Apps: To Download or to Browse via Internet, a look into Native vs. Web Apps
This isn’t a debate of whether native applications are superior to web applications (or vice versa) but rather the functionality of either pertaining to what kind of interaction you want your user to have when he/she operates the application. To figure that out, it’s helpful to know how these two types of apps differ from one another.
In basic terms a native app is an app that you would find sitting on your home screen of your iPhone /Android/BlackBerry. These are normally found through the device’s app store and are created for that specific device. You Facebook and Twitter application, along with games like Plants vs. Zombies, are all found within the app store/market and are downloaded directly to your smartphone.
The benefits lie in that these native apps can be found in one place, which facilitates browsing and downloading. Also, you’ve heard someone say something along the lines of, “You should check out this app … “, which is most commonly referring to a native app. It’s rare to hear a user refer to a mobile web app in the same fashion. These apps sit on your home screen, a constant reminder to use it, often with the ability to have push notifications to encourage further usage.
Since the many of native apps aren’t dependant on 3G/4G/internet connect like web apps, loading times are less and allows for a faster visual experience. You can allow these apps to connect to your camera, music, contacts, etc. for an enhanced experience. Categories like social networking, gaming, and entertainment based apps are most likely native. Lastly, native apps are more secure in that they don’t need to connect (not frequently or even at all) to a network in order to function.
Moving on to web/mobile apps, the benefits here coincide with some of the downfalls of creating a native app. Thanks to HTML 5, jQuery/Javascript, web apps are looking and functioning better than ever. Though having your web app work across different smartphone maybe a concern, there are plenty of options to help conversions. Regardless, these apps can be developed more quickly than a native app.
Having a web app also ensures that the app is current. Updates can happen almost instantly and without prompt. If there are bugs or glitches, you don’t have to wait until a later version is released to have these incidents fixed. This helps to smooth a user’s interaction and experience.
Anyone with a smartphone with internet access can reach these mobile sites. Though there is a cost on the development side for these apps, for the consumer they’re typically free (there are some subscription based web apps). When compared to buying an app or using one for free, free will always have a higher conversion rate. Also, since it is the internet, you are approved automatically and without having to jump through hoops to get past filers. There isn’t an app market to control what you’re looking at … a bonus for an adult themed apps.
Though native apps have enhanced access capabilities, mobile apps have the ability to utilize geo-location as well. With the help of GPS, the mobile version of Facebook or Foursquare, a business can run local based specials with this feature. This goes along as well with off-line caching. The user can shop online and save items in the shopping cart and to return to it later without having to worry about searching through the app again. In addition to shopping, categories such as news, print, and broadcasting are apt to be more web based app.
Again, this isn’t a contest between the two types of apps because each has specific functionality that can be customizable. It’s just a question of which one is better suited for you and/or your business’s needs.
Written by: Charlotte Zoda
