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Web Apps vs. Mobile Apps: Which Is Most Suited For Your Business?

Many people mistakenly believe that websites and mobile applications are the same thing, when in fact they have huge differences. These two are designed and developed differently. Thus, possess distinct characteristics that affect their usability, functionality, and user experience. If you’re considering developing an app for your business, it’s important to understand these differences. This can help you make an informed decision on which type of app to develop based on your target audience, user needs, and business objectives.

To assist you in your decision-making process, we’ve outlined the primary differences of web and mobile apps in this blog. Let’s take a look!

Web Apps

A website application, or simply web app, is a software application that’s accessible through a web browser over the internet. It runs on a remote server and can be accessed through a variety of devices including computers and smartphones. It doesn’t require users to download and install them on their devices. As long as they have an internet connection, they’re all set.

Advantages:

  • Cross-Platform Compatibility: Website applications can be accessed through any device with a web browser. This makes them easily accessible on any platform or operating system.
  • No Downloads or Installations: Web apps don’t require downloading or installation. It saves users storage space on their devices and reduces the time needed to access them.
  • Easy Maintenance: Since website applications have a single code base, updating and maintaining them is easier and more cost-effective.
  • Lower Development Costs: Developing a web app can be less expensive than developing a native app for different platforms.
  • Easy to Share: Sharing web apps is simple because they can be accessed through a URL.

Disadvantages:

  • Limited Functionality: Website applications don’t have access to the same system resources as native apps. With this, it has limited functionalities and performance.
  • Dependence on Internet Connection: Web apps require a stable internet connection to work properly. This can be a disadvantage in areas with poor connectivity.
  • Security Risks: Website applications are vulnerable to security threats like hacking, phishing, and malware attacks because they are accessible through the internet.
  • Not Ideal for Complex Apps: Web apps are not suitable for complex apps that require advanced hardware or software features.
  • Limited User Experience: Native apps offer a more customized and personalized user experience compared to web apps. These are more generic and standardized.

Mobile Apps

As the name itself, mobile app is a software application designed to run on mobile devices including smartphones and tablets. It is typically downloaded from an app store like Google Play Store or Apple App Store. They are specifically designed to run on a mobile device’s operating system, such as Android or iOS. It takes advantage of the device’s hardware, including its touch screen, camera, GPS, and other features. 

Advantages:

  • Accessibility: Mobile applications are easily accessible from anywhere and anytime through smartphones and tablets.
  • Offline availability: There are mobile apps that can be accessed even without an internet connection. This allows users to use them in areas with poor or no network coverage.
  • Enhanced user experience: Mobile applications provide a better user experience than web apps. Since they are designed specifically for mobile devices, users can utilize device-specific features like touchscreens, cameras, and GPS.
  • Personalization: Mobile apps can be personalized to each user’s preferences. This makes them feel more connected to the app and more likely to continue using it.
  • Push notifications: Mobile applications can send push notifications to users, providing reminders, updates, and other important information.

Disadvantages:

  • Development cost: Developing a mobile app can be expensive, especially if it needs to be developed for multiple platforms.
  • Maintenance cost: Maintaining a mobile application can also be costly, requiring regular updates and bug fixes.
  • Device compatibility: Mobile apps may not be compatible with all devices, limiting the app’s reach and accessibility.
  • App store approval process: Mobile apps must go through an approval process before they can be listed in app stores. This can be time-consuming and costly.
  • Limited functionality: Mobile apps may have limited functionality compared to web apps, especially in terms of data processing and storage.

Bottomline

There are a lot of factors to consider when developing an app for your business. Make sure to think of your audience and choose what can provide the best possible experience to them. Another thing, for easier and outstanding application development, partner with a tech company that has proven its expertise and reliability in application development like iManila. 

With 27 years of experience in the industry and an IT company at its core, iManila, having been one of the first Internet Service Providers in the Philippines, is committed to providing our clients with innovative information technology, web, and digital solutions.
iManila is a full-service business web development company in the Philippines ready to help you with WordPress website creation or building an ecommerce website for your business. From web design and development and website update and maintenance, to web hosting, email hosting, and technical, desktop and remote support, we are your team. Aside from this, we are also an applications development company specializing in customized web systems for businesses in different industries and a top digital marketing agency that provides a wide range of digital marketing services. Talk to us!

Your Quick Guide to Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Systems

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) System refers to a software program that enables businesses to conveniently keep track of all customer-related communications.  It replaces the use of multiple spreadsheets, databases, and apps used to track client data, streamlining the workflow. Thus, CRM systems ensure a smooth and coherent process in the whole customer journey. As an end result, it helps organizations with efficiency, productivity, and relationship building with clients.

Main types of CRM systems

Although CRMs are all-in-one tools and can pull in various features from each type, knowing the different types will help you learn the most important CRM features for your business. If you’re just starting out and are looking for the best CRM systems to use, then this blog will definitely help.

