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Every company needs its products and services to reach customers. More than that, this process must be transparent and fast so people can find what they need when they need it.

This is true for “traditional” organizations and even more so for startups, whose differentiation in the customer’s eyes often comes from agility and efficiency.

So what’s the best way to provide access to your startup’s products? Is it better to invest in an app for convenience, or to leverage the reach of a web system?

Here we present the benefits of each option—app or web system—with points to support this important decision.

Advantages of mobile apps

Using mobile apps is a global reality and their exponential growth makes app supply grow at the same pace—so virtually every type of business already has its own app.

The advantage for users is an almost unlimited set of resources that can be accessed quickly and conveniently. However, the app must be truly useful, otherwise it risks being forgotten on one of the smartphone screens.

1. Ease of access

One of the main advantages of an app over a web system is instant availability. Without needing to open a browser and type an address, an app offers the speed users expect.

In addition, having the company icon always visible on the user’s screen helps strengthen the brand with the audience and increases engagement.

2. Push notifications

Small messages sent through apps tend to be more effective for conversion than notifications sent by email.

Also, it’s common for people to respond more quickly to a notification on the smartphone screen than to an email, which usually requires typing and more effort to craft a reply.

3. Offline functionality

An app can be used even when the user doesn’t have internet access. Contact information and other general content can still be accessed without a connection.

4. Speed and access to device features

An app is usually much faster than the responsive version of a web system. Because it’s built specifically for the platform, the developer can take advantage of the device hardware and resources.

Advantages of web systems (responsive websites)

Responsive websites are a natural evolution of traditional sites, driven by the need to adjust web content for an ever-growing number of devices and platforms. Here are a few advantages of this solution compared to an app:

1. No download required

This is certainly the most visible benefit. Unlike an app, the user simply accesses the website from wherever they are, without needing to download anything.

This can be an advantage especially when the target audience has a more traditional and conservative profile.

2. Easier to find

When they need a specific service, it’s much more common for users to search for what they want using a search engine like Google than to open an app store.

So with well-defined—and implemented—Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategies, the company can rank among the top search results and therefore be more visible to potential customers.

3. Access options

In addition to being accessible from mobile devices—like an app—a web system can be accessed from desktop environments (computers).

In that sense, if your startup’s focus is to provide a solution for use inside companies, it may be worth considering a web system as the first alternative, since corporate environments more commonly rely on desktop infrastructure.

So what’s better: an app or a web system?

Each solution has advantages. The most appropriate choice depends on the priorities defined by the startup’s leadership.

One indicator that can help the decision is to ask:

How does your customer look for your product or service?

Do customers typically search on sites like Google, or directly in the App Store?

A response aligned with your business objective can point to the right path: web systems (or responsive websites) are more recommended for those who want only to publish information and offer a way to get in touch.

However, delivering services or requiring interactions (such as geolocation, push notifications, or photos) calls for a dedicated app.

Here are some examples of startups that chose one model or the other, according to their own characteristics:

Uber

The well-known service connecting passengers and drivers is app-only. That decision was made because the product depends on fast, convenient access. From anywhere, people can request the service in a practical, intuitive way—characteristics that led the company to choose the app model.

BeerOrCoffee

A Brazilian startup that works similarly to Tinder, but focused specifically on networking for business. It uses push notifications heavily to alert users when relevant contacts are nearby at events, workshops, etc. This characteristic also led the startup to choose an app as its platform.

Télios

With support from X-Apps, this startup focused on failure analysis chose to offer only a responsive website, without an app option for clients. That decision was made because of its target audience (industries), where the web model provides higher productivity.

FixClub

This X-Apps client chose to offer an app to serve its audience. It provides services that help users find general repair and maintenance professionals—painters, plumbers, electricians, etc. With a model similar to Uber, one of its goals is to provide easy access and build a habit of frequent usage.

Final considerations

Regardless of the choice, you need to pay close attention to layout, user experience, the development of fast and efficient search tools, and intuitive, practical forms.

Every startup is unique and has its own characteristics.

So it’s always recommended to work with a company that is specialized in the topic and has proven experience delivering solutions for startups.

Talk to an X-Apps specialist now to clear up questions or request a quote.