In the past few years, huge strides have been made with regards to responsive web design. It is now easier than ever to view all kinds of websites from your smartphone. But this doesn’t mean that apps are any less popular with businesses. In fact, the two things aren’t necessarily mutually exclusive. Both have their own sets of pros and cons, while both can also work together in perfect harmony. It is worth thinking carefully about which one is right for your business or whether both would provide an overall benefit. With this in mind, let’s take a closer look at how the two stack up against one another.
Websites Over Apps
Most businesses start up with a website before moving into the world of apps as they work on all devices and are easier to link and share with people. Mobile websites tend to be easier to find through search engines, and the domain name usually matches the company so people can find it if they have heard of the business. Looking at it from a business perspective, websites are simpler to create and update, and you also don’t need separate versions for iOS and Android. App stores are generally not accessed from the web, so websites tend to give smaller companies an increased chance of being noticed. But, let’s not get down on apps! They have a host of unique advantages that we will take a closer look at.
Apps Over Websites
A mobile app can really boost your marketing reach, as well as offering a channel to speak to new customers and engage with existing ones. Apps provide a unique experience that mobile sites simply cannot offer. Whether your customer has heard of your company before or has just found out about you through their app store, you can provide them with a personalised experience. Websites still don’t have the same ability to track user behaviour that apps have. You also cannot customise the user experience with features such as geolocation and push notifications. When you are trying to get them to come back to a website, you can either wait for them to check their emails or remember to come back themselves. This is where apps have a distinct advantage over websites.
How the Two Can Work Hand-in-Hand
As we talked about at the start, there is no reason why your business can’t use both an app and a website. Many businesses have now started to combine mobile apps with mobile-friendly websites. A combination of the two allows you to cover all bases, accessing new client bases, delivering customised content and providing as much information to loyal customers as possible. If you do decide to have both, you should prompt visitors to download your mobile app, giving you the maximum reach possible. They shouldn’t work as separate entities, and you should aim to have your website and app working side by side to boost your business and keep you customers happy.
