The Differences in Apps Versus Websites

TAMPA, Fla. - Oct. 19, 2016 - PRLog -- What's a Website?

In order to understand the differences between apps and websites clearly, let's first explore what each is individually. One simple way to understand the concept of a website is to liken it to a book. Websites are a collection of webpages (e.g. digital pages, documents) filled with unique content, just as chapters are to books. Websites may contain information in the form of text, graphics, animations, videos, links that when clicked will lead to other webpages, etc. Even this article is on a webpage that is situated within a much larger website filled with invaluable information resources. As is the case with this one, you can identify all publicly accessible websites by their unique web addresses. For example, http://www.google.com/. Collectively they make up the World Wide Web. This is the world's most exhaustive 'library' full of absolutely, incredible 'books' (i.e. websites) for billions of people to explore.

The 'skeleton' that provides the necessary structure for website's webpages is written using a metadata (i.e. data about data) system. This system is called hypertext markup language, but is commonly referred to as HTML.

Using HTML, you can build a website for personal, non-profit, government, or commercial purposes. You can use them to build a blog and start a conversation about a topic of personal interest. You could also advertise professional products and services to increase sales for your business. This means that they present enormous potential to both individuals and groups.

What's an Application a.k.a. App?

A software application a.k.a. app is simply a program or a collection of instructions that computers rely on in order to help users, such as yourself, to perform a variety of different tasks or activities. For example, word processing programs enable you to compose and edit documents, for anything from a professional report to your first novel. And, spreadsheet apps can help you to organize and analyze data, such as your business' accounting information.

One common app that you may already be familiar with in your professional life is Microsoft Outlook, your calendar, contacts, note taking, task management, and above all else email tool. Without apps like this, many of our personal and professional endeavors would take up much more time, resources, and energy. Effectually, they have simplified and streamlined a great deal of our enterprise, education, and entertainment needs.

Web Apps

A web app is a type of software application that is stored within another computer program, called a server. These apps can be accessed by clients (i.e. user's computer) from within a web browser. Many of them function very similarly to desktop software applications. But you must access them, online. Common web app providers include GMail, Outlook.com, and Yahoo! Mail.

Mobile Apps

A mobile app is a program specifically designed to work for mobile devices, including modern phones and tablets. Like software applications for desktop computers and laptops, many of them come pre-installed on the device before they're purchased. If you use Facebook Messenger to chat with friends or Google Maps to find your way around from your smartphone, then you've already benefitted from a mobile app.

TechTarget has also noted that, "Within the mobile computing sector, web apps are sometimes contrasted with native apps, which are applications that are developed specifically for a particular platform or device and installed on that device. However, the two are not mutually exclusive because many applications contain elements of both native and web apps. Programs that combine the two approaches are sometimes referred to as hybrid applications".

So, What's the Difference Between Apps and Websites?

So, now we understand that:

1. Websites a.k.a. sites can be likened to books with many different chapters (i.e. webpages). Websites are accessible, online.
2. Sites are largely designed to enable us to consume information.

On the other hand:

Software applications a.k.a. apps are instructions for computers, which enable us to perform various tasks. You can think of apps as tools, which can be designed for access from a desktop interface, mobile device, and/or online.

1. Apps are largely designed to enable us to create and engage with information.
2. Apps are like tools and help us engage in and accomplish computing tasks, while sites are like books that enable us to consume different types of content.

Another important point to note, when considering the difference between apps and websites, is that websites are usually accessed and presented using a type of software application called a web browser, such as the popular Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, and Apple Safari programs. So, you need an app (e.g. web browser) to access just about any website. Many such apps are bundled in with your computer's software when you first purchase it. And the same is true for your mobile device. Mobile apps in particular are specifically designed to work from within a smartphone or tablet. You can find more of these within your phone's mobile app store, including the Apple App Store, Google Play, Windows Phone Store, etc.

If increased personal or professional productivity is your goal, you may want to check out a list of popular apps. Alternatively, if you'd like to learn more about the importance of having and maintaining a website – especially if you're a business professional or leader – you should definitely check out Why Your Web Presence Matters. Find this and more significant tech trends and educational material for professionals in the USF Tech Blog at https://hscweb3.hsc.usf.edu/is/.