Do you ever wonder if you’re on a website or a web app when scrolling down a web page? It is highly unlikely, for sure. Well, it’s not surprising, seeing as most users don’t notice much difference between websites and web apps. This is why hiring an experienced custom web app development service is crucial for your business.
There is, however, a growing standoff between websites and web apps when deciding which is best for conducting business online. An in-depth comparison of a web app and a website will be provided in this article. In addition, we’ll help you determine which option is best for your business based on your business needs.
What is a Website?
Websites are collections of web pages and associated content that are identified by a common domain name and are hosted by at least one web server. The websites Wikipedia.org, Amazon.com, and Google.com are among the most popular examples. It is every publicly available website that contributes to the World Wide Web (WWW).
Private websites, like in-house company websites, can only be accessed via private area networks. Generally, an average website focuses on one purpose or topic, whether it’s education, commerce, social networking, entertainment, or news. The hyperlinking between pages allows the user to navigate the site, which, more often than not, begins with the home page.
It is possible to access websites from a variety of devices, including laptops, desktop computers, smartphones, and tablets. This type of device uses a web browser software application. It is possible to categorize websites into two broad categories—interactive and static.
What is a Web Application?
Web applications or web apps are software applications that run on a web server, as opposed to lists of computer software that run locally on any device’s Operating System (OS). With the help of an internet connection, end-users can access web apps through their browser.
This type of application is automated using a client-server architecture — the consumer is provided with services by an off-site server that a third party usually hosts. Online retail sales, webmail, online auctions, and online banking are examples of web apps that are frequently used.
Since single-page apps do not require moving between different pages with different Uniform Resource Locators (URLs), they are more app-like than classic web apps. It is possible to develop a mobile web app more quickly by utilizing the single-page web framework. No complex installation is required for web apps since they run within a browser.
What is the Difference Between a Website and a Web Application?
In many ways, websites and web apps are similar. It is widely believed that web apps are the next development of websites. Even so, there are some notable differences between the two technologies. Web applications differ from websites in the following ways:
- Function
- Complexity
- Access
Function
From the perspective of a user, the significant difference between a website and a web application is their functionality. The purpose of the former is to inform, and the purpose of the latter is to assist. Despite the ability to view, read, or listen to the content on it—the user cannot manipulate it.
On the other hand, the content of web applications can be viewed as well as interact with. It is possible to manipulate data through web applications. A form is an example of interactive web content. A web app is anything that provides a service on the Internet.
Complexity
The complexity of web applications is far greater than that of websites. Websites are simply collections of static web pages. Although modern web development standards have improved the interactivity of websites, they are still relatively easy to build compared to web applications.
Despite being able to use the same web technologies as websites, such as JavaScript, HTML, and CSS, web apps require more advanced programming languages, like PHP, frameworks, and server-side scripts. Additionally, web applications rely heavily on UX/UI design as users actively interact with them.
Access
Almost all web applications require registration and authentication in order to be accessed by the public. Generally, unregistered visitors to websites can access and interact with the same content as registered users. Web apps, however, almost always require user authentication because they provide services tailored to the user’s needs.
Real-world examples of this can be found in banking apps. Despite all account holders receiving similar services online, each user receives a unique experience based on their banking information.
Websites and Web Applications Examples
- Google Docs – A leading web application, Google Docs allows you to create documents with live editing, real-time collaboration, multiple formats, automatic uploads to Google Drive, and more.
- Gmail – Another Google product. Gmail is a single-page email client. In addition to sending and receiving emails, you can also label, sort, archive, schedule emails, set reminders, and chat using the integrated Hangouts app.
- Facebook and Instagram – Examples of web applications are these social media platforms. These applications demonstrate web applications’ prowess with their attractive user interface, exciting new features, multiple graphic support, real-time chatting, and shopping market interfaces that allow new businesses to market their products and sell their products.
Alternatively, websites are information web pages such as blog posts, educational sites, eCommerce sites, Q&A forums, service sites, and even search engine sites.
- Wikipedia – One of the most popular websites, Wikipedia provides information on a variety of topics through the compilation of thousands of web pages.
- Google.com – Today, this is one of the most widely used websites in the world. The website is an extension of Google’s search engine, handling millions of requests daily from millions of users.
- YouTube.com – This is the world’s leading video hosting and sharing platform. This website, which has both a web app and mobile apps, is still widely used and ranks second on the list of the top-ranking websites.
Should You Build a Website or a Web App For Your Business?
Having learned about the differences between websites and web apps, you might be wondering which one would be more effective for your company. Making this decision can be challenging. It is easiest to answer this question by imagining your goals and visions.
You should consider a website if you want users to learn more about your business and your products or services. In contrast, if you wish to provide a service to users, you will need to create a web application. Get in touch with us when you need to create a website or develop an app. By analyzing and understanding your business requirements, we are able to offer you the best possible solutions. To learn more about our custom web app development services, contact us at 888-531-9995 at Laminar Consulting Service today!
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