Collaborative CRM systems

As the name suggests, Collaborative CRM systems help companies to connect multiple departments, such as sales, marketing, and customer service. In return, this ensures their organized daily work is based on single-source customer data. Using this system enables all teams to have quick access to all customer data. Hence, preventing data duplication or data loss and increases teams’ productivity in the process.

Operational CRM Systems

An operational CRM System is a type of service that centralizes on streamlining and automating diverse workflows for customer-facing teams. It has flexible tools that are used to create, monitor, and optimize customer-facing business processes.

Unlike collaborative CRMs that use single-source data access and unified data management, operational CRM systems focus on operational excellence and automation for each business unit.

Analytical CRM Systems

For businesses looking to provide in-depth business intelligence based on customer data, then this is the one for you. Basically, these CRMs feature multiple types of analytics such as interactive dashboards, campaign pipelines, workflow-embedded analytics, text & speech analytics, and more. This CRM is typically great for reporting capabilities and ensuring transparency of customer-facing activities for managers and executives.

All-in-one CRM systems

Compared to other CRM system features here, All-in-one CRM systems enable organizations to automate back-office workflows and operations. It provides a full range of workflow automation, collaboration, and analytical capabilities. In return, it allows full-cycle automation of all business units. Overall, it serves as a unified solution for workflow automation for enterprise-level organizations across marketing, sales, service, and operations.

All-in-one CRMs offer tons of benefits for workflow-intensive organizations in such industries as FinServ, Manufacturing, or Telecom, where adherence to standards is essential.

CRM Systems are an essential part of business operations. So if you’re looking for help setting up one for your organization, then let iManila help!

iManila is an applications development company specializing in customized web systems for businesses in different industries. With 27 years of experience in the industry and an IT company at its core, iManila, having been one of the first Internet Service Providers in the Philippines, is committed to providing our clients with innovative information technology, web, and digital solutions.

On top of this, iManila is also a full-service business web development company in the Philippines ready to help you with your web design and development, website update and maintenance, web hosting, email hosting, dedicated server, technical, desktop and remote support needs and a digital marketing agency that provides a wide range of digital marketing services. Talk to us!

What is a Web Application and How Can It Help Your Business?

Web application has evolved into an integral component of modern business. When compared to desktop programs, they offer a wider range of business benefits. To be specific, it’s helpful in enhancing corporate operations, integrating complex systems, and getting the most out of your business. Instead of being installed, web apps can be accessed from any computer through the internet. They are stored on a remote server and delivered over the internet through a browser interface.

Whether you’re a small startup or a huge corporation, you could definitely benefit from this. Read further as we share how web applications actually work and how they can put your business on top!

How Do Web Applications Work

Web applications don’t need downloading since they can be accessed through a web browser. Typically, it only requires a small team to develop and has a short development cycle. Building the application’s front end is done using JavaScript, HTML5, and CSS. While, the back end uses languages like Python, Java, and Ruby for server-side programming. 

Web apps also require a web server that manages the incoming requests from clients, an application server that executes the requested task, and a database that stores necessary information. 

Advantages of Using Web Applications for Your Business

Platform-agnostic

Web applications are highly flexible and accessible since they are not built for a specific platform. Users can use the app regardless of their operating system and device type. In return, it eliminates the need for developers to create different versions for each platform.

Low cost and easy maintenance

Popular coding languages are used in developing and maintaining web applications. Hence, it requires less development time, making them cheaper than other forms of applications. Furthermore, maintaining it is cost and time efficient as updates and patches can be done on the server side and automatically sent to all users. 

Secure live data

They provide real-time data security benefits by combining larger, more complicated systems and data sources, decreasing the need for separate systems. This blocks access to data and backend servers, adding safety measures.

No App Marketplace

Web app developers have more flexibility regarding when and how they release their apps. The reason behind this is that they don’t need to obey the operating system standards that typically traditional apps require. 

Automatic Update

Users don’t have to worry about managing updates or downloading patches to keep their web apps up-to-date. Instead, when they open a web app, they are always presented with the latest version. This can be particularly convenient for users who use multiple devices, as they can access the same up-to-date version of the web app regardless of their device.

Highly deployable

Once a web application has been installed on the host, the user can access it using the URL. It is ideal when bandwidth is limited, and users are remote from the system and data. In conclusion, this expands access to multiple systems, streamlines operations, and improves relationships by giving access to consumers, suppliers, and any third parties.

In today’s business world, web applications are essential for streamlining operations and engaging customers. Take advantage of the benefits – team up with a professional web development and applications development company to take your business to the next level. Get in touch with iManila today and find out how we can help!

With 27 years of experience in the industry and an IT company at its core, iManila, having been one of the first Internet Service Providers in the Philippines, is committed to providing our clients with innovative information technology, web, and digital solutions.

iManila is a full-service business web development company in the Philippines ready to help you with your web design and development, website update and maintenance, web hosting, email hosting, dedicated server, technical, desktop and remote support needs. Aside from this, we are also an applications development company specializing in customized web systems for businesses in different industries and a digital marketing agency that provides a wide range of digital marketing services. Talk to us!