An app, or software application, isn’t directly accessible on the internet. Rather, it must be downloaded on a smartphone or tablet. Mobile websites are responsive sites that automatically scale to fit the screen size of your viewer’s device. The advantages of having an app are that it allows you to send push notifications to your customers (with their permission, of course) and often can be used offline.

A lot of people wonder, but not many people have the guts to come out and ask, “What is an app?” Perhaps a better question might be, “What makes an app an app?” Sure, you use apps every day, and you know lots of businesses have their apps, but when it comes to what differentiates an app from a mobile website, most people draw a blank.

It’s important to understand the difference between an app and a mobile website because they do have a lot of crossovers, but they also have different strengths and weaknesses. To stay current and promote your business online, you need to know what’s available to you.

If you own a small business and feel a little lost in the world of apps, software, and mobile websites, keep reading because this guide is for you!

Get to know the difference between an app and a mobile website, and find what’s right for your business.

What is an app?
“App” is an abbreviated term for “software application,” and one of the defining features of an app is that it must be downloaded on a device for the user to access it. Apps are built primarily for use on mobile devices, like smartphones and tablets. Many software companies make app versions of their products so users can access their software’s functionality on mobile devices.

Why are apps important?
Before smartphones and tablets were a thing, websites were created to display on laptop and desktop computers. The designs of such websites were unresponsive, which means they did not naturally scale to different screen sizes and were difficult to view and use on smaller screens. This was not problematic at first, because no one was trying to view websites on smartphones or tablets. Once mobile devices became popular, though, the disadvantages of these website designs became clear.

Then, mobile websites emerged, and many SMBs with existing websites created mobile versions of their sites so users could easily view them on the go and use them with touchscreen devices, sans mouse.

For some time, apps, websites, and mobile websites all existed in separate buckets, but now they are becoming the norm and the lines are blurring.

What are the advantages of developing a business app?
There are several advantages to developing an app for your business. First, apps allow businesses (assuming the app user agrees) to send out push and/or in-app notifications. The ability to reach a customer base that is already aware of your brand and interested in it (otherwise, they wouldn’t have downloaded the app in the first place) is tremendously valuable. Note that many users opt out of notifications, however.

Another benefit of apps is the ability to use them offline. While most app functions, like accessing maps and making in-app purchases or calls, only work online, the basic information in the app (such as store location, hours, menus and products) can be accessible even without service.

How do I build an app?
There are three main routes you can take to build an app for your business. If you want to build your app in-house, you’ll need a team of developers at your disposal. Most small businesses don’t have that, which leaves the other two routes: hiring outside developers or using app creation software.

Using app creation software
There are lots of mobile app development products out there, offering a staggering range of options in process and quality. Some app development tools require only basic skills to use; these are usually referred to as the “drag-and-drop” format. Other app creation software requires you to know some development and programming skills to complete the customization process.

Generally, the drag-and-drop app makers are cheaper and easy to use but not the most customizable. They tend to be template-based and somewhat limited in scope, but they are a great option for basic app creation, especially for small businesses.