As a diverse small business owner, founder, or creative, you may be faced with making a decision between a website and an app for your business in today's digital world. With that in mind, it can be difficult to know which platform is the right choice for your business. In this blog post, we'll break down the difference in value between a website and a native mobile app, helping you make an informed decision for your business.
Simply put, what is a Website?
A website is a collection of web pages that contain different information about your business, project, initiative, or idea that can be accessed through a web browser on a computer or mobile device. In other words, it's a platform for businesses to showcase their products and services, communicate with their target audience, and establish an online presence. Websites can be created using a variety of website builders, and while they were initially designed for desktop and laptop computers, they’re now just as accessible on mobile devices through a mobile browser.
Pros & Cons of a Website
Pros of a Website
- Cost-effective: The cost of building a website or having a website built can be signitifcaly less expensive than building an app.
- Easy to Update: Websites can be updated easily and quickly, making it easier for businesses to keep their content up-to-date.
- Flexible: While it's important to note what one can do with a website depends on the platform use to build it, there's more flexibility with what one can easily do with a website compared to other platforms.
- Accessibility: Websites are accessible to a wide range of people, including those who don't have a smartphone or a mobile device.
Cons of a Website
- Mobile Experience: Websites can be slow to load on mobile devices and may not provide the best user experience for mobile users.
- Limited Mobile Features: Websites are not always optimized for mobile devices, and they may not be able to take advantage of the features and capabilities of a mobile device, like the gyroscope for example.
Simply put, what is a Native Mobile App?
A native mobile app is a software application that is designed to run on a specific mobile platform, such as Apple's iOS or Google's Android. iOS is Apple's mobile platform and Android is Google's mobile platform. These platforms help businesses connect with their customers, offer exclusive features and services, and improve their overall brand experience. The key thing to note about native mobile apps is that they are downloaded from an app store and installed on a user's device. Where a user can simply go to a browser and access any website, users must first go to an app store, either Apple's App Store or Google's Google Play Store, in order to download the app.
Pros & Cons of a Native Mobile App
Pros of a Native Mobile App
- Improved Mobile Experience: Native mobile apps provide a better user experience on mobile devices and can take advantage of the features and capabilities of a mobile device, such as push notifications, camera access, and GPS.
- Faster and More Responsive: Native mobile apps can be faster and more responsive than websites, and they can be designed specifically for mobile devices.
- Exclusive Features: Native mobile apps can offer exclusive features and services that are not available on websites, such as in-app purchases and offline access.
Cons of a Native Mobile App
- Higher Cost: Native mobile apps are more expensive to create than websites.
- More Difficult to Maintain: Depending on the toolkit used to build the app, updating an app can be a more technical process than updating a website.
- Limited Accessibility: Native mobile apps are only accessible to users who have a smartphone or a mobile device.
- Download Required: Native mobile apps must be downloaded from an app store, and they may not be as easily accessible to users as a website.
Deciding Between a Website and a Native Mobile App
Deciding between a website and a native mobile app depends on your business goals and your target audience. If you're looking for an accessible, cost-effective solution that can be easily updated and is accessible to a wide range of people, a website may be the right choice for you. However, if you're looking for a solution that provides a better user experience on mobile devices and can take advantage of the features and capabilities of a mobile device, a native mobile app may be the right choice for you.
Whether you choose a website or a native mobile app, it's important to focus on providing value to your customers and building a strong digital presence for your business. This means understanding your target audience, identifying their needs and preferences, and delivering a seamless and enjoyable experience across all digital touchpoints. Investing in a strong digital strategy and platform can help you increase customer engagement, drive more sales, and build a loyal customer base. So, take the time to research and consider your options carefully, and choose the digital platform that will best serve your business goals and your customers. And if you need any help thinking through this, feel free to reach out to us via our contact page or via our Instagram, @_ritaxyz.
