WEBSITES

Website or App: Which is better for your business?

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.

Young designer sketching new fashion models

Why A Website Is A Must-have For Every Business: Top 3 Reasons

1. A website helps you attract new customers

Technology has made it possible for consumers to find whatever they are looking for with just a few clicks. It has been established that 76% of consumers look up a business online before patronising it. So, chances are that if a consumer is looking for the particular product or service that you offer and you’re not turning up on their search result, they would go for those that are, without knowing that yours is better. A website would not only carry your contact details for inquiries but can have a map that enables your potential customers to locate you easily.

2. Having a website gives you credibility

84% of customers believe that credible businesses are those that have websites. In
a time where just about anything is freely available on the internet, not having a
website would indicate that you are not taking your business seriously. Consumers
may think that you’re either too small-time, archaic or not current on trends. And
whereas a social media page can be created in a jiffy, a website allows you to stand
out from the rest and indicates that you are professional in what you do.

3. Cost-effective marketing options

With more than 4.5 billion internet users, a website is a cost-effective way to level the
playing field, giving you an opportunity to compete with larger businesses by
providing reach and visibility that other marketing strategies may not. A website also
allows you to leverage innovative digital marketing solutions. For instance, using the
traffic history on your website, you can engage customers through targeted email campaigns that keep them updated with new products, discounts and other services you offer; thereby ensuring customer loyalty and reduced customer turnover.

Is it necessary to have a website when I am already active on social media?
The short answer is yes. While social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram and
other social media platforms are viable marketing channels, you do not have
complete ownership of your social media pages. Meta, for instance, can decide to
make changes to its platforms that affect your business in an unexpected way. And
let’s not talk about how vulnerable social media pages can be to cyberattacks.

It is crucial to understand that building a website that would drive business growth is
not just about putting fancy words and slapping on nice pictures. It must be
purposefully designed, secure and user-friendly, with clear calls to action. Here at
Mevnet, we deliver outstanding websites with creative and innovative designs,
tailored specifically to the nature of each client’s business. Our team of experts
would collaborate with you toward delivering solutions that are not only functional
and secure but are also cost-effective.

Give your business the best foot forward and get a Mevnet website, today.