The purpose of both websites and mobile apps is to connect with the audience. However, when it comes to development approach, costs, timeline, functionality, and UI, there are significant differences between a mobile app and a website.
In this blog post, we highlight some key factors that differentiate website development from mobile app development.
Accessibility
As we all know, mobile apps are accessible on mobile devices only after downloading & installing them from the app stores. However, on the other hand, a website can be accessed using any browser, such as Chrome or Edge, and there is no need to install it. Additionally, a website can be accessed on a PC using any browser; however, for an app to be accessible on a PC, a separate application is required.
User Experience on Mobiles
Although a website can be accessed on any mobile device using a browser, it is restricted to using the native features of the device. On the contrary, mobile apps enjoy access to the device’s native features on a much deeper level.
Offline Access
Most websites don’t allow users to access pages when they are offline. However, in the case of mobile apps, users have the option to view the app in offline mode.
Development Costs
The cost to create a website is usually lower than the cost of developing a mobile application. However, if you need a mobile app or a website on a budget, consider hiring a website builder in India. Hiring an Indian developer can save you more than 30% on your website or mobile application.
Time to Build
The time required to create a mobile app is usually higher than that for website development. So, if you’re in a rush to launch, consider a website.
User Engagement
The user engagement rate for mobile apps is higher than that of websites. It’s because of the many valuable features that mobile apps offer, such as offline mode and push notifications.
Development Technologies
To build a mobile application, your app developer may use
- SWIFT (to create an iOS app) and Java/Kotlin (to create an Android app)
- Flutter (for developing a hybrid app that can be used for both iOS & Android applications)
- Backend web services & API are usually developed using Laravel/PHP
For building a website, your web developer may use:
- WordPress to build a CMS website
- PHP frameworks, such as Laravel, can be used to create a customized website.
- HTML/CSS for the frontend website development.
When Should You Build a Website?
- When you’re on a budget to create your online presence, you must build a website that can help you save on development costs.
- When you rely on search engines for traffic, conversions, and revenue, it is comparatively easier to promote or optimize a website than a mobile app.
- When you can’t wait any longer to launch your website or app, as mentioned earlier, the time to build a mobile app is often longer than creating a website.
- When you don’t need complex features, you shouldn’t build a mobile app just for the sake of having one. Mobile applications should be developed only when a website can’t fulfill your requirements.
When should I create a mobile app?
- If you want to outrank the competition and have enough budget and time, you must develop a mobile application.
- When you need your audience to access their device’s native features, such as the camera or GPS, it is preferable to use mobile app development over website design.
- If you need offline access features, opt for a mobile app development that offers better options for users to view apps in offline mode.
- If you require a higher level of personalization, you should consider hiring a mobile app developer to create an application rather than just a website.
Why outsourcing to India?
Whether you need a mobile app or a website, consider outsourcing your project to reputable Indian agencies. You can find numerous options to hire the best website or app development agencies in India.
Are all Indian agencies good?
Like any other service, not all app agencies or web agencies are good in India. There are a few criteria that you must check before hiring a development agency in India:
- Ensure that your Indian developer possesses the required skills and experience. If you are looking to build a website, make sure that your developer is skilled in various CMS technologies such as WordPress, Drupal, etc. and if you are outsourcing your mobile app to an Indian agency, make sure they possess experienced Flutter developers or native app developers (SWIFT, JAVA, or Kotlin developers).
- Check out their portfolio (similar past works) before hiring a mobile app or web development agency in India.
- Evaluate the communication skills of your developer before hiring them to build a mobile app or website in India.
- Support is crucial, whether it’s about building a mobile app or a website. Before hiring a development agency in India, ensure that you check the level of support they will provide.
