Responsive Websites Vs Mobile Websites Vs Mobile Apps

Mobile Technology has changed our lives in the past few years. The incessant evolution of mobile phones, regular release of latest mobile OS versions, availability of different varieties of mobile apps and high-speed internet connections have entirely transformed our lives to completely depend on mobile devices for all our online activities.

Apart from mobile devices, people have now started using smartphones, tablets and other hand-held devices for connecting to the internet, from anywhere and anytime they need. This revolution has made many companies to shift from Desktop to Mobile strategy for their online businesses.

Moreover, the shift from desktop to mobile devices also necessitates web designers and developers to refocus their web designing process, to create websites that support all hand-held devices.

The web designers and developers follow various approaches to make mobile web presence. They build a separate mobile website or mobile application for users to view websites on their mobile phones. The latest approach followed for this purpose is the Responsive Web Design.

To make a mobile presence, every business needs to decide on which route to go down - Mobile Website or Mobile Application? Mobile website or Responsive Website?  Mobile application or Responsive Website?

Mobile Website:

A mobile website is a website created significantly for small-screen devices. Similar to a regular website, mobile websites can also be accessed through various browsers. A mobile website generally consists of limited content and hence it is light-weighted and faster when compared to regular websites. If a browser is using mobile phone to view a website, then the website automatically detects that the website has accessed on a mobile phone and then it redirects the browser to a separate URL to view the mobile specific website.

Why do you need a separate mobile website?

Even though the invention of smartphones has changed the importance of mobile websites, certain cases still exists where mobile websites make sense. Limiting the view's options to only what they require to perform on their mobile phone is achieved effectively through a separate mobile website.

Mobile Applications:

Mobile applications are the applications developed mainly for mobile device platforms such as iPhone, Android, Google, etc. Usually, mobile applications have been downloaded from app stores. There are a large number of mobile applications available for various platforms. As there are many mobile phones available with various operating systems, mobile applications are incredibly expensive to develop and maintain.

When do you need to develop a mobile application?

In recent days, the things what you are able to accomplish using a standalone mobile application can now be able to easily done with a website. But still the necessity of using mobile applications for businesses is there around. Mobile applications are great for storing a large amount of information such as video, audio and catalogues. Even though the applications have a huge amount of information, the users are not required to wait on loading information over a slow 3G Internet connection. This is how the mobile applications greatly enhance user's experience.

Responsive Web Design:

Responsive Web Design is a latest approach to web design that allows you to create responsive websites. A responsive website is a website that can adapt itself on various screen-sizes regardless of the devices that you use it. Responsive websites are usually optimized for viewing on mobile phones, tablets and desktops.  Hence, the Responsive Web Design approach eliminates the need for developing separate website for every mobile device platform. This approach is currently preferred by web designers and developers as it covers a large number of users' devices.

Mobile websites vs. Mobile applications

Suppose, your website is relating to marketing and it requires a wider customer reach, then a mobile website is apt for your business. A mobile website provides greater compatibility with different browsers and allows constant updating. However, if your website needs interaction with users such as accessing personal data or sharing user information, then a mobile application works better for your business.

If you want your website that has been easily shared and accessed, then mobile application is the right option. People can easily find out your mobile website by using any of their browsers. In case, your company involves in services like reporting and calculations or game creation and promotion, then using mobile application is the best solution.

Mobile applications have the ability to work without the internet connection. Conversely, mobile websites cannot work in such situation. Moreover, mobile applications require very high development cost when compared to mobile websites.

Mobile websites vs. Responsive Web Design

If you want to provide users a mobile experience that engrosses speedy decisions and also selling and buying, then you need to have a separate mobile website. However, if you want to constantly add something or update your website based on new trends, then having a single responsive web design is the best option.

As a responsive website is entirely composed of complicated codes and technicalities, it requires a huge development cost. However, a mobile website requires a very low development charges. When considering the optimization process and SEO, responsive website takes up the priority than the mobile websites.

Responsive Web Design vs. Mobile Applications

When thinking about the advantages of using responsive websites, first thing that comes to our mind is the download activities that are not required for responsive websites whereas the mobile applications require you to download them from app stores. Also, a responsive website doesn't require you to update any information again and again. You just need to update the information on your main website that makes your work done.

