Mobile Apps or Mobile Websites?

 Bit-Wizards Posted this article on their blog concerning the mobile usage and the new trend of both Mobile Apps and Mobile Websites.  It is an interesting read to give businesses a heads up when it comes to making the choice of one or another.  Thanks Bit-Wizards


As growth in mobile technology continues, with estimations of nearly two billion Internet-enabled mobile devices by the year 2013, companies are being forced into thinking about the creation of mobile-friendly versions of their websites and or applications. The decision to adapt to the mobile platform is completely dependent on your objectives, your budget, your potential market, and most importantly, the needs of your users. With mobile usage growing exponentially, it’s not a question of whether you should adapt to the mobile platform, but how.


Ever since Apple launched their iPhone app store, Apple has been pushing its apps to get all of the attention. New apps and downloads consistently steal headlines, while the mobile web is largely ignored by the media, but embraced by the user. Despite what marketing would lead you to believe, consumers use the mobile web just as much as apps, if not more.

If you are reading this blog, you obviously already have a dog in the race. Now, you need to worry about user adoption and engagement. User assurance and apprehension for these new technologies, privacy issues, and the size of the device are all issues that need to be addressed.  A successful strategy will address all of these issues and go further in alleviating user concerns to truly obtain user trust, which is the primary concern of users utilizing mobile web over mobile applications.

But, how will you decide? A mobile application is essentially software developed to run on mobile devices. Apps were popularized by the iPhone, iPad, and Blackberry, but are also being developed for the Android, Windows Mobile, Palm, and Symbian operating systems.

Mobile applications may serve as a mobile storefront, allowing for purchases within the application itself. For example, the iPhone eBay app generated $400 million in revenue in 2009. Apps generate more money, because iTunes makes it easier for consumers to pay through their easy and familiar interface. Similar to Amazon’s 1-click ordering, iTunes is a virtual pocketbook used by millions of consumers. A mobile website can’t integrate with iTunes billing — you need an app for that.

Businesses must consider the cost and maintenance involved in developing applications for specific mobile operating systems that may have different technical standards and terms. Each platform has advantages and disadvantages that must be considered, and again, you must look to your typical user for guidance. In addition, if you’re looking toward an international strategy, operating systems and platform markets will vary by country.

And, I believe, one of the most satisfying benefits of the mobile web is the freedom to rapidly innovate and refine without approval or requiring the user to update and download.

So… which should you choose? A mobile web site or a mobile application? The short answer is (as always): It depends. And this time, it solely depends on your target audience, and unless there is sufficient customer demand, an optimized mobile website is your best bet. It requires less commitment from a potential customer and allows access to all, plus it allows you to hone your mobile presence, therefore when you make the leap into application development, you are ready. Once you’ve optimized the experience, you can use your mobile website to graduate users to a more robust native app.