Every minute, the internet evolves at lightning speed, and that can be intimidating for small business owners to keep up with. For most small business owners, worrying about technological advances and trends is the least of their worries. Instead, they focus on a traditional approach that has worked so far.
Although a traditional perspective makes sense to some extent, mobile marketing is here to stay and is set to grow at a rate that can be daunting for smaller businesses. The only option to get out of this dilemma is to increase the online presence to fit the ecosystem. As for the ‘how’ question, the answer lies between the technology of responsive websites, mobile websites and mobile apps.
Responsive Website
A responsive website uses a CSS style sheet that allows the website to look good on any device, be it a PC, phone or tablet with different screen sizes, the website will display perfectly. It’s usually not a separate website, just a layout that works for all screen sizes that allows mobile visitors to access website content optimized for smaller screens.
mobile website
A mobile website uses more contemporary front-end technologies, such as HTML5 or WebKit features, without the need for backwards compatibility with older browsers. An M website can be considerably cheaper than a responsive design that requires a complex rebuild of everything, allowing for an improved user experience at much lower maintenance costs.
Mobile apps
An application is usually designed to achieve a very precise goal. Whether it’s a game or a banking app, or an app to find vegetarian restaurants in a city, they are designed to be interactive and task-oriented with the ability to make in-app purchases. They are not necessary for some companies, however, they can be of great benefit to most.
Responsive website vs. mobile website
Responsive websites cannot be created by simply rearranging existing elements, especially from complex structures of entire websites. Responsive design is much more expensive, usually requiring a complete overhaul of the existing website from scratch, keeping in mind that attention to user experience is paramount.
On the other hand, if your goals are geared primarily towards marketing and communications, an Mwebsite is a practical first step in your mobile strategy, as mobile websites have some inherent benefits over responsive websites, including compatibility and ease of use. cost effectiveness.
Websites vs. Mobile apps
Between the choice of mobile website and mobile app, the most suitable choice depends on your ultimate goals. Logically, it rarely makes sense to release an app without having an Mwebsite in place. If your goal is to offer mobile-friendly content to a larger audience, then an Mwebsite suits that purpose. While apps are useful when it comes to a very specific purpose that cannot be effectively accomplished through a web browser.
Responsive websites vs. Mobile apps
This is where it gets tricky. Between the two, you should do both, if you can. In the interest of budgets, many small businesses end up choosing between the two. However, the modern tools available effectively remove that variable from the equation.
While a responsive website will present everything within easy reach, the mobile app may have a more specific task to perform and will interact with users in a personalized way that a website simply cannot.
For many businesses, there is a need to leverage a dual mobile strategy that leverages both the mobile site and the app for maximum content distribution. While the choice between a responsive website and a mobile website can be debated, mobile apps win emphatically over both. Well-designed mobile websites can be an asset to a business, but they still can’t accomplish what mobile apps can, especially when it comes to collecting user information. Selecting one over the other should be a last resort, if at all, especially for a business that wants to survive and thrive in the digital age.