We all know that technology plays a vital role in our lives. Moreover, if we plan to remain solvent, we must keep stride with the various technological developments. To begin with, it is essential for a developer or a web designer to know the clear-cut difference between a website and a web app development. And in this article, we will briefly discuss these two terms. By the end of it, you will be able to establish which one is a better choice for your business!
What is a website?
As defined by Wikipedia, A website can be described as a group of similar web pages or content that is usually found under an ordinary domain name. A website is generally created or built by an individual, a group of individuals, or an organization. When viewing or visiting a website, you may come across a variety of textual or pictorial content according to your search request.
A website comes under different categories, such as:
- Blog websites (WordPress, Ghost, Joomla)
- Magazine websites (The Swish Life Magazine. Wired, BMI Voyager)
- Social media websites (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram)
- Dating websites (Tinder, OkCupid, Coffee Meets Bagel)
- Educational websites (Coursera, Byjus, KVCH), and more.
What is a web application?
A web application can be defined as a programming application that is built with the help of web technologies. A client of its user is required to install this application. One can easily access it through the use of the internet. A fragment of it will operate on the client’s browser on accessing it, whereas the other one will work on the webserver. In other words, It is a much wider concept than a website. Web app developers should possess a good knowledge of Flash, HTML, Java for web development.
The distinct categories of web applications, for instance:
- E-commerce web apps
- Static web application
- Animated web apps
- Content management system web applications
- Dynamic web application
Further, now that we have covered the basic difference between the two terms. In this paragraph, let us view them from the business perspective. Consequently, every business organization either run by a single person or a group of people, requires the creation of websites or web applications. This way, the business can promote itself on a wider level.
Below all, are the key differences as well as business-related differences stated for websites & web apps.
KEY DIFFERENCES OF WEBSITE AND WEB APPLICATION
| BASIS | WEBSITE | WEB APPLICATION |
| KEY PURPOSE | Considered simple plus uncomplicated by the users for finding or obtaining data as per their requirements. Quite direct in nature. | Acts as an interactive, as well as a reactive, platform for the users. It allows the end-user in controlling the information plus seeking a variety of outcomes. |
| ATTRIBUTES & BENEFITS | Cost-effective, time-effective, easy to access, user-friendly, fulfills the needs of the users smoothly. | Aims at fulfilling the consumer needs, Adaptable, allows customized experience, Extendable. |
| ELEMENTS | HTML, JavaScript, CSS. | HyperText Markup Language, Flash, PHP, JavaScript, Django, Cascading Style Sheets, Scriptcase, Ruby. |
| EXAMPLES | Facebook.com, Google.com, Coursera.com, Myntra.com | Netflix, Youtube, Microsoft, Gmail. |
BUSINESS-RELATED DIFFERENCES
| FACTORS | WEBSITES | WEB APPLICATION |
| AVAILABILITY | One can easily gain access to websites through browsing. | The user is required to install the application on their device first. |
| COOPERATIVE NATURE | Simple cooperative nature with different devices. | A web app developer would have to create distinct applications for distinct devices. |
| INTERNET REQUIREMENT | The Internet is necessary for usage as it comes in online mode. | Can be accessed offline with ease. |
| CUSTOMIZATION | Not necessary. | An effective approach for the end-user according to their preferences. |
| REACH | A broader reach to its customers. | In comparison, a smaller reach. |
| SHAREABILITY | Can be shared directly among people with ease. | On the other hand, cannot be shared directly from one end-user to another. |
| VISIBILITY | Websites have higher visibility among the customers. Therefore, a customer can find one website quickly & easily. | Meanwhile, the visibility, as well as access to web apps, depends on the app stores. As compared to the sites, its visibility is slightly lower. |
| CONTENT UPDATING | When the content or layout of a website is modified or altered, In addition, the viewer can easily as well as immediately able to see that. | When an application undergoes any change or modification, the user is asked to first update the application from the app store in order to utilize or gain access again. |
| INTERACTIVE INTERFACE | Not very interactive. At most, the business might add a comment section at the end. | Keeping a web application interactive is an amazing decision. This increases its usability among the consumers. |
| COMPLEXITY | Can be built rather easily. Websites are not very complex. | Web application development is a complex task as web app developers should be very skilled to build a functional application. |
| SUPPORT & MAINTENANCE | It is easy to maintain plus support. | Proper support and maintenance are required for web apps as it constantly goes through certain changes or modifications. |
| TIME PLUS COST EXPENSES ON DEVELOPMENT | Lastly, these are quite time-effective, as well as cost-saving sources of web. | A lot of expense is spent on the costs, as well as a lot of time is spent on web app development. |
In The End
From the above-stated details, you can easily come to the conclusion. To sum up, a website is much more uncomplicated when compared with a web app. However, both of them share pros. as well as cons., which make them different from one another in a good sense. Likewise, if you inspect closely, it can be determined that web apps are much more powerful, although a bit complex to build.
Web development can be a tricky thing but it is very vital towards the growth of a business. Skilled, as well as qualified web app developers, are the suitable choice for achieving the correct results in web app development.
There are many providers of such services. Among them, iByte Infomatics has earned a remarkable name. One of the finest web app development software can be found here.
