2018 marks the 10th anniversary of the app ecosystem that we recognize today. There are an estimated 12 million mobile app developers around the world. As smartphones become more affordable, apps are also becoming ubiquitous. Android leads the pack with nearly 6 million developers creating apps for the Playstore, while nearly 3 million focus on the Apple app store.
Many small businesses are still reluctant to adopt mobile technology. They have already invested in a website and are satisfied with the current amount of traffic. But due to the tectonic shift in the digital space, not adapting to a mobile market can not only mean missed opportunities, it can also mean the future demise of your business.
To stay competitive, you need to stay on top of your customers’ preferences and online behavior. Apps can play an important role in improving customer engagement, making payments easier, building loyalty and increasing results. When deciding to build an app for your business, there are three main approaches to consider: native, web, or hybrid approach. Each has its own benefits depending on your business goals and resources. Here is a summary of these different types of applications:
native apps
Native apps are faster and more responsive. They are called “native” since they were created for a specific platform like Apple iOS or Android. They are made using the software development kits (SDKs) for a given framework, hardware platform, or operating system. Since they are optimized for the device’s operating system, they can have full access to the device’s capabilities, including camera, microphone, GPS, etc. without dealing with the complexity of native plugins. You can also store data that can be accessed offline. Due to the better responsiveness, it is better for graphics applications, HD games, and animation intensive applications. Since native apps are more stable and reliable, users report a better user experience and spend more time using other types of apps.
One drawback is that each platform requires application development using a specific coding language. This implies different skill sets of the application development team which can drive up the cost. Each app store also has its own approval and publishing process which can cause delays in app release.
Web applications
Web apps are basically websites that are set up to look like real apps as long as the device has a web browser. To “install” them, the user simply creates a shortcut on their home screen. They are run by a browser and are usually written in cross-platform technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, which are common coding languages. Because they are cross-platform ready, you don’t need a team of developers who know Apple iOS or Android platforms well. This makes creating them significantly less expensive. Compared to native apps, web apps are also easier to distribute. You have more freedom to design them and you are not subject to the rules imposed by Google or Apple. They are more convenient to maintain and upgrade, especially when you want to keep adding new features.
However, they require Internet access and the quality of their performance depends on the Wi-Fi speed or cellular signal strength. They also have limited graphics capability and low device integration. They cannot access certain functions of the phones, such as the microphone or the camera. Touch gestures are not always responsive and can have noticeable “lag”, which can negatively affect the user experience.
hybrid apps
Hybrid apps combine beneficial features of native app and web app technologies. The goal of creating a hybrid app is to provide the experience of a native app while maintaining the simplicity of a web app. Some developers choose hybrid apps to conveniently integrate device features like GPS, camera, or push notifications. Since hybrid apps can be distributed through app stores, they have the added benefit of accessing the customer base of Apple and Google platforms. Because they are still essentially web apps, they are cheaper to develop, but may require experts who have more specialized knowledge of the phone’s different interfaces and features. They also fall short when it comes to the polished look, graphic capabilities, and responsiveness of a native app.
