Website and web application, Differences
Choosing between a website and a web application means essential changes in a digital project. We explain what each type of platform consists of, what needs they respond to, and when they are used.
The terms website and web application sound similar, and many people use them without distinction, talking about them as if they were the same or implying that they fulfill the same function.
However, these are digital platforms with specific purposes that respond to very different needs. Moreover, each one offers a different set of functionalities to users, which depend directly on a project’s objectives.
In this way, the decision to develop one of these platforms depends on the products and / or services you want to make available to users and the objectives you want to achieve in digital channels.
Another relevant point is that opting for a website or a web application significantly affects the costs and times of a digital project. Workloads associated with different areas also vary considerably in developing one platform, involving task planning.
Knowing the differences between a website and a web application will allow you to make the right decisions. In addition, it will help everyone use the terms appropriately, avoiding confusion and streamlining definitions in project planning.
Static pages vs. interactive sites
Simply put, a website is a set of static pages that deliver information. For their part, web applications are primarily interactive platforms that focus on users taking action.
This fundamental difference determines their main objectives, characteristics, and functions.
Web applications
The main goal of an application is for the user to perform a task. However, they can also be understood as a program used from the browser. CSS, HTML, and JavaScript languages are used to create them, and free, open-source software such as Drupal, Symfony, Django, or Meteor can be used.
Examples include banking services, Google Docs, and retail sales sites.
Websites
The main purpose of a website is to provide information. Therefore, consuming content is users’ most important task on such platforms.
This idea may sound confusing, as all sites include additional calls for action, such as making contact or subscribing to a newsletter. The difference is that these interactions represent a small part and can usually be achieved only after guiding the user through the content.
Websites also have several related pages and require a content manager.
Main differences and characteristics to consider
Thus, the main differences that should be considered when selecting one of these platforms are:
• Websites are sources of information, while applications focus on performing actions.
• A web application may be part of a site in a project, but not the other way around.
• The functions and tasks of an application are many more and have a higher level of complexity.
Depending on project requirements, one platform may be more expensive than the other. However, web applications usually demand a more complex logic and, therefore, a higher investment.
In all cases, the requirements for the areas are very different. For example, creating a website will require the work of a more varied group of professionals and tasks without this necessarily entailing a higher cost.
