Design for mobile devices
Who wrote about applications
developed by AAG
If you have decided to offer your customers an application or a website optimized not only for the desktop, but also for mobile devices, you can currently choose from different options.
There are different opinions whether a responsive or a mobile web are better than a native application. Each solution has its advantages and disadvantages, all can be combined together and it is not necessary to choose only one of them. Optimization of the content for different platforms and screen resolutions can be divided into several basic categories:
Mobile website
Compared to the classic desktop monitor display with mouse control, this is a variation of optimized web pages that contain the most frequently required information or services. They can be completely independent from the desktop version both substantively and graphically. Usually, they are available at m.yourdomain.cz where the customers accessing from the mobile device are automatically redirected.
Advantages
- Mobile website contains relevant information or offers online services optimized for a mobile device that is controlled by a thumb.
- It is an alternative to native applications.
Disadvantages
- Higher costs for preparing and maintaining another version of the site.
- Speed - longer loading time of the web content compared to native applications.
Fully responsive website
Responsive website is designed to automatically adapt its size and screen resolution regardless of whether it is displayed on a classic monitor or on a mobile device, no matter if it is a mobile phone or a tablet. Responsive website is in most cases created as an identical desktop version but is adapted for controlling by the thumb.
Advantages
- Lower costs associated with creating and managing multiple versions of web solutions.
- Lower purchase price compared to a native application.
Disadvantages
- A necessity to optimize the entire content of a website or a web application through which the online service is offered.
- Time-consuming to develop and test the website for different mobile devices and different platforms.
Native applications distributed on one of the Internet portals
(Apple Store, Google Play or Windows Store)
Native applications are always programmed (customized) for a specific mobile platform. Applications created for each platform are mutually non-transferable. Among the most common platforms belong mobile devices from Apple iOS operating system, applications created for the Android Google operating system, and mobile devices using the Windows operating system from Microsoft. Other platforms are, compared with the above mentioned, insignificant.
Advantages
- Native applications are, in addition to speed, the most user-friendly.
- Design of native applications emphasises the maximum relevance, immediate catching of the attention and satisfaction so that the user is motivated to return and praise.
- Custom applications are trendy and significantly support the company's image.
Disadvantages
- Higher development costs.
- Higher costs for administration and continuous updates.
These pros and cons of particular variants lead to different combinations. The current trend is e.g. to use
a responsive website within the native application or using of native elements on the site. The main reason for these combinations, in addition to optimize the development and administration costs, is greater flexibility in changing or expanding the provided services.
Selection of a suitable solution should always take into account not only the nature of the services offered on the internet, but also realistically consider the fact whether they will be used through mobile devices by end customers.
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