Businesses never miss a chance to grab the opportunity that is beneficial for their business growth. The unlimited potential of the internet and technology has made it all the way possible for them. To target a large base of audiences and get huge revenue out of it, businesses are adopting web and mobile applications nowadays. These web apps are created by combining both client-side and server-side scripts.
Although these web apps go overlooked sometimes, still we are using them all the time around us. The web app development enables the web-based solution to function as a mobile application in terms of performance. Web app development is a lot similar to web development. The web application is delivered via the internet network, still, they provide user engagement and reactive interactions.
In the current time, web app development is at its peak in the industry as it is helpful to offer a customized experience like native apps while running easily on a web browser via any device. Famous software such as Basecamp, LinkedIn, Facebook, Mailchimp, and Microsoft Office components such as MS Word & PowerPoint, all have web-based apps that facilitate users with immersive, unique & customized experiences from the browsers directly similar to native apps.
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What is a Web Application?
Web apps are known as interactive computer programs developed with different web technologies such as CSS, HTML, JS that collects files & database while deploying the data (CRUD), these programs are used either by a single user or a group to operate tasks over the web. While talking about CRUD, it is a famous acronym and an important part of web app development. It stands for form, read, update, and remove. Web applications can be accessed through a web browser like Google Chrome and often comprise a register/login function. Everything that is done online involves a web app, whether it is online banking, food ordering, or shopping.
Web app development is a process through which a web application is created. It involves more interaction with the browser in comparison to the standard engineering processes. In simple words, the web app can be called a client-server software that facilitates users connecting with the webserver via a browser.
How Web Applications are Different from Mobile Apps & Websites?
Users often mix up web apps with websites and mobile apps, but it is different from both. To provide you with a clear understanding and difference among these three, we have written some points. Look at them-
Web Applications vs Websites
The only difference between these two is how we interact with them? Web apps are well-outlined by their input comprising the creation, reading, updating & removing the data within a web app. Whereas, the websites are outlined by the output- reading the marketing data, news, FAQs on websites.
Web App vs Mobile Apps
People can use the web apps over a browser with the help of any device such as a mobile or desktop. But here native apps work upon a specific platform and are created distinctly for iOS or Android. Users can download them from the Apple and Google play store to get a customized experience. Sometimes, these are unbelievably expensive to create and store large space within the device.
On the other hand, people can access web apps on a browser with the help of any device. These do not consume the device storage, additionally, these are not expensive to develop.
Different Types of Web Applications
As we have described that web apps are basically websites that perform and offer both free & paid online services. But not all types of web apps are similar as diverse types of website development services vary in terms of interaction with the server and architecture. Be it single-page applications or PWAs (progressive web apps), every app has its own functionality and performance that makes them different. Have a look below-
1. Single Page Applications (SPAs)
These are called browser-based apps that do not require to load again to show the data on a given page or any alteration in the interface. The whole app architecture is based upon two layers called client-side and server-side. These both interact through AJAX by sending API requests. The client-side manages the user interface with the help of the browser and the server-side deals with the database including third-party services.
SPAs comprise a tiered architecture in which the presentation layer is being implemented on the browser’s end entirely. Any data modification to the single-page apps will be done by the business logic in the business layer. It will be triggered by the API request to apply the logic after being requested by the user for any kind of data. Then, the data layer will exchange the data, and the server-side will send a response to the browser in the form of a JSON file to exhibit at the presentation layer. SPAs also provide a fast rendering of elements. There are multiple examples of single-page apps such as Google Drive, Facebook, Twitter, Netflix, Gmail, etc.
2. Progressive Web Apps (PWAs)
Progressive web apps or PWAs are kind of modern applications that perform and behave like native apps. Web applications apply diverse tactics and use an additional technology stack such as manifests, real-time notifications, service workers, and others. While businesses that go for PWA development solutions always get benefits. These PWAs can be saved on the home screen after getting downloaded to your device. These are ready-to-use apps that are accessible, native-like, and unlike web apps, they can be used offline just by a few clicks.
PWA comprises two layers, one is known as a web browser and the other one is a server. The architecture of standard web app has client-side and server-side, and they interact with the help of AJAX. Businesses pick a progressive web app development company to add progressive improvements to the standard web app architecture via a service worker including caching to provide offline features. These features can be used natively offline as well. Apps such as Pinterest, Facebook, Telegram, Google Maps, etc. that we use regularly are the best examples of PWAs.
3. Static Web Applications
Static web apps are used to display content that is not communicative or flexible. These web apps are created using HTML, jQuery, CSS, and AJAX. Entrepreneurs can take the help of a top web development company to develop this kind of web app as these have static characteristics and permit animated components, gifs, videos, and banners to create a visually pleasing app.
