The functionality of apps is broad and diverse, but the key component is that you download apps from an app store being managed by your smartphone manufacturer (e.g. Apple, BlackBerry or Google/Android). After you’ve downloaded an app, there’s a fair chance it will need to communicate with a website somewhere in order to get up-to-date information.
Take, for example, any retailer’s app: you will be given a certain amount of capability from within the downloaded app itself – this is called its native capability – but the moment you want to order something, or check stock availability, the app has to communicate with a website to get that latest information. This is called a hybrid app. The likes of eBay, Amazon and Facebook all have this hybrid app approach.
Web apps are also a viable solution for mobile users. This is where the app is running as a website and has its own web address (URL), so any phone/device with a browser can reach it. The key here is to design and build the app to work as best as is possible for mobiles. A very similar approach to this is website optimisation: redesigning a website to download content and be navigable via phones rather than desktop PCs.
The benefits all boil down to one simple fact: users are, and will increasingly be, accessing content via smartphones. But the experience of your brand and website content that has been developed for desktop access is poor – so give your customers that content in a more user-friendly way.
How can Oculus help?
An initial consultation will rapidly determine the best options for your business. After this diagnosis, we can deliver a proposal within 2–3 days. And you may be surprised that an app or op needn’t be that expensive!