Why Do We Need Web App Development?
If you are new in the field of the technology era, I bet you have gone through several websites to find out its terminology. Besides technical jargon, you need to figure out many definitions of each product/software for better business purposes and decisions. In fact, it is valuable to your business growth. So is web application development. However, do you ensure that you understand when and why you need web app development? How many web app development types do you know? Or do you get its importance on your future products? Above all, do you feel a headache finding the most suitable partner for your web app development project?
HDWEBSOFT, with over 12 years of experience in software development, will accompany you to relieve your headache. Why don’t we start from the bottom of the issue to build a solid foundation before diving into detailed levels?
- 1) Website vs. Web Application
- 2) Why Do We Need A Web Application?
- 3) Why Do We Need Web App Development?
- 3.1) Definition & Roles
- 3.2) Characteristics
- 3.3) Types
- 3.3.1) Static Web Applications
- 3.3.2) Dynamic Web Applications
- 3.3.3) Single-page Applications (SPAs)
- 3.3.4) Multi-page Applications (MPAs)
- 3.3.5) Progressive Web Applications (PWAs)
- 3.3.6) Rich Internet Applications (RIAs)
- 3.3.7) JavaScript Powered Web Applications
- 3.3.8) Content Management Systems
- 3.3.9) eCommerce Web Applications
- 3.3.10) Portal Web Applications
- 3.4) Tools and Services
- 4) Related Posts
- 4.1) 2022 Offshore & Outsourcing Software Development Trends
- 4.2) Top 5 Java Development Companies in Vietnam
- 4.3) Top Offshore Development Risks
- 4.4) Outsourcing Custom Healthcare Solutions: Pros and Cons
- 4.5) Java or .NET in Web Application Development
- 4.6) Custom Software vs Off-the-Shelf: The Pros & The Cons
Website vs. Web Application
Definition
A website is a set of interlinked web pages hosted on a single or multiple web server with global accessibility or private area via IP address. It contains images, videos, text, etc. Also, an individual, a group, or a business organization can develop and manage a website to adapt to a wide range of purposes. For instance:
- amazon.com is an e-commerce website that allows sellers to create their product listings and buyers to purchase those products.
- hdwebsoft.com is a company website that introduces everything about HDWEBSOFT and our services.
On the other hand, a web application is a tailored software product compatible with any web browser. It offers interactive elements and diverse functionalities. Additionally, it requires high authentication and an experienced team to build due to its complexity. Furthermore, with the rise of the Software as a Service (SaaS) movement, web applications gained popularity. For example:
- Facebook.
- Google Docs.
Characteristics
- A website
- Quality and relevant content.
- Security.
- User-friendly configuration.
- Available for search via search engines.
- Navigate and visual web design.
- Speed and performance.
- Reliability.
- Optimized for different devices.
- Responsiveness.
- A web app extends websites’ characteristics with
- Cloud-computing.
- Usable on most cross-platform.
- Easily tested with automated tests.
- Modular and Decentralized.
- High scalability.
Comparison
| Websites | Web Applications | |
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| Target Users |
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| User Interaction |
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| Authentication |
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| Task & Complexity |
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| Software |
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| Compilation |
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| Deployment |
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We have gone through the essential elements to understand what a web application is. Besides the distinctive points mentioned above, you can also find valuable resources for your extensive reading such as Website vs Web App Differences.
Why Do We Need A Web Application?
As shown above, a web application is a software program stored on a web server and distributed via the Internet, typically by a browser interface. In addition, a web app is any website’s component, which provides users’ functions. According to Jarel Remick, application software is developed to serve users’ needs, including single or multiple related tasks.
There are many available web apps that you use every day. However, do you know why it is essential and what its advantages are? Let’s have a look at its benefits.
Accessibility
It allows multiple users to access and work on the same app version within the same timeframe.
Cloud-based
There is no need for installation. By using cloud-based functionality, web apps have become an essential feature of business across the globe. The demand has been growing significantly since many enterprises want to create one for their business goals achieved.
