How to choose between a website, a web app and a mobile app

People often say “I need an app” when what they need is a website, or the other way round. The three things overlap, and the lines between them have blurred, but the differences matter because they affect cost, timescale and how people will use what you build.

Here is a plain-English guide to what each one is, what it is best at, and how to choose.

A website

A website is mainly there to present information. It tells people who you are, what you offer and how to reach you. Visitors open it in a browser, usually without signing in, and it can be found through search engines.

It is usually the right choice if you want to be found online, build trust with new customers, publish content such as news or guides, or simply give people a reliable place to find your details. Contact forms, galleries and blogs all fit comfortably within a website.

A web app

A web app also runs in the browser, but it does something rather than just displaying something. Users usually sign in, enter or manage their own information, and get results that depend on what they do. Think of customer portals, booking systems, dashboards or internal tools for managing orders and stock.

It is usually the right choice if your users need to log in, if their data is stored and changed over time, or if the main value lies in a process, such as automating a task your team currently does by hand. Because it runs in a browser, it works on most devices without anyone installing anything.

A mobile app

A mobile app is installed on a phone or tablet, usually through an app store. It can use features of the device itself, such as the camera, notifications and location, and it can work well when the connection is poor.

It is usually the right choice when you need those device features, when people will use it frequently and want it one tap away, or when the experience depends on being fast and polished on a phone. It also tends to need more work than the other two, because it must be built for each type of device, kept up to date, and submitted for approval to the app stores.

A quick way to compare

• Do people need to find you through search? A website is the strongest starting point.
• Do people need to sign in and manage their own information? Look at a web app.
• Do you need the camera, notifications or offline use? Consider a mobile app.
• Is your budget limited? A website or a web app is usually the more affordable place to begin.

They can work together

These are not mutually exclusive. Many businesses have a website to attract customers, a web app for the customer portal behind it, and, later on, a mobile app for the people who use it most. They can share the same information behind the scenes, so you are not building everything twice.

This is why starting small is often wise. You can launch the part that solves your most pressing problem, learn how people really use it, and then decide whether the next step is worth the investment.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Building a mobile app when a good website would do the job. Apps cost more to build and maintain, and many people will not download one for an occasional task.
• Choosing a plain website when users really need accounts and personal information. You may end up bolting on features it was never designed for.
• Trying to build everything at once. A focused first version is quicker to launch and easier to improve.

Where to start

Begin with what you want people to be able to do, rather than with the technology. Write down the main tasks your users need to complete, and who they are. The right type of product usually becomes obvious from that list.

If it is still unclear, that is fine. Tell us what you are trying to achieve, and we will help you work out whether a website, a web app, a mobile app or a combination fits best, and set out the options in a written quote.