With so many web-app options available on the market, it can be hard to know which is the best option for your business. Do you want a web app that looks and feels just like a regular website, or is it more important to have a platform that’s fully native? Or are hybrid apps the way to go?
In this article, we’ll explore each of these options in detail, and help you decide which is best for your business. So be sure to read on to find out which web app development platform is right for you!
What are Web Applications?
Web applications are websites that run in a browser, rather than on your computer as software. You can access them from anywhere with an internet connection ? no software installation is required!
Traditional website content is compiled into pages and posted to a web server. When someone visits your website, they will see these static pages (unless you use some kind of dynamic content delivery system like Google AdSense).
Web application users interact with your site through the same tools and processes as everyone else: by clicking around on-page links, filling out form fields, etc.
Although many business owners still think of web applications as just a different way to deliver their website content, the concept of web applications is actually much more widespread and versatile.
There are many reasons why businesses might want to develop a web application: they could find that it’s an effective way to increase customer engagement and loyalty or help them cut costs by offloading certain administrative tasks from their staff.
To get started with developing your own web application, you first need to decide what you want it for.
Here are some common uses for Web Applications:
1) To Deliver More Engaging Content
A good example of a company that has leveraged a web application to great effect is Airbnb. They use their platform to offer an ever-growing variety of attractive and immersive content experiences, from short “trips” in VR rooms to entire homes for rent.
2) To Offload Administrative Tasks
One common use for web applications is as a way for businesses to outsource certain admin tasks ? such as customer registrar or invoicing ? to avoid having employees fulltime dedicated just to these functions. This can be especially beneficial if you have limited resources!
3) To Increase Customer Loyalty
Another example is Spotify. Their web application allows users to browse, listen to, and rate music tracks without ever leaving their browsers. This not only increases the engagement of their user base but also helps them keep customers longer because they’re less likely to switch over to competing services when they have a great experience with Spotify’s web app.
4) To Drive Traffic to Your Website
One of the best ways to drive traffic to your website is through web applications. By developing a web application that provides valuable or unique content ? or by adding features that are only available through a web application ? you can increase both the engagement and conversion rates of your website.
Once you’ve decided what you want your web application for, the next step is to decide how you’ll go about building it.
There are a few different ways that people build web applications:
1) Using a Platform like WordPress or Drupal
2) Building It from scratch with Code-First methodology using frameworks such as Ruby on Rails or Node.js
3) Combining both approaches ? Using an existing platform to help structure and manage your code while developing specific features in-house.
4) Using a Web Application Builder such as Wix or Weebly to help you build and manage your web application from scratch.
What are Native Applications?
Native applications are applications that run on a device that was designed and built from the ground up to be an app. This means you can’t just use any old web application builder to create one ? you’ll need to use an application development platform (ADP) like Appcelerator or Titanium Mobile, respectively.
Reasons why native applications are more popular than web applications:
1) Native Applications Are Faster and More User-Friendly
Native apps tend to be faster because they’re coded in native code languages such as Objective C or Java, which run extremely quickly on native devices. They’re also more user-friendly because they tend to have smooth and fast animations, helpful notifications, and intuitive icons.
2) Native Applications Have More Features
Native applications can do a lot more than just run on phones ? they can be used in the desktop world as well! This means that you can build applications that are truly multi-platform, which is something not always possible with web apps.
Additionally, many native app platforms offer access to lucrative markets such as the App Store and Google Play store where users regularly spend money on premium apps.
3) Native Applications Are Easier to Maintain
Since native apps are written in code that runs on a specific platform, they’re easier to maintain and update than web applications.
For example, if you make changes to the code for your web app, you’ll likely have to re-integrate those updates into the server side as well ? with a native application, however, all you would need is an updated version of the app itself.
4) Native Applications Are More Secure
Native applications are typically built with security in mind from the beginning. This means that they’re often more secure than web applications, which are built without the same level of scrutiny.
