Website or Web App: Which is Right For You?

Not every URL you click is a website— you may use a website or a website application, and for your personal needs, you’d likely use the latter. This may throw you off initially; if that’s the case, then this is information you need to be aware of (especially as a business owner). You don’t want to find yourself in a situation where you have one while the other might’ve been a better fit. 

The concepts of Websites and Web Applications may seem similar but they are very different. Leaders must know the difference to decide which best fits their organization and the needs of their users. The first difference to be considered is the capabilities of each and how that’s going to play a role in the user experience.

A website is meant to provide the information that the creator inputs which makes the content static. Whereas a website application displays information based on the user's input, making the content dynamic. Online banking or your Gmail are examples of Web Apps as they perform a service based on the user's input.

The simple consideration you’ll need to take when determining which is best for you is whether your platform is providing a service or information. Additionally, it needs to be considered if users are providing information that requires privacy and security. For example, an E-Commerce store that has users' shipping addresses and credit card information would use Web Application software to protect that. 

There’s a lot to consider when finding the right fit for your business, only you know the true experience you envision for your customers. With that being said, here is some information to consider when planning your platforms:

Components of a Good Website

• Informational: Your website is your company's digital resume that is going to be the directory for people to learn about you. You will highlight your services, past work you’ve done, and contact information. Ideally, this will function as a funnel for visitors to want to get in contact with a sales representative.

• Static Content: It’s common knowledge that what you put on your website is all that users have to interact with. This is why you want to be strategic with what users see when they first click your URL. A bland website with no experience for the user is sure to get clicked out by curious visitors. Whereas having sections such as “testimonials” “products” “our team” and videos about the company starts to form a rapport with the visitor.

• Consistent Voice: To be able to nurture your leads through your website, you want to be precise with the way you present yourself online. Since your website will be where customers run to get help or potential customers go to learn more, your brand should have a personality. For example, how would your messaging be directed at your audience if you are a car insurance provider? Since the needs you fill are something everyone who drives a car must have, you ideally would be speaking from a position of care (example: “keeping you safe while giving you freedom”).

 Components of a Good Website Application

• Software: Most Web Apps are typically written in HTML 5, JavaScript, or Cascading Style Sheets. Web Apps need a stable network to operate in their browser. What this means is that while native programs run on the software of a device, Web Apps rely on the World Wide Web. 

• Interactive: Web Apps can track and store data that are useful to users and keep them coming back. A Web App should be something that users will visit often (for example online banking). This requires the software to have a UI/UX design, which allows users to understand how to use the platform and makes for a well-rounded experience.

• Platform Flexibility: Since a Web App is only accessible through a web browser and will require users to have downloaded the necessary software, the performance should always be consistent. Whether someone is accessing it from a computer, mobile phone, or tablet and whether it’s IOS, Windows, or Android, it will run smoothly for all. 

• Potential For an App: A website application itself cannot be downloaded from an app store. However, businesses can mimic the Web App through an IOS and Android-compatible application that can be directly downloaded. What’s especially great about this is that it further expands your users' access to your services.

Progressive Web Apps (PWA)

A PWA is an alternative to a Web Application. At its core, a PWA is meant to look and feel like a native app in the form of a website. A PWA is a great middle man for businesses especially as they are not typically as costly as Web Apps. In terms of user experience, PWA’s are highly responsive, they don’t need to be downloaded and can even function without a stable internet connection. One of their biggest draws is the speed at which they function and their ability to conform to any device. 

Which to Use For Your Business

Websites and Web Apps are both extremely useful tools for your audience to engage with you. A Web App creates a constant interaction between businesses and consumers while a website is a good place to show your audience who you are as an organization. Ultimately, you will decide whether your services are best accessed through a web app or by being directed to a representative. 

What’s Next?

One of the most important components of a business is having a well-rounded source of engagement for current and potential clients. Your website or Web App should be helpful, particularly in the senses of support and directory. 

Written By Ben Brown

We work with successful companies to increase their net profits using exceptional custom software solutions, contact us here to see how we can help your business grow!

Digital Purchasing in 2022: 4 Prevalent Fintech Trends

The last three years have made a huge difference in the economy and the way people consume overall. So many plans were shifted in a new direction as a response to the circumstances imposed by the pandemic. While in-person consumption was put on hold, everyone was sent running to their devices. When this happened, we saw a rise in e-commerce businesses as a means to conform to the demands of the digital marketplace. This trend is not going anywhere anytime soon and the technology fuelling this sector will see innovations to keep up.

