Web Application Development: What Is and Why Do You Need It?

These days, some of the most visited websites are web applications. In fact, between those terms exists a simple difference that can be surprising to internet users: the interaction. This is why companies are using web applications to collect information about users and build a marketing strategy that connects with the target audience.

What is Web Application Development?

Web application development is the creation of application programs that reside on remote servers and are delivered to the user’s device over the Internet. A web application (web app) does not need to be downloaded and is instead accessed through a network. 

An end user can access a web application through a web browser such as Google Chrome, Safari, or Mozilla Firefox. A majority of web applications can be written in programming languages such as: JavaScript, Python, PHP, CSS, and HTML5. 

To get the frameworks (for example: Ruby on Rails, Django, Vue, React, Angular, Laravel and Node.js) right you need to make sure of three things: 

1. Verify that the web app offers functionality on both Android and iOS. 
2. Identify lifecycle and optimization metrics. 
3. Build an intelligent and interactive user interface.  

It is recommended to hire experts, such as front-end and back-end developers for the build out of the web application in order to avoid setbacks in its creation. 

What is a Web App?

A web application is defined as an interactive program which can store and manipulate users’ data in order to perform tasks on the internet. To create these programs, web app developers may use an application program interface (also known as API) that can read and connect client-side information to the elements on the server-side in real time. 

For example, if an e-commerce company has a web app that registers the activity of the user related to the most viewed items in the recent weeks, it can show similar articles each time that the customer logs in.

In case of having a simple web page, the customer only would watch a list of the items that are available at the store at that moment without taking into account their preferences.  Basically, a web app could be considered as a website that behaves like an application that is located on the internet.

Nowadays, we have a great variety of web applications that are used on a daily basis. The most common examples are social media web apps like Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Gmail. Also, we have Amazon, Netflix, Google Docs and Notion as perfect examples to illustrate the concept of a web app.

How Do I Get Started In Web Application Development?

Web application development process is in high demand in companies as they look to improve their projects by elevating the user experience. So here we add the steps you need to know for the development of a web application. 

• Have a solid application idea: your web application should be based on thinking about how the application can improve the user's day-to-day life. 

• Market research: an important marketing study allows you to mark a very specific target in the market. This way you can also find out how much demand there is in that field and how to get the best out of it for your web application. 
• Define the app’s functionality: be very clear about the key elements that your web application will have, so it will have satisfactory functionality for you and the users. 
• Define app design: create the most realistic design possible for your application. Add the detailed elements so that its development is as smooth as possible.
• Work on prototypes: the wireframe and prototype steps are where you will troubleshoot for your web app and come up with ways to present options for the user interface. 
• Receive validation: it is important to show your wireframe to the target users and record feedback. This step is crucial to work on the weak sides of your web app and improve its functioning until the development team and the users present a positive response.

• Web app validation: the time has come to test the application. The beta version must first be tested by the developers and testing team. Then replicate the application with external users as much as possible to verify the strengths and weaknesses that will allow you to improve it before releasing it to the market.  

Web Apps vs Mobile Apps: Which one is better? 

Each one has different characteristics and features that determine its functioning. In order to fully understand what is the difference between a web app and a mobile app, it is important to make a brief comparison.

• Mobile applications are managed from the mobile device. On the other hand, web applications are created with the purpose of allowing the user to navigate from any device through browsers.
• Mobile applications need to be installed from the app store, while web applications can be easily viewed from any browser in smartphones, computers, tablets, etc.
• Mobile applications can be accessed offline, which is not the case with web applications. In order to access a web application, it is mandatory to have a stable Internet connection.
• Mobile applications are faster to navigate, while web applications may take some time to load. It depends mostly on the characteristics of the user’s Internet connection (downloading speed, type of connection, latency, etc)
• Mobile apps have to be approved by sites where users can download this type of software called the application store (it can be App Store from Apple or the Google Play Store). Web applications are navigated through browsers and there is no need to download a program to have access.
• Mobile apps have more sophisticated security, while web apps may not have that level of security. In fact, most mobile apps use international protocols such as SSL to encrypt the user’s information and have the certainty that outsiders cannot have access without special permissions.
• Mobile applications must be updated frequently in order to repair bugs, add new features, and make design changes. Web applications update themselves automatically.

Benefits of Web Application Development 

The web application development process provides a lot of advantages that can be helpful to the majority of companies around the world. In this subsection, we will explain what are the benefits of using the different types of web applications development to enhance the company's functioning 

• Update: updating a web application is easy, as only the server would require upgrades. Which means that the proper web application does not require to be updated manually.
• Cost and speed: the cost-effectiveness of web applications reduces development costs, allowing companies to allocate resources more efficiently. Usually, creating a native app involves a great amount of money and time that can be an obstacle for some companies.
• Flexibility: it is an investment that guarantees companies the hassle and expense of reinventing themselves as needs change. 
• Platform: cross-platform compatibility simplifies the development process, reduces costs and ensures a satisfying user experience. In this case, web applications can be easily used in operating systems like Android, Microsoft, iOS, macOS or Windows phones. This feature reduces the dependency on a determined platform to run the web app.
• Security: security measures allow us to have confidence in the product, and also to protect users from possible threats. Usually, web apps are deployed in dedicated servers, which are constantly monitored by administrators with experience in the cybersecurity area.
• Insights:  building web applications enables companies to refine their strategies to meet user needs and drive growth. Also, it can improve your brand and connect with the target audience to have advantages over direct competitors in the target market.

Moonshot, Solutions Tailored to Your Needs

If you want to empower your brand's vision, our premier mobile app development team is the best fit for your company. As a leading mobile app development company, we craft bespoke software solutions to captivate the target audience and enhance your business.

At Moonshot we have a comprehensive Mobile App development service that includes cross-platform Solutions, user-centric UI/UX design, rapid Prototyping, automated QA and testing, embedded Android & AOSP customizations, maintenance and ongoing support and product design services

Cross-platform Mobile App development services includes the following features: Native Mobile App Development, Hybrid Mobile App Development, Progressive Web App (PWA) Development, Wearables and Embedded Software so that your company would be a step ahead of the competitors.

Our objective is to design and develop mobile experiences that address your business requirements. Web apps are customized for the goals and necessities of each client. The idea is to build web apps that can integrate easily with your previous systems and workflow, in order to improve the digital environment without making negative changes.

Regarding security, our programmers prefer to follow the latest security regulations and policies to protect sensitive user data and ensure regulatory compliance.

Moonshot is an end-to-end Software Development Agency, turning your digital future into reality. Build with us.