What are differences between mobile store apps and responsive websites?
Nearly 90% of you cannot realize what is mobile store app and responsive design website based on their looks which are quite similar on handheld mobile devices. However, in depth, they are totally different.
Mobile website can be understood as web pages designed for mobile devices, not only for large screen (PC screen). It also consists of browser-based HTML pages that are linked together and accessed over the Internet.
Mobile applications, differently, are not web pages designed for mobile devices. Exactly, they are mobile software which can be downloaded and installed on smart phones or tablets. Since they are not responsive web page, these apps cannot be opened on mobile browser. Instead, they run on mobile operating systems like iOS, Android, Windows Phone … and their interface is mobile optimized.
Confusing between two? Let’s see their Pros and Cons:
| Native app | Mobile Website | |
| Pros | - Faster access from mobile screen. – Optimized for mobile devices with more interactive user interface- Allow easy access to the phone’s features such as the address book, camera… – Enhance user experience : looks, feels, browsing…- Engage more customers and keep longer and more frequent user interaction time -Increase customer return rate, conversion rate. – Safer because it is reviewed and approved by application store administrators.-Lag less when user browse, scroll.- Take advantage of mobile features like locating and personalizing. | - Responsive designed for mobile devices – Reach people from search engines- No limitation on platforms.- Not need to be approved by application store.- No need to download or install.
– Takes small data storage.
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| Cons | - Cannot run on browsers and reach people from search engines.- Require developing for each platform.- Need to be approved to appear on application stores.- Need to be downloaded and installed.- Take a more storage on mobile devices. | - Slower access from browser- Limited access to the phone’s capabilities- Limited user experience- Limited user interaction time
– Less convenience to browse
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“…85% of respondents preferred a mobile app than a mobile website.”
This number was revealed by Compuware in 2013 when they carried out a survey of 3,500 consumers. This number speaks louder than any evidence. Although mobile website is considered to be more important, mobile apps seem to be more preferable from customers’ perpective. Therefore, it is quite necessary to have a mobile store app on your own.
If you are worried about the cost and time to get an app like that, SimiCart can help you out. It’s the easiest way to build a Magento mobile apps for your online store at only $299 one time only.
Source: SimiCart Blog
