A Web Application or Web-based applications serve immense value for online users, business owners, and developers. One of the primary benefits of web-based applications is to engage visitors.
Can you guess what comes along with higher visitor engagement? Well, better rankings are the answer. That way, your business enjoys greater brand awareness and better sales by letting users buy premium application plans.
But, most people tend to confuse web-based applications with a website, whereas both are very different. But, you don’t have to worry about it as we have covered everything that you’ll be asking about the topic.
So without further ado, let’s dive into the discussion!
What Is The Difference Between A Web Application And A Website?
Recommended Reading: Difference Between Web Application and Website by GeeksForGeeks.Org
What is a Web-Based Application?
A web application is a software that is accessed online. Take Google Docs as an example. It’s a wholesome application that lets users create and edit documents on the web.
They are autosaved and can be accessed through any device, either mobile, tablet, laptop, or computer. All you need is an internet connection.
But now, Google Docs help users create documents offline. However, such documents remain on the device. Once the internet is connected, Google Docs syncs the data across all devices. After that, you can access your document from any device.
Another robust example of web-based application development is Canva. It’s an online web application accessed on a phone, tablet, laptop, or computer. You can design pretty much anything using Canva, from Social Media posts to Blog Post Banners, your Resume, and everything in between.
Web-based applications are much easier to maintain for developers. They don’t spend a considerable amount of effort updating the application.
Plus, developers save the hassle of releasing updates and waiting for the users to install them to enjoy new features.
Instead, web app developers update the application, and users enjoy a much better experience right off the bat.
Also read: Java Web Application Development For Beginners | Get Started Today
What is a Website?
Displaying information is one of the core objectives of a website. Unlike a web application, a website is static.
That means opening tabs and visiting sub-pages, viewing images & videos, and signing for the newsletter, Sign in or logging out are a few of the basic interactions that you can do on a website.
But when it comes to web applications, you can create, develop, and design things. Simply put, you can interact with the elements on the website on a much broader scale.
Today, most website owners use their website to increase their brand awareness or make sales. It is one of the key differences between a web-based application and a website.
While web applications increase brand awareness and generate sales, that is not their primary focus. That is why web applications generally allow free use to all visitors except for some pro features or it may not let an ID use the application for more than a certain number of days.
But up until that point, a user can enjoy using a web application. On the other hand, a website directly offers services that have separate landing pages.
A client or a visitor can only place an order to purchase the service or the product. Or they can interact with the website in the ways mentioned above. It’s a limited movement with minimal interaction.
Don’t worry if it is getting a little confusing for you. We will list websites and web-based applications. It will help you understand the difference between the two more clearly.
What Are Progressive Web Applications?
As the name suggests, Progressive Web Applications are applications that run on the web. However, PWAs use web-platform features such as service workers. it helps users enjoy an experience as good as a native application.
Progressive Web Applications are apps delivered through the web. Generally, HTML, JavaScript, WebAssembly, and CSS are used to develop PWAs. These apps integrate the native app experience with the web. That way, users don’t have to install an application.
Read: Progressive Web Apps by Web.Dev
Advantages & Disadvantages Of Web-Based Applications:
Advantages Of Web-Based Applications:
Web Applications do not require any installment. A user can save internal space and enjoy using the application.
In addition to that, developers do not face a hard time when customizing and modifying app developments. You can try asking a web-based application developer yourself.
But on the client’s end, we have a much more significant advantage than that. Not only do they save data, but they can enjoy using the application across platforms.
Disadvantages Of Web-Based Applications
One of the considerable disadvantages of using web-based applications is that they need the internet for access.
Without the internet, you cannot interact with web-based applications. Plus, they are directly linked to your browser, which may increase their size. Consequently, a user experiences slow functionality.
In addition to that, web-based applications heavily depend on the website itself. So in case of website failure, the application will suffer too.
Defining 5 Types Of Web Applications
Static Web Applications:
Static Web Applications do not require a user to have third-party software to access the web app.
Have you ever used SoundCloud? It is a perfect example of a static website. Vimeo and Flickr are also a few other examples of static websites.
Dynamic Web Applications:
Dynamic Web Applications make it easy to manage all the users on your website. In addition to that, dynamic web developers can directly make necessary changes to the information that is available on the application.
Some great examples of Dynamic Web Applications are Netflix, Quora, To-Do websites, Blogs, e-commerce websites, and Amazon.
Single Page Apps:
Single Page Apps are straightforward. Since they have a single page, the overall design is consistent and the website structure is easier to maintain.
Some of the best examples of single-page apps include PayPal, Gmail, and Google Maps.
Multiple Page Applications:
Having multiple pages creates better opportunities for an application to rank. By keeping a separate page for each section, Multiple Page Applications can draw more traffic by ranking each page separately.
Animated Web Applications:
Animated Web Applications draw a higher user engagement because of the uniqueness of their design. That’s why factors like color combinations, overall design, and ratio & proportion are prioritized.
In The End
Simply put, a web-based application is an app that exists on the web. Hence, it can be accessed and used by any device that has an internet connection. Even without the internet in some cases, such as creating a Google Doc.
You have used it a lot, right? Well, you are not alone. Web-based applications are popular across the globe, and there are some appealing reasons why they are a popular choice among developers, business owners, and users alike.
Web-based applications are highly interactive and entertaining. Both of those qualities make it a reliable option for users. Plus, it is easy to update and saves much hassle for developers.