Many business owners ask us: "Should we build an app?" Sometimes the answer is yes. Often, a good website does the job better and costs less. Here is a simple way to decide.
1. How often will customers use it?
Apps work best when people come back often — every week or every day. Think food ordering, bookings, loyalty points or a member area. If customers visit you a few times a year, a website is usually enough.
2. Do people need to find you first?
New customers find businesses through Google, maps and social media — and those all lead to websites, not apps. If your main goal is getting found, start with a website.
3. Do you need phone features?
Apps can use the camera, GPS, push notifications and work offline. If your idea depends on these — for example scanning a QR code at a workspace or tracking a delivery — an app makes sense.
4. Who will use it: customers or staff?
Internal tools for staff (attendance, field visits, approvals) are often great as apps, because the same people use them every day.
5. What is your budget and timeline?
A website can launch in weeks. An app needs more planning, testing on many phones and store approval. Many businesses start with a website, then add an app once they know what customers want.
The best of both
Some of our clients use both: a website to get found and an app for repeat customers. For example, we produced the explainer videos for the Go Hype and Cabinz apps — each app had a clear job that only an app could do.
Not sure?
Tell us what you want customers to do, and we will recommend the simplest option that works. See our App Development and Website services, or ask us.