Compatible Devices
Despite its complexity in the building process, it is allowable to be used on various devices such as laptops, desktops, and gadgets. Obviously, it is compatible with plenty of platforms.
Release
This is a plus for a web app since it reduces the update notification. Specifically, it can be released at any time, whichever the form is.
Cost-effectiveness
A web app is a SaaS product, and therefore, it is less expensive than other desktop software. Furthermore, it is built to adapt to your demand, so you only pay when the demand arises.
Why Do We Need Web App Development?
Definition & Roles
Web app development is a web application-building process, and it places a greater emphasis on engaging with the browser interaction than on traditional technical procedures. Below is the list of problematic issues that web app development mainly covers.
- Problem detections.
- Solution stimulation.
- User engagements.
- Framework/Tools.
- Testing environment.
In fact, a suitable web application solution plays a vital role in your business growth. A successful web application has brought a wide range of benefits. Specifically, it increases revenues, helps the workload run smoothly, and becomes an iconic app for your business branding.
Characteristics
All issues of web app development often relate to user experience. Therefore, project managers must do more research and comprehend the importance of web app development to achieve their objectives. However, you may need an experienced in-house engineering team for full-stack web app development. Specifically, it would be best if you had front-end, back-end, client-side, and server-side programs to observe the web app development project fully.
You are worried about the budget? No guaranteed services are found?! – Calm down; HDWEBSOFT is here to help. We, your trustworthy software development partner in Vietnam, are willing to accompany you to overcome this challenging web app development project thanks to our web app development services.
Types
There are 2 broad groups in the web app development field: static and dynamic. Dynamic web apps also contain some further types if we dig in deeper. Let us guide you to each class with a visual example for your better imagination.
Static Web Applications
It is a type of web app development that evolved in HTML, CSS, jQuery, and Ajax purely based on your selection. However, the content of this web app type is not easy to modify. The primary project’s website admins or development team must have the HTML code and send the latest adjustment back to the server to make content changes. To emphasize, only the admin or advancement group has this changeable right. Therefore, a static web app often seems to contain no content. Furthermore, even if it shows almost no content, you can manually add enlivened items, such as GIFs and videos.
In fact, creating a static web application is simple at some points. However, it would be a challenge if you did not have an experienced software development team’s assistance.
Dynamic Web Applications
Unlike static web apps, dynamic web applications are complicated, especially in technical scope. Specifically, dynamic web applications work in tandem with a wide range of web applications. Therefore, there are lots of features to notice, including languages and databases.
Languages
PHP, Python, Java – JSP, Node.js, and ASP.NET are notable program languages among various programming ones. Due to their content organization permission, they are the most preferred language used in web app development.
Besides, there are other supporting programs/frameworks for web application development, such as Django, Express, Ruby on Rails, Fastify, Hapi, Laravel, and Symfony.
Databases
The content is much easier to adjust with databases and content management systems than with a static web app. Moreover, it allows an information stack to read, create, refresh, or even erase data.
Single-page Applications (SPAs)
A framework for web and mobile application development, Single-page apps, as its name, optimizes client interaction on one page by deploying an endless scroll mechanism to store and display its contents. Unlike other traditional apps serving on the server, SPA logic performs on the browser, making its creation, bug fix, and deployment simpler and faster. Above all, the updates/upgrades are available to adapt to the technology moves and future needs.
However, it also includes some limitations. Typically, they are the modest amount of information and SEO incompatibility. Specifically, it contains a limited amount of information per query/request to respond quickly and effectively in the smoothest connection. Additionally, SPAs are incompatible with SEO restrictions due to inclusive URLs. As a result, SPAs are not a suitable web app development for eCommerce projects. Fortunately, the situation is getting better with SSR (server-side rendering) supported frameworks.
On the other hand, SPAs benefit social networks, and online services such as Trello, Gmail, Twitter, etc. There are a few popular frameworks we are using to build SPAs such as React, Vue, and Angular.
Multi-page Applications (MPAs)
The name highlights that specialty, which sets it apart from SPAs. Below are the notable differences between Single-page and Multi-page Applications.
