number of factors. For some
enterprises, mobile website may alone suffice the need for wider outreach
whereas both may be required for others. The world witnesses an explosion of mobile application development and both
companies and freelancers try their luck at it. However, the scenario does not
undermine the merits of mobile website development.
Mobile Website: These behave similar
to regular websites. They have HTML-based pages that are linked and accessible via
a browser. The only difference between regular websites and websites is that
the latter is optimised for smartphones-displays, which are much smaller than desktops.
Like it is for every website, Internet is needed for these websites.
Mobile Application: On
the other hand, applications are native to specific OS such as Android, iOS and
Windows Phone. These applications can be used after they are downloaded and
installed to the device. Once installed, applications need internet only
occasionally to update content.
It
is quite safe to mention that nearly every mobile app development company deals in app development too. In fact, businesses
applications make less sense without mobile websites. The recommended priority
for small and medium-scale businesses is to have the website first and then an
application.
Advantages of Mobile websites
over Mobile Applications
Accessibility: Websites
can be accessed without a hiccup as long as the device enjoys Internet
connectivity. Mobile applications need to be downloaded and installed before
they can be used.
Compatibility:
Same website can be accessed via different OS. Thus, developers and
administrators have to create and maintain only one website. But, applications function
native to a OS. Therefore, organisations need to invest more on development to
have an application for all major OS. Cross-platform applications can be developed
but they are not as good as native applications.
Upgradability:
Changes to the content or design of websites take effect immediately after developers
or administrators edit. Application owners shave to push the update to users,
who then have to download it to upgrade applications.
Visibility:
The websites are searchable via search engines. Other websites in the same
niche of business may even link to other websites. On the contrary,
applications can be found at only at application stores of specific OS.
Moreover, users may have to change filter settings on application stores to find
an application easily.
More:
Sharing mobile website URLs is easy, which also adds to their wider reach.
Development and maintenance of these websites is less expensive and
time-effective too.
Advantages of Mobile Applications
Application development
is the most suitable option for games. Similarly, for personalised functions,
such as note-taking, applications have edge due to their independence on
Internet. Though mobile websites have improved in accessing device-specific functions,
applications are best to exploit native functions of OS.
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