Many of us think that apps mean mobile apps and they are one dimensional. But, the truth is it does not come in one form but many. Businesses need to deliver their application experience to their users on multiple platforms. It is a straightforward strategy to allow the developers to create a cross-platform app to catch the attention of users no matter which device they are using.
What Are the Types of Apps?
Mainly there are four types of apps that have their own distinctions from one another. Here, I will discuss all four and it’s a must-read before you look for any application development services for your cross-platform app.
Web Apps
- It merges the elements of a website and a mobile app.
- You can use these apps from your web browser.
- Example: Facebook, Google Maps.
Native Apps
- These are the apps we use on a daily basis.
- You need to download native apps from a digital store.
- Example: Duolingo, Adobe Lightroom.
Hybrid Apps
- They contain the elements of both web apps and native apps
- These are accessed through browsers as well just like web apps.
- Example: Uber, Netflix.
Cross-platform Apps
- You can use these apps on any platform, hence the name.
- Best of both the world, use the browser or download, you can have it all
- Example: AirBnb, Walmart.
Benefits of Cross-Platform Development
These days people rely on cross-platform development more than mobile app development company alone. Statisa’s report says, 49% of app developers prefer to work on cross-platform apps than naïve apps. People want their apps to run on multiple platforms eliminating the risk of losing their customers for a different device. Here are a few other benefits that align with cross-platform development:
A Path to Success
Dimensional Research reported that 85% of enterprises find that cross-platform is important for their success in this competitive world. If you want to capture the market, you need to capture every platform as well.
Faster and Efficient
If you want to launch your app and you launch it on several platforms at a go, it can be more competitively pleasing. Did you know, Slack did the same to roll out its app?
Cost Efficiency
If you want services from a web app development company and a mobile app development company separately to create your application for two different platforms, it would be expensive. With cross-platform apps, you can invest in one codebase that works on multiple platforms.
User Experience
Users want to use an easy, smooth, and hassle-free app across every device. And cross-platform application development services ensure your users get that. It gives a consistent look, feels, and user satisfaction. If you decide to make one app for two devices with two codebases it will not only be expensive, but it can not give the same feel and look every time there is an update.
Easy to Maintain
Managing updates and bug fixing gets way easier when app developers have to work on a single codebase and not many. No matter how many times you want to bring changes to your application, cross-platform apps are easier to handle, maintain, update, and upgrade.
Reusable Code
The best part about cross—platform development is that the code can be reused over and over again. Instead of developing new code from scratch, in a cross-platform app, developers can add or edit the existing code.
Conclusion: Cross-Platform Development in a Nutshell
If you are looking for a solution-oriented app development process, cross-platform development is the answer. It is no longer a trend but a strategic move to ace in this competitive market. Since both web and mobile app development have a huge market, it is better to choose both at a time hence the emergence of cross-platform app development. It reaches a wider audience, is more efficient, and is available on every platform.
