Android app vs Website

In today’s world everything has become digital, we can get everything with just a single touch. Similarly in terms of business as well the companies now try to build strategy based on the digital presence. The more digital presence of a company the more recognized the brand becomes. So, in order to gain the digital presence, the companies have two options, either use a simple mobile app or create a website which is accessible for everyone, some use both of them to gather more traffic. 

The way users browse the internet has considerably changed, earlier people used to check the websites but now more people are using apps. In case of apps there are two options presently IOS and Android, but mostly we would find around 60% - 70% people using android phones. In relation to this companies decide which strategy they should follow to have more growth. As per the trends the internet usage in websites have decreased over the years with android apps gradually increasing their share. Apps have become a basic necessity for the users as people spend more than 50% of their time on mobiles.

Even though the mobile apps have gained lot of popularity there are certain advantages of a website.

•  Websites are instantly available for all kinds of users, be it a android user, ios user or even a java user like the earlier days. Anyone can access the websites with just a simple internet connection. On the other hand, apps require them to be downloaded from the app store and then install it on the mobile.
• Websites are compatible with any set of devices, be it a laptop or an android phone or an ios phone whereas the apps are native to the platform. Only android apps can be installed in an android phone. We cannot use an ios app in a android phone.
• In terms of updating content, we can update any content faster. We just need to publish the changes in the website and users can immediately view the changes whereas in case of android apps, the update is pushed to the users and they have to either manually make the update or keep the setting as automatically. Unless the app is updated no user can see the updated content.
• The links of the website can easily be shared in an email, in a simple page, Facebook, or in any social media, whereas in case of android apps, publishers have to send a link to app store and then users have to download and then install it.
• One of the major talking point is the support and maintenance required for app and websites. If we consider the websites, it requires considerably less cost than a simple android app to maintain the content.

Although with the above points mobile apps do have advantages over the websites.

• An app can be personalized as per the need of its user. For example, the banking apps provide great features for the users rather than the websites.
• An android phone is an open-source phone, where we can install anything as per the need. Apps are visually great and entice the users more due to the various elements and features present in the app.
• Nowadays, apps are so fast we can get any loan without going to a bank. All the important documents can be shared securely over the app.
• One of the major advantage of an app are the push notifications. A user if registers themselves on an ecommerce app can get notifications if any new brands or products have been launched or any other notifications as compared to websites this feature is not available.
• There are certain apps which do not require internet connection to use, which makes it more appealing.
• Android app store provides a large number of gaming apps which the young generation install in their phones and pass their time which is not possible on a website.

As a whole, the discussion between an app vs website will carry on for long but it depends on the business on which approach they take to achieve their goals. There are advantages and disadvantages in both of them so as per the direction of the company they want to move they can choose it wisely.