Mobile Websites vs Mobile Apps for Your Business

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Within the past decade, we have seen a phenomenal rise in consumers using their mobile devices in order to shop online. Many leading retailers have responded to the demand with mobile-optimised websites as well as mobile apps, to assist consumers in their shopping habits. 

There’s no denying that smartphones are now dominant products in the mobile device industry, and there seems to be an app for literally everything nowadays; from shopping and banking to iGaming and mobile casino sites. So, when considering how you will set about your digital marketing venture for your business, you might well be thinking that a digital app if the way to go. 

Websites vs Apps – What Are The Differences?

A mobile website is much like regular desktop-based websites, only these HTML pages access via a web browser (and over the internet, of course) are optimised for small touch screens. If you access a mobile website from a mobile device, you are usually instantly redirected to a mobile version of that desktop website. This enables an improved browsing experience which is tailored to your smartphone, with no requirement to download any software. 

An app, on the other hand, is an application that is built with your handset and operating system in mind. You have to download an app from your phone’s app store. To access it, there is no requirement to go through a browser as the app icon will feature on your phone display. Some apps are chargeable, whereas others are free to download. 

Mobile Internet Habits

Surprisingly perhaps, studies have shown that most smartphone users prefer to use mobile websites over apps. Probably unsurprisingly, Amazon is the most used mobile shopping site. Before you jump straight into the development of your mobile website, however, consider the following:

  • What is the purpose of your product or service? Is it important for it to be accessible to your clients while they are offline? If so, consider the use of an app. 
  • What is your budget? A mobile website costs considerably less to build than an app. They are also more economical as they are cheap and easy to maintain and update. 
  • Do you want your product/service to be instantly accessible? Websites are easier to access initially since there is no download requirement. 
  • Who do you want your business to reach? Generally, a mobile site is a better option for reaching a wider audience since it can be located within internet search engine results.
  • Compatibility – sites are universal, whereas apps are specific to a mobile phone or operating system.

Studies have also shown that people tend to use their smartphones in the same way they would if they were shopping in a land-based shopping mall; they will browse several shops before deciding where to spend money. While there are clear benefits to both websites and apps, mobile sites also have this advantage over their app counterparts – it’s much easier to dip in and out of online shops and services via their websites on a browser, rather than downloading apps for each company. 

Final Thoughts

Both mobile websites and mobile apps are great advances in technology. However, overall, mobile sites tend to come up trumps; even delivering more return on investment. Take all your business needs into consideration of course, but on the whole, mobile websites are the wisest choice for your business marketing plan. 

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