Entering a URL takes you to a website, but now what do you think you see – a webpage or a web application?
You might think that they are the same thing; more importantly, you might be wondering why does it matter, anyway, to know the difference between the two?
To put it quickly, a webpage displays what you want your visitors to see. However, a web application takes inputs from your website visitors and displays what they want to see.
Which do you think would be better to gain a superior customer experience?
That’s right, it is web applications! Ahead, we will explain web application and web application development as fast as possible, so you can choose the better option for you and your business.
What Is A Web Application And How It Is Different Than Websites?
A web application is an interactive program that, although runs on a remote web server but, a user can access from anywhere in the world with just a web browser such as Chrome, Firefox, or Edge.
A web application takes data from the users in real time, which is sent back to the database where decisions are made according to the user’s request. Therefore, a variety of possible outcomes can be delivered in the form of texts, images, or videos. E-commerce websites are popular examples of web apps.
A webpage, on the other hand, is a different story. Web applications and webpages both are examples of websites; however, a webpage is a type of static website that only displays what you have intended for it to display. It can be a blog page, sales page, or homepage and about page of a website.
Read also: https://prop8trialtracker.com/the-latest-trends-in-software-development/
Why Do You Need Web Applications?
Web apps are all around us and almost all of them have their mobile versions as well and vice versa. Here are some examples of specific business types that can benefit from using web apps. Ahead are also some of the popular brands that have been using web apps, how many can you identify?
1. E-Commerce Businesses
Online stores, which can be accessed from anywhere in the world, should display products based on customer interests. The cart as well as payment needs to be updated accordingly. Amazon, Alibaba, and eBay are popular examples of this type.
2. SaaS Businesses
Software as a service (SaaS) is regularly employed to rent software on a subscription basis. You might have heard of Salesforce which is a popular customer relationship management (CRM) software. Adobe Creative Cloud such as Premier Pro and Photoshop are some other popular examples.
3. Media Businesses
Netflix and Chill, just the phrase we have all heard, is also a web app that suggests you content based on your interest. YouTube, Hulu, and Spotify are some other examples of web apps that I find myself using almost daily.
4. Education Businesses
Creating courses online and delivering them to the masses all over the world requires the use of web apps. Coursera, edX, and Udemy are widely popular in this category.
5. Government Agencies
Filing for taxes, applying for permits, and registering for healthcare services can be performed through the use of web apps. In the United States, taxpayers can file their taxes online using IRS. Another example is the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) which enables people to find healthcare providers and apply for health insurance through the use of the online web application.
Conclusion
Web applications are all about taking some form of input from the website visitor and displaying information accordingly. Web apps are all around us because they deliver results personalized and according to the users’ demands.
If you want your customers to read some static info, you won’t need a web app. Instead, you’ll be looking for a webpage such as a contact us page.
Speaking of the contact us page, would you like to know more about how to get started with web application development, reach out to us with our contact us page! 🙂
