Many business owners have mobile on their mind and, with the mobile browsing usage overtaking desktop this year, they should! The choice then comes, should you have a mobile website, a responsive site, or a mobile app?
Mobile Website
It has features like a main website would, but is designed to work only on a smaller scale. Often mobile websites will look stretched or blurry when viewed on a desktop screen. Typically mobile websites are delivered by way of a redirect, meaning that when a mobile user visits your website, the site will partially load and then direct to something like m.example.com or mobile.example.com
Responsive Site
It's built almost the same as a regular website would be, except responsive websites scale up or down to fit the resolution of the screen. Some elements also disappear or appear depending on how large the monitor is. So you can view the same site on a phone, tablet, or desktop with a consistent style and no redirects like a mobile site does.
Mobile App
A mobile app is downloaded and runs like a mini program inside a user's phone. The style and design can often mimic those of a mobile website, however, it doesn't require an Internet connection. One advantage to this is that a customer could easily look up contact information without having to spend time browsing the Internet or using bandwidth. The app also features an icon which, like other apps, is only a tap or two away from the customer.
So which do I need?
It all depends on what you have, what you don't have, and what you are comfortable with. If you have a website but no mobile website, it would be good to invest in both a mobile app and a mobile site. If you have a responsive website, it would be good to invest in an app. If you are just getting started, it would be good to invest in a responsive site and an app. Luckily we do all 3 options and can even recommend a solution if you're still unsure. HostArmor.com handles all the website design and NewStarApps.com handles all the app development.
