What is Web Application Development? What Are the Benefits?

What Is a Web App?

In computer parlance, a web app is a client- and server-side software that clients use to run requests through web browsers. Simply put, you use a web app through your web browser, without having to install it on your device. The typical characteristics of web apps include:

• Cloud hosted. Users don’t have to download web apps on their devices, which is perfect when dealing with storage space constraints.
• Cross-platform. Web apps offer the same functionality across all web browsers, be it Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, Opera, or Microsoft Edge. In addition, a web app is responsive and works equally well on all types of devices.
• Compatibility. Users across platforms get access to the same version of a web app, which eliminates compatibility problems.
• Testing. Automated testing simplifies detecting possible problems and bugs.

How Web Apps Work

The basic manner in which web apps work is the same, and the transfer of information follows a predetermined path.

• You use a web browser or an app’s user interface to trigger a request.
• A web server forwards your request to the web application’s server.
• The web app server performs the required action and generates the desired result.
• The web app server sends the information you’ve requested to the web server.
• The web server delivers the information to your device.

What is Business Web Application Development?

The primary focus of business web application development is on browser integration, and not on following standard web development processes. More often than not, the start of the web application development process involves defining a problem, providing a mock solution, engaging with possible users, and choosing a suitable tool/framework. Then, the actual development gets underway. Testing a web app extensively before its launch is also crucial.

Web apps require web servers, application servers, and databases. While a web server processes and manages a user’s requests, an application server performs the required actions. A database holds all the information the app might need.

Most web apps have short development cycles, and they don’t need large development teams. A web app development agency typically creates the front end of web apps using languages such as JavaScript, HTML, and CSS. Java, Python, and Ruby are usually the go-to languages for server-side programming. While mobile/native apps tend to have specific software development kit (SDK) requirements, web apps do not.

Differences Between Web Apps and Websites

Websites tend to offer static content whereas web apps engage with users. Other differences include:

• Web apps require authentication and this is not necessary with websites.
• Web apps offer higher levels of functionality when compared to websites.
• A web app development agency needs to completely precompile web apps before launch, which is not the case with websites.
• Even making small changes to a web app typically requires re-deployment.

Web Apps Vs. Responsive Websites Vs. Native Apps

Responsive web designs make for better user experiences on mobile devices when compared to non-responsive websites. However, unlike web apps, they are not capable of providing offline support, push notifications, and customized content. While these features help build customer engagement, they also translate into increased conversions.

Native app developers need to build apps that are capable of running on specific operating systems such as iOS and Android. Upon the creation of a native app, you need to submit it to an app store such as Apple App Store or Google Play Store for review to make sure it meets the required standards. In case of any problem, you need to go at it again. Web apps conveniently sidestep this requirement since they function more like extensions of your website.

Types of Web Apps

Agencies that develop business web applications provide different alternatives, and the one that works best for your business depends on your specific requirements. For instance, do you wish to build user engagement or want to deliver business-related information?

Static Web Apps

These apps are very basic and offer little in terms of flexibility. You may regard static apps as ones that provide the same information to all users through a bunch of web pages, and they are not interactive. Besides, these apps leave no room for personalization because pages in web apps are generated on the server end. Businesses that need to part with key information or offer online portfolios may consider using static web apps.

Dynamic Web Apps

Interactive in nature, dynamic web apps are capable of retrieving different results based on user input. These involve sever- and client-side programming. These apps have no preset display order and depend on user inputs. In addition, a dynamic app uses a content management system (CMS) that works in modifying content as and when required. Typically, any web app that is not static is dynamic, as is the case with all the types that follow.

eCommerce Web Apps

eCommerce web apps are ones that let users make online purchases. Highly complex, eCommerce app development entails maintaining databases updated in real-time, managing orders, processing payments, and highlighting offers. Since creating a great user experience (UX) is very important with eCommerce apps, their interface should offer seamless operation across all types of devices.

CMS Web Apps

CMS web apps simplify how people with no technical know-how create and update online content. This can include adding content to a simple personal blog or making entries across multiple fields in a complex web app. While CMS apps aim to help non-technical users, it is best to leave their development to top-notch website and web app development providers.

Progressive Web Apps

Progressive web apps (PWAs) make use of the best that web apps and native apps have to offer. Users may save and access these apps directly from the home screens of their devices, like native apps. However, users do not need to download PWAs on their devices.

