Differences Between Websites and Web Applications

Web applications and websites have become increasingly interconnected as web development capabilities have advanced. Your average end user will typically not understand the differences between the two, nor do they need to.

Web applications and websites are very similar, after all. You access both through a browser, so you need an internet connection, and both respond to your commands to varying degrees.

As experts at leading website development company would tell you that there are, however, many differences between websites and web applications from the design and development perspective. This post aims to provide an overview of websites and web applications, their differences, and how you can determine which digital product is most suitable for your business.

Websites and Web Applications Explained

Before moving on to the key differences, let’s start by offering an overview of what websites and web apps actually are.

Websites 101

The term website refers to a collection of interconnected public web pages connected by a domain name. A web page can contain any type of content, including text, video, audio, or any other form of internet-accessible media.

The content of informational websites is typically static, with pictures and text. However, as web technology has advanced, developers have been able to create more app-like interactive websites that feature more than just static content.

Web developers use advanced programming languages and databases to create these dynamic websites and facilitate user interaction.

All users see the same content on static websites. On the other hand, a dynamic website displays different content depending on various factors such as time, location, date, etc.

Regardless of what kind of website you build for your business, you should ensure that it is populated with high-quality content because this, ultimately, is what attracts visitors.

Web Apps Explained

The term “web app” refers to software users can access through a web browser. In contrast to mobile and desktop software, web applications do not need to be downloaded. Typically, web apps are accessed through URLs, just like websites.

Many of the same technologies and programming languages used to create websites are also used to build web applications. That said, web application development tends to be more complex because web apps must store and manipulate data based on user input.

There are many different tasks that web apps can perform. You might use a web app to convert files, create ads, register for services or classes, track expenses, and so much more.

As experts at leading website development company would tell you that if you wish to create a web application for your company, make sure it performs a valuable task. It is unlikely that users will use an app that does not provide value to them. Several reasons make web applications a popular choice for businesses, including scalability and cross-platform compatibility.

 

Websites vs. Web Applications: Key Differences

As we explained in the intro, web apps and websites share many similarities. You might even say that web apps are simply the next stage in the evolution of websites, but things are not quite that simple.

The two technologies differ in several important ways that are worth considering. The essential ones include, in no particular order:

• Access
• Complexity
• Function

We’ll cover each of these differences in a few sentences below.

1.     Access

Websites pride themselves on public access, while pretty much all web apps require users to register and authenticate through usernames and passwords. Generally speaking, an unregistered website visitor has the same access and experience as a registered user.

On the other hand, web apps usually require user authentication since they provide services customized to each user’s needs. An excellent real-world example of this can be found in banking apps. While all account holders have access to similar online services, each user experiences the service differently depending on their personal banking information.

2.     Complexity

As you might imagine, the complexity of web applications is far greater than that of websites. Most websites are nothing more than collections of static pages delivering some content. Sure, websites have become more interactive with the advent of modern web development standards. Still, they are relatively simple to develop in comparison to web applications.

It is not only necessary for web applications to provide a service and function seamlessly, but they must also support data processing, backend services, and different user levels. Security solutions for web applications need to be more advanced as well.

Aside from standard web technologies, like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, web applications also require the use of more advanced programming languages, server-side scripts, and frameworks. Moreover, UX/UI design is even more critical due to users’ active interaction with web applications.

3.     Function

Websites are significantly different from web applications from the user’s point of view. Simply put, the purpose of websites is to inform, and the purpose of web apps is to assist.

Despite being able to view, read, or listen to the content on a website, users cannot manipulate it. On the other hand, experts at leading website development company would tell you that web applications offer content that is not only viewable but also interactive. In other words, users can control the data contained in web applications.

If you intend to perform any service over the internet, you need a web app.

 

Does Your Business Need a Website or a Web Application?

Knowing the differences between web apps and websites, you may wonder which is best for your business. Making this decision can be challenging. Carefully considering your goals and vision is the only way to answer this question.

A website is probably the best choice if you want users to learn more about your business. On the other hand, a web application is best suited to providing an internet-based service. When registering users on your website or selling products, the lines between website and web application blur.

 

Conclusion

It is possible to develop websites with app-like components that enable users to perform tasks. Unfortunately, knowing this is possible doesn’t make distinguishing web apps from websites any easier.

Get in touch with an app development partner if you’re unsure which direction to take for your business. It is always best to enlist the help of some IT services company to create an excellent web-based product for your business, whether it is an app or a website.

Talk to an experienced partner offering a team of web designers so that you can find the right solution for your business. This way, you don’t have to worry about the semantics of website vs. web application. If you like this blog check out our previous blog what is google merchant center, & everything you need to know about it.

 

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