What are web applications?

Web Apps Are Not:

Simple web pages with static data

• Restaurant menu sites
• Personal homepages
• Company websites

Web Apps Are:

Often so simple, the user can't tell the difference between an application (does work) and a webpage (shows information).

Any website backed by some data in which the user can massage that data to their needs is also an web app

OahuRE

Blogs (from the writer's perspective)

YouTube

Google

They can also include complex interactions that allows a user to accomplish what they typically could do in store or replace business functionality

Send an email

Purchase goods

Create a custom product

They are business applications built for your web browser

Google Docs

Slides

GMail

Amazon

Slack, Trello, Asana

What are mobile Applications?

smaller, lighter, but not always as fast

Same work, limited hardware

​Mobile applications try to deliver the same experience to a user's smartphones but smartphones often have unique constraints

• Smaller screen = less information
• No physical keyboard = creative interactions
• Limited Network and Hardware  = ingenious workarounds

Native vs. web

Mobile apps come in three flavors: Native, Web, and Hybrid

Native

iOS / Android

Typically Faster

More Features

Web/Hybrid

One set of code

Slower

More work required 

Adding to your workflow

What apps should you be using?

You are already using them

Google Maps, Calendar, Docs, Search, GMail

• Slack: Online communication
• Asana: Project Management
• Trello: Task Delegation
• Wunderlist: To do list, Cataloging
• Evernote: Note taking
• DropBox: Online Storage

Make the best of it

Identify the bottlenecks in your business

Find the tools to measure the bottleneck (excel)

Adjust your workflow 

Find a tool to support your new workflow

Your business domain should be covered

But if it's not...

Building your own App

this isn't a walk in the park

Costs

Web applications are cheaper to create

Mobile applications should be taken into account early

Mobile applications piggyback on web apps

Applications can take anywhere from 3 months for an MVP to many years of constant development.

Costs of Apps

Timing, Space, Feasibility

Answer these questions:

• Is there a reason why no apps exists in this space?
• Is your ROI worth it?
• Do your customers benefit from it? Use it?
• Will this give you an advantage over your competitors?

Remember

Many businesses are built around apps. 

Having a business and adding an app is not a light decision.