How to Decide Whether Your Business Needs a Website, App, or Both

You have an idea for a new type of business

You realize you’ll need some kind of presence on the web.

But there is one thing that still keeps coming up again and again:

Do I need a website, a mobile app, or both?

Some entrepreneurs decide to create an application quickly simply because it has become a buzzword; others are cautious enough to only launch an online website and not an application because they want to play it safe. The reality is that if you choose incorrectly, it can be very expensive, time-consuming, and slow you down substantially in the long run.

This blog post will help define your business requirements in order to know if you should build an app, have a dedicated website, or both. You will find this information based solely on your goals, customers, and growth plans; therefore, there is no technical jargon or complicated terms.

Why This Decision Matters More Than You Think

It’s important to understand that a platform does not just represent a digital presence or property. It represents:

1. Your first impression on a customer
   2. Your selling channel to a customer
   3. Your ability to support customers
   4. Your means of growing your business.

Building the wrong platform often leads to:

• Very little customer engagement
• Very high costs for customer acquisition
• Poor return on investment
• Constantly rebuilding and/or adjusting your platform.

Clearly, you should have an understanding of your platform prior to developing it.

First, Understand the Difference Between a Website and an App

Before deciding, let’s simplify what each platform actually does.

What Is a Website?

Accessed through the internet and browser (e.g.: Google Chrome, FireFox, etc.) on PC/Laptop, Mobile Device

Good Use Cases For Websites:

• Source for Information
• Generate Leads
• Make Yourself Known through Search Engine Optimized Content/Google Search

Examples:

• Business Websites or Online Stores
• Blogging Sites
• Service Providers
• E-Commerce Sites (early-stage) based on sales activity

What Is a Mobile App?

A Mobile Application is installed onto a Mobile Device (e.g., iPhone, Android)

Best for:

• Frequent User Engagement/Social Interaction
• Customised User Experience
• Notifications/Real-time Updates
• Create Customer Loyalty

Examples:

• Food Delivery (Take-out) Apps
• Fitness Apps/Health Tracking
• Banking Apps
• Online Learning Platforms

Key Question #1: What Is Your Business Model?

Business Model Forms the Basis For Your Decision

Service-Based Businesses

If you’re in the consulting business, providing digital marketing or legal services, etc.

A website is usually enough to start.

Why?

• Most Customers will look for services via Google Search.
• A Website Provides Information First
• Customers usually prefer to have information before calling a business or making a Purchase.

Product-Based Businesses

If you sell:

• Physical products
• Digital products
• Subscriptions

   

Start with a website, especially for:

• SEO
• Payment integration
• Inventory management

Apps can come later once customers are returning frequently.

Platform or Marketplace Businesses

When evaluating whether to develop an app in addition to your website or as the initial product offering, consider the following:

• Daily usage
• User accounts
• Real-time updates
• Two-way interaction (buyers & sellers)

   

An app is often necessary, but usually after a website MVP.

Key Question #2: How Often Will Customers Use Your Platform?

This is one of the most important factors.

Low-Frequency Usage

If users will:

• Visit once in a while
• Search occasionally
• Read information

   

Website is the better choice

Examples:

• Corporate websites
• Real estate listings
• Event pages
• Educational blogs

   

High-Frequency Usage

If users will:

• Open daily or weekly
• Track activity
• Receive notifications
• Interact regularly

   

👉 App makes more sense

Examples:

• Fitness tracking
• Learning apps
• Trading platforms
• Delivery services

Key Question #3: How Do Your Customers Find You?

Where & how your customers found you (E.g. Search Engines)

Google & Search Engines

If customers find you via:

• Google search
• Blog articles
• Local listings

Website is mandatory

Applications do not rank on Google.

Existing Customer Base or Community

If you currently have a Community of Customers or Customers

who:

• Are Regular Customers
• Are Subscribers
• Are Offline Users
• Have a WhatsApp and/or Email List

An Application allows you to better engage with your existing customer base

Applications are most useful for customers who are already familiar with your Brand.

Key Question #4: What Is Your Budget and Timeline?

Let’s not kid ourselves – your Budget Matters.

Website Development

• Lower cost
• Faster to launch
• Easier to maintain
• One Build that works on every device.

Perfect for:

• Startups
• MSMEs
• First-time founders

App Development

• Higher Cost
• Android & iOS – May Require Two Builds
• Ongoing Fixes and Updates
• Approval Process for App Store, Google Play, etc.

Better when:

• Business Model has been Established
• Revenue Stream exists
• Engagement has been established or is being established.

Key Question #5: Do You Need Mobile-Specific Features?

You should assess if your application will require any of the following mobile features:

Do you need:

• Push Notifications
• Accessing the Device Camera
• Location Tracking
• Functional Offline Mode
• Biometric Authentication

If so, a mobile application will add significant value. If not, a responsive web page will be sufficient.

When a Website Alone Is Enough

A website may be the best choice when:

• Your organization is in the early stages of development
• Your main objective is to increase exposure
• You anticipate that users will search online before making a purchase
• You need rapid results
• Your budget is limited

Generally speaking, the best initial strategy is to create a fast and mobile-friendly website.

When an App Alone Makes Sense (Rare but Possible)

An application-only solution is justified when:

• Your customers are already engaged with your services
• The service requires significant interaction with users
• The service needs daily engagement with users
• The service solves a very specific issue

Examples would include business applications used within organizations, membership-only groups, and enterprise-level applications.

When You Need Both a Website and an App

This is the point at which you are at the highest growth point of your business.

Typical Growth Path

1. Normal Steps in Growth
2. Create a website
3. Test and Validate Demand
4. Grow a Customer Base

Develop App for your most Loyal Customers

The website creates the traffic, and the app retains it.

Common Mistakes Businesses Make

A major mistake many founders make is developing an app before having any users.

• Failing to Optimize Their Website for Search Engines
• Creating an App Based on Your Competitor
• Over-Feature – Too Many Features
• Failing to Plan for Growth

Your Technology Needs to Support Your Business and Not Create More Problems.

How to Decide the Right Option (Simple Checklist)

Ask yourself:

• Do People Find You on Google?
• Will They Keep Coming Back to You?
• Do I Need Notifications that Are Pixel-Perfect?
• Am I On A Budget?
• Do I Need to Launch My Business Quickly?

The Answer To The Above Questions Will Help You Decide:

• Website
• App
• Or both

   

Final Thoughts

Every business’s approach to technology varies widely, and there is no universal approach to solving it.

A website provides visibility, establishes credibility, and has a wider audience base.

An app increases user involvement and creates customer loyalty while allowing a business owner to control their content.

Most successful businesses begin with a basic concept, validate their assumptions, and grow gradually.

When selecting the best technology solution, if you choose the wrong one, it could cost tens of thousands of rupees in development time and money, and months of wasted time and cost associated with having to rebuild the same solution from scratch.

How Device Doctor India Can Help You Decide Right

Device Doctor India can help you determine if you require either a website, an app, or both before committing to any development projects.

Some ways the Device Doctor India team can assist:

• Requirement analysis
• Platform selection
• MVP planning
• Cost-effective development strategy
• Scalable tech architecture

   

By working with Device Doctor India, you not only design your technology solution, but you will also create a solution that meets your business objectives.