TOP5 Tips for the Mobile Application Client

Which do I need: mobile application or web application?

📅 2020.08.20 - 👤 Borbély Viktor

The digital world shows unstoppable development. Initially, only the privileged had instant messaging (email’s ancestor in the early ’90s), today it may already seem almost old-fashioned. How we communicate with each other is changing rapidly. The situation with web pages is that today anyone can start a page, but mobile apps have burst into our lives and demand an ever-larger slice. As a mobile application client, how do you decide when you need which? I explore this in my article.

Development time

Longer time must be counted on when implementing a mobile application compared to programming a website. Time is closely related to costs, which I will return to below.

A mobile app must be prepared for both known platforms. This usually requires knowledge of the two platforms, but the Flutter framework comes to our aid in this. Write the code once and compile it natively to both operating systems - promise the framework developers.

User experience

Today we are mostly online, we don’t even notice we’re using it. In the case of a website, it’s basic that it needs a connection because it gets data from the server. The server produces the pages. In the case of an application, it’s not certain it needs to be downloaded because the data is already on the device.

Sometimes info is needed quickly, but we’re Offline. The mobile app can still work well despite this. Our directory, our notes, our favorite game are available in it. Then when there’s internet again, it syncs with the server. If the user has a bad experience due to lack of connection, then we need to think in a native solution.

Therefore, it can be said that the mobile application can be used anywhere. We expect this from it. Let the info be there in my pocket, always accessible.

Use the phone’s capabilities!

When we buy a new device, we mostly want to exploit its capabilities in our applications. Native solutions get access to these, such as: GPS location, fingerprint reader, reading SMS, Contacts, NFC, files stored on the phone, etc.

In contrast, with the web solution, we have to give these up. If we can do without them, this is not a painful point.

Security question

Web application runs in the browser, our code cannot always be protected. Anyone can easily publish a webpage in a few minutes, there’s no particular check.

In contrast, mobile application stores perform pre-screening so that as few harmful apps as possible can get out. Although there’s no 100% protection, it’s harder to reverse engineer the operation and exploit any weak points.

Coupled with this is that when installing the app, permissions must also be accepted, and later they can be switched on and off. We have greater control over settings.

How do costs stand?

There’s great competition on the online market. Who can come out sooner with a new product, concept, idea? How much time does it take until a given product is presentable?

Based on the above, this is a question of our own possibilities, what we choose. Quick feedback alongside acceptable experience? Or have we already proven that the market needs the solution, and we are willing to reach deeper into our wallet for an excellent experience?

With native solutions, the usual question arises: do we want Android or iOS version? Preferably both. Here the answer would come that we surely must count with a double multiplier, double development time, team, etc. Well, the good news is that there are excellent solutions for this, and for example with the Flutter framework this comes as standard. As a mobile application client, it’s good if you know about these!

It’s important to keep in mind that a good application is one that many people use repeatedly.

Summary

From the above list, it can be deduced that a native mobile solution is not needed at all costs. If only a quick prototype is needed, there are other solutions for that. If we’ve already well run-in a responsive website and our users like it, we can stay with that.

A mobile app is indispensable when we want to exploit the possibilities offered by our mobile phone. This is essential if a camera or microphone is needed. We want to send notifications to our users. Access to the photo gallery or contacts is needed. It’s important to us that our program provides a perfect experience, without stuttering.

If as a mobile application client you’re thinking about a new product and further questions have arisen in you after brainstorming, I suggest you contact me. During a free consultation, I can help you make your decision with professional competence.

I request the free consultation

Cover image: Marvin Meyer / Unsplash