Ecommerce Shopping Website VS Mobile Shopping Application

Studies show that visitors prefer the mobile version of the site for shopping, browsing and entertainment. But prefer mobile applications to connect with other users, including personal data functionality, customization experience and repeated use. Thus, if you have something truly unique to offer to your users and seek to provide a unique offering, then it may be wise creating a special mobile app for your store. Here are the advantages of each option:

Comparison between both options

Mobile version of website – The costs for mobile version is smaller than the creation of a native mobile applications. Mobile version of the site is done with common web technologies that take into account specific elements viewing on mobile. No need to install additional software and runs on the same server with normal website. Mobile version should not be approved by the marketplace

Mobile version of the site is accessed by visitors through your Web browser built into the phone. Basically, the server identifies accessing the website of a normal phone and automatically redirects the visitor to the mobile version. Mobile version of the site is easily updated and maintained. Unlike modifying a native application, changes made in the mobile version of site visitors we provide immediately. Depending on the implementation, changes in the mobile version can be performed from a web administration interface.

Maximum availability – Unlike mobile applications that are specific to each operating system or even every phone model, if properly implemented, the mobile version of the site offers a similar user experience regardless of phone type.

Mobile applications – Mobile applications are specialized type of phone and provides advanced features native. Unlike mobile version of the website, mobile applications have implementations for each operating system and type of telephone, providing functionality specific to the type of phone. Applications benefit from the processing power of your phone, GPS, communication audio / video, data storage, internet, etc.

Mobile applications offer a personalized experience. By installing user’s phone, mobile applications offer more personalized experience than the online version of the site. The user can save user preferences can enter data during use, and the application can use specific functions of the phone in question.
Mobile applications are always handy user. Unlike mobile version of the site which require connection to the internet and search the site in a search engine, mobile applications are permanently installed on the user’s phone and readily available
Mobile applications are a differentiator

Whenever a user can access a common website or the mobile version of the site on your mobile phone. But a mobile application can really make a difference in terms of quality and user experience

Conclusion

The market holds extremely few mobile shopping apps right now, hence the reason why it’s your opportunity to make a difference if you have the necessary budget and something unique to offer to your visitors. Keep in mind to always compare the two options well before deciding over which one is best, since you never know when you might miss something essential offered by either one.

With this in mind, you should also take into consideration the size of your business. If you are just starting out or owning a small-to-medium sized business, then a website may seem like the best option to begin with. On the other hand, if your eCommerce company is well established or you are a big retailed when it comes to your market, then a mobile app could actually suit you well.

Remember that in the case of a mobile app you are gaining access to a unique market of users who prefer to experiment around with different apps and notice the particular benefits of each one instead of surfing the internet. This segment is not well-exploited to date, hence the reason why your brand could make a difference. Even if you are not a big company but planning to expand on the local or international market, then you can greatly benefit from such app. A website is always nice to have, but by crafting your own mobile app you are taking things a step further and making light into a field where few have ventured before. Thus, if you are a road-opener and would like to profit on the long-term from the ever expanding mobile market, then a mobile app is the way to go.