Why do some websites have a separate mobile app when they look the same?

Why do some websites have a separate mobile app when they look the same?

In the current digital environment, we are always moving between mobile websites and native mobile applications. It's a common experience to access a company's web address on your smartphone and get a prompt to install their app, even when the mobile site seems to be working just fine. This can lead to one of the key questions: Why do certain sites have an independent mobile app when they look the same?


The simple response is that they are two entirely different tools that serve different purposes. A mobile-friendly site is a universal front door; it's accessible to all, on all devices, and one doesn't have to download it. A mobile app, on the other hand, is a dedicated utility for frequent users. It's a strategic move that enables companies to provide an enhanced, more personalized, and highly interactive experience that a website simply can't rival.


This article will delve into the strategic rationale behind this two-pronged approach, exploring the major technical, business, and user-related considerations that contribute to a mobile app becoming a crucial element of a contemporary digital strategy.

The Performance and User Experience: Speed, Fluidity, and Offline Access

Performance is one of the most apparent and immediate distinctions between an app and a mobile site. The user experience (UX) of a mobile app is almost always better because of how it is designed.


A mobile site, or responsive site, is a collection of files (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) that the web browser on your phone needs to download and interpret with each new page. This is a speedy process on a high-speed Wi-Fi connection, but it can be time-consuming and inconvenient on a slow or notoriously unreliable network. Each click and new page load is a new request to a remote server, which may cause latency and a jerky user experience.


A mobile app, on the other hand, is an independent application that is installed directly on your device. Most of the app's core data, including its design, user interface (UI), and even certain content, is saved locally on your phone. This means the app doesn't have to download these elements online each time you open it or swipe through the screens. That's why apps feel much more responsive and fast; they are pulling data directly from your device's memory, not some remote server.


Offline access is another one of the strongest features that this local data storage provides. A website is nothing without an internet connection, but many apps can work quite effectively without it. For example, you can see pre-downloaded maps on a navigation app, read cached articles on a news app, or play a game app even when there is no connectivity. This feature is essential for users who might have limited or no access to the internet, such as when traveling or in low-reception zones.


Questions that people might ask regarding it are:


How are mobile apps faster than websites?
They are installed directly into your device, meaning that they can save significant files and information in a local format, eliminating the need for an active connection to a server for every action. This reduces the amount of data used and the time to load, particularly when used frequently.


Is a mobile website usable in the offline world?
Generally no, traditional mobile sites need an active internet connection to display content. However, modern technologies like Progressive Web Applications (PWAs) allow for some limited offline functionality by caching data.

Deep Device Integration: Use of Phone-Specific Features

The real strength of a mobile app is revealed here. A mobile app can communicate directly with both the hardware and software capabilities of your smartphone in a manner that is impossible or far too restricted for a website.


A site runs inside the limits of a browser, a security sandbox. This means it has limited access to the features on your phone. Although browsers have evolved to be more efficient over the years, a site still requires permission to perform most activities, and such permissions are in most cases temporary.


A native application, on the other hand, is one that is designed to reside on your machine. It is capable of integrating smoothly with your phone's camera, GPS, contacts, microphone, and photo gallery. Examples of these are as follows:

• Camera: A banking app can use your camera to scan a check for mobile deposits. A social media app can instantly use your camera to snap and post pictures.

• GPS: A ride-sharing app uses your phone's GPS to track your position in real time and locate nearby drivers. A food-delivery app can accurately identify the location for a delivery.

• Biometrics: You can use biometrics to log into apps securely and conveniently using fingerprint or Face ID authentication, so you never have to type in a password to unlock the app.

• Alerts: Apps can also send push notifications to your home screen, which is a concept that is groundbreaking in regard to user interaction.

This extensive integration enables businesses to develop highly functional and convenient services that a mobile site cannot provide.


Other similar questions that one may pose:


Will a mobile site be able to access my phone's camera or GPS?
Yes, to a limited degree. Modern browsers have APIs that allow access to a device's camera or GPS with user permission. However, the integration is not as deep, seamless, or persistent as it is with a native app.


Are mobile applications more secure than mobile websites?
Generally, yes. The apps must comply with the high level of security of the app stores, and may take advantage of platform-specific security capabilities, including secure data storage and biometric authentication, which are less easily accessible on websites.

Individualization and Interactions: The Strength of Push Notifications

A mobile application isn't just a tool, but a direct channel of communication between a brand and its most faithful users. It is enabled by two important characteristics: persistent data storage and push notifications.


