Start with the job
Decide what your users need to do and how often. A tool they use daily may justify an app; something they use now and then usually works better as a web app.
When a web app fits
- You want to launch quickly and cost-effectively
- Users arrive from search, links or WhatsApp
- One codebase should serve phones and desktops
- You update often and do not want store approval
When a mobile app fits
- You need push notifications, camera, location or offline use
- Customers use the product every day
- Loyalty and repeat orders are central
A sensible path
Many UAE businesses start with a fast web app, learn what customers actually use, and add a mobile app once the case is clear. A good web app can also be installed on the home screen.