Many people get confused when the terms “website” and “web application” enter the conversation. However, it is vitally important for business owners to know the difference between the two in order to make the most informed choice for their own business.
Difference Between Web Application and Website
Although web apps and websites look quite similar to the average user, they are actually quite different from each other on the backend. Business owners and decision makers must know the difference well to make the right choice for their own businesses, as it is an important issue. Inadequate information about both can cause companies to have unrealistic expectations of their developer due to a misunderstanding about either product.
Choosing to build a website when a web application would be a better choice or vice versa can be detrimental to business goals. To make the most informed and smart choice for the business, managers and owners must learn about the differences between the two options, their pros and cons, and what the language means when talking to development teams.
| Criterion | Web Application | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | A program running in a web browser, usually interactive and dynamic | A collection of web pages linked together on the World Wide Web |
| Interactivity | High, allows users to enter, manipulate and store data | Low to medium, primarily provides information and may contain static web forms |
| Complexity | Generally more complex, includes both client-side and server-side scripting | Can range from simple (HTML and CSS) to complex (including some web applications) |
| User engagement | Offers personalized experiences, users can create accounts and save their preferences | Mainly for viewing or downloading content, user accounts are less common |
| Functionality | Designed to perform specific tasks or functions | Designed to present content and information |
| Examples | Gmail, Facebook, Google Docs, Trello | News sites, blogs, corporate sites |
| Development Skills | Requires more advanced development skills, including front-end and back-end development | Can be built with basic HTML and CSS skills, although more complex sites require advanced skills |
| Use | Users interact with it frequently, usually for work or daily tasks | Users visit it to find specific information or content |
| Server Interaction | Requires constant interaction with the server to function properly | Less interaction with the server, especially to load content |
| Updating Content | Dynamically updates content based on user interactions and data updates | Content updates often require manual source code changes |
| Browser compatibility | Needs to be thoroughly tested for compatibility with different browsers due to interactive elements | Easier to achieve broad browser compatibility due to less overall interactivity |
What is a site?
A website is a collection of related web pages containing text, images, videos, and other media. A computer with a 24/7 Internet connection is required to host a website.
There are 2 types of websites: static websites and dynamic websites. Websites can also contain any number of web pages. Examples of a website include a blog or a restaurant's web page containing all the important information for customers.
Pros:
- Great way to provide the public with a resource for all relevant business information.
- Suitable option for presenting products and services.
- Suitable for marketing and ad placement.
- Guaranteed access across devices and browsers.
Cons:
- Frequent changes in design trends mean regular web design updates.
- Users may get fed up with dealing with advertisements on websites.
- Various direct and indirect costs involved in building a website.
What are Web Applications?
A web application is an application that works through a web browser. It is stored on a remote server and delivered over the internet via a browser interface, meaning you don't need to download/install it to use it.
Web applications require authentication, which means users must log in and create an account to use them. They use a combination of server-side and client-side scripts to present information. A great example of a web app is Google Workspace Apps .
Pros:
- Able to run on many supported platforms and browsers regardless of device/operating system.
- All users access the same version of the app on all devices.
- More interactive than websites.
Cons:
- Not available in any app store. Hence, users may not find them easily.
- Large sizes may affect its performance.
- Users cannot access them without an Internet connection.
- Older web browsers may not allow web applications to function.
How to use web apps and websites in your business
Both web apps and websites are great business tools. Many companies and online resources already use “web applications” but call them by an alternative name. Examples of this include:
- Web Portals – A web portal is an environment used to integrate various applications. A portal is like a group of web applications with different content from a single organization. It allows content configuration while offering a more personalized user experience. A great example of a web portal is one used for online banking. This creates access to vital account information, bill payment functionalities, deposits, and so on. Each piece of information is then available in a separate web application. However, users need the web portal to access these web applications.
- Online Stores – An online store or e-shop is a web application where users sell goods, services or both over the Internet. Customers search for their preferred product or service, place an order and pay for it. Online stores require user authentication to make online payments secure.
Web applications can represent a small local store, a large retailer, or an e-commerce store. Two of the most famous use cases are Amazon and eBay. According to Investopedia , Amazon operates like a traditional retail store, while eBay works more like an auction house.
What are Progressive Web Apps?
Building and maintaining a web application is a complex task. Additionally, small businesses find web application development initially very expensive. For these cases, Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) are a great option, as they combine the features of an application with the technology used in web development to build affordable solutions for companies.
To understand PWAs, however, business owners must first understand native apps. A native application is one developed specifically for a platform, be it iOS or Android. For example, iOS and Android users have different versions of popular apps. PWAs are applications developed with web technologies such as HTML, CSS and JS with the functionalities of a native application.
This means that PWA users don't need to download or install the app: they just need to access it over the internet and take advantage of PWA features that take advantage of the app's native features. Thus, PWAs offer features like push notifications and the ability to work offline. These applications improve the performance of websites regardless of the device or network condition, as they do not need a constant Internet connection to function.
Uses of web applications
- Interactivity – A web application offers more interactivity to users than a website. Typically, a website acts as a source of fairly static information for users. Although modern websites feature some elements of interactivity, the focus remains on content. Meanwhile, all types of web apps, including social apps and online stores, offer much more interactivity.
- Integrations – Web applications bring together different components to build a more comprehensive system. Companies can integrate websites and web applications with other software; however, this is still more common for web applications. An integrated website helps provide personalized content to users as an additional feature.
- Authentication – This includes the process of providing a user login and password for access. It is a feature often found in web applications for security reasons. Although not mandatory for websites, some may still require authentication. Informational sites do not ask for authentication. However, users may need to provide authentication to take advantage of additional options.
What is the “right” choice?
Unfortunately for business owners, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to choosing a website or web app. Decision makers should take the time to thoroughly examine the business objectives as well as the offerings of each type of technology together with their development team to figure out which option is best for their specific needs.
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Source: BairesDev
