If you’re not using a web application, in today’s technological climate, your business is likely missing out. Other applications have their place, but they come with some drawbacks that web technologies don’t.
So, how do you know if a web application is best suited for you? That can be a difficult decision to make if you’re new to the tech space.
We want to let you in on some information that might make your choice easier. In this guide we’re going to:
- Find out what a web application is;
- See how web apps differ from other apps;
- Review some familiar examples; and
- Learn how you can develop your own.
What Is a Web Application?
Whenever you’re completing a task online, you’re using a web application. To be a little more specific, it’s a computer program that uses a web browser to perform one or more functions. Rather than downloading the program onto your desktop computer, you can use it anywhere with a browser and internet connection.
Whether you’re answering an email, writing a paper, or playing a game, as long as you’re doing it using a browser, you’re using web-based applications.
Web App vs Website—What’s the Difference?
That’s a great question! Web apps and websites are often confused with each other since they both function online. The easiest way to differentiate is by remembering this: Websites or web pages are static and may only present information to a user. A web application, on the other hand, will always perform some function or task for the user.
So, while a website can sometimes be considered a web app if it performs functions and accepts user input, a web application can never be considered a website.
Web App vs Mobile App
In some ways, web apps and mobile apps are the same. In fact, web applications can be used on mobile devices since most smartphones have browsers installed and cellular data available. These features allow users to access web apps just like they would on a computer without using any storage space on their phones.
While web apps are accessed through the browser on your phone, such as Safari or Chrome, native apps are created specifically for Android or IOS devices. Because they’re built to specifically live on the operating system of these smartphones, they must be downloaded through an app store and stored on the device.
Web applications are often considered more cost effective and easier to build than native apps because, unlike mobile apps, they aren’t highly specialized and aren’t built to be stored.
Advantages of Web Applications
for companies and entrepreneurs in all industries and fields. Why? Because there is no shortage of advantages when it comes to building and using web applications.
Accessible Anywhere
With web applications, as long as you have internet access and a web browser, you can access them anytime, anywhere. This means increased productivity for you and your employees, and web apps allow for employee benefits, such as remote or flexible work. Plus, you can have peace of mind knowing you can access your important information and documents easily, even at a moment’s notice.
No Need for Storage
Unlike mobile apps or computer software that has to be downloaded, web applications are never stored on devices. Instead, they use web servers to store, process, and deliver data to their users. You’ll never have to worry about freeing up space on your computer’s hard drive or deleting photos and apps to make room on your phone.
Platform Agnostic
With web apps, you don’t need to design the same software for multiple platforms, like you would for mobile apps. You can save money by hiring or training only one team of developers to do the job, and you’ll save money and resources in the long run by only having to create one set of code to be used on any device.
Ease of Development
Being platform agnostic isn’t the only reason web applications can be developed quickly and efficiently. Developers often use web application development frameworks, such as Django and Angular, to speed up the development process.
By using web app frameworks, they’re able to quickly and legitimately reuse code, take advantage of templates for web apps, and leverage libraries for database access, cutting down time and costs associated with the projects while still delivering quality code.
Types of Web Apps
We’ve discussed what web apps are and how they’re advantageous, but what do they actually look like? What kind of web application could be right for you and your business? We’ve outlined some of the most popular types of web applications that you may already be using:
Static Web Apps
As you may have guessed from its name, static web apps lack flexibility. Users can’t interact with static web apps, so they act more like a collection of static web pages. They’re also difficult to update or change, requiring a user to completely reload a page before any changes appear.
Static web apps are typically only used to display important information that doesn’t need any input from the user. For example, static web applications may be used for a professional or personal portfolio, a contact page for a company, or an about page for a business.
Static web apps are often part of a larger dynamic web application.
Dynamic Web Apps
If your users will be able to receive different results based on the information they input into your web app, then you’re dealing with dynamic web applications, also known as progressive web apps. Simply put, dynamic web apps are any applications that aren’t static. Whether you’re using a search bar, logging into a system, or posting content, you’re using a dynamic web app.
eCommerce Web Apps
We’ve all used eCommerce web apps in our lifetime, even if we didn’t know it at the time. Anytime you’ve bought or sold anything online, you’ve used an eCommerce web app that places orders and processes payments.
This type of web app is more complicated, as it requires the ability to keep a database updated, create and list new products, and keep online transactions secure.
Portal Web Apps
A portal web app is any web application that allows you to access a secure area via a log in. Whether you’re logging into your online bank account to check your balance or logging into your email to view new messages, you’re using a portal web app.