PWAs make use of a diverse variety of web technologies, APIs, and plugins, and are usually more cost-effective and quicker to develop when compared to native apps. Businesses may use PWAs to send personalized communication and push notifications with the aim of increasing engagement.

Benefits of Using Professionally Created Web Applications

Web applications are highly responsive. This means they work equally well with mobile phones, tablets, laptops, and desktops. Getting a professional to develop business web apps comes with a host of other benefits that include, but do not limit to:

• Speed. Web apps tend to load faster than native apps, even when users face poor internet connectivity.
• SEO. It is possible for you to get search engines to index your web app, much like a website, which is great from the search engine optimization (SEO) point of view. Users can share links with ease, and you may also make use of a back-linking strategy. This is not the case with native apps.
• Data. Since web apps take little storage space and users don’t need to download them, they are more likely to find favor with people. Besides, users don’t need much data when browsing a web app. Caching brings down the data transfer requirements. A lesser number of API requests reduce your bandwidth and server capacity requirements.
• App stores. Since there is no download involved, web apps eliminate the need for app stores. This way, a web app development agency does not have to tailor-make apps to suit the requirements of different app stores.
• Development cost. For starters, you don’t need different apps for Android and iOS. In addition, unlike the development of native apps that require various tech stacks, web app development relies on standard web technologies. As a result, you’ll need to spend less in creating a web app when compared to a native app.
• Engagement. Addressing an important part of digital marketing, web apps can work wonders in building and boosting engagement. For one, caching ensures that people can use a web’s app offline capabilities to browse through it at any time. In addition, aspects such as location tracking and push notifications give marketers the means to provide tailor-made content.
• Conversion. Once you manage to build engagement with your target audience, it is only normal to expect a boost in conversion. This is because web apps simplify navigation and checkouts to efficiently move customers further down the sales funnel.

Are There Any Drawbacks?

If the web app development agency you partner with does not address all the important aspects, you might come across some downsides.

• Unauthorized access could be a concern.
• A web app might not work in the same manner across different web browsers, especially with the less popular ones.
• A web app might offer limited capabilities in accessing features of different devices.

The Role of Monitoring

Monitoring web apps helps trace end-to-end operations and isolate problems, be it with your web app development environment, a cloud service provider, or a third-party app provider. It can help detect application issues before they occur and provide suitable warnings/alerts in real time. In addition, web app monitoring involves working with encrypted and decrypted platforms.

Teams responsible for web app monitoring tend to rely on multiple tools because some can provide conflicting information. In addition, while a problem might present itself in a web app, its root cause might lie in a network or a server that hosts multiple apps/websites. The best web app reporting tools are capable of providing fault-related information based on browser type, type of app, and geography.

Why You Should Invest in a Web Application

A great thing about web application development is that web apps have something to offer to businesses of different sizes. Besides, partnering with a professional website and application development company ensures that your investment is in safe hands.

• Ease of maintenance. When compared to mobile or desktop apps, web apps come with simpler maintenance. This is because they typically use the same code throughout the application. Besides, web apps offer little to no compatibility issues.
• Multiplatform. Your customers and target audience can use your web app in the same way across different operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS) and browsers (Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, Opera, and Internet Edge).
• Searchable. Search engines view web apps as websites. This makes your web app discoverable in online searches.
• Linkable. Web apps offer no friction when using links. They are easy to share across devices and platforms.
• No need for an app store. Your web app does not require approval from any app store.
• No user-end updates. Your customers don’t have to update your web app on their devices. This happens at the development end, and all users benefit through the same updates.
• The cost factor. Web apps are typically cheaper to develop than desktop or mobile apps. In addition, when you are successful in building user engagement, you may expect a great return on investment (ROI).

Conclusion

Web apps have increased in popularity in recent times, and the trend is not going to reverse any time soon. Businesses across industries have benefited by using web apps owing to the functionality, interactivity, and performance they bring to the table. As long as you give your customers and target audience access to a web app that caters to their needs and helps build engagement, you can be sure of seeing a positive effect on conversions and customer retention.

Since there is no dearth of business web application development agencies that provide custom solutions, it is important to select one that works well for you. The agency you choose should be capable of building scalable solutions by relying on user-centric UI/UX designs, modern frameworks, and structured architecture patterns. In addition, it should arrive at a cost based on the type of app you need and the features you’re after.