Web App for startups
In continuation with the previous article Native v/s Hybrid Apps for startups, it’s important to understand the differences between Web app compared to the Native and Hybrid app. The native, web app and hybrid applications each have their own strengths and weaknesses, and your final decision depends on your startup’s needs.
What is a Web app?
Web applications are websites with interactivity that feels like a mobile app. Web apps run in multiple browsers such as Safari or Chrome. If your startup is on a budget and doesn’t require complex functionalities or access to operating system features, then building a web app can be the least expensive option. For e.g. Gmail, Facebook etc. on mobile browsers.
So which one should your startup choose?
Depending on your business objectives and overall goals, this decision could make or break the success of your mobile strategy. When deciding to build your app as either web, native, or hybrid, there are a variety of factors you need to consider. The detailed comparison between hybrid and native is written in the previous article. Web apps, however, do not need to be downloaded from app stores like mobile apps. Web apps load in browsers like Chrome, Safari, or Firefox. A web app also doesn’t take up storage on the user’s device.
Development:
The majority of Web Apps are built in JavaScript, CSS, and HTML5. Unlike an iOS or Android app, there is no software development kit. There are templates and frameworks like Angular, React, and Vue.js that you can use to get a start.
Advantages of Web Apps:
A Better User Experience — With responsive design, it’s a lot easier and cheaper to make a web-based system user-friendly across multiple platforms and various screen sizes
Access — Employees can work from anywhere with internet access
Secure Login — Impress clients with a modern web portal and improve customer service with automated processes
Setup — It takes a couple of minutes to set up a new user
Always Up To Date — As everyone is accessing the same version of the web app via a URL, they will always be accessing the most up-to-date version of the software
Storage — With the availability of the cloud, storage space is virtually infinite
Disadvantages Of Web Apps:
Less Interactive: Web apps are less interactive and intuitive than native apps
Internet reliance — if you happen to lose connection you will not be able to access your web app
Security — Many people may believe that data is less secure in a cloud environment.
Reduced Speed — It’s likely that a web app will operate at a slightly slower speed than native apps
Browser Support — We don’t all use the same browser. This means during development you’ll need to ensure your app is supported across a variety of browsers.
6 Different Types Of Web Application Development
This classification is based on how web apps show the content they accept. Based on this, we have up to 6 different types of web applications.
- Static Web Applications: This type of web application displays very little content and is not flexible. Static Web Applications are usually developed in HTML and CSS. You can also include or display animated objects, such as banners, GIFs, videos, etc. Unfortunately, to modify the content of static web applications, you first have to download the HTML code, then modify it and send it back to the server. Examples of the development of static web applications include professional portfolios or digital resumes.
- Dynamic Web Applications: They use databases for data loading and its contents are updated each time the user accesses them. They usually have an administration panel, where administrators can correct or modify application content, whether text or images. PHP and ASP are the most common languages used for this purpose because they allow the structuring of contents. Also, it allows you to implement an abundance of features, such as forums or databases.
- Shop Online or E-Commerce: If the web application is an online store, its development is likely to resemble that of an m-commerce or e-commerce site. This type of application development process is more complicated because it must allow electronic payments that can be made from credit cards, PayPal or other payment methods. The developer must also create a management panel for the administrator; that will be used for the listing of new products, update them, delete the entries, and manage applications and payments.
4. Portal Web App: Through the portal, we are referring to a type of application that accesses the various sections or categories through a home page. These applications can include many things: forums, chats, e-mail, browsers, areas accessed through registration, the latest content, etc.
5. Animated Web Applications: This programming approach allows you to display content with animated effects. This type of application allows more creative and modern designs and is one of the key technologies used by designers and creative directors. The disadvantage inherent in the development of animated web applications is that this type of technology is not suitable for web positioning purposes and optimization of SEO because search engines cannot properly read the information they contain.
6. Web Applications with a CMS (Content Management System): The content should be constantly updated when it comes to web application development so that the installation of a content management system is a serious option to consider. The administrator can make use of this to implement changes and updates alone. These content managers are intuitive and very easy to handle. An example of content management systems is WordPress. This type of web applications is very common among the content pages: personal blogs, corporate blogs, professional blogs, news pages, articles, media, etc.
Each type of web application has its strengths and weaknesses. They are not native applications, no matter how similar they may be in appearance to these.
Conclusion
Native apps outperform other apps because they are developed against both technical and user experience. Native apps can also easily access the inbuilt capabilities of the user’s device. It is best to stick with native and not sacrifice on the design that is unique to the platform. However, if you aren’t too concerned about the overall user experience and want to get something fast and cheap, a web app may be the way to go.
References — 1. http://www.appmonks.net/id/83/Web-Vs-Native-Vs-Hybrid-App/
2. https://www.clustox.com/blog/6-different-types-of-web-application-development
