As an entrepreneur, your primary focus is to provide the best possible experience for your audience, which is not particularly easy with the constant advancements in digital technology. A big part of this concern is figuring out the best way through which your audience can effectively engage with your business online. So, at one point in your business journey, you may have asked yourself: Do I need a website, a web application or a mobile application for my business? While each of these digital platforms has its respective unique value proposition, the trick is to understand your specific business needs, goals and target audience and create an online platform(s) that effectively responds to these interests.

Understanding your options

Let’s back up a bit and understand the differences between these platforms. As we discussed in our previous post, a website is an essential way of securing an online presence for your business. Websites are a set of web pages with static information (a mix of text and other media) that users can access via a web browser on an internet-enabled device. A mobile application is a piece of software installed on mobile devices and can be extremely dynamic when compared to websites; allowing user interaction to change the way they work. Mobile apps are designed to perform specific functions and so have advanced features and widgets, some of which may not be accessible without an internet connection. A web application, as the name implies, is a combination of the two. It is essentially a website that hosts an application that is accessible through a web browser. 

Pros and Cons

The primary advantage of a website is that it is relatively easy and cost-effective to set up. However, the major disadvantage is that its content is relatively static and is limited in terms of functionality and design when compared to web and mobile applications. While mobile apps offer the most dynamic content, functionality and interactive user experience, they come with a heavier cost for development, are more rigorous to deploy and to be discovered by users and require constant updates. Unlike mobile apps which have to be installed by the user, web apps can be accessed from web browsers and although they have higher functionality and interact with the user more dynamically, they are limited due to their dependence on a web browser. 

The decision between these three options comes down to your specific business needs, goals and target audience. One should however understand that as a business grows, these factors may evolve and would require a review.. Also, the preferences of your target audience may change. You should be willing to adjust in response to their needs and usage patterns.

Understand your business

The needs of your business are of utmost importance to making this decision. For example, a business that primarily needs a digital platform to showcase its products or services may find that a website is sufficient. However, a business that requires more interaction with its users, such as an e-commerce store, would be better served with a web application or mobile application. If the business is catering to an audience that primarily accesses the internet via a desktop or laptop, then a website or web application may be the most suitable option. On the other hand, if the target audience is primarily accessing the internet via mobile devices, then a mobile application may be the better option. For instance, the most popular mobile games have bare-bones websites that direct you to the App Store or Google Play. Budget and time constraints are also important considerations. Websites are the easiest and most affordable to set up and maintain, while mobile applications are the most expensive and time-consuming. Entrepreneurs should choose a digital platform that aligns with their budget and resources. Additionally, when it comes to reaching potential audiences, websites are the safer bet when coupled with good search engine optimisation practices and may thus be better suited to businesses that are looking to reach out to a wider audience. 

Hiring a development team that understands these dynamics is crucial for making the best decisions for your business. At Mevnet, we are keen on understanding the nature of our client’s businesses, their goals and the industry they operate in and offer guidance on the best digital platforms that would enable them to achieve sustainable growth through innovative online solutions.  
Mevnet is here to help you figure it all out. To get the best digital solutions for your business, reach out to us today.