Mobile App vs Mobile Website

Nearly half of the people in the United States are using smartphones and just about half of all internet searches are done using mobile devices. Considering these facts, business owners are wisely asking themselves, “How can my business benefit from this trend?”. A business can either have a mobile website, mobile app, or both. A mobile website basically has all the same benefits and characteristics of a standard website, but is also compatible with a handheld device. A mobile

app is capable

of being more interactive with its user than a website. Because it is downloadable to the mobile device, it can serve as a bookmark to frequently used websites or may contain information without needing an internet connection. Here are some benefits to both a mobile website and mobile app:

Mobile Website

• Visibility. Mobile websites can easily be found on search engines. In addition, when a user visits your standard website with their handheld device, they can be automatically redirected to your mobile site. If your mobile website is referred to in a different website or blog, a link may be provided guiding them there immediately.
• Compatibility. Mobile websites can be seen by many different mobile devices. They do not need to be specialized for the particular device used.
• Expense. The cost of a mobile website is several times less than the time and cost of an app development.

Mobile App

• Interactive. Like a computer program, a mobile app can interact with its user. When the app is downloaded onto the mobile device, it can perform a function even without internet connection.
• Convenient. Once app is downloaded, the information is ready immediately for the user on their mobile device, which is much appreciated by those busy consumers.
• Customer Loyalty. An app keeps the mobile user informed and engaged. It creates a great avenue for communication with your business’s consumer base.

The question is no longer, “Should I have an internet presence?” or “Should my business have a mobile presence?“. The expansive market for mobile internet users has been established. The new question is, “How can my business best reach these mobile users?”. Understand your goals and marketing strategy to understand which avenue, mobile website, mobile app, or both, would work best for your company.