Responsive websites provides you the compatibility across various platforms. It enables the content updates in the websites driven by Content Management Systems. The main disadvantage of using a responsive website is that the responsive website cannot be used without an internet connection while the mobile applications support this situation. Comparing the development cost, both responsive websites and mobile applications entail a strong budget.

To Make Your Mobile App Popular

 The immense popularity of electronic mobile devices has also brought about the popularity of mobile applications. A mobile application, also called a mobile app, is a software application that is created and developed to run on mobile devices such as mobile phones and tablets. Hence, it is not surprising that more and more companies, businesses, and websites are now delving into the development of their own mobile apps.

Although some companies choose to create their own mobile app, there are some who let a mobile app development company handle the job. No matter who is actually making your mobile app, a very important question is how to make it popular. Below are some tips that can help you in making your mobile app popular.

Offer a free version - The best marketing for a mobile app is a free version. There is a bigger chance that your mobile app will be popular if it is available for free download. However, you will still need to make money. In order to make some money directly from your mobile app, you will have to sell it. Unfortunately, many people will not immediately pay for a mobile app that they have not tried and used. The best compromise so that initial reception of your mobile app is warm, is to offer a free version of your mobile app and then have some features available only upon purchase of the paid version.

Update regularly - A typical mobile app developer probably recognizes the importance of regularly updating your mobile app. These updates are like bumps or nudges to your mobile app's popularity every few weeks or so. Aside from having your mobile app regularly updated to reflect OS changes and other trends, it will help keep your app among the latest apps.

Get people to review - A lot of people use ratings and reviews to help them decide whether to download a mobile app or not. You can help boost your mobile app's popularity by asking your customers and clients to rate or review it. This will also help you get some vital feedbacks that will help you improve your mobile app.

Buy ads - Although this may be a last resort for a lot of people, buying ads to promote your mobile application has its advantages. This practice will help you reach a lot more potential customers from anywhere in the world and those that would not have been aware of your mobile app.

Misconceptions About Mobile Application Development

Smart phones are smart devices that have changed the way we work and perceive. Mobile application development industry has seen unprecedented growth in the recent time. With rapid changes it the mobile industry it is hard to keep up with the latest technologies. Mobile application development is a daunting task and often makes business's vulnerable to making big-ticket mistakes. This post summarizes some of the most likely misconceptions about mobile application development.

Once my App is build, my job is done.

Novice mobile application developers, often believe that apps sell themselves, as long as they are high on quality and functionality. Alas, this isn't the reality, it's just the beginning. The App stores were never designed with an intention to meet business requirements and in no fashion makes your app stand out of the rest. Marketing of your mobile app is necessary to prevent it from being lost in the crowd. There are several marketing tools available that can be used to enhance their presence in the App stores and effectively bridges the gap between the apps and targeted audience.

Mobile application development is a simple and swift process, can have my app developed in no time.

Building an app demands both time and expertise to create unique and innovative applications. For instance, a game development app requires rich graphics, demanding more time for conceptualization and final implementation.

Mobile application development is a costly affair and meant for big businesses only.

There is no such thing as thumb rule for mobile apps, as such it is difficult to determine the price of an app. The cost of developing an varies greatly from app to app. For instance, apps with more functionality are more expensive and takes more time to build compared to those with basic functionality.

There's fierce competition in the apps market, my app won't survive.

There are thousands of apps being added to the app store everyday. With so many apps available to grab the attention of the consumers you need to have an intuitive and user-friendly app that will propel them to download it. All you need is a little creativity and foresight to get grooving.

Emails are far more effective means to provide information to your customers and partners compared to mobile applications.

According to a survey, it has been found that on an average a person spends about 2.7 hours everyday on their mobile devices. Also a professional on an average receives over 100 e-mails per day. If used in the right manner, mobile apps can definitely acts as potential means of information sharing with your clients and customers.

Mobile Apps Transformed Lives in the Modern Day

With the advent of smart phones and innumerable apps integrated with these devices, accessibility is no more a question. Whether it is about wishing your friend on her birthday, who stays miles away from you or finding the nearest medicine shop in an area, everything can be done with just the tap of your finger. The introduction of mobile apps in our lives has not only made it easier and comfortable but also made us more organized and efficient.

