Website vs Web App? How to Decide What You Need

Although 1.7 billion websites are accessible, this number varies daily as new websites are added or deleted. Additionally, approximately 4.5 billion users participate in website interactions.

Since websites serve as the public face of any company, over 3,000 new websites are created almost every day, adding to the number of websites that already exist.

According to Mill for Business, “the total number of websites worldwide increases by 547,200 every 24 hours.” This indicates that an astonishing 380 new websites are created every minute!

Think of the world of web applications, a more advanced version of websites that have features similar to mobile apps. The difference between a web application and a website is not as big as one might believe.

A quick look at the Google Play Store statistics on mobile apps shows that websites are not lagging behind, which encourages companies to invest in high-quality websites. In this context, websites can be divided into two categories: web apps and quality websites.

Considering the possibilities inherent in both, this blog attempts to explain the difference between websites and web applications, supported by examples. Now, let’s get started right away by explaining and understanding the basics of what a website is!

Understanding the Basics of Web Apps & Websites

Let’s look at the basics and get a firm grasp on what websites and web apps are before we get into how they differ from each other:

What is a Web App?

Software that people can access through a browser is called a web application. Web apps are hosted on remote servers and work only within a browser, just like a website, unlike traditional apps that require installation on a device.

However, their functionality, interactivity, and ability to offer user experiences similar to mobile apps set them apart from web pages. Let’s take a look at a bank’s website as an example to illustrate this. You can view transaction history, check your balance, and log in to your account on the website. The website serves mostly as an information resource, although it does offer essential information.

However, a web application from the same bank offers more features. For example, you can pay your bills, transfer money between accounts, apply for credit cards or loans, submit Know Your Customer (KYC) paperwork, and receive customised alerts.

To put it another way, web apps do more than just deliver information. They help users’ complete journeys. Although building web applications is more complex than building websites, application developers use the same web technologies—such as CSS, HTML, and JavaScript—to build web apps.

Web applications can be effectively implemented in a variety of areas, including CRM, project management, data processing, and e-commerce.

There are numerous benefits to using web apps, such as:

• Complete Complex Tasks

Web apps can manage complex activities and facilitate seamless integration by leveraging external APIs, making complex tasks easier.

• Including Unique Features and Procedures

To deliver specific user experiences, web apps let you design features and journeys that are specific to your company’s needs.

• Simple Business Process Scalability

By expanding functionality and user interactions, web apps allow your organisation to grow without the need for a significant redesign.

Benefits of Web Applications 

Cross-platform compatibility: Regardless of the operating system, web apps are highly accessible from any device with a web browser.

No installation required: Online programs are immediately available to users, removing the barriers of installation and improving the user experience.

Real-time updates: Since web apps can offer real-time updates and changes without requiring users to download or install anything, they always provide users with access to the latest version.

Scalability: Web applications can easily expand to accommodate increasing user traffic and data volume without requiring significant changes to the underlying infrastructure.

The following are the Most Common Situations where a Web Application is Required:

• When you want to set your brand apart from the competition.
• When you want to build personal relationships with your clients and facilitate easy and seamless interactions with them.
• When you want to attract and generate leads while minimising the amount of work required to manage data.

Examples of web apps: Some of the most popular apps on the Internet are Facebook, Google, Amazon, and Netflix. Each of them has an internet application that you can use by clicking on a link, as well as mobile applications that you can download from stores.

What are the Characteristics that Distinguish a Good Web Application?

Web apps are everywhere. You can find them on social networks, e-learning platforms, and e-commerce platforms. By providing them with useful information, entertainment, or time, each of them enables users to fulfill their responsibilities and improve their lives.

A Good Web Application Should have the Following Characteristics:

Security: A web application requires authentication and should ensure that user login credentials are generated securely. Having a secure app is essential because people are hesitant to reveal personal information.

Intuitive: A great online application should be easy for users to understand so that you don’t have to waste time writing detailed instructions. Because of this, UI/UX design is essential for its success.

Extensibility: In this stage, user feedback is important. People will suggest adding additional features to your product as soon as they start using it. For this reason, the development company should guarantee the extensibility of the app and the ease of adding new features.

Time: Loading time should not be affected by the ease of data processing.

What is a Website?

A website is an online platform that allows people, companies, and organisations to communicate with each other, share information, and showcase their wares. In its most basic form, a website is an Internet-accessible collection of linked web pages that can include documents, videos, images, and text. These websites allow users to communicate with other users, obtain information, and make purchases.

Websites are easily accessible through web browsers on a variety of devices and are built with HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and other web technologies. Websites serve a variety of purposes and contain a wide range of content. For example, they can range from simple e-commerce websites that are easy to set up and manage to complex corporate portals that require years of development and millions of dollars.