Content Management System
For web application development, it’s important that content is kept up to date at all times. That’s where a content management system (CMS) comes into play. By installing and using a CMS, a user can make and implement changes and updates to their web applications easily, even without any technical expertise.
For example, if a business hires an outside software company to build a web application for them, a CMS will most likely be included. That way, the business doesn’t have to go through the software company every time they want to make a change.
Examples of Web Applications
Now, let’s take a look at some popular examples of web applications, so you can compare what you’ve learned in this blog to the web applications you probably use every day.
Google Docs
Google Docs is a dynamic web application that allows users to take advantage of word processing software from anywhere. Whether they want to create a document on the go or need to be able to collaborate with teammates in real time, this dynamic web application allows them to do so.
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram
All the biggest social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, provide web apps alongside their mobile apps. Their users have the ability to access and use their software from any device and
any location.
Gmail, Yahoo, and Outlook
Whether you knew it or not, you’ve probably been using portal web applications for a long time. Email providers allow you to login to your accounts to view and respond to secure emails. Major email providers, such as Gmail, Yahoo, and Outlook, provide web apps for their users, so they don’t have to worry about getting to a computer or downloading an app to access their important messages.
Amazon
Whether you’re loyal to shopping in-store or solely shop online when possible, chances are you’ve taken advantage of eCommerce web applications at some point or another. One of the most popular and well-known examples is Amazon, which sells and ships products of all kinds for customers.
WordPress
Have you ever heard of WordPress, the site that allows you to build and maintain your own website? Even if you haven’t used it before, the name is probably familiar. WordPress uses a powerful CMS to update and maintain the websites that users create, priding itself on being user-friendly to people who have little to no technical experience.
Their CMS system allows users to edit their website’s domain and name, upload and publish content, edit colors and pictures on their website, change comment settings, and more.
What Is Web Application Development?
Now you know what web applications are, but what is web application development? As you might’ve guessed, it’s the design and creation of web apps from conception to deployment. Web application development, like all software development, should always be user- and goal-focused, keeping the users and their needs in mind during every step of the process.
The Web Application Development Process
The web application development process can be broken down into five basic steps:
Define Your Goals
Before you begin development, you and your team need to define your development goals, so they align with your business logic. Ask yourself questions like:
- What do you want the web application to accomplish?
- What will your users want from the web app?
- What specific functionalities must be included?
- What should the web app look and feel like?
By defining your goals at the beginning of the development process, you can avoid miscommunication, missing or incorrect functionalities, and more. Plus, you can ensure from the beginning your user interface will do exactly what your users need.
Design The Application
Now that you know what the web app should do, you’ll want to design the application. The design portion of the web development process varies depending on the development team or company you’re working with. Development teams will typically use web application frameworks, which act similarly to templates, to speed up the development process and cut down on overhead costs.
Regardless of what your individual process looks like, you’ll want to:
- Determine how many pages will be included in the web app
- Specify what functions will be available on each page
- Explain how the pages will work together
Once you’ve completed those steps, you may choose to create mockups of the various pages that will be included in your web app. For example, if your web application includes a login page, you’ll want to design a mockup of the login page, showing exactly what should be included on the page and how it should look.
Establish a Workflow
Once your web application has been designed or is in the process of being designed, your development team can establish a workflow. Assign various tasks or projects to web developers to ensure nothing falls through the cracks and no two developers are working on the same item, which wastes time and resources.
Your team will also want to establish deadlines and determine when testing will take place.
Test Your Software
For a successful web app development project, the web app must be tested continuously. As each page or functionality is completed, one or more of your team members should test the application against the original goals and design. Before the project is launched, this testing is often performed on a web app prototype, which is an interactive version of the application that will eventually be available for users. The team members will test to ensure that the software works as it’s supposed to, and that there are no major bugs.
By testing continuously throughout the process, you can catch small issues before they cause larger problems for you and your users.
Deploy Your Application
You did it! You’ve designed, created, and tested your web application, meaning it’s ready to be deployed. Now, you can make it available for users wherever they are.
However, the development process doesn’t end here. As you identify new ways to improve your web app or uncover hidden bugs as it is used by more people, you’ll want to adjust and update your software.
The key to lasting software is maintaining a relationship with a development team that can ensure these updates are made whenever necessary to keep your product meeting the changing needs of its users.
If you’re looking for a software company to develop your web application, contact our team at Geneca today.