The inclusion of these elements will require changes in the HTML code, and it is not going to be an easy task. It will require shifting and adjusting the HTML code, and then sending it back again to the server for implementation that will consume more time. The static web apps include website presentations, newsletters, forms, developing cache, and others.
4. Dynamic Web Applications
Dynamic web apps have way complex structure than static web apps. Dynamic apps use the database to load the data and it updates the content each time when a user accesses the app. These apps do the content alteration as per the user’s request with the help of the central admin panel.
Businesses prefer dynamic web app development services as these apps don’t need any permit from the server to display the changes, hence the execution of features becomes easy for them. Additionally, there can be used varied programming languages such as ASP.NET and PHP to create dynamic web apps. Blogs, eCommerce sites, calendars, and multiple to-do sites are known as the dynamic web apps to use
5. CMS Web APPS
CMS web apps are used to produce, curate, alter and manage the entire website content. There is no need to have any expertise or deep knowledge in any programming language. Though, there are tools offered by CMS (Content management system) to modify the web apps. For instance, we can look at WordPress including pre-built tools to correct the web apps by the admin. It also has multiple themes and plugins like Joomla, WordPress, & Drupal to provide a unique experience to users.
6. eCommerce Web Apps
There are numerous eCommerce web apps known as an extension of multi-page apps (MPAs). The best examples of eCommerce web apps are eBay, Amazon, etc. that are popular as large-scale online marketplaces and have a well-built structure with multiple pages attached. These multi-page apps are dynamic and comprise advanced features such as wish lists, online payment, real-time parcel delivery, and others. These web apps have supported various online businesses in the eCommerce marketplace over the years. The popularity and success of these apps have made a lot of businesses have eCommerce web app development solutions.
Some Popular Examples of Web Applications
Just look around you and you will find multiple web apps that people use for so many years. Put all your attention in the right direction to know about the famous web apps that you did not notice yet. Check them out below-
1. Gmail
Gmail is the most popular web apps, and no person is unaware of it. People use it regularly to send & receive emails to get the necessary information and attachments via a secure connection. Users can run this web app with the help of any device.
2. Google Docs
It is a one-stop destination for all writers. It permits users to edit the word document while getting suggestions about the appropriate words and grammar including collaboration with others. It also facilitates users with the option of ‘save the document’ automatically. Users can access it offline as well by using core features.
3. Mailchimp
It is known as a famous marketing web application for years that allows users to get automated emails in bulk. It is mainly used by businesses to generate leads to expand their venture. Mailchimp comprises an appealing UI that lets users set up a marketing campaign efficiently.
4. Notion
It is not a single-purpose web app, but it fulfills multiple purposes such as a to-do list, calendar, notepad, etc. Any kind of insertion or alteration is easy to do for users by using any browser.
5. Amazon, Pinterest
Every person is familiar with both these apps. Whenever we need images with HD quality, we head to Pinterest and if it is about buying anything, be it clothes, shoes, furniture, or anything, Amazon is always there.
6. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter
We regularly run our fingers while scrolling the social media apps like Instagram, Facebook & Twitter. These are accessible through any of our preferable browsers and available on both iOS and Android platforms.
Read Also: A Complete Guide to Web Development Cost
Amazing Benefits Offered by Web Applications
Businesses are picking up web app development services instead of developing a platform-specific app as it doubles up the development cost and consumes a lot of time. Get to know about more benefits of web applications below-
Less Operating Cost
Adopting an efficient and scalable solution from a top web app development company cuts down the overall operational costs as well as the app development time. It alleviates the non-essential expenses such as hiring different Android & iOS developers, purchasing extra hardware, system maintenance, device updates, etc.
No Need to Download
People can access the web apps with a direct link that will be free of cost, hence they do not need to download them on their devices from any app store, be it the Apple App Store or Google Play store. It will also not occupy any space within the user’s device.
Compatible With Browser
Web apps are compatible with the browsers of all kinds of devices and users can run them using a reachable URL. Latest web apps such as Firefox, Bing, Google Chrome, etc. facilitate their users with this benefit, this way users do not have any issue related to software compatibility.
Fast Speed and Cost
Ventures are choosing web application development rather than investing in native applications because web apps are faster and more affordable. It is the best choice for the entrepreneurs who are having app development services to boost the time-to-market, go for it without any second thought.
Easy To Update
It is the easiest task to do within web applications. Developers will need to update the changes to the server only, not anywhere else.
