This month we’ve been talking about our new service offering custom mobile application design. But how does that differ from a mobile website? What are the advantages and disadvantages for your business? We’re going to answer some of those questions for you.
What is a mobile website?
A mobile website is a smaller scaled version of a regular website designed specifically to accommodate the smaller screens of mobile devices. Mobile websites can be accessed through an Internet browser and users can search through the pages just like they would a regular website, but there are a few features such as Flash animation and other interactive tools that are incompatible with some mobile devices.
The advantages of a mobile website over a mobile application are that it can be updated more frequently, is less expensive and reaches a wider audience.
What is a mobile application?
A mobile application is software that is actually downloaded onto your mobile device (iPad, iPhone, Android, Blackberry, etc.). Apps provide special features that might not be available on a mobile website such as picture galleries, contact forms, social media integration, calendars, one-touch calling, etc. They can also give you the ability to send “push notifications” (essentially a text message with a discount code or other promotion) to everyone who has downloaded the app to his or her device.
The advantages of a mobile application over a mobile website are that it can help you target your customers through specific messages, provide additional functionality and it can provide an additional revenue stream if you charge for the app.
Which one is best for your business?
That depends on what kind of business you have, who your customers are and what your budget is.
- Your Business: Restaurants, accommodations, doctors/dentists and salons are examples of businesses that could really benefit from a mobile app. Clients can make reservations/schedule appointments, view photos and menus, etc. You can also use the push notifications to send time-sensitive incentives, like a 10% off coupon for patrons who come in within the next 24 hours or reminders like “Have you visited your dentist in the last 6 months? Make an appointment now!”
- Your Customers: Mobile devices are becoming more popular among all age groups, but they are still highly concentrated in people aged 25 to 35. If most of your customers are around this age, a mobile app could be beneficial to your business.
- Your Budget: Mobile websites are less expensive than mobile apps, but apps give you the ability to make additional money if your customers are willing to pay for the app. You can decide to make your app free or charge for it, but keep in mind that you might make more money by letting people download the app for free and therefore reaching a broader base of clients with your discount incentives.
Conclusion: Make sure your business is mobile.
Whether you decide that a mobile app or mobile website fits better with your business, the key is just to make sure that you’re moving in a mobile direction.
If you’d like more information about mobile apps or mobile websites, give us a call at (904) 829-2772 or send us an email at letusmarketyou@oldcity.com and we’ll be glad to go over the details and help you figure out which service is right for your business .