Every other day a new application arrives on the market promising new features and a better assistance in our day to day life. Although these programs are developed under different genres and have diverse uses, all of them work towards our betterment. Here are some common benefits with which these small devices with applications engraved on them have changed the way we live.

It Saves Time

If you have a smart phone loaded with the best apps, it's like carrying the world in your hands. You need not think and hop around for finding something. Apps like Google maps have made locating places fun and easy. Be it the local food court or the place of your most important client, just get the information within seconds and get going. Education and business apps have made it a lot easier to get hold of information within seconds without waiting for books to arrive or waiting to get home to catch the latest news. Apps like Daily art, Book Lovers, CNN Money have made this possible.

It Connects People

While most people say technology has become our best friend in the present scenario, the fact is it has brought the world a couple of inches closer. Popular android and iOS mobile apps like LINE and What's Up, have made collaborative work more fun than stress. Moreover with these applications at your finger tips you need not even think about the age old texting technique to connect with your friends or families staying far away. An internet connection is all you need to communicate with any one and every one and at any time. The exchange of ideas, views and thoughts have become even more elaborate and expressive over applications like twitter, facebook etc. This has led to a cultural enrichment that could never have been achieved at this rate without these programs.

It Increases Productivity

In the 21st century where everything is about competition and perfection, a person needs to take care of multiple things in parallel without ignoring a single task. Becoming organized, and having the schedule at finger tips has become vital for progress. Apps like Evernote and Any.Do have made scheduling, prioritizing and planning very simple and efficient. With these you can take instant notes, set reminders, prioritize tasks that are more important and all this without raking your brains or carrying a bunch of notepads and sticky notes. Not only work, iOs mobile apps like Way Of Life bring about an immense change in your daily routine speeded up everything around us.

It Increase Accessibility

Today, a smart phone is all you need to get most things you want. Shopping apps, food zone finders, health apps have left nothing out of your reach. Even there are First aid apps to help you in emergencies like accidents where no physical help is feasible or available.

Be it entertainment or information, mobile applications have changed our trends and train of thought and provided a means to strike a balance in our busy lifestyle.

Know about Mobile App development

The world will soon shift from laptops and computers to Smartphone. With over 350,000 iPhone applications available, the exponential growth in mobile applications are undisputed. But, newly developed Android might soon take over with its 100,000 apps and more growing rapidly. Apps, taking advantage of high-tech like motion sensor, GPS and light sensor and interacting with hardware can give one a greater and more interactive experience than what one's PC would be able to.

Mobile App development

It is the process by which application software is developed for digital assistants or mobile phones. These applications may be pre-installed, or you may want to download it from various app stores, websites that provides mobile application software. Today, there are several mobile applications to choose from that cater to all kinds of mobile phone users.

iPhone app development

There are numerous iPhone apps available to choose from. Since 2009, from the time iPhone came into focus, apps has been developed by various software developers. 

iPad App development

iPad apps are more than just a bigger iPhone app. iPad app development require a specialized design specifically made for them and which also understands the way it works . An iPad app maybe combined with an iPhone app. The combination creates an application that works on both iPhone and iPad.

Android App development

With more than 100,000 apps already available for Android, Outware realizes the potential that Android has and is currently developing more Android applications. Maintained by Google, Android operating system has overtaken Nokia's Symbian to take the position of world's best selling Smartphone.

Apps for Android and iPhone are not compatible because they are written in different language and have different user interface experience. Using tools for development like cross platform to cut the cost, by developing an app that can be used in both iOS and Android does not yield good result. 

Android apps development over other mobiles is a smart choice because it is simple. The multi-faceted platform is the greatest advantage of Android apps, as it can be used almost on all operating system. The publishers can easily publish it online facilitating easy downloads by the user. A no-fuss technology also allows it to have great application enabling features.

Custom App development

Although it gives you unique features, the way you choose, the cost is on the higher end. Custom Apps are designed for a specific function. Custom Application development allows you to have any design that you choose. If you like your phones to have applications that are unique to your phone alone, these are for you. However, time and cost are the major constraints.