One example of a company that saw a gaping void to fill in this industry is the Swedish Fintech company Klarna. They followed a simple concept of “buy now, pay later” which pertained to the confidence and convenience consumers look for. Their business model allows customers to make online purchases only after they’re sure they’re happy with the product. This should paint the picture of the types of businesses that are emerging from the shift. Klarna is just one example of many companies that have created a unique approach to the e-commerce sector.

This is an era where if a cell service provider goes down, the economy is put on pause. With immense reliance on technology, there will always be cause for concern but there will also be plenty of opportunities for businesses to capitalize on the market. The Fintech industry has done exactly that; they’ve recognized what’s convenient for consumers and what makes them comfortable reaching for their wallets. With knowledge of these triggers, companies are making themselves easily accessible through apps or websites which reduces consumer interest in brick-and-mortar businesses.

Now what must be considered is that this business model still has a long way to go from 2022 before it can be relied on as a regular form of banking. This is largely due to the frequency and severity of fraud and cyberattacks on digital banks. This issue derails a lot of the progress of the Fintech industry and is certainly something that developers will continue to fight against. However, once these companies get the bugs out and find a more permanent solution, the industry will be able to reach unimagined heights. 

Digital payment processing trends are still new to society, though it is something people have reacted to incredibly well. At this point, the reliance on the sector is building, so let’s look at the trends to watch for shortly:

GaaS (Games as a Service)

The global gaming market is worth over $200 billion and is forecasted to double within the next twelve years. There are hundreds of millions of players all over the world who live and breathe online gaming. The GaaS model is designed to profit from this large audience through “microtransactions” in free-to-play games. Rather than charging $30-$60 for a game, developers can monetize and make the game a subscription rather than a one-time purchase.

By making it free and slowly introducing purchases to enhance the gaming experience, there is a consistent stream of purchases from each player. There is also constant attention being received from players as they will always want to have the latest and greatest that the game has to offer. As the excitement rises, so does the chance of players looking for upgrades and updates. 

Q-Commerce (Quick Commerce)

How would you like to order something online and receive it within an hour? Half an hour?! Fifteen minutes?!? Don’t get your hopes up, this isn’t referring to your Amazon order of 53 items. The Q-Commerce sector is reserved for small items such as food, medications, self-care items, and others like this. This new model is a game-changer set to revolutionize delivery services and the idea of “delivery” as a whole. If it won’t come within an hour, is it being delivered? Or did you just “order it”?. 

With speed being the draw for consumers (typically in and around 30 minutes), payment providers are under a lot of pressure to make transactions happen as fast as possible. Dark stores are also in a constant battle to provide faster service than the competition or risk losing the customer. This is a Hunger Games-style industry, people will pay more to receive quicker.

Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL)

Recalling the example of Klarna, many companies are following the same trend to keep up with the aggressive demand for this business model. Consumers are drawn to the BNPL concept for many reasons whether it be budgetary, to avoid fees or interest, or simply not being able to pay for something at the moment. As BNPL services fill this void, it has allowed the market to reach a value of over $5 billion and is estimated to reach somewhere around $40 billion by 2030. Flexibility is everything to consumers today: the more freedom or uniqueness there is with the service, the more likely people are to try it. Everyone wants to believe what they’re using is better than what everyone else is. 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Processing

AI can be used to examine transaction data and identify irregularities without requiring supervision. This is beneficial for handling mass amounts of payments and data traffic while minimizing the number of errors. With these pattern recognition abilities, AI can track and store data that will allow payment processing to run smoothly and prevent credit card fraud. Companies are benefiting from AI from a security and processing standpoint. As this technology advances, we can expect to see AI playing an even bigger role in digital payment systems down the line.  

What’s Next?

Businesses are taking advantage of these trends and making tremendous strides while creating value in the marketplace. This sector (just like any other business) is extremely competitive. The slightest hint of more convenience will be the deciding factor for consumers of e-commerce. Companies that are succeeding in this sector know this and structure their services around it to be that much better than the competition. 

Written By Ben Brown

We work with successful companies to increase their net profits using exceptional custom software solutions, contact us here to see how we can help your business grow!

