In today’s ultra-competitive business landscape, it can feel as though you’re always struggling to keep up with the latest trends and technology. This struggle to keep up can make it hard to stay relevant and competitive, so the goal is to ultimately be in-line with the competition, if not ahead of the curve. One of the trends that businesses of all sizes and in all industries are really embracing is the creation of mobile apps meant to complement the website or act as a standalone product for customers/clients.
Apps can be functional, knowledge-based, or even a mobile commerce platform – all of which are value-added incentives. It can help bring customers to your company, create buzz, and help the business to carve out its own share of the market. However, there is thought that should go into the app creation, and it isn’t just in terms of the design. There are also different types of apps with each having its own list of pros and cons. So, which type of app is best for your company? Let’s take a closer look.
Progressive Web Apps
As its name implies, this type of app is web-based, which means it can be accessed as a website. The idea is that you open up the website and it looks and reacts as an app would. These styles of apps can be used on any mobile device and can also be used offline.
So, who does this type of app work best for? This is ideal for businesses that are working on a very tight budget and can't afford to go over. Out of all the types of apps, this style is the cheapest to build. These are also perfect for companies that want an app in a hurry, as they are usually quick to create and get to the market.
Where this style of app can be a con is that the design and user experience can't compare to other styles of apps. The possibilities are extremely limited, so you may not be able to “wow” people like you had hoped to. It also means that many of the high-tech features that other apps can offer just isn’t possible with a progressive web app.
Native Apps
This is perhaps the most well-known and often the most popular type of app. These are purpose-built apps that can be used on Apple or Android devices. They are apps that will appear in the Google Play or Apple App Store and typically use software such as Kotlin or Java in the development stage.
These styles of apps tend to perform the best in all aspects – design, speed, loading times, user-experience, high-tech features, functionality, and more. If your main focus is giving customers an experience that is positive and speaks for itself, a native app is the way to go.
So, what's the problem with this style? There is really only one, and unfortunately it can be big enough to hold businesses back. These tend to be quite expensive to build, but remember, you will be getting the superior end result.
Hybrid Apps
Then we have hybrid apps. These are meant to work on a variety of platforms since they use a single code-base, just like with the native apps you can find these in app stores. This is ideal for companies that want their app to be accessible to both Apple and Android users. It saves you from the expense of having to build two native apps.
And speaking of expenses, the hybrid apps tend to fall in the middle in terms of budget. While they are more money to build than a progressive web app, they are cheaper than native apps. Of course, just like with the other styles, hybrid apps do have some cons. The biggest con is the fact that they are often described as “clunky”. Because they aren’t purpose built for one platform, they just cannot perform at the same level.
Bring In The Professionals
Doing your own research is wise and suggested, but professional app developers can give you that one-on-one advice that will ensure you make the best choice. You can look into what’s perfect for you here at Appetiser. These professionals are well-versed in the various types of apps and what the best solution is. This is exactly why they offer free consultation to clients. You can get a sense of how they can come in the mix and help you out by offering advice and then designing an effective app.
Making An Informed Decision
So, before you go ahead with your plans to develop an app for your business, it’s a good idea to research the various styles of apps and make sure you’re picking the best option for your budget, the company’s needs, and of course your target user.