However, they offer a number of basic benefits, regardless of the scale and complexity of the website in question, such as:

• Simple Content Management

You can easily create and publish content on your website because content management is a core feature of most websites. You can also use search engine optimisation (SEO) plugins to ensure that your content appears on Google, Bing, and other leading search engines.

• The Ability to Sell Goods and Services Online

To give your customers a comfortable shopping experience, websites can be combined with e-commerce features such as shopping carts, product listings, inventory management, and logistics aggregation.

• Enhancing Business Reach and Credibility

Websites make your business accessible to anyone with an internet connection around the world. A well-designed website creates a favorable first impression and demonstrates the legitimacy of your company.

Benefits of Websites 

Global presence: Companies can use websites to reach a wider audience and communicate with potential customers all over the world.

24/7 availability: Customers can browse websites that are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to access products, services, and contact details.

Cost-effective marketing: Websites provide businesses with an online platform to advertise their products and services without the need for expensive print or television advertising. Therefore, they are an economical marketing strategy.

Improved reputation: If a business has a well-designed, informative website, potential customers will see it as more trustworthy and legitimate.

The Following are the Most Common Situations Where Creating a Website is Necessary:

• When you want to provide information about your products, services, and company mission in a clear and aesthetically pleasing way
• When showing case studies, comments, and social proof
• To communicate your brand concept and increase brand recognition
• When trying to increase the number of leads
• When needing immediate, automated customer support

Examples of websites: A blog or forum, or a restaurant website where you can view menus, hours, and other information.

What qualities Distinguish Good Websites from Others?

Now that we know the difference between web apps and websites, we can talk about the features that contribute to their performance.

The purpose of a website is to enlighten its visitors. Let’s now review the characteristics of a successful website:

Security: A website should, first and foremost, be safe for its visitors. HTTP requests are not secure. You should use HTTPS protocols that address the real issue by using TLS/SSL encryption to prevent any security issues and protect the privacy of your readers.

Best Site Content: Your audience should find the content you offer useful and relevant to their needs. To create content that is relevant to their interests, do market research before you start writing.

SEO-Friendly: You should make sure that your website is SEO-friendly in terms of both technical and content if you want it to rank better in search results.

Responsiveness: A website should look great on all platforms, including smartphones, tablets, laptops, and desktop computers, as users switch between them regularly.

Speed: One important statistic is speed. These days, if a website takes more than two seconds to load, users will abandon it. You can use Google’s PageSpeed ​​Insights to check the speed of your website.

The Differences Between Web Apps and Websites 

There are many similarities between websites and web apps. Many people believe that web applications represent the next stage in the evolution of websites. However, it is important to consider the key differences between these two technologies. The main differences between websites and web applications are as follows: function, complexity, and accessibility.

• Function

From a user’s perspective, function is the main way in which websites and web applications differ from each other. Websites present information, but web apps provide support. A user cannot change the content of a website, but it can be viewed, read, or heard. Web applications, on the other hand, offer interactive content in addition to viewing capabilities. Web apps allow for editing data. A simple example of interactive web content is a form.

• Accessibility

While websites are usually open to the public, almost all web applications require login credentials. Typically, unregistered users of websites enjoy the same access and features as registered users. However, web apps almost always require user authentication because they provide services that are tailored to the user's needs.

• Complexity 

Web applications are much more advanced than websites. Websites are essentially a collection of static web pages. Although modern web development standards have made websites more dynamic, they are still relatively simple to design compared to web applications. In addition to being functional, web apps must be able to manage data, accommodate different levels of user experience, and connect to back-end services. Additionally, more advanced technologies are required to secure an online application. While web applications can be developed with the same technologies as websites, such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, they require more complex programming languages, such as PHP, frameworks, and server-side scripting.

Website vs. Web App: 7 Important Distinctions 

To put it briefly: Visitors to a website see static content. Everyone sees the same thing. An interactive experience delivered by a web application enables users to complete specific tasks.

This chart summarises some of the most important distinctions:

Factors Influencing the Decision Between Web Apps and Websites

• Purpose

While a web application is more interactive and has more sophisticated features, a website is designed to inform, educate, and showcase a company's goods and services. Both web apps and websites are designed for company use, which can change depending on the demands and specifications of the business.

• Development

A small set of tools is used to create websites, and additional requirements include static HTML files, CSS styling, and JavaScript programming. A ready-made template can also be used to create a simple website without the need for HTML and CSS expertise.

Then there are web applications, which require complex backends that can be built with a variety of technologies. There are a number of backend technologies available, including Python, React, Ruby on Rails, and others. However, the technology chosen is determined by the company's objectives.

• Permissions

Websites do not have a verification mechanism because users do not use them frequently, but they can sign up for the app to receive updates, discounts, and other things. Permissions are necessary for web applications because users transfer sensitive, personal information to third parties, which needs to be protected from data theft and leaks.