The user's data, preferences, and history can be stored on the device in apps, offering a highly personalized experience. The app is able to store your login information, saved items, and previous searches, which is why you can easily continue what you were doing last. This intimate feeling brings a sense of convenience and value that leads to repeat usage.


The push notification is, however, the most effective engagement tool. They are the pop-up messages showing on your phone's home or lock screen even when the app is not in use.


What is the significance of a push notification to businesses?

• They offer a one-on-one channel of communication that doesn't go through a busy email inbox and other sources of online distraction. Through push notifications, businesses can:
• Drive Immediate Action: Notify of a flash sale, send a timely news alert, or remind a user of an abandoned shopping cart.
• Give Timely Notices: Alert a user that their order has been shipped, their flight is delayed, or that they received a new message.
• Build Community: Wish a user a Happy Birthday with a special offer or send personalized recommendations.

This proactive communication with the users is a game-changer for businesses. It not only keeps them on the mind of the users but also retains more users and leads to a greater degree of engagement than can be achieved in the case of a website alone.


Questions that people may relate to it:


How does an app contribute to customer loyalty?
With the ability to offer personalized, frictionless experiences and value delivered via push notifications, apps form a direct connection with the user, which promotes recurrence of business and brand loyalty.


Do I need to log in to an application to make it work?
Numerous applications provide a guest experience; however, to have all the customization options as well as be updated with the latest information, having a signed-in experience is essential.

The Business Benefit: Making Conversions and Sales

The mobile site is not always more profitable in the case of e-commerce businesses as the app. The increase in the performance and user experience directly translates to an increase in conversion rates.


Apps can also ensure a faster checkout process because the user's details are stored and can be accessed within a single tap. This smooth interaction eliminates one of the greatest sources of friction that frequently causes cart abandonment on internet sites. By not requiring the user to re-enter their shipping and payment details every time they make a purchase, the chances of a transaction happening are much higher.


Moreover, there are monetization possibilities for apps that are not possible for websites. They may provide exclusive content within an app, special offers to users of the app, and connect with a wallet function within a mobile phone to facilitate payments with ease. The mere fact that the user can see the app icon on his or her home screen is also a constant, but hardly noticeable, reminder of this brand, which results in the increased frequency of visits and purchases.


Extra questions that people may have:


Why would a business develop an app when their site is already mobile-friendly?
To provide an enhanced, quicker, and easier customer experience to their most loyal customers. Businesses, with the help of apps, also manage to gain more user engagement, make more conversions, and create a more robust brand presence.


What are some of the businesses that will be most advantaged by having an app?
E-commerce, social media, banks, entertainment, and travel companies. These industries depend on the frequent interaction of users, customization, and a high level of convenience which the apps are adept at offering.

The Future: The Blurring Lines and Progressive Web Apps

Although the difference between mobile apps and websites has always been obvious over the years, the future will probably be characterized by the blurring of the lines. Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) are a recent technology that integrates the two worlds into one.


A PWA is a web page that can be installed to the home screen of a user through a browser without an app store. It appears and functions as a native application, can operate offline to a certain degree, and even deliver push notifications. A PWA is a cost-efficient solution that gives an app-like experience to many businesses without the large cost of developing a native app on both iOS and Android.


Native apps are, however, not fully replaced by PWAs. They still lack the capability of deep device integration. Where very demanding applications are involved, such as gaming, video editing, or high-end banking services that need to be directly connected to the hardware on a phone, a native app will continue to be the standard of performance and functionality.


Questions that people may ask regarding it:


What is a Progressive Web App (PWA)?
A PWA is a website that relies on modern technologies to deliver the appearance of an app, such as offline support and push notifications, and can be pinned to your browser's home screen.


Will PWAs supplant native applications?
It is very unlikely, at least in the near term. PWAs can be a tremendous solution for most businesses, but there will always be applications that need the highest performance, most integration with the device, and the strongest security.

Discussion: Strategic Imperative

To conclude, the move towards creating a dedicated mobile app is a tactical one, which is intended to offer a more valuable, robust, and customized experience to a company's most valuable customers. The app is an effective tool for developing strong interaction and loyalty, while a mobile-friendly site helps reach a wide audience. It is an area in which businesses are able to unlock the full potential of a phone, to make it a smooth and engaging experience that leads to user satisfaction and commercial achievement.