First of all, the name has told its story. Unlike SPAs, Multi-page apps will reload and open a new page as users’ queries/requests. In MPAs, all requests will be stored and delivered from clients to the server directly through the backend. Complexity is the second distinction. If SPAs are easy to update, build, and fix, MPAs are more complex in update and maintenance. In addition, it also takes more time in the development stage. Next, it is about information capacity. There are no page or information limitations about services.
Last but not least is SEO compatibility. Since it adapts to SEO regulations, MPAs are a suitable choice for web app purposes. For instance, they are Catalogs, Enterprise Web apps, Marketplaces, etc.
Progressive Web Applications (PWAs)
In terms of a web app, there are many types of the web app. A progressive web app (PWA) is a specific modern web app that possesses outstanding native and hybrid app features. PWAs run in a web browser, as other web apps, and are welcomed on the Google Play Store and Microsoft Store. In addition, PWAs require a traditional install process as mobile apps; therefore, in some aspects, it is no different from a mobile app.
PWAs launch from users’ devices; as a result, eliminating the stage of opening a browser. They also send push notifications to your mobile, run offline, and load in a flash. For instance Starbucks, Forbes, etc.
PWAs Specialties
Performance is what makes PWAs enticing. It breaks all the prejudices for a web app or a mobile app. In fact, people believe native apps are faster and outperform web apps and hybrid apps in the software development industry. However, PWAs have redefined this stereotype. Specifically, it is a traditional web app packaged in a mobile app. As a result, it is a unique and outstanding web type.
Due to its specialties, there is much potential for growth and development for your projects.
Rich Internet Applications (RIAs)
This is a web app development type primarily focused on desktop application functionalities. RIAs provide a great user experience with better data communication in a visually appealing interface. Since it works along with the plugins to resolve browser regulations, it also contains inconvenience. Specifically, a part or entire of RIAs would perform inaccurately if the plugins were out-of-date. RIAs products are pretty popular such as YouTube, Google Maps, etc.
JavaScript Powered Web Applications
JavaScript Powered web apps, known as client-side web apps, are more flexible and adaptable than traditional apps by using JavaScript frameworks in client-side transition. Client-side logic accelerates the responsive functions, high levels of performance, and various user interaction levels, and prioritizes UX. Business-Centric Web Applications are notable web app development types of JavaScript Powered Web Apps.
Content Management Systems
CMSs have become a popular web app development type in the field. This software concept allows content creators to create, modify, and manage a website’s content without technical knowledge. CMSs are popular in content creation, blogs, and media fields such as Magento, WordPress, Joomla, etc.
eCommerce Web Applications
The name reflects its primary function. E-commerce web app is one of the most difficult web app development types since it requires plenty of different features such as e-shops, booking systems, payment methods, tracking transactions, and item management. Furthermore, the appealing UI is a crucial feature that cannot be ignored—for example, Freshmenu, Swiggy, etc.
Portal Web Applications
This is a special and popular web app development type. Portal web apps allow users to create personal profiles such as financial transactions, emails, and chats. In addition, only members of that portal app can modify content and track user’s web activity—for instance, Government Portals, Online Banking Portals, Education University Portals, etc.
Tools and Services
There are a lot of useful technologies, platforms, tools, and services to build different types of web app development such as Eclipse, PHPStorm, IntelliJ Idea, Visual Studio, Visual Studio Code, Sauce Labs, Apache, Nginx, jMeter, etc. In fact, it is challenging to create a web application that meets all companies’ requirements. However, the in-house engineering team is also a headache to your business budget. Additionally, it is not easy to have a reliable software development partner to carry your ideal web application.
No worries! HDWEBSOFT is here to assist you in achieving your project goals.
Acknowledging the importance of web app development, HDWEBSOFT provides you with the best experience in the most harmonious partnership. Our IT experts excel at all required web app development tools and choose excellent team members to develop your ideal product. Furthermore, we provide lifetime products and services at any given stage at an affordable price.
