How to Choose What You Need

Website or App - How to Choose What You Need

This is the first of three articles that will discuss whether a website or app is right for your business. Here we provide a an overview of the subject. In the next two articles we'll take a closer at the pros and cons of each option.

When it comes to the question of whether your company needs a website or app, many experts say 'both'. After all, with both at your disposal, you can maximize the distribution of your content.

However, this two-pronged approach is not always realistic. More importantly, it may be a prudent decision to PURSUE only one option at a time. Which you need first is ultimately a business decision.

When considering a website or app, there are many factors that will influence the decision. These include:

The products or services you sell

Current industry trends

Customer base

The scope of your project goals

your budget

What's the difference?

On the one hand, websites are excellent tools for disseminating information and educating visitors. They can be as simple as a kind of online brochure, or hundreds or thousands of pages deep.

Your website forms the core of your online identity and allows users to discover large amounts of content at their own pace and learn about your business.

Keep in mind that, on mobile devices as Internet usage continues to climb well beyond 50%, your website must be optimized for mobile viewing.

On the other hand, apps are immediately attractive and feature more specific (and limited) than content websites. They focus attention on a few user functions and deliver instant value. An app can also be a clear way to differentiate you from the competition by offering a similar service in a faster, more convenient format.

Apps can deliver information in real-time, provide a location-based services, and access to your mobile device features such as native images, notifications, and sensors. Some app features and content can also be accessed offline.

Key Considerations when choosing a website or app

Now that the core capabilities of the website and apps are understood, two factors that will influence your decision will be business services and budget.

First, what kind of company are you? If you are a standard service business, website is probably a tool to begin with. A utility company is a good example of a business that would benefit from a more beautiful at the start, user-focused website with a lot of content.

For a tech-centric business (think Instagram or GrubHub), a mobile app would be more valuable because it allows for instant user action. The Waze app is a great example. Waze provides location-based navigation coupled with real-time updates from other users - no need to access a website.

Second, what is your budget? The cost of design and development Can Vary greatly depending on the scope of your website or app.