Cross-Platform Competency
Businesses with different niches that are looking for cross-platform app development services as they know having a compatible app will provide them multiple benefits in the future should consider the web apps definitely. These can be programmed according to any operating system. Web apps have cross-platform compatibilities that make them adaptable to every platform such as iOS, Android, Windows, Mac OS, etc. Web apps have device responsiveness ability that makes them free from depending on any OS.
The Complete Web App Development Process
From researching about the market, identifying the problems, designing & developing the web app to its deployment and maintenance, there are multiple stages involved in web application development. We have summarized all of them for you to get a better understanding of creating a web app. Look at below-
Market Research and Conceptualize
While researching the market, you must discover the interest of your targeted audiences, challenges you might while developing the app, their solutions, customer needs, and other essentials. Be it anything, mobile app development services or web app development, market research & app conceptualization are always required to have an efficient solution.
There are multiple ways such as big data, online surveys, and analytics through which you can do complete research and can create a wireframe for the web app development process. It will help you plan on different elements like tools, resources, framework, and testing requirements.
Designing & Developing of the Web App
The phase of designing & developing the web app starts with the wireframing of the whole interface to get the complex touchpoints where users and the system interact. It improves the user’s experience and helps in the picturization of it.
You must have such attractive and eye-catching web app design services in order to grab a large base of users. Use vital navigational elements such as sidebars, menus, buttons, toolbars, CTAs, etc. as per your target audiences. Once you are done with the designing and architecture part, you can focus on the developing stage.
The development phase will comprise varied activities such as creating the app source code, and the smooth integration of the features as per the business logic. To ease the process, you can divide these activities into different parts and can complete each part one-by-one. You can also employ multiple web app developers to accomplish multiple iterations simultaneously as per the requirement. The app will go for testing after completing the last step of the development if you are not using Agile methodology.
App Testing & Execution
Apps developed using Agile methodology will have app testing after completing every sprint so that if there is any requirement for changes that can be done quickly. The quality assurance test is necessary to ensure the smooth functionality and high performance of the web applications.
Although, you will first have web designing services, then development, and then you will make the app error-free. After removing errors, the app is ready to deploy. It is compulsory to analyze the web app’s performance post-deployment according to the different KPIs (key performance indicators). It would be advantageous to examine or measure the aspects such as responsiveness, loading speed, etc.
App Maintenance and Support
After the app deployment phase, there are some web app development companies that provide maintenance services as well. It comprises time-to-time QA testing, bug removal, regular app update (address change, integrating features as per the user’s feedback), and technical support. There will be a support team that will assist the app users if they are having any kind of issue.
Required Technology Stack for Web App Development
Integrating the right technology stack into both back-end and front-end development services will help you to develop a highly creative, scalable, efficient, and fast-performing web application to have a secure position in the market. Get to know about the different technologies required to comprise a web app-
- Front-end Technologies: HTML, JavaScript (React, Angular, Vue, Node, Ember), CSS,
- Back-end Programming Languages: Java, Python, PHP, Django, Ruby, Go, etc.
- Databases: Oracle, MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Microsoft Access, RavenDB, etc.
- Back-end Servers: IIS, Apache, Nginx, etc.
How Much Does It Cost to Develop a Web App?
You must consider distinct factors such as features & functionality of web app, complexity, designing and development, technology stack & team structure, etc. to determine the cost of developing a web app. The addition or removal of any of these factors will vary the overall web app development cost for sure.
The general cost of a complex and customized web app development process would vary in comparison to the packaged, pre-defined, and general-purpose apps. If you integrate any of the third-party APIs or plugins into the web app or if you involve complicated UI/UX elements & technology stack, it will definitely differ the app development cost. The inclusive cost of web app development would be around $15,000 to $30,000 with a basic interface and core functionality. Try to keep the app less complex to maintain the development cost.
Finishing Notes
Undoubtedly, web app development is a popular method that has gained popularity in 2021 and will be adopted by a large user base in the 2022 too. Several businesses and users are preferring web application and web portal development services as these provide great functionality, amazing performance, and smooth interaction.
While facilitating the web app with lots of beneficial features and functionalities, you must ensure that it is developed according to the user’s needs. Web app development is an emerging field that has a bright future scope; therefore, you must have the assistance of a trustworthy web app development company that can provide you with full-time support and expertise at different development stages. Stepping further, if you wish to enter the market with a complete feature-packed & scalable web app, SemiDot Infotech can help you in this. We have an experienced design & development team that is expert in providing enterprise video portals, eCommerce sites, dynamic CMS, and others. Feel free to contact us anytime!
