Web App - Is it different from Website

Every day we use google, facebook, Wikipedia, youtube and a lot more but we have never stopped to think if they are web sites or web apps. Are they similar or do they mean two different things? Confusing right? Yes it is until you read this article. ‘Do I even need to know this?’ You might ask.  To be honest, it shouldn’t bother you until and unless you are planning to hire a web development company to develop your own. But if you are, then having the knowledge about the websites and web application can be handy to define the scope and requirements of the project, skills and expertise required and even the technology to be used.

Websites

Web sites are a way of showcasing a business online. It basically portrays online presence and gives access to information. Nowadays websites are basic needs for a business and more like a visiting card. Even more if you want your website to impress better then it serves as a marketing tool and captures visitor’s attention. 

Websites previously were just static pages with content and media that anyone could access by visiting the URL address. The reason these websites are called static is that the content remains the same each and every time a visitor accesses it. And any changes in the page could be made by adding the content in the HTML.

On the contrary modern websites use more than just HTML. Languages like CSS and JavaScript are prominently used and even there is a heaven-high and hell-deep of difference in the designs. But purpose largely remains the same, mostly websites are for information.

Web Apps

Traditionally software was installed on personal computers. With internet and web technology came a new concept of catering software through the internet. These software are called web applications.

The term “Web Application” itself makes the things clear – it is just like any other software or mobile application which is catered over the internet and used in the browser. But unlike websites, they provide more functionalities and features. Every day we use numerous web applications such as Gmail, Google Drive, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.

A web application can be as simple as a calculator but can also get as complex as data analytic software like Google Analytics. Some of the core benefits that have made web applications so popular are:

• No installation Web apps run in a browser; no need of installing to the device.
• Can run across different OS Device segregated in different OS systems is a barrier for the software. 
• Web Applications can be accessed from any device from anywhere.