Should you make a mobile site, or a mobile app?
The most common question I used to ged asked when running my startup company was “Should we make a mobile site, or a mobile app?” There isn’t really a straight answer, but here’s my opinion on the factors you should consider when making that decision.
If you’re reading this, you’re probably asking that question too. The first thing to say is that it’s great to know that you are asking the question. It shows that you realise people need to access your content or services via a mobile device. You also realise that there are different ways of addressing this need. Apps are not for everyone. There are actually three options hidden in here:
- Mobile site – A website designed to be viewed on a mobile device
- Web application – An application that lives on the web e.g. twitter or an e-commerce system
- Native mobile app – An application that lives on a mobile device
- Hybrid apps – An application built in using a tool to publish on many different platforms
It is important to create at least one of these options starting with the most appropriate to your company and customer base. Ask yourself the following three questions:
1. What is the main objective of the app?
