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Mobile Apps vs Mobile Websites - Input needed

by Eric S
14 replies
I'll try to keep this simple.

I have an app idea. Without going into details, it's a subscription based app. The user pays a small monthly fee and has access to a particular benefit.

I recently got to thinking as I'm getting quotes, etc,to build the app. Why do I need a mobile app?

I could accomplish the same thing with a mobile website. I don't have to pay thousands of dollars for different app versions, etc. I don't have to give a percentage of my monthly earnings to Apple. It's easier barrier to entry (don't have to get users to download. Simply go to the URL on your mobile device and sign in).

Ultimately what I'm getting at is that with a very good responsive mobile website and subscription service, I could accomplish the end result much easier and cost effectively.

What am I missing? Are there any big negatives to going the mobile website route rather than a mobile app? I greatly appreciate any input on either side. Just trying to do my homework before proceeding forward one way or another.
#apps #input #mobile #needed #websites
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  • Profile picture of the author DIABL0
    You're not missing anything.

    Everything you said is true.

    There is no reason to develop an app for what you are wanting to do.
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    • Profile picture of the author Eric S
      Originally Posted by DIABL0 View Post

      You're not missing anything.

      Everything you said is true.

      There is no reason to develop an app for what you are wanting to do.
      Thanks for the confirmation! I just get so caught up in the "THE MOBILE APP INDUSTRY IS GROWING LIKE [INSERT ADJECTIVE], EXPECTED TO BE A [INSERT DOLLAR AMOUNT] INDUSTRY BY [INSERT YEAR]" that I initially felt like I needed to go that route.
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  • Profile picture of the author jdjenkins
    I think you have answered your own question. The only reasons I can think that you might want a proper mobile "app" are:

    1 - location-based services - if needed - may work better with a native app
    2 - improved usability from a native app?

    If you don't need the tighter integration with the mobile OS, then it sounds like going with the website is the sensible thing. You can always think of this stage as a test, and perhaps some issues may crop up that would be solved by building an app.
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    • Profile picture of the author Eric S
      Originally Posted by jdjenkins View Post

      I think you have answered your own question. The only reasons I can think that you might want a proper mobile "app" are:

      1 - location-based services - if needed - may work better with a native app
      2 - improved usability from a native app?

      If you don't need the tighter integration with the mobile OS, then it sounds like going with the website is the sensible thing. You can always think of this stage as a test, and perhaps some issues may crop up that would be solved by building an app.
      That is a viable concern because location based services would add value to the user's experience, even though it isn't something I hadn't planned for the initial launch.

      The one hold up in my mind falls in line with your other suggestion. Let's I have 10,000 subscribers using the mobile site and decide building an app is the way to take things to the next level. There is no easy transition solution that I can think of for those users. If they want to use the app, now they have to cancel their online subscription and download the app? I know I'm thinking way ahead there, but just trying to make sure I don't commit to the wrong road and create issues later. However, no matter which way I look at it, having 10,000 paying subscribers would not be a bad problem to have
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  • Profile picture of the author ritujha8jan
    Hi, hope you are doing well. I must tell you that you should go for mobile application. because Both apps and mobile websites are accessed on a handheld devices such as smartphones (e.g. iPhone, Android and Blackberry) and tablets. ... Apps are actual applications that are downloaded and installed on your mobile device, rather than being rendered within a browser.
    If you need any help I can help you with website or mobile app...
    Thank you,
    Ritu
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  • Profile picture of the author expmrb
    Originally Posted by Eric S View Post

    I'll try to keep this simple.

    I have an app idea. Without going into details, it's a subscription based app. The user pays a small monthly fee and has access to a particular benefit.

    I recently got to thinking as I'm getting quotes, etc,to build the app. Why do I need a mobile app?

    I could accomplish the same thing with a mobile website. I don't have to pay thousands of dollars for different app versions, etc. I don't have to give a percentage of my monthly earnings to Apple. It's easier barrier to entry (don't have to get users to download. Simply go to the URL on your mobile device and sign in).

    Ultimately what I'm getting at is that with a very good responsive mobile website and subscription service, I could accomplish the end result much easier and cost effectively.

    What am I missing? Are there any big negatives to going the mobile website route rather than a mobile app? I greatly appreciate any input on either side. Just trying to do my homework before proceeding forward one way or another.
    Go ahead and try it. You will never know all the loopholes unless you have personally done it.
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  • Profile picture of the author Maxxx333
    Should go for Mobile apps, cause you can promote in every GEO, depending on the vertical you will choose, moreover it's cheap and you have many tools to help you even with this on your work, as someone here said, almost everybody now days use smartphone, tablets, and this will be potential leads for you! good luck!!
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  • Profile picture of the author ohoshop
    Mobile App and Responsive Website both are important for your business. you can engage more customer from both. but Mobile app user increase day by day and all user want to purchase from mobile app.
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  • Profile picture of the author Petermaul
    Hello everyone i am new here!!!!
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  • Profile picture of the author papi70
    I'm not an expert HOWEVER I know that:
    Push Notifications on Native Apps have a 99% open rate, tell me anything more POWERFUL than that!!!
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  • Profile picture of the author Petermaul
    Mobile Apps are play very important role for your business.
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  • Profile picture of the author leroytimes
    You can strike a balance. Let your mobile site have the feel of a mobile app. Design the site like it's an app. Your users will enjoy using the site. In future when you want to switch to mobile, you can just make one of those good looking and function cross platform mobile apps based on your site. It will cost you very little at that time
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  • Profile picture of the author megakits
    Banned
    #Mobile Website
    1.Compatibility.
    2.Broader Reach.
    3.Support and Maintenance

    #Mobile App
    1.Convenience
    2. Personalization
    3.Working offline
    These are the main advantages of the two...now a days Mobile apps are widely used among all..
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  • Profile picture of the author LightSpeed Guy
    I would go with mobile sites though
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