What is a Web App?
December 14, 2020
Do we need a web application? This is an issue that usually arises when a business wants to create a digital presence.
With the growth of internet usage, companies change the way they work and adopt more web applications. Few businesses use the internet as a cost-effective communication channel. It lets them exchange data with their target market or audience and make secure and quick transactions. In spite of that, effective engagement is only possible when the business is able to capture and store all the important information and has a means of processing the data and presenting the result to the user.
What is a Web Application?
Web applications are programs that allow businesses to have better communication with their customers. It is an interactive page that allows users to add inputs and get data and/or information in many ways. Web applications are the same as any other app; however, the main advantage of a web application is that it is stored online and accessible through a browser. This is the reason why web applications have a very close relationship with the server, as they send lots of requests to it.
Web applications use a combination of server-side scripts such as PHP, ASP, and more to handle the storage and retrieval of information and client-side scripts such as JavaScript, HTML, and more to display the information to the users. This allows website users to interact with the company using electronic forms, content management systems, shopping carts, and many more. Additionally, the applications allow employees to create documents, share information, collaborate on projects, and work on common documents regardless of location or device.
What are the benefits of a Web Application?
Here are some reasons why web applications are becoming very popular these days.
Installation is unnecessary as they run on web browsers.
Supported by all recent browsers
No need to send a remider to the users for any new release application updates
The same code in the entire application can be used repeatedly which makes it easier to maintain.
No compatibility issues
Secure and easy to backup
Costs less than mobile application development
What are the Characteristics of a Good Web Application?
Here are some of the features or characteristics of a web application:
Quick loading time in the User Interface
Compatible to small to large range of screen and pixel desities
Cloud-hosted
API factored
Cross-platform compatibility such as Windows, macOS, Linus, etc.
Must support A/B testing and analytics
Follow security best practices
Can be deployed easily
Wide range tool support for logic flows, process flows, debug logs and more.
Why does your business needs a web application?
Nowadays, web applications have become an essential component of business in today's world. Business can now develop, become simpler, and achieve its objectives much faster with the use of web applications. These web apps can help businesses target numerous clients and customers at a time. Companies are rapidly embracing this aspect of the internet by creating web applications with the help of web developers to meet their business demands.
If you are a local business with a doorstep service business or a business expecting constant customer interactions at standard intervals, you can automate this process with innovative custom web application development.
If you are part of manufacturing, textiles, agriculture, or an industry that has numerous external divisions to reach the end customer, you may require numerous software applications to maintain your business efficiently. Keeping every one of them together on one web application will be a huge advantage to your business process. There are a few good ERP systems, cloud-based BPM applications, and CRM software products on the market to solve business needs. Nonetheless, there are consistently custom necessities in organizations where development help is needed for various web application systems.
For instance, If you are maintaining a modern business like travel, you would require web application development for your next travel portal with different travel website features, a web application development for online education with LMS features, a real estate web application development with features for real estate agents and customers, and a health care web application for business to patient care. Similarly, the need for web application development requirements is simply unending.
In the event that your business needs interaction with your clients whenever they need it, then you might need a web application with chat, social media, API integrations, and custom API development to provide web services on schedule.
What are the Modern Technologies that help to Build Web Applications?
Website design and development technologies are evolving so fast in movement with present day internet era systems. Knowing the new and modern web technologies in the market will permit businesses to build websites that will meet the client's expectations and be in trend.
Here are some of the best, top and popular open-source website development technologies for custom development:
WordPress CMS websites
Drupal CMS websites
Shopify eCommerce websites
Magento eCommerce website
Here are some of the new & modern website development/web application frameworks for custom development:
Webflow web design tool
React JS framework
AngularJS framework
Vue JS framework
Laravel PHP framework
TensorFlow cloud cache framework
Ultra-fast and very new static site generator frameworks for custom web development are:
Next.js full-stack web development
MeteorJS for cross-platform app development
How to Maximize Digital Marketing Efforts for Small Business Websites?
Whenever you have concluded that your small business requires a website, begin considering how to make the best use of digital marketing channels. Website design combined with digital marketing provides quicker reach to your target audience. Do immediately consider the following digital marketing efforts to expand your business visibility:
Local SEO with Google My Business
Social Media Marketing, mainly across Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, Linkedin
Lead Generation Ad campaigns
How to Select a Website Application Developer for Your Business?
Owning a web application opens a new perspective for business owners. A web application allows them to enter new markets, create a loyal customer base, and acquire customers at a lower price. However, building a web app isn't easy. Very often, you need to spend a great deal of time choosing a reliable web app development company among the broad range of software development service providers. To find the best technology partner for your web application, you need to know the fundamental principles of how to choose a web development company.
Here are some of the process element involved in different size of web application development:
Low-fidelity wireframe development
High-fidelity wireframe development
Application UI screens design
Application interactive prototype build
Scalable code development
Custom API development and API integrations
Website vs. Web Application
Below are the of differences between Web Application and Website:
Key Differences | Website | Web Application |
---|---|---|
Interaction | Static (mainly to display information to users) | Dynamic (mainly to interact with users) |
Authentication | Not required | Mostly required |
Page Type | Static (users see the same information) | Dynamic (every user sees different information) |
Compilation | Not required | Required |
Deployment | Small changes can be updated in HTML code | To make small changes, the entire project must be re-compiled and deployed |
Programming Languages | HTML, CSS, JavaScript | HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, ASP, Python, Ruby, Java, etc. |
When you need to choose between a web app and a website for your business, it is hard to determine which is better at first glance. Websites and apps run in a browser, require an internet connection, and have a back-end and front-end developed in the same programming languages. Moreover, on sites, apps might include such features as integration, interactivity, and authentication.
Our team wants to emphasize that the difference between web apps and sites is real. It is necessary to understand this difference when you are in search of an online solution for your business model. You should also remember that the process of app development is much more difficult than standard site creation, which is why you need a more experienced team for app development. Remember that most online retailers hire us for the development of their online shops on eCommerce platforms, so you can consider this a strong option. We hope that this article sets the record straight and gives you a clear idea of what type of solution you need and what team to hire for the development process.
If you are interested in these services or would like an additional consultation concerning your future eCommerce solution, Contact us now!