I have a vague recollection of the early days of the internet, when webpages were static, or sometimes fortified with images and videos. Yet, the new concept of web application development remained a remote dream until 2005, when Ajax made it possible to create better, faster and more interactive Web Apps. 

Though, at present, web apps are so mainstream that they get unnoticed sometimes. Still, we use it all the time.    

Microsoft Office elements like MS Word and Powerpoint to popular software like Basecamp, Mailchimp and Facebook have web-based apps that offer unique, customized and immersive experiences similar to Native apps, but straight from your browser.

So, in a nutshell, web apps combine the native apps personalized experience with the ease of accessing them on a web browser from any device. 

That’s actually what makes Web App Development a highly sought after skill among coders, but also an ideal solution for a wide array of businesses from ecommerce to entertainment, banking to education and almost everything else in between. 

I bet you are anxious to know more about web app development. So, we’re here to walk you through the entire process.

What Is A Web App?

Every time you “DO” something online, be it  online shopping, online banking, webmail

 intentionally or unintentionally, you have used a web app. 

To put it simply, web apps are critical app software that is stored on a remote server provided by a third party and can be used directly from your browser, without any need to download anything.  

What Is Web App Development?

Conventionally, web app development uses client-side and server-side programming to build an app accessible over a web browser. 

Usually, web developers in Dubai start with the ideation step of a web app based on finding the solution to a specific concern and then designing the app, followed by choosing the right framework to develop the web app, test it and finally launch it. 

Website or Web App – What’s The Difference? 

Web app or a website – which one do you need for your business?

It’s the first doubt that strikes your mind, and it’s fair enough to do so. The subtle difference between a website and a web app is a little daunting to differentiate. 

Let’s define – “The Subtle Difference”!

A website can be a static page that includes images, text, videos, etc., to give out the information and may or may not have input dependability. 

A web app is a dynamic piece of software that responds to user input and allows users to perform some specific tasks over the internet. 

So, to put it simply, any website that has client-side elements that allow users to perform any task can be called a web app. They are designed specifically to perform tasks that help users solve a problem. At the same time, websites exist merely to provide information.

Now, the next question arises-

Mobile Apps Or Web Apps

Web apps importantly can be used over a browser on any device, whether it’s a desktop or a mobile. So, the real question is – “Mobile Web Apps Vs Native Mobile Apps”. 

Here’s the answer!

Native apps are platform-specific apps created exclusively for both platforms – Android and iOS. They just need to be downloaded from an app store and installed on your device. While they offer a highly personalized experience, their development is inclined towards an expensive side. 

While web apps, on the contrary, can be easily used on any device as they are accessed on a browser. They don’t take up device storage, and most notably, developing a web app is pocket-friendly and viable too. 

The Significant Benefit Of  Web Development 

From a developer’s perspective, mastering web-based app development opens up a wide array of opportunities for you. 

These days, every business needs an expedient and cost-effective solution for an app software that lets them reach out to users through any mobile or desktop device and every platform. 

So, all in all, web app development is platform-agnostic, so businesses don’t need to craft a different app for iOS and Android – something that directly manifolds the costs. 

Web app technologies have advanced exceptionally over the past few years, making web apps just as immersive and customized as native apps. Even businesses that already have top-rated native apps do require an equally awesome web app. In some scenarios, they cannot afford to alienate their web or desktop users. Instagram, Facebook, and Whatsapp all have web apps at par with their native apps. So, knowing how to build a web app puts you on top of a market with an enriching online presence.  

Different Types Of Web Apps To Consider

Before you hire a website developer for your project, it’s important to understand the different array of web apps available. Besides, we can classify them mainly based on what their function is and how they appear. 

Usually, web apps are branched in 5 types, each with its own distinction and characteristics. Let’s have a look!

1. Dynamic Web Applications

As the name suggests, Dynamic web apps are interactive, involve server-side as well as client-side programming. So, if you can input some information into a web app and receive different results, that is a dynamic website.  

Besides, if you can perform a search, post a comment, create a user profile or interact in any other way, you are undoubtedly using a dynamic web app. 

Pages on dynamic web apps do not follow a predetermined order of display but rather are shaped by input on the client-side or server-side. These apps deploy a CMS (Content Management System) that modifies the app’s contents. 

