Exploring the Different Types of Web Applications and Their Uses

As a business owner, you might always surf the internet for new ways to grow your business exponentially. With increasing competitiveness today, it’s tough to stand out. But there’s a way, and it is a web presence. It’s a priority to create a sound online presence for your brand to have credibility and gain customers. Top companies like Uber and Amazon lead the charts as they leverage the benefits of web applications. Yes, there are types of custom web applications that can benefit your business. 

This text aims to help you understand in detail about types of web applications and how they could help your business. Shortly, the majority of companies will find themselves in a place where they will find a need to have a custom web application. So here’s a guide to web app development that can help you while you start your journey.

What do you mean by web application?

The majority of the audience is baffled between web applications and websites. Hence here is a guide to web app development for clarity. Web applications are third-party developed software or programs that you can host on a remote server and access on any web browser through the device. But the main aim of the website is to impart information. There are web applications that let users pay, search and view.

Web application is simply an application interacting with the network. But this is an umbrella term as you have multiple types of web applications. It can be further divided into client or server applications. On the other hand, these terms can also be misleading as most new applications have both components.

The popularity of web applications is rising as everyone with a stable internet connection can access them. They also have a huge range of features. The list of web applications includes social media apps, net banking apps, emails, and online shopping apps.

Top types of custom web applications

Static Web Apps

Static web applications have certain restrictions on the input and are not as flexible as others. This type of application has fewer interactive pages that are server generated. Also, as there is no scope for personalization, one can only see changes after loading web pages.

The appearance of static applications is the same as they appear when on the server. No changes will be seen in the web server until you make it to the browser. CSS, HTML, and JavaScript are common languages that any developer can use to develop this custom web application. Also, there is a scope for adding GIFs, Videos, and animations to this type of app. But the only challenge is to make updates. Most commonly static web apps are used as landing pages for marketing agencies and resumes.

Benefits of Static Web Applications

• It is easier and hassle-free to host and build
• The development cost is extremely low
• The search engine finds it easier to index static web applications
• It can be easily transferred even on an unstable internet connection

Dynamic Web Apps

The complexity of Dynamic web applications is more complex than static ones. They help to seek real-time data as per users’ demands. Developing these types of custom applications requires a very strict procedure.

If a user places requests for loading a web page, this request will initially reach the web server. This procedure aims at understanding the code for a particular request. Later it collects data from the database present on the server. Then that content is transferred to the web server, which moves it to the web browser.

Hence a web application must have a great database responsibility. for storing content. It must also update each time a user has access to that data. The most typical example of achieving this state is WordPress. Surprisingly it also holds an administration panel. Any user can update the databases and alter them as they want. They can even add features as per their demand.

The most used programming languages for dynamic web apps are Ruby on Rails, HTML, Python, and many more. A developer can effectively use these to build an exceptional web app. Although it is easier to update this type of app, it’s quite tough when it comes to back-end coding. It will vary as per factors such as the server. Netflix and YouTube are popular examples of this type of application.

Benefits of Dynamic Web Apps

• You can enhance customer experience easily
• The Update process is easier
• Professional look
• Interfaces can be more interactive
• Feature of easy and faster navigation

Single-Page Apps (SPAs)

Single page applications hassle-free facilitate interaction with Web pages. The requests will be put in effortlessly, and the response will be quicker as the data is small. Also, the processes are quicker with SPAs as it performs logic directly on a web browser rather than a web server. You can easily update them with future demands. And as per the latest improvements in SEO, this type of app has become a favorable choice due to universal URLs. Some common examples of SPAs are Gmail, Google Maps, and PayPal.

The advantage of Single Page applications are

• They are user friendly
• The debugging process is easier
• Promote reusability
• The implementation part is smooth and easier
• Caching is also better.

Multi-Page apps (MPAs)

As the name itself indicates that they are applications that have multiple pages. The app will fetch and display a new page from the server as per customers’ requests. The logic in this app will be present in the back-end server, where user requests will be sent for the revert.

Developing a page on the server and sending it to the client through the browser is a problem for the UI. Thankfully, this was solved by AJAX. It helps make quick changes to the web pages without reloading them. Multi-Page applications with great responsiveness can work best with mobiles. It is easier to find developers for building web or mobile MPAs. Custom application development services will help you develop the best MPAs.

Also, you can try going through mobile app development guides for better ideas. CSS, JavaScript, HTML, and AJAX are commonly used frameworks for developing this application. MPAs are generally used as online stores, portals, catalogs, etc. Widely known MPAs include CNN, eBay, Amazon, etc.

Benefits of MPAs 

• They are SEO-friendly
• The scalability is very high

Portal Web Apps

A web application with sections or categories to access from the home page is a portal web app. They can have different details such as forums, charts, registration, etc. This type of web application is ideal for businesses that want to develop applications per their customer’s demands.

The unusual thing about it is that only registered ones can only go through the portal. Users will have to sign in, and then the authority will have access to check the user’s activity. Also, only a few customers will have access to premium features. The types of portal web applications include real estate, parent portals, and government. Some commonly known examples are Domino’s, Stanford University web app, etc.

Benefits of Portal Web Apps

• Integration is easier
• Better user interaction
• Omnichannel presence
• Better customer retention

eCommerce Web Apps

eCommerce Web applications work just like an online store. Know that developing such an application is a complex procedure as it involves transactions. With this application, you can add new products, remove old ones, manage payments, and perform many other functions. Also, this type of app should boast a great admin panel. Some common examples of this type of app are Myntra, Flipkart, and Blinkit.

Benefits of eCommerce Web Apps

• Better recognition of the brand
• Enhances conversion
• It is a cost-effective solution
• Better engagement
• Smaller than mobile apps

Progressive Web Apps

Progressive Web applications resemble mobile applications. Users can enjoy all the features through browsers on the mobile. Many experts have said that PWAs are glorified versions of SPAs, although they have theoretical differences. 

Progressive Web applications can enhance the speed of web apps and enhance mobile adaptability. Also, there are changes for the better in areas like caching, home screen installation, and data transfer.

PWAs aim to provide better service to users even with unstable internet connections. The common usage cases of PWAs include OLX, Starbucks, MakeMyTrip, etc.

Benefits of PWAs

• No need to download them from app stores to access them offline.
• You can get access to specific features of that platform
• Enhanced performance
• There is no requirement for updating 

Conclusion

After glancing through different types of custom web applications, you might have learned about them and their usage. Without a doubt, there are web applications that suit different kinds of enterprises. To be successful with your web application, you must know your needs beforehand. An Ecommerce business owner needs to go for Ecommerce web applications. At the same time, educational institutions can go for portal apps. Hence choose your application as per your needs. The guide mentioned above to web app development might have helped you, but the choice is yours.