The decision to build a mobile app depends on many factors, including business objectives, target audience, budget, and features you want to offer.
Mobile devices account for approximately 56% of global internet traffic, while desktop devices account for around 44%. The percentage of mobile traffic will increase as more people access the internet via their smartphones and tablets. A mobile optimized site is a key first step in developing a mobile web presence.
After your site is mobile optimized, do you also need an app? Here are factors to consider:
User Experience: Mobile apps offer a more immersive and personalized user experience than mobile sites. They can leverage device-specific features like GPS, camera, and push notifications to deliver more value to users. However, mobile sites are accessible through any device’s web browser, making them more universally accessible.
Functionality: Mobile apps offer greater functionality and can perform tasks even when the device is not connected to the internet. If you require complex functionality or features that require access to device hardware, like sensors or cameras, then building a mobile app is a good choice.
Cost: Building and supporting a mobile app is usually more expensive than building a mobile site. A mobile app will need to be updated to stay compatible with the latest versions of mobile operating systems for Android and Apple. Expect a mobile app to cost at least 2x more than a site. The costs vary significantly depending on factors such as the complexity of the app, features you, the platform you want to develop the app for (iOS, Android, or both), the development company or freelancer, and the location of the developer.
The cost of building a mobile app can range from a few thousand dollars for a simple app with basic features to hundreds of thousands of dollars for a complex app with advanced functionality.
• Simple App: $3,000 – $10,000
• Basic App: $10,000 – $50,000
• Complex App: $50,000 – $150,000
• High-End App: $150,000+
Maintenance: Mobile apps require more maintenance than mobile sites, as they need to be updated regularly to ensure compatibility with new operating system versions and device hardware. Mobile sites, on the other hand, only require updates to the web server. Developing and maintaining an app can be more time-consuming and expensive than creating a mobile site. Additionally, updates and bug fixes for an app require users to download a new version, while a mobile site can be updated instantly.
Ultimately, the decision to build a mobile app depends on your business goals and objectives. If you want to offer a more personalized and immersive experience to your users, a mobile app may be a smart call.
Need help thinking it through? Contact us to discuss options, plan a path forward, and implement.