App or Website: What Should Your Business Have?

Since responsive web design has come a long way in the last few years, it is easier to decide on mobile-friendly websites that look great on any phone or tablet. However, sites cannot replace custom mobile apps and vice versa. They both offer unique advantages and will work together for your business. It would be best if you started with knowing what serves your product and your audience, so here are some ideas to consider.

Share This Post

Since responsive web design has come a long way in the last few years, it is easier to decide on mobile-friendly websites that look great on any phone or tablet. However, sites cannot replace custom mobile apps and vice versa. They both offer unique advantages and will work together for your business. It would be best if you started with knowing what serves your product and your audience, so here are some ideas to consider.

Choosing A Website

A responsive site makes sense if you have a tight budget, rely heavily on SEO, and plan to make frequent updates. A website can be less expensive than a custom mobile app, and is cross-platform, so it works on all devices and will be easier to link and share. Mobile sites are easy to find when searching online, and from a business perspective, are less challenging to create and update. While app stores are continually improving search functionality to make new apps more comfortable to discover,  they may never be as accessible as the web, so websites still give smaller companies a better chance to be seen. 

FocustApps recently completed work on a website for Harris Services. This fresh, clean design with its modified overall theme is the perfect example of combining responsive design that features their suite of services along with examples of their work, plus CE class schedules. The completely updated professional website also expands its market with an easy to use mobile version.

Choosing a Mobile App

While creating a website can be less expensive than building a mobile app, a custom mobile app gives your business a unique advantage you can’t get from a mobile-friendly website. If you have a complex user interface, send and receive a great deal of data, and if you want to take advantage of smartphone functionality, a custom mobile app is the only way to go. Especially if you’re trying to monetize the content. Mobile apps attract new customers through app stores and can provide a unique experience to your customers.

An example of FocustApps work is the recently developed Safenetix Mobile App. This monetized app equips users with the tools to perform field inspections. The users can walk through the process of safety reporting using forms on the mobile application. The application can perform easy to complete code-mandated inspections and offers reporting requirements needed for AHJ inspectors.

Combining Both

As mobile apps become easier to create and maintain, many businesses are now combining a website with a custom mobile app. This combination can give you the best chance to expand your reach to new customers and deliver a unique experience with customized content, deals, and information to your most loyal customers. A custom-designed mobile app/website combination gives you unique options to engage with existing customers and provide a personalized experience. Adding language to your website that prompts visitors to download your mobile app is an excellent channel for reaching out to people, contacting them immediately via push notifications, and taking advantage of the capabilities of a mobile app. Plus, websites alone can’t track user behavior as well as a mobile app can, or customize the user experience by taking advantage of features like geolocation and push notifications.

Businesses shouldn’t have to choose between a mobile app and a website, primarily if the combination works well together for their needs. FocustApps can help you decide which is the best answer for your business. If you’d like to learn more, contact Blake Patterson at 502.907.6593.

More To Explore

Contact Us

We Are Here For You

home