Making a Choice between a Responsive Site and a Native Mobile App

As we are approaching towards the age of everything, never do we spare a single stone unturned, especially when business is concerned. The year 2013 has been termed ‘the year of responsive web design’ by Mashable. Now the big question is, whether you should go for a responsive site, or a native mobile app.

 

Of course, you generally opt for a mobile-optimized website, unless your competing firms use a smart native app. When the question of choice arises, it’s wise to judge each side equally. Here goes a chart-wise discussion for you.

 

Pros of a native app:

 

1. It will certainly bring back your money
2. Device sensors can easily access to a native app
3. All you need to do is just to download post which you can easily access
4. You can also avail the content offline

 

Pros of a responsive site:

 

1. Using a responsive site instead, you can easily avoid the necessary approval process in App Store
2. You don’t need to find the right app and download it
3. A CMS will update the contents

 

Commerce Matters: Now come to the pure commercial facts. According to the prediction of eMarketer, by 2017, as much as 25% of the total online transaction will be held through mobile. Smart phones and tabs are fast replacing mobiles. In this scenario, concentrating on developing the native apps is a wise choice. But you must know very well what device is available to your customers and what sorts of product you expect to sell them.

 

Responsive Site – No Replacement for Native Apps:

 

Apps will never grow out-of-fashion despite the flood of responsive sites. True, responsive sites have recently earned a lot of buzz. So it is rather a trend to go for them. Mobile web traffic may also be an issue, but that’s not a reason to avoid walled-off apps. Look at Time Inc. and most publishers relying on ink-on-paper subscriptions. Their key to success is stand alone mobile apps.

 

Financial Factors:

 

The budget is a factor. Financial stability of many companies doesn’t permit them to design different apps for different mobile platforms. A responsive site is OK for any company. But when it comes to the mobile app, the pocket size has to be considered. A responsive site is any day pocket friendly.

 

To be frank, people will always want to visit the website of your company and product. So, even if you have a nice user-friendly mobile app, it’s a good idea to use a responsive web design as well to win the trust of customers. And make sure your website can be visited from common devices like mobile phones, PC and tablets. After all, a good user experience is a must to build a solid brand market!