Difference between Website and Web Application
The internet has become a staple in our everyday lives. We use it for everything from keeping in touch with friends and family to finding information on just about anything. With all of this talk about the internet, you’ve probably heard the terms “website” and “web application” thrown around a lot. But what is the difference between website and web application? A website is a platform that exists on the world wide web and is used to share information with the general public. A web application, also known as an app, is a platform that exists on the world wide web and is used to provide special functionality to users.
To elaborate, a website is simply a collection of pages that are linked together whereas a web application, on the other hand, is an interactive program that allows users to perform specific tasks. In this blog post, we will discuss the differences between these two types of websites and explain what you should do when are puzzled about choosing between a website and a web application for your business.
The detailed differences between website and web application are as follows:
| WEBSITE | WEB APP |
| It provides static information such as visual and text data and the user cannot perform many tasks | It is interactive and allows the users to perform specialized tasks |
| It is generic and is not targeted at any particular audience | It is mostly customized to satisfy the business needs |
| There are minimum to zero chances of automation in a website | Automation is effectively possible in a web app |
| The user can only see and read the data on a website | The user can manipulate the data on a web app |
| It is easy to develop as it has simpler integration process | It is complex to develop because of the integration of multiple softwares and elements |
| There is not always a need for authentication | It requires authentication |
| A website is represented as a whole | It can be a smaller part of a website |
| It doesn’t require compilation before deployment | It requires compilation before deployment |
| Information is easily available to the public | Information is available only to a specific set of users |
Let’s understand the difference between a website and a web application with the help of examples. Wikipedia is one the best examples of website and online stores like Amazon, eBay, and Flipkart are examples of web applications that allow users to browse products, add items to their shopping cart, and checkout.
Now that the question “is website a web application” has been solved, it becomes evident from the above mentioned table of differences between website and web app why the inclination of businesses is growing towards web applications. First, a web application can be more interactive than a website. This means that users can more easily find the information they’re looking for and perform the tasks they need to do. Second, a web app can be designed specifically to follow business needs. This means that it can be customized to fit the way businesses work and the products or services they offer.
What should you choose between a website and a web app?
When deciding whether a website or web application is right for your business, there are several factors to consider. The most important factor is the type of interaction you want users to have with your site. If all you need is static information, then a website would suffice. However, if you want users to be able to perform specific tasks and be more interactive, then a web application is the way to go. Other factors to consider include the amount of customization you need and your budget. Added functionalities such as automation and micromanagement become important facets to decide between a website and a web application. The reason behind this decision lies with the fact that a web app can be incorporated with softwares that can automate the business for professionals excelling in different industries such as Real Estate, Healthcare, Legal, Education, eCommerce, etc.
So, have you decided whether you need a website or a web app for your business? Or are you still thinking if website to web application conversion is possible? If you are still thinking hard on these questions and are not sure whether a website or a web application is right for your business model, it will be a good idea to talk to us i.e. Appfoster. We will assess your needs and recommend the best solution to kickstart your business. Feel free to contact us and we’ll be happy to help you figure it out.