The vast number of programming languages needed to develop dynamic web apps include PHP and ASP to build a web app. These apps do need web hosting, databases and servers. 

2. Static Web App

Static web apps got their name because of their nature and lack of flexibility. Static web apps are more likely to collect static web pages that present the same information to every visitor every time. They are developed using HTML and offer no interactivity. 

Since the pages in static web app development are generated on the server end, there are no changes for customization. 

Besides, static web pages are quite difficult to change or update. You would have to perform an entire page reload for any changes to show up. 

Considering all of the above, you must be wondering, is static web app development done nowadays? 

Some businesses that just need a low-key web page that portraits key business information without any input from the user usually opt for a static web app. Business contact pages, portfolio, and company information pages could use this kind of web app development for affordable yet quick outcomes.

From a technical perspective, all apps that are not necessarily static are dynamic apps; some broader categories makes up for the rest of the list.  

3. Portal Web Apps

A portal web app is defined as a type of app that allows users to log in to a safe area from a home page—for example, using card payment. You are on an ecommerce site or paying your utility bills, and when it comes to choose a credit card and make a payment, you are asked to log into the credit card company’s web app to complete the payment. This is defined as a web portal. 

4. Ecommerce Apps

If you are a newbie in the ecommerce industry, first and foremost, to thrive in the market is to partner with the best web development companies in the UAE. Also, if you wish to sell or buy something online, you need, at the very least, a web app that can place an order and process payments.  Such apps are called ecommerce apps.

There’s no doubt, the development complexities for a web-based app manifold to the next level. Right from maintaining an updated database of products to managing orders, offers and transactions, ecommerce web apps include a lot more coding. 

So, building an interactive interface resembling the native app experience is equally important for ecommerce web apps. 

5. Content Management System or CMS Web App

A Content Management System allows even non-technical users to create and update content online easily. From a simple blog to a more comprehensive website, a CMS enables users to keep these assets up to date with the latest information.

Therefore, creating such a system that even a rookie can use requires special technologies best left to professional web developers in Dubai. 

6. Progressive Web Apps

Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) are not just a classification of web apps. They are indeed a quantum leap in the field of web-based app development. 

It is based on the advantage of the latest and best web app development frameworks and technologies to offer you a product that combines the best web apps and native mobile apps. 

These apps act like alive, ready to access websites that you can save on your home screen, without any need to download, and can access anytime you want in just one click. 

That’s not all! 

A Progressive Web App leverages a large ecosystem of plugins, web technologies and APIs, offering you an experience that presents the best native apps, but is quicker, easier and affordable to develop than native apps. 

A study showed that an average app loses 20% of its users at every step from discovering the app to start using it. Users need to first find a native app in the store – Apple App Store or Google Play Store, download it, get onboard and then start using the app.  

A PWA, on the contrary, is just like a website. Users can start using it as soon as they discover it, eliminating steps like downloading and onboarding. And, once they choose to add it to the home screen – they can be sent push notifications and customized communication to boost engagement. 

The Web App Development Process Cost

So, how much does it cost to build a web app? 

To answer this question, you need to structure the cub-costs of your web app precisely. 

As you know, several factors determine the final cost of your web app. The inherent complexity of the app, the number of features you integrate, the web development company you choose, and many other elements influence the final cost. 

So, if you are developing a simple app with essential features and core functionality, hire a web developer who could build a web app for anywhere between $2k-17K. 

But, if you want to opt for a more professional app that would need developers and designers teams working on your project, you could be looking at a cost range between $25k-$49k. The more complex web app development can need custom UX/UI design, complex web app programming, multiple API integrations, and the list goes on; the higher range of development goes from $100k – $250k and could be as many as around six months of time.   

Wrapping Up…

To sum it all, web app development is in 2021 as a strategic business advantage. 

Web apps are a better choice than their counterparts, like native app development and even hybrid app development. They are beneficial to any user, despite their device, operating system and network. 

So, anybody with an internet connection, and in some scenarios without it, can use a web app to use the complete array of any business and also keep users engaged profitably.

This is what makes web app development a highly sought after skill in 2021 and beyond, and with the right web developers in UAE, you are all set to take on the world.