To be more precise, we decided to tell you about the main differences between websites and web applications.
Interactivity
The first difference is the different degrees of interaction with the page. While websites contain text and visual content that the user can’t interact with, web apps allow the user to not only read but also manipulate the information on the page. This can be thought of as dialogue. The user interacts with the site’s interface and receives a response. By “response” we mean electronic payment, online chat, uploading documents, etc.
An online store that allows users to buy products, search through a catalog, could be a web application. Another interesting example is social media. They also include blog features, chat rooms, user-selectable content and the ability to share that content.
Most websites today have interactivity. That’s because users like it. To do this, website owners add small web applications to their site.
Integration
Integration is the process of combining simple components into one complex component. Developers can integrate web applications and sites with programs including ERP, CRM. However, in most cases, it is with web applications that integration takes place. Why? Because their complex functions often need additional information from third-party systems. The most popular type of integration in e-commerce is integrating a web application with a customer relationship management system (CRM). This helps store customer data, order information, and improves the sales team. Through integration, information about web app users is automatically collected and stored in the CRM system. This kind of integration allows the sales team to learn more about customer behavior, their buying preferences, and work more effectively with negative feedback. This is very beneficial for online business owners, as all changes in customer information are automatically displayed in the CRM. This kind of interaction with customer information can bring an increase in sales and improve online store processes.
In some cases, website owners use integration with CRM to provide visitors with more personalized content. But unlike web apps, this kind of integration with web sites is more of an optional feature than part of the core functionality.
Authorization
This process involves entering user credentials to gain access to a Web site or system. This feature is important for systems that require any personal information about the customer. Moreover, at this stage, pay special attention to security. It’s important to minimize the possibility of unauthorized people accessing users’ personal information.
And unlike sites, web applications require authorization more often. Why? Because they provide users with more options than websites. For example, when using social networks, systems warn you about weak passwords. And ignoring such messages can lead to hackers breaking into your account.
Most information sites use authorization. In some cases, this is used to give more features that are not available to unauthorized users. While unregistered users can only view articles, registered users can leave comments, share articles on social media, etc. This is also a great solution to block spam. Thus, authorization is necessary for websites as well as for web applications. At the same time, web applications need it for security purposes.
A successful combination
When creating information portals or developing online stores, you can take advantage of both websites and web applications. Let’s explain. Initially, sites on the WordPress praform are supposed to display information to visitors. Therefore, we can say that it is a website. At the same time, the back-end of such a site is equipped with a CRM system, which is quite flexible. Therefore, such a site also has the functions of a web application.
Development team
When choosing between a web application and a web site, you should first of all start from the needs of your business. If your company needs a website, you can hire a small outsourcing company that specializes in e-commerce. Such teams can easily handle the development of a website and a custom design where you can put information about your company. But if you need to add a custom module to your site or develop it from scratch, you need to look for a team that specializes in web application development. Moreover, when looking for such a team, pay attention to the ready-made web applications that the team should have in its portfolio.