• Functionality and Complexity

Complexity and functionality are the next differences between web apps and websites. Compared to websites, web apps are more functional and therefore offer more sophisticated features, including user account creation, content publishing, user chat, and purchasing possibilities.

The numerous interactive capabilities of web apps also allow users to make real-time edits.

• Target audience

From a business perspective, a website is essential to project a company’s image. It is a medium through which a company can present its goods and services to its customers.

Therefore, the target audience also distinguishes a web application from a website.

• Production Method

Web applications take a long time to develop because they are thought of as more sophisticated tools due to their many features. Next are web applications, which can be created in a few days, unlike the time required for web application development.

• Production Cost 

The cost of creating a web application and website is determined by a number of factors, including complexity, features, and functionality, much like the cost of creating a mobile application.

However, it is important to remember that the more features a web application has, the more dynamic it will be and the more likely it is to attract users. The following are essential to creating a web application:

• Software developers
• UX designers
• Project manager
• Test Engineer
• Scrum master
• The content creator and so on

Undoubtedly, the costs required to set up a website application are higher than those required to develop a website.

• Compilation and Customisation

Compilation is another factor that distinguishes a website from a web application. Before deployment, a web application must be pre-compiled. Now let’s move on to the website. No compilation is required, and you only need to add a few lines of HTML code to make changes.

Now you are aware of the many factors that influence the decision between a website and a web application. The following few scrolls will help you decide on a website vs. web application project, although, both have their pros and cons depending on the company’s needs and the intended audience.

Which platform is best for your company? 

Now that you know the difference between the two, you’re probably wondering which platform to invest in. There’s no one right option, and the decision you make will largely depend on your unique business needs and goals. Here are some things to think about when making your choice.

Choosing a website is recommended if:

You Only Need an Online Presence: If your main goal is simply to get online and provide a digital business card that showcases your goods and services, a website should be your first choice.

Regular Content Updates: If you run a company or organisation that needs to update its content frequently, such as a blog or news site, a website is the best choice. You can manage the content without the help of a developer, and it offers SEO benefits.

Compatibility is Essential: Websites make much more sense than web apps if your goal is to reach as many people as possible, regardless of their device or browser.

Choosing a web application is recommended if:

Priority is Use Engagement: Delivering personalisation through web apps allows you to increase user engagement. You can collect and analyse user data to provide a unique journey for each client.

Requires complex functionality: Web apps are a better platform than websites if your company requires sophisticated capabilities such as user accounts, data processing, real-time updates, and interactive tools.

Requires interactivity: Web apps are the best option if your company wants its clients to engage with it to complete a task. For example, if you are a merchant, and you need to open an online store where customers can make transactions, web apps are essential. 

How do a Website & Web Apps Work Together?

While apps provide interactive features, websites act as a place for information. Together, they create a comprehensive web presence. For example, YDL pioneered a revolutionary idea for a chain of medical clinics. Here, we developed a dynamic application for our users in addition to a full-fledged website. Initially, we focused on developing an educational platform that served as a starting point for people seeking medical care. It included comprehensive details regarding the services provided by each clinic. Patients could learn more about the medical staff working there. Facilities were glimpsed through virtual tours. Visitors were educated and engaged by a dedicated section with health-related content and resources. The solution required easy navigation to the clinic sites and communication channels for questions.

• For this reason, we also included location maps and contact forms. Next, to enhance the website, we built a powerful web application. The goal was quite different: to improve the operational effectiveness of the clinic. The resulting draft included:
• Patient records are securely stored and retrieved using an electronic health records (EHR) system. Physicians can efficiently access treatment plans and medical histories.
• Integration of telemedicine to provide remote patient care. For convenience and accessibility, video calls were used for consultations thanks to virtual consultation capabilities.
• Prescription medication management. Medication management was simplified and patient safety was improved with electronic prescription creation and tracking.
• A portal for billing and payments (online payment methods and invoicing capabilities). Simplified billing procedures and streamlined transactions were made possible by new financial features.

The simultaneous integration of both ideas was instrumental in producing outstanding results. The facility’s financial performance, operational effectiveness, and patient engagement all improved significantly. More patients visited the clinic as a result of the website providing important information. By streamlining workflow procedures, the program reduced administrative workload. It allowed medical staff to focus on patient care rather than tedious tasks. Telemedicine services, online appointment scheduling, and simplified billing worked together to increase revenue and increase patient retention. Task automation resulted in administrative procedures becoming less costly. It also offered scalability for future clinic expansion.

Web Application vs Website. A Matter of Choice

Ultimately, a number of factors influence the choice between a web application and a website. These include your long-term scalability, budget constraints, functional requirements, and strategic ambitions. Whether your company wants sophisticated features or interactive engagement, YourDigiLab is committed to developing a solution that maximises the value of your enterprise. We understand the subtle differences between web apps and websites. That’s why YDL experts are eager to help you achieve your digital goals!