5) Native Applications Perform Better on Phones and Tablets
Since native apps run on specific platforms, they tend to perform better on mobile devices than on web apps.
For example, a native app designed for Android will usually be faster and look nicer than a similar web app design for iOS.
6) Native Applications Are Easier to Navigate
Since native apps are designed specifically for a specific platform, they tend to be easier to navigate and use than web applications.
For example, a native app may have buttons that take you directly to the desired section or screen ? in contrast, a web application often requires some navigation through links before you arrive at your destination.
There are a few different ways that people build Native applications:
1) Use an Open-Source Application Platform
Many native app developers choose to use an open source application platform like Ionic or Xamarin instead of developing their own from scratch ? this allows them to leverage the community support and resources available in these platforms.
2) Use a Native Development ToolKit
Some developers prefer to use a native development toolkit like Xamarin or Titanium to build their applications. These tools allow them to create code for specific platforms without having to learn the corresponding programming languages.
3) Use a Web Development Framework
There are also many developers who choose to use a web development framework like React Native or React. These frameworks allow them to build and deploy their applications using familiar web developer tools and techniques.
What are Progressive Web Apps?
A Progressive Web App is a type of web app that prioritizes the performance, security, and experience of its users.
Progressive Web Apps are built on the Chrome DevTools Protocol and use features like Service Workers to load and serve content quickly even when there?s not a network connection available.
This makes them faster, more reliable, and easier to use than traditional web apps ? perfect for situations where you don?t have access to a mobile device or when you need to conserve battery life.
Here are some common uses for PWA:
1) As a desktop replacement
A Progressive Web App can be used as a traditional web app on your computer ? it just behaves more smoothly and efficiently than standard websites. This makes them perfect for use in situations where you need an application that looks and feels like a native app, but you don?t want to spend the time or money developing one from scratch.
2) As an offline experience
PWA can also be used as an offline experience ? meaning that users can still access and use the app even when their mobile data is unavailable. This is great
for applications that need to be available offline, like maps or weather apps.
3) As a hybrid app
PWA can also be used as a hybrid app ? meaning that it combines the best elements of both traditional web apps and native apps. This is great for situations where you have an application that needs some features from a traditional app, but also some features from native applications.
How to Build Progressive Web Applications?
There?s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best way to build a PWA will vary depending on your specific app and company culture. However, there are some common tips that can help you get started:
1) Use performance monitoring tools
One of the most important things you can do when building a Progressive Web App is to use performance monitoring tools. This will help you identify where your app is spending its time and ensure that all content is loaded quickly – even if there?s not a network connection available.
2) Establish priorities
When building a PWA, you need to establish clear priorities. For example, you might make sure that your app loads quickly even if there?s no network connection available, but you might also presenting of user data and interactions overloading the entire app from scratch.
This will help ensure that your PWA remains playable even when there are slow or unreliable networks in place.
3) Minimize weight
Another important thing to consider when building a Progressive Web App is its weight. By minimizing the amount of data that needs to be loaded in order to display the basic content, you can improve the app?s performance and make it more resilient to network issues.
4) Use standards
When building a PWA, it?s important to use industry-standard technologies such as HTML5 and CSS3. This will help ensure that your app looks consistent across different browsers andplatforms – even when users are using older devices or browsers.
5) Optimize images
One of the biggest factors affecting app performance is the size and type of image files that are used. By optimizing your images for web deployment, you can reduce the time it takes your PWA to load.
6) Use caching
Another important way to improve the performance of your PWA is to use caching technologies. This will help to store downloaded content and assets on the user?s device, speeding up future visits.
Conclusion
Sometimes, it’s hard to choose the right app for your website. But don?t worry! For the following questions, we will guide you through the process of selecting a web application or choosing between hybrid and native applications.
Do you have an app that gives users access to content from different sources? Would you like them to be able to bookmark this page so they could come back?
Or do you just need functionality that is not possible using a web application? Then, make sure to try out Progressive Web Applications instead! You can keep your existing legacy apps and still make them mobile-friendly.
