Web apps are becoming increasingly popular amongst businesses looking to enhance user experience, diversify and engage their customer base more effectively (if you’re not yet familiar with web apps and how they work, take a look at our guide here). With advanced capabilities and a sophisticated and versatile range of functions and features, web apps represent a brighter future for many different types of businesses.
What do web apps do?
A web app is essentially a piece of computer software, accessed via a browser. It’s connected seamlessly to a custom-built database which allows it to execute specific functions and provide an interactive experience to the user on the front end. Web apps function and appear very similar to websites – but there are some key differences. The easiest way to identify a web app is what you’re doing when you’re on it – if you’re simply reading information it’s likely a website, but if you’re interacting or manipulating data it’s probably a web app.
Web apps offer an extensive variety of functions from photo and video editing to word processing and project management. Examples of popular web apps include Slack, Gmail, Wikipedia and Amazon.
5 benefits of web applications for businesses
The true scope of benefits web applications offer is huge – and it varies depending on the unique objectives of each company. Here we’re sharing a selection of the wider advantages associated with investing in a bespoke web application for your business.
1/ Customise and scale
One of the primary benefits of web apps (if not the main benefit) is the sheer scope and versatility they offer. Where websites have their limitations, web apps allow you to build an interface which fulfils every customer need or desire. This allows forward-thinking businesses to consider where engagement and interaction with customers could be improved and how they can better fulfil customer needs. It also adds a future-proof element to your online presence, as your web app can be expanded and developed as the needs of your business evolves and markets adapt.
2/ Efficient and engaging
Anyone who has switched from paper lists to Evernote or from desktop word processors to Google Docs will understand how web apps can enhance efficiency and productivity. Through pulling in data from different sources responsively, you can easily view information at a glance or edit on the go and share it with others.
From a sales and marketing perspective web apps also tend to be much more engaging and not only easier to use, but more enjoyable to use. This is key, because when users enjoy the time they spend with you online, they naturally want to come back again for more.
3/ Improved accessibility
Accessibility is becoming more of an issue as the platforms we access websites on diversifies. Although most people fall into several ‘camps’ – Android or Apple, Microsoft or, well, Apple again – the sheer number of active devices on the market make guaranteeing a pleasant experience and stable functionality across every single one even more challenging. Web apps rise to this challenge beautifully, offering enhanced features for adaptability and responsivity.
For those who want to develop and use a dedicated web app for internal business systems or as an interactive platform for their customers, the 24/7 accessibility web applications provide can significantly streamline many different processes across different departments. View data at a glance, update information across various platforms or communicate more efficiently with customers and colleagues. By comparison clunky desktop software needs to be updated and maintained on an individual basis – whereas a web application can be updated simultaneously across all devices with no downtime.
4/ Enhanced security
Security is now a major concern for businesses of all sizes. Previously big players were the key targets for hackers, but now all websites face the threat of disruption and downtime resulting from security breaches. At best you may lose business during a blackout – at worst you could lose business and end up with a hefty fine for a data leak.
The good news is that web apps are naturally more secure than websites – and they offer an added advantage for businesses that plan to use them for internal processing. This is because whilst data stored on your desktop or desktop apps is vulnerable to corruption or theft, web app data is safely stored in the cloud so that you access it anywhere, anytime (provided you have an internet connection) – no matter what external security threats your business may face.
5/ Easy maintenance
Lots of business owners find website maintenance challenging – which is understandable. When you’re not a web developer it can be daunting to undertake the upkeep of your website, even if you’ve received some initial training on the basics. Although you’ll likely still need specialist support to keep your web app running smoothly (good agencies will offer a variety of cost-effective packages), maintenance is usually more simple and less costly long-term as updates and patches are rolled out universally across every device.
Get the ball rolling on your custom web app project today
At Candy we know how influential and beneficial web apps can be for businesses – whether you’re an estate agent looking to showcase properties for sale, a wholesaler with a need for a bespoke ordering platform or a service provider requiring an advanced consumer interface. Our specialist team of designers and developers are on-hand to help with the experience and skills to bring your web application project to life.
Get in touch today: hello@candymarketing.co.uk
