Mobile App vs. Mobile Website: Factors for you to Differentiate

15 Nov 2021 | Mobile App Development

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What’s the debate about, you ask? 

It’s one-to-one for mobile websites vs. native mobile apps. 

The digitization era has now grown the use of mobile phones.   

When we see the current stats and a few studies, almost more than half of the world population comes from a segment that uses mobile phones more than computer systems or laptops. Currently, there are 6.4 billion smartphone users across the globe, which evokes 80% of smartphone invasion.  

The latest mobile statistics show that as people are moving towards the digital side to seek information about anything and everything easily. Consumers have adopted the use of online apps and channels real quick for research purposes. Before we conclude, “who’s better than whom?” 

Let’s discuss some of the 

factors that will help you differentiate between a mobile website and native apps. 

Why Mobile Websites? 

  1. Accessible

Mobile websites are easily available and accessible using different browsers. The engagement and glance at the initial minute are what make the consumers browse more. Whereas mobile apps ask you to download first, only then can you have access to their information. 

  1. Easy to Use, Find & Share

Mobile websites are easy to use as you can open them instantly anytime you want with just one click. Moreover, you can also find the displayed pages through links and directories. At times, finding an app in the app store isn’t really a cakewalk as they are limited to a specific audience. They aren’t restricted but aren’t easily visible too. 

Mobile websites are easy to share with your friends, family, colleagues, and whomsoever you want via URLs. Whereas the native mobile apps can’t be shared the same way as websites. 

  1. Compatible

Mobile websites hold higher compatibility than apps. They are easy to integrate and manage. They don’t require different templates or arrangements for different devices, unlike mobile apps. 

  1. Instant Update

Mobile websites don’t ask you for the updating process. They are flexible and dynamic, unlike the apps. Websites don’t require much work when it comes to editing, but apps surely do.  The reverse story is that the users again have to get back to the play stores to update the same as it isn’t an automated process. 

  1. Return where you Left

As you open the website in browsers, you resume where you left the last time. While in apps, if in case you leave the application, you have to restart the entire app and browse again. So yeah, when it comes to catching where you left, websites work the best. 

  1. Cost-Effective

Mobile website development is less pricey than apps when it comes to supporting it for a long time in the future. Developing a website or an app isn’t the end maintenance is the real key, and that’s what makes the website development more economical. 

Why Mobile Applications? 

  1. Push Notifications

The major advantage of using a native mobile app is their ability to send the notification about every update once you install that particular app (only if you allow them to via your phone’s settings). However, even the websites are now able to send the notifications but apps still stand at the top when it comes to compatibility.  

  1. Use of Mobile Features

Mobile apps know better to use the phone features synched with it. Be it a camera, GPS, contact lists, etc. Native mobile apps are developed in a way to benefit from the mobile devices and improvise user experiences. Also, they are the most simplistic way to access. For example, if you want to upload your resume in a job searching app, you know the rest of the process with zero time taking. However, mobile websites don’t operate that way, and even if they do, the process is time taking. 

  1. Personalization

Tailored features and menu bars help the brands to interact better with the consumers is what a mobile app is all about. It reports the brands about consumer behavior, interests, locality, and many more. Mobile apps let the users set their preferences and then start browsing the way they desire. However, mobile websites don’t work in that pattern. 

  1. Gaming

When it comes to gaming, only apps work the best. Be it interactive games, or simplistic puzzles, mobile apps have the strongest influence over mobile websites. 

  1. Brand Building

Brand building has been on a trend so far, and brands are coming forward to re-launch themselves online. Be it a design or compatibility; mobile apps are on the top. A survey shows from the US shows that 7 out of 10 internet users look for reviews of the desired products before they walk into the store. More than half of internet users use their mobile phones for online purchases. 

That is the main reason why brands are approaching the digital shift for making people aware of them. Digital channels are the biggest breakthrough in the process of the brand building today. Brands have now opened their arms to the digital aspect to improve their brand appearance and presence. A few major advantages that brands get from it are: 

Mobile applications offer a specific brand experience to users. Mobile apps help the brands target a specified set of audiences, unlike mobile websites, and get real-time conversions through it.  

Advertisements play a major role in native mobile apps and help you reach more consumers as per their needs.  

  1. Faster

Mobile applications work faster than mobile websites if they are properly outlined. In addition, mobile apps are much easier to store any information or data on your device, unlike on websites. So, the next time you search for something that you saved, apps do it for you in no time. 

Mobile Applications vs. Mobile Websites: What to Choose? 

A mobile application and a mobile website both prove to be beneficial for your brand. However, depending on the numbers of consumers and user patterns. It may take you to arrange a poll and a plan that will help you choose among the two. Both of them have their pros and cons. You just have to design a fair plan without bothering about your needs getting fulfilled. 

Today, a Mobile App Development Company offers you with most comprehensive customization options and supervision as per your brand and its target audience. 

Mobile apps offer you enhanced customization and can work in offline mode with stored data. While, if you want to address only the information and brand identity, then the website would work for you.