Should You Make A Mobile-Friendly Website Or Make An App Instead?

Aug 4
09:31

2015

Alex HD

Alex HD

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An important question that most business owners face is whether to make a website mobile-friendly or should they have an app for their products or services. Is it necessary to make an app or will a mobile website suffice? This article deals with the pros and cons of having an app in addition to a mobile-friendly website.

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An important question that most business owners face is whether to make a website mobile-friendly or should they have an app for their products or services. Is it necessary to make an app or will a mobile website suffice? With a huge number of people owning mobile phones,Should You Make A Mobile-Friendly Website Or Make An App Instead? Articles the number of smartphones and handheld computers has exceeded the number of humans on the planet. This article deals with the pros and cons of having an app in addition to a mobile-friendly website.

On The Go

Not everyone wants to install an extra piece of software on their phone. If they can do something basic without the need for a software, they would definitely prefer that. If there is only a small piece of information or a one time access required from your business, there is no reason why a person would bother to install an app and bother about logging in through it. They would instead prefer a simple mobile-friendly website which will allow them quick access to the information that they need.

Intrusiveness

Not everyone wants a snoopy app on their phone which reports back their activity to its handlers. This is possibly the main reason why people refrain from installing apps unless they are really useful or really popular. A phone or tablet is a private / personal device which not everyone wants to share or make public. Privacy of mobile devices is the main factor in not wanting something installed on the phone and rather have a simple webpage which runs in the limits of the browser.

Offline use

A major advantage which apps have over web based content is that they allow offline access and offline storage of the content. This means that if you are serving up something like Maps or User Details or similar information which doesn't change very often, your users don't need to be connected to the internet at all times. Plus, if you are providing critical information to your subscribers, you would definitely want them to be able to access your information on the go, without a consistent internet connection.

Interact with the device

Apps allow you great feedback about your users and subscribers. The app can constantly monitor the activities of a person and trigger different actions based on their activity or can passively listen for the subscribers to instruct them on what to do. Although this is also a major repellent for privacy conscious people, it is essential for most providers who are providing a service like this.

To conclude, it would be good to mention that a mobile website is a must. If not a separate one, then making your current website mobile friendly is essential. Even search engines are using mobile friendliness as a search factor when ranking websites in their search results. Websites which are not mobile friendly or have not bothered to have a separate mobile portal are automatically penalized for their lethargy or ignorance. Having an app is an added frill or icing on the cake which will allow your business to get more personal with the user and will allow constant communication with your subscriber base.