A lot of popular startups had started out as apps earlier and when they proved themselves and were successful, they expanded to the web. Instagram is one of the biggest examples we have. But a few years, considering the popularity of their mobile app, they also launched a web app that can offer the same functionality which is in order with their native equivalents.
Why You Must Expand Your Native App to a Web App?
You must be wondering why you would need a web app when you have an already established native app, right? There are two major reasons for this. With the native app, you are only reaching a specific number of people, so when you expand to a web application, your audience also increases. Just having an iOS and Android app doesn’t mean you won’t miss out on potential customers.
The second reason for this expansion is that web apps are said to have more use cases which are better suited to the web than the app. If you ask your users or audience, you will get to know the exact number of people who would really like to have a web version of your already existing native app. Give it a shot.
A list of Popular Companies Who Expanded to the Web
- Instagram. Instagram added a web version in 2012 after a lot of their users demanded. Last year, Instagram, further upgraded its app for the users who would like to use it on a slow network.
- WhatsApp. With the help of WhatsApp web, Whatsapp allows you to sync all the devices you are logged-on. Users can easily send messages via a web app.
- Uber. Uber had a lightweight app for those users who wouldn’t use the native app. This app is specifically for those users who don’t have a proper phone or a good connectivity.
Designing a Native App vs. Web App
One major reason to expand is the real estate available on a web app. Web app offers more space to create stuff. This way you can explore more features which cannot be added to a native app. You can add larger elements, a better navigation scheme, or just more content. Also, how you manage the space matters a lot. Use custom fonts and fonts that are more platform-appropriate.
There are also challenges faced while developing a web app. Native experience is a bit more fluid than the web experience. A user can tap, pinch and zoom, scroll and much more in a native app, while in a web app all he can do is tap. This might prove a bit difficult to expand to the web.
Web apps are mainly utility-based apps, whereas a native app offers a variety of experience be it utility, or navigation, or entertainment. Also, the web has longer user sessions and are sometimes a bit more complicated to use.
Let’s See How Progressive Web Apps Are Better:
- Users can quickly add your web app to their home screen. This makes it easy for them to launch and return to your app.
- Navigation, scrolling and smooth animation provide an overall smooth experience.
- Irrespective of the network connection, the service workers will load your apps instantly.
- You will have to make your apps as responsive as possible. Make your apps and the content on them easily adaptable, be it for mobile, tablet or laptop.
- Web push notifications are a good way to engage with users by providing contextual notifications, also when the browser is not open.
- The connection between you and the users is secured by HTTPS.
- You can reach a maximum number of people without a native app.
- Switching between apps and sharing information is much easier in progressive web apps.
In a Nutshell
Progressive web apps are a great option because they don’t require a separate code base, can work within a user’s browser, your user wouldn’t have to install anything from Play Store or App Store, and it’s much cheaper to develop a progressive web app than to develop a native app. Progressive web apps are definitely a great idea when you are short of resources or budget.
Already have a native app and need someone to design your web app. Contact here to hire a team of developers. Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section below.
Roma started as a Web Researcher & got passion in SEO @Nimblechapps – a company offering react native app developer for hire. Her expertise includes local search optimization, strategic planning for multi-location and link-building tactics. She likes to explore and discover the latest technological updates and hacks.
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