“We should have an app” is one of the most common things business owners say, and one of the most often regretted. Apps are expensive to build, they need ongoing maintenance, and most customers will never download one. Sometimes an app is exactly right, and sometimes a good mobile website does the job for a fraction of the cost.
Ask what the phone does that a browser can’t
Apps earn their place when they use the device itself: push notifications, the camera, GPS, offline access, or Bluetooth. If your idea works as a webpage, it probably should be one. Not sure which fits? Start with Do You Actually Need a Website or a Web App?
An app makes sense when
- People will use it often, like a loyalty program, a booking tool, or a delivery tracker
- Your staff work in the field with poor signal and need offline access
- You need the camera or location, as with inspections, photo documentation, or route tracking
- Timely alerts matter and customers want them
A mobile-friendly website is enough when
- Customers visit occasionally, such as to check hours or request a quote
- The main goal is being found, which an app store listing won’t do for you
- You’re testing an idea and haven’t proven people want it yet
The hidden costs
The build is only the beginning. Apple and Google release system updates every year that can break your app. You’ll maintain two platforms, handle app store review, fix bugs, and support users who can’t log in. Plan on an ongoing budget, not a one-time purchase.
Your options
- Native apps are built separately for iPhone and Android. They perform best and cost the most.
- Cross-platform apps share most of their code between both. This is the right choice for many small and mid-size businesses.
- Progressive web apps are websites that behave like apps and can be added to a home screen. They’re often the cheapest way to test an idea.
See the work we do on our Services page.
A good first step
Build the simplest version that proves demand. If you run a service business, that might be a web-based booking page. If people use it heavily and ask for more, you have your case for a real app, backed by evidence instead of hope.
Before spending anything, answer one question: what will make a customer open this every week? If you can’t answer it, you don’t have an app yet. You have an idea worth testing cheaply.
Curious how AI could take some of the repetitive work off your plate, in an app or elsewhere? Read How Can AI Actually Help Your Business?
Have an app idea you’d like a second opinion on? Contact us and we’ll talk it through.