App

vs

How to decide which is right for your project

Like Apple's App Store or Google Play

Best for collecting information from the user to send back to a web service like a website

Can access things on the phone like GPS, photos, contacts

You can usually add a button to your phone as a shortcut, but it will launch your web browser when clicked.

Not so good at collecting information from the user.

Like visiting m.yourwebsite.com. These can offer less/different content than the desktop experience.

Some don't, and just change the layout of the website based on the size of the screen, Responsive Web Design

If yes, then a native app is probably the way to go.

Access photos on phone, files on phone, other phone features like gyroscopes or GPS locations

Hire a developer!

If no, then a RWD website will do the job

Strip it down to the essentials.

What is the most important task your user needs to do?

Have your website think like an app.

Using responsive web design on its website

Also has a native app for iphone/ipad

Some websites can push data out to native apps. Example: iOSU app

Some native apps can push data back to websites. Example: goCrop

By John McQueen