Hiring The Perfect App Developer

How many times have you said, “there should be an app for this”? Or wanted to tell someone this great concept for an app you came up with? Or more importantly, felt that your job could be a lot easier with the help of an app? A better question would be how many times is there an app for the issue? Or a similar concept? The good news is that it doesn’t matter whether or not there is an app for your specific issue because you are going to make it unique to you or your vision. 

The advancement of technology in the mobile app development space has made it a multi-billion dollar market. This means there is plenty of opportunity and reward to be found in introducing mobile service to your business. Companies today are increasingly reworking their efforts to take advantage of the demand for mobile accessibility. In addition to the convenience of automation, benefits include ease of communication with customers, customer loyalty, brand value, ability to compete with larger-scale businesses, etc.

To employ the perks that come with access to the mobile market, companies need to find the right developer for their app. This can be difficult, especially considering that this is a complex area which will require experts and is going to be an investment for businesses.

Hiring the right developer is no easy process, but here are some staple characteristics to look out for in your search:

Staff vs Freelance

This is the starting point for locating a developer, if your company has an IT team but maybe you want their attention elsewhere then freelance is your best bet. On the other hand, if you trust your team enough to carry out the task then that’s great, but you should still ensure they have the necessary resources. Now, when it comes to a freelance developer, you are paying solely for the work whereas employees have other components.

Credibility

In the same way, you want a financial advisor with good education and a history of success stories. You want an app developer that has an education from a reputable institution and is confident with programming languages such as Java, C++, and HTML. There’s a plethora of concepts and information that an app developer must be familiar with and ideally have a track record which backs up their claims. Bringing in a good developer is the same as any other investment. Before you even reach for your wallet, you want to find someone that stands out to you because you see the potential for something great. 

Creative Skills

Developers are not IT robots, you need someone who is creative and understands the vision for your organization. They need to be flexible and not confined to a standard process that acts as a copy-paste method for every client of theirs. This leads to the most important characteristic which is making sure they listen to your goals, concerns, and current methods, and come up with a custom plan. A good app developer should be able to assess your situation and immediately begin coming up with an action plan. 

Timeline

A sure tell that a developer is going to give your business the highest ROI is by outlining what they want to achieve and when they want to have achieved it. This should look something like the first 2-3 weeks - planning stage, next 2 weeks - analysis, 6 weeks of designing and pre-development, 4 weeks of UI (User Interface) design, and 9-10 weeks of development. Please note that this timeline is a rough estimate and every project will vary depending on the needs of the organization. Nonetheless, you get the idea, that a good developer will not keep you on your toes waiting for work and will keep you in the loop during the development process. 

Now when it comes to the outcome of the app itself numerous things should be on your checklist. Essentially you want your app to run like a well-oiled machine with everything coordinated to produce the experience you want for your users. Here’s a few key things to look for:

UI (User Interface) /UX (User Experience) 

UI and UX are going to be the bread and butter of your app as this is what is going to deliver the experience to your users. This will of course be dependent on the personality and general theme of your business which you want to be consistent with your app. This is also what is going to allow your app to serve customers with a customized experience. Keep in mind that the average app loses nearly 80% of its users within the first three days of downloading. Why is that? Well, why do you delete an app? Because it’s not satisfying your needs and you rely on apps for their convenience. Companies need both UI and UX design, one without the other is like a car without wheels. 

Compatibility

Of all mobile users in the world, Android users account for 75% and Apple for 25%. So as much as we see others with IOS devices, Android is still the dominant force in the market. The performance of your app should be consistent across all platforms (IOS, Android, and Windows). This is going to require tests and continuing to tweak bugs that the system encounters. Your app should push notifications for updates when necessary as this delivers the customer experience. This will require your team to supervise the response to the app to determine what needs improvement. 

Is It Helpful?

The sure way to tell that your app is something that’s going to benefit the future of your business is by simply understanding its purpose. How does this improve the experience for your users? How does this help your staff? Is it bringing in money? It is these simple questions that are not only going to determine the success of your app but will highlight what works and what doesn’t. 

What’s next? 

App development can make your business excel when done right, today’s market is very mobile-oriented no matter what industry you’re in. Focus on making your services convenient and consistent for every user.

Written By Ben Brown

We work with successful companies to increase their net profits using exceptional custom software solutions, contact us here to see how we can help your business grow!