Responsive web design means a website that is friendly with the device on which it is used. By term friendly I mean website the automatically adjusts with the device screen so as to save scrolling work from side to side.
This increases the comfort level of the user whether it is mobile or desktop user. Whereas mobile apps are specifically programmed for devices such as mobile, tablets etc.
Mobile apps are mostly made for single operating systems and they are not commonly used among all devices. Apart from being specific these apps are also good in providing additional features such as clicking photo, calling features, use of GPS, sharing mobile contacts and media stuff.
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For clearer view let’s check point wise pros and cons of responsive web design and mobile app development:-
User friendly: When we talk about responsive website then it is something that is easier to administer with single URL technique. This assures that your website is easily available to your target users without being redirected from one website to another.
Whereas mobile apps are programmed in such a way that user has not to search for the contents. Once the app is installed in mobile device then just by one press you will be attached to the company.
Cost effectiveness: Responsive websites are cheaper for company as one website covers all types of details instead of designing more than one websites.
Content designing: In such perspective web designing is easy as there is no special content to be designed like in case of mobile apps. You can use same contents of your desktop website in mobile website with use of SEO technique.
Marketing Perspective: Responsive websites don’t require additional marketing where as mobile apps are to be marketed as they not available to customers as easily as website is.
Technical Perspective: responsive websites is new in technology, old devices and browsers do not support it and may result in slow and incomplete loading this may harm your user experience. At the same place mobile apps are based on single platform which is helpful for the user of that platform.
Interface conflict: desktop websites and mobile responsive websites are completely different when used by customer with single interface of desktop and responsive website you may result in satisfying none. In mobile applications the interface is same you don’t need to change with user type.
Accessibility and speed: when you talk about accessibility and speed you need to be very specific and easily available. In such cases mobile apps are more preferred in place of responsive websites as it clearly directs user to it destination point.
Websites contains lots of data and all is not required by single users where as mobile apps provides step by step user services.
Specificity and uniqueness: mobile apps are more unique and specific user can share details with you easily as it provides features that are more real times and helps you to understand correct problem of your user with the help photos and screenshots.
Personnel data sharing: mobile apps are generating revenue by sharing user’s personal data with the company. Sometimes with the point of view of user this is not safe but in point of view of company its source of revenue generation.
Whereas responsive websites does not share users personnel data with company it restricts with the user needs only.
Installation and updating: installation and updating is basic requirement for both modes i.e. website and mobile apps. But the difference is that in responsive website only company will have to make changes that will be visible to your customers whereas in case of mobile apps both user and programmer have to make changes.
Programmer has to make changes in the programming on the other hand user has to update newer versions every time changes are made. This causes app users to irritate and they avoid using apps.
Still these days’ users prefer for mobile apps as they have feature like notifications easy access, recommendations, offers and much more.