Mobile Applications versus Mobile Websites: Selecting Appropriately in 2025
In the digital age, mobile apps have become a significant advantage for brands, offering a more immersive and engaging user experience compared to mobile websites.
According to recent statistics, mobile internet users spend an average of 88% of their time on applications, with smartphone users in 2020 dedicating nearly 4 hours every day to these digital platforms [1]. This trend is expected to continue, as mobile apps are projected to outshine mobile websites in 2024.
One of the key reasons for this shift is the superior user engagement that mobile apps provide. Studies show that users explore 4.2 times more products per session on apps than on mobile sites [1]. This increased interaction leads to higher conversion rates, with apps yielding a conversion rate that is three times higher than that of mobile websites [2].
The enhanced capabilities offered by native apps are another factor contributing to their popularity. Apps can centralize multiple functions in one location, utilizing the various features on a phone that a mobile website cannot. For instance, apps can leverage device-specific features such as the camera, GPS, and push notifications, providing a more tailored and immersive user experience [3].
Moreover, apps offer brands control over the content within their boundaries, making it simpler to ensure all information meets their standards and to maintain the user's focus [4]. When a user exits a mobile app, the brand remains visible on their smartphone's home screen, increasing brand recognition [5].
The economic impact of mobile apps is also significant. In 2022, mobile apps generated $475.9 billion in revenue, with projections estimating this will exceed $935 billion by 2024 [6]. This growth is driven by billions of apps being downloaded yearly, with sustained double-digit growth in app engagement [3][4].
App stores like the iOS and Android Play store also provide a new avenue for increasing brand recognition and drawing users to the app [7]. Over 100 billion hours are dedicated to e-commerce applications yearly, indicating the growing user demand for apps [6].
However, a well-optimized, responsive mobile website is still crucial for catering to new users discovering a brand through search engines like Google and needing more time to commit to downloading an app [8]. By leveraging appropriate no-code mobile app technology, brands can manage both websites and apps, ensuring a seamless user experience across both platforms without substantial investment or workflow disruption [9].
In conclusion, the preference for mobile apps in 2024 is driven by superior engagement metrics, conversion efficacy, revenue potential, and the enhanced capabilities offered by native apps that surpass what mobile websites typically provide [1][4]. Brands that embrace this trend can expect to enhance engagement among mobile users and cultivate a loyal customer base.
References:
[1] Statista (2020). [Smartphone users worldwide in 2020, by time spent on the internet per day (in minutes)][https://www.statista.com/statistics/263082/daily-time-spent-on-smartphone-internet-worldwide/]
[2] Single Grain (2020). [Mobile App vs Mobile Website: Which One Converts Better?][https://www.singlegrain.com/marketing/mobile-app-vs-mobile-website-which-one-converts-better/]
[3] App Annie (2021). [The 2021 State of Mobile Report][https://www.appannie.com/en/insights/reports/the-2021-state-of-mobile-report/]
[4] Business of Apps (2021). [Mobile App Revenue Statistics 2021][https://www.businessofapps.com/data/mobile-app-revenue-statistics/]
[5] Apptentive (2019). [The State of Mobile App Engagement Report 2019][https://www.apptentive.com/resources/research/the-state-of-mobile-app-engagement-report-2019]
[6] App Annie (2022). [The 2022 State of Mobile Report][https://www.appannie.com/en/insights/reports/the-2022-state-of-mobile-report/]
[7] App Store Optimization (2020). [The Importance of App Store Optimization (ASO) for Your App][https://www.appstoreoptimization.com/blog/the-importance-of-app-store-optimization-aso-for-your-app/]
[8] Moz (2019). [Mobile Optimization: The Definitive Guide][https://moz.com/blog/mobile-optimization-guide]
[9] Forbes (2020). [Why No-Code Mobile Apps Are The Future Of Business][https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesagencycouncil/2020/03/19/why-no-code-mobile-apps-are-the-future-of-business/?sh=3b538b936743]
In the world of business and finance, mobile apps are anticipated to surpass mobile websites in user engagement and conversion rates by 2024, accounting for a significant portion of revenue, as demonstrated by the $475.9 billion generated in 2022. With their ability to utilize device-specific features like push notifications, apps offer a more tailored and immersive lifestyle experience for users.
