The argument for a mobile website against a mobile app is hotly contested.

Many people feel that a mobile app is not required and that a website that looks good on mobile devices will do the trick. Others argue that mobile apps have benefits not available on a mobile website. Who is right?

All businesses need a responsive website that looks great on mobile. It’s not difficult to get a mobile-friendly website, and there are no real downsides.

Visitors will view your website on their devices, and you need to support that. It’s obvious that you need a mobile-friendly website, but is a mobile app required? Will a mobile app serve your business and clients better than your mobile website?

Here’s a summary of arguments for and against each option to help you decide whether a mobile app or a mobile website is best for your business.

Mobile Website 

In most cases, a mobile website is not a separate website, it’s a mobile device-friendly website that works for all screen sizes. Mobile visitors can access most of your content on your full website but are displayed optimally for smaller screens.

Given the ease of access, all businesses should have a mobile-friendly website. The arguments for and against are really just for comparison to a mobile app.

Pros

• Inexpensive
• Works on all devices
• Easy to setup
• Easy to maintain

Cons

• No push notifications
• No offline access
• No app store presence
• Limited internal app

Poor design can cause problems like:

• Performance issues
• Cluttered design
• Poor usability

A well-designed mobile website can be a huge asset. Given the amount of internet traffic on mobile devices, it’s clear that all firms need one, but it still can’t do things a mobile app can do.

Mobile App 

Mobile apps have a number of advantages over websites, such as push notifications and offline access, but they also have cons. However, many firms can benefit from one. Let’s look at the pros and cons.

Pros

• Push notifications
• Offline access
• Faster performance
• Less cluttered
• Improved SEO
• Get on the app stores
• Strong marketing message

Cons

• Costly setup
• Costly maintenance
• Limited use offline

Your Best Choice

The winner depends on your business. The mobile website wins for businesses with a limited budget looking for a mobile presence. For businesses with financial means who are looking to expand their marketing and demonstrate to clients that they are changing with the times, the mobile app wins.

For many businesses, the winner is a combination of both. A two-pronged mobile strategy can leverage both a mobile site and an app for maximum distribution of your content.