Web Application vs Website: What’s the Difference?

An ordinary user usually needs help seeing the difference between a website and a web application because their main goal is to get the necessary data. But for the developer, this difference exists, and it is enormous. Today we want to tell you how they differ, their characteristics, in what cases it is worth creating websites, and in which applications.

What is a web application?

It is a computer program accessible through a browser with certain functionality and interactive elements. Good examples of such applications include Gmail, Facebook, and Twitter.

Such software can store and manage data according to the client’s needs. They can perform various functions, including creating data, reading, updating, and deleting information.

A web application developer must have specific knowledge and skills, and developing such products takes much more time and requires significant financial investments. To create them, various libraries and frameworks are often used.

What are the characteristics of a good web application?

A good web application and website have different characteristics; apps are characterized by the following:

  • Scalability;
  • Hosted in the cloud;
  • Cross-platform;
  • Easily tested with automation.

Unlike conventional mobile apps, web apps are accessible from any device – smartphone (Android or iOS), PC (macOS, Windows, or Linux.), tablet, or laptop.

A good app should match your business idea exactly, which will depend on what services you plan to provide. The better you think about the future product, the easier it will be for developers to bring it to life. In addition, in pursuing functionality, remember the quality of the interface and user experience.

Why might you need a web application? 

When choosing a website or web application, many companies prioritize applications. There are quite a few reasons why this happens, but we want to highlight only the most important ones:

  • High level of security. Since all data is stored in the cloud, you do not need to worry about losing it due to equipment failure. In addition, applications can usually have reasonably good data protection against hacking.
  • Compatibility. All existing browsers support these applications, making your product more accessible to users.
  • Simple upgrades. If you want to grow your business and bring in new features, apps are the way to go.
  • Accessibility. You don’t need marketplace approval because your product is available through a browser.

Usually, web applications help to achieve various business goals faster and easier, as they provide users with certain services, and it is possible to manage data.

What is a website?

It is a set of public pages where documents, text, images, audio, and video files can be stored. Such platforms can have one or many pages that are merged into one domain.

Today there are 2 main types of sites:

  • Static. They are created using simple programming languages (HTML, CSS, and JavaScript). They need databases you can interact with and provide the exact same content to all users. These are just information platforms, which primary purpose is to tell more about your company or share specific data.
  • Dynamic. They are more complex than static ones and can communicate with the user. They can display different content to users and require more complex tools to create.

The most common sites are blogs, educational organization platforms, portfolios, personal celebrity sites, and many others.

What are the characteristics of a good website?

Websites have several essential characteristics:

  • Easy to find with search engines;
  • Very convenient to use;
  • Have simple navigation;
  • Provides only quality content;
  • It has an attractive interface;
  • High-speed loading.

The site’s primary purpose is to provide users with more helpful information. Usually, they are straightforward to use, and because they expect little from them, it will be easy to build convenient navigation. Because they do not use complex programming languages, they load very quickly. To create such sites, you need special knowledge, but their development takes less time and requires less financial investment.

Why might you need a website?

Before you decide to make a business website, you need to understand what are the main goals it allows you to achieve:

  • Tell a wide range of users worldwide about your company;
  • Create a brand (personal or corporate);
  • Creates social proof and allows you to increase the level of trust;
  • It can be used as a source of income through advertising.

A website is perfect for you if you provide offline services and want to tell many people about your company. Here you can publish up-to-date information about your activities, for example, completed orders or where you invest money (for example, if you donate part of the profits to charity). It will attract as many customers as possible and increase your brand awareness.

Who to hire: website developers or web application developers

The choice of specialists directly depends on your business goals. You can choose a small studio if you are looking for custom website developers. Local specialists will create a beautiful site with easy navigation while charging only a little for their services.

Over time, your business develops, and you may need to create a more feature-rich product. In this case, more qualified web application development specialists come to your aid. They have more extensive skills and knowledge, allowing them to create more complex software to communicate better with the user.

Hire a web application development team if you need intensive interactivity, integration with other systems (for example, payment systems), and a high level of security.

When choosing a development company, you need to learn more about the projects they have completed and the skill level of the workers. It would be best if you were mindful of your business goals and the products and services you provide. It would help if you made sure that the company you choose has the competence to fulfill your order with high quality at the agreed time. Furthermore, it is also necessary to consider personal factors – in the work process, you will often have to communicate with specialists, and this communication should be pleasant and productive.

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