Mobile Websites vs. Mobile Apps.
It’s common knowledge these days that having a mobile presence for your business is one of the best things you can do. Being accessible to your customers via mobile is simply smart business nowadays, as a huge percentage of people are surfing the web and conducting business solely via mobile. How do you decide to have a mobile website or mobile app? The following will determine the differences between the two: –
Mobile Websites
A mobile website is basically just a website that is optimized specifically for smaller screens, often has touch-screen capabilities and is more streamlined for ease of access and visibility. They are designed to be accessible through any mobile browser on almost all smart phones. You just type the URL on mobile and the site automatically detects that it is being accessed through a mobile device, changing its settings to optimized media.
Mobile Apps
A mobile app is a bit more engaging. An app has to be downloaded and installed to your device, such as a smart phone or tablet. You have to access it from a mobile marketplace like Google Play, the Apple App Store, or Amazon Marketplace (and others). Mobile app, offers specific features and functions that websites do not.
Mobile-optimized website
- Makes websites more accessible for smart phone and tablet users
- Layout, functionality and visibility are mobile friendly.
- Easy accessibility
- Simple but effective functionality
Mobile App
- User control over features and functions
- Customer-specific incentives, rewards and communication
- On-the-go functionality
- Push notifications, geo fencing, and localized marketing
- Social media interaction
- Loyalty programs
- Mobile payments and accounting features
- One-tap functionality
- Increased customer engagement
These days both Mobile apps and Mobile websites have taken a place in the mobile driven market. It serves a good idea for most businesses to have both, but if you were hard-pressed to choose one, you should go with a mobile app every time. It offers your customers much more engaging functionality that will show a higher return on investment. Customers are likely to download the app when they find out about all of the incentives and rewards involved, they’ll share on social media, which will allow you to recruit more clients, and you can always be available to them 24/7. You can offer your customers excellent customer service and save time and money on your end through streamlined functionality.