Design for a Web App and a Native App: An Overview
Design for a Web App and a Native App: An Overview

Many companies offering enterprise application services often find it difficult to choose between developing a native app, web app or a hybrid one because this decision subsequently influences the design of the mobile product as well as how the users interact with it. 

In this article, we will be focusing on web app and native app. Each one is unique and serves different purposes. Web apps are primarily used to access information while its native counterpart is generally used to complete a specific task. Almost every mobile application development company in Dubai claim to have the expertise to develop both. But not all of them take a design-thinking approach to development. Such an approach is actually what we need to understand users better and make the right choice when it comes to app types. 

Web App Design

A web app should be designed in such a way that users can easily navigate the app and quickly find the information they seek. So the app’s navigation system should obviously be intuitive while fulfilling conversion. Unnecessary clicks should be reduced as much as possible while the loading speed should be impressively high. 

Then there is the thing about mobile devices. With billions of mobile devices present worldwide, app developers should keep in mind that the devices that the app will be running on will have different screen sizes. So there’s another choice – adaptive app vs. responsive app. A responsive app would automatically respond to the width of the browser adjusting and repositioning the elements in the app while fitting within the screen. 

Adaptive design requires the developers to develop for multiple screen sizes. When the site detects the space available, the app selects the most appropriate layout and presents it.

Native App Design

Native mobile apps are more common and require considerable expertise in mobile technologies. These apps are built for specific platforms (iOS or Android) and can be written only using programs that are compatible with the chosen platform. 

Native app development is done with user interaction in mind which is why the developers start by researching. Once they have a thorough understanding of their users including their pain points, they can figure out a solution that the app can provide. Native apps make use of gestures that users are already familiar with. Introducing new gestures can result in a learning curve. It’s alright to do that provided the app gives users directions to use that gesture. 

Native apps also don’t feature a lot of content and elements so as not to burden users with too much information. So everything that isn’t key to the app functionality is removed. 

Conclusion

While there are a few similarities, you should realize by now that the designing of web apps and native apps is different. Both require a deep understanding of the target users and their pain points though they dictate different design elements and features.