Confused and finding it too difficult to distinguish between websites and Web Application? Wondering which is right for your business, a Web or Mobile application? The similarities and differences? Or wondering how to create a web application on your own? Or is it worthy to learn Web Application Development?
If you’re someone pondering over these questions in your head, then read ahead. This article is for you.
Web Applications gained its popularity with its inherent efficiency in catalysing the branding process. It is because this technology helps businesses or organisations to keep the interactions with the potential clients or other businesses intact, contributing to an overall enhancement to the brand development as well as building a brand identity. It makes growth and achieving goals simpler and faster.
In precise, Web Application can be defined as an application program that is stored in a remote server and delivered over the internet through a browser interface. Unlike websites who present static information, Web Applications are designed with an objective of end user interaction. But there are also certain shared characteristics between Web Apps and websites since the front-end and back-end technologies used for Web Application Development are similar to that of Web development.
For example, the web app developers also use HTML, JavaScript and CSS for the front-end just like in the websites. Similarly, developers can use server side languages such as Python or Ruby for the backend.
Similar to Mobile Apps, Web Apps have their focus on user experience and user interaction. In order to keep these optimised the web apps are required to be updated actively. Among the different kinds of Web Applications, the one that stays so similar to mobile apps are Progressive Web Apps. They show the combined features of both hybrid and native apps, making it accessible readily from any device for the user.
There are many different kinds of Web Applications available with their own unique features. Such as:
- Static Web Applications, which are the simplest ones with least flexibility. The languages used will be HTML and CSS, and usually used for displaying significant yet limited content. Customisation or other changes for these requires a whole lot of effort for these. Read only sites, resume/brochure/portfolio websites etc. are examples of static web applications.
- Dynamic Web Applications: They are much more sophisticated with respect to the static web applications, as they can deliver live data according to the requests of the users, keeping the user hooked with better engagement. Commonly built using PHPs and ASP.NETs. They can be seen frequently as in Google, Netflix, e-commerce sites etc.
- E-Commerce Web Applications: An e-commerce web application lets people buy and sell both physical and digital products and services. The operations of an ecommerce web application includes addition of new products, removal of old and unavailable ones, along with payment facilities with the help of an user friendly interface. . The most widely used ones are Amazon, Flipkart, Alibaba etc.
- Single Page Web Applications: SPAs are a dynamic web application variant which are fast and can implement both business and technological strategies in the client side browser without requiring frequent reloads. They are simple and faster as the communication is via asynchronous navigation and can be reconfigured easily to achieve desired results. Examples of SPAs are Twitter and Gmail.
- Portal Web Application: Portal Web Applications are the most befitting web applications for businesses and organisations as it can build custom interfaces ideal for meeting the demands and requirements of target audience. With it, one can have access to different sections on the homepage. It provides provision for users to login, which is essential for a streamlined user experience. The user activities can be supervised once they login. Portals provided by various agencies or organisations are examples for this.
- Content Management System Web Application: A Content Management System Web Application interface allows the owner to create or modify the content without even dwelling into the complexities of the programming language. The owner can easily login via the admin panel and update the necessary modifications, can have a preview of it and create rectifications if required and proceed. There are different variants of CMS Web Applications available such as WordPress, Joomla, Drupal.
- Animated Web Applications: Though these are not the types suitable for Search Engine Optimisation or ranking, this web application provides space for creativity. The contents will be displayed with animations, captivating the attention as in Marie Weber.
- Rich Internet Web Applications: These are versatile Web Applications which can function both in online and offline, with visually pleasing contents displayed along with the most interactive user interface.
All these distinctions and variants provide businesses with better user interactivity with its own distinctive features and twists. But ultimately serves the purpose.
Web Application Development: Advantages and Disadvantages
Web Applications possess high portability as they have multiplatform adaptability. No matter the type of device you are accessing it from, it will never affect the functionality of web apps as long as you have a good internet connection. Web Apps can be ideal if you want to give your customer a seamless user experience by adding possibilities for user interaction, irrespective of the operating system. This returns as heightened customer loyalty.
As Web Application Development is strictly code based, it addresses many of the setbacks of both websites and mobile apps. Whether it be in regard to the resources required or time and effort or with respect to the deployment. It is easier to develop and does not require to be installed or updated back to back, which adds convenience to those users who want an escalated user experience and escape these hassles.
Conclusion: Web Application Development
Web Applications come with these whole packs of benefits but it does not mean they are devoid of any cons. Internet access is crucial for any web app to function. As it is usually hosted on a local server, they find it hard to have the pace of operation matching to mobile apps. Their functionality also decreases if it finds to collaborate effectively with hardware or operating systems. Web Applications can be the ideal application that enables your business to stay ahead of the curve. What is important is to identify the benefits you can gain from one and to leverage the application to suit your needs. A well versed team of developers accustomed to the most innovative technology stack can help you get it right for your business/organisation. OrisysIndia can help you to craft the befitting web application that boosts your growth in the optimal way.