Web Applications

This depends on your requirements, and what will work best for what you’re trying to achieve. It’s worth weighing up the pros and cons of having a web application developed, and what this will mean for your brand.

Some businesses will need a web app or a website. Others will need both to make the most of the digital market. It’s always a good idea to discuss with your agency your ideas, goals and what you would like an app to do, in terms of your overall digital strategy.

When considering a web development company for your application, you want to ensure that they will work with you as a partner and take your ideas into consideration while they are developing the web application, whilst also taking the time to understand your business, processes and customers.

It’s always a good idea to ask to see examples of other web apps that the development agency have worked on, whether they offer bespoke software development, and what their process is when working on a web app project.

This depends on the project, we prefer to use Agile, however, we can use Kanban and Warterfall depending on the project's requirements.

A native app is one that you would download to a smartphone and generally can work without an internet connection depending on the kind of app. On the other hand, web apps don’t need to be downloaded or installed, meaning they’re available to almost anyone with an internet connection.

Yes, just like native apps, web apps can be submitted to app stores and downloaded by anyone who has access. Unlike native apps you can use them whenever you have an internet connection — regardless of which device you are on.

It’s also worth noting that in most instances, web apps are easier to update/maintain, with a lower upfront/ongoing cost, in comparison to a native app.

A web app is beneficial due to lower development costs, the fact that it is easier to maintain and update, as well as generally being quicker to create. Additionally, web apps benefit from having one code bank for iOS and Android, rather than having to develop a native app for each operating system and app store.

Web apps rely on an internet connection — this is not always the case for a native app. While it is possible to get Wi-Fi or 3G/4G/5G in most locations, it’s something to be aware of. Similarly, web apps can operate a little slower than a native app. Also, make sure that you talk to your developers about browser support — you want to ensure that your app can be used on a range of browsers, so that it’s not a barrier.

As a general rule of thumb, yes: developing a web application is quicker than creating a native app. However, it is crucial to understand the differences before you make a decision based on your goals and ideas for the app. Bear in mind that custom web based application development will take time to get right, so this shouldn’t be seen as a quick fix.