Developing mobile apps can help E-commerce businesses expand their customer network thanks to a high number of mobile users. However, the evolution of technology has enabled more and more alternatives for mobile applications. So, do native apps still hold a strong position among different choices? Let’s explore the advantages and disadvantages of native app development.
What Are The Advantages Of Native App Development?
What is a Native App?
A native application is a software program designed to use on a specific platform (iOS or Android) or a particular device (smartphone, tablet,…)
Advantages Of Native App Development
Fast And Responsive
Using native apps enables a fast and responsive experience for users. The content will be optimally displayed on different screen sizes, prioritizing the mobile-first approach.
In addition, native apps are designed explicitly for separate systems so that the processing time will be efficiently lightning.
Distributed On App store
One of the key advantages of mobile app development is the capacity to publish on app stores. It is beneficial to reach a broader number of mobile Internet users through Appstore or CH Play.
According to Statista, the adoption of mobile apps has been rapidly increasing. In 2021, there are around 230 billion mobile app downloads worldwide.
As a result, distributing an app through the app store might provide you with a significant increase in the number of potential clients.
Broad Access To Mobile Devices
You can ask customers for permission to access different components and data, such as ages, genders, locations, photos, and so on, using native apps.
This access can help you analyze and understand user behavior deeply. As a result, developing the correct approach for improving user engagement is much easier.
Mobile-friendliness
Native applications are created for specific systems, such as Android or iOS. As a result, it will run smoothly and efficiently on these platforms. To improve the user experience, the navigation, design, and functions are all mobile-friendly. Native apps are more powerful than alternatives since they can access advanced functions of mobile devices, such as fingerprint scanner, face ID, etc.
Push Notifications
Push notification is an efficient tool to keep customers engaged with your brand. With mobile apps, you can personalize messages to users and deliver relevant, appealing promotions to increase conversion.
What Are The Disadvantages Of Native App Development?
Time-consuming Development
A basic native application for a single system requires at least 4 to 6 months to develop. A lot of work goes into the process, including research, planning, technical development, testing, and review.
If you want to publish apps on both the App Store and Google Play, you’ll need a specialized development team to build and test apps for both platforms. It may take up to 1 year to complete both versions of a native app for the two systems.
High Cost
The cost of native app development may force E-commerce merchants to set aside a large amount of money.
Particularly, the development will charge you around $10,000 for a basic mobile app per one system. It will be $50,000 for a medium-complex app and $100,000+ for a complex one.
In addition, you also need to pay the maintenance cost, including the submission charge of Appstore and CH Play. The annual fee for publishing on Appstore is $99, and Apple will charge you a 30% standard commission on in-app purchases.
For Android, you pay a one-time registration fee of $25 to Google Play and 30% in-app purchases.
Besides, to deliver a complete app with efficient features, you need to pay money for functions like push notifications, file uploading, admin panel, etc. This is why native app development will cost big-ticket.
Complex Update
Building a single system is already a lot of work for you and your team. However, native app development necessitates the construction of two platforms, increasing the burden and complexity.
Whether IOS or Android, each system requires its own frameworks, programs, and other technological components. So for updates, you’ll need a lot of resources to develop and maintain them.
High Storage Demand
If you want your app to be multi-functional, you have to include high-quality materials and innovative features. It will help customers have a better experience with the application.
However, the more powerful the software is, the more storage it demands on users’ smartphones, which may disadvantage buyers. Moreover, the app will demand more device resources such as data, battery, etc.
Alternatives To Native App Development
Mobile Web
Mobile webs are websites built with the goal to optimize user experience on mobile devices.
Pros
A mobile web can function well on all browsers. In addition, it is highly responsive on mobile devices, which is great for smartphone users.
Compared to native app development, a mobile web is more economical to build. You can cut down on costs such as Appstore submission, development, or maintenance.
Cons
Because a mobile web prioritizes the mobile experience, it may not function efficiently on desktops. A mobile app also requires a stable Internet connection to operate. Apart from that, it is limited in accessing data or advanced mobile functions.
Hybrid App
Hybrid applications are built on website technology but have the appearance and functionality of native apps.
Pros
Building a hybrid app can be preferable to native app development if the desired launch date is less than six months away.
Hybrid apps use a single code source that works across various mobile platforms, reducing development costs and time.
Cons
To work properly, hybrid apps require a strong Internet connection. As a result, data will be lost if the network is interrupted, which is annoying.
Furthermore, the capabilities of a hybrid web are limited. As a result, delivering responsive web pages necessitates the use of numerous third-party extensions.
If you want to possess a powerful hybrid app, consider our Hybrid App development service.
Progressive Web Application
Progressive Web Application (PWA) is the perfect hybrid between standard websites and native apps. So far, it is considered the most innovative technology that advances in the E-commerce industry.
PWA is the answer to the disadvantages of native app development.
With the headless architecture, PWA allows independent work between the frontend and backend, boosting flexibility in the development process.
On top of that, PWA will make your website more powerful with great-in-use features.
– App-like performance: Your website can be added to the home screen and behave like a real app with mobile device optimization.
– Push notifications: Using push notifications does not require the use of a third-party service. You can deliver personalized messages to an unlimited number of subscribers using PWA.
– Offline Mode: Your customers can access the PWA with zero Internet connection. Any changes or data input will be stored in the cache, so they do not need to enter again for the next visit.
Furthermore, implementing PWA will likely improve your website’s search engine ranks. It’s because a PWA works similarly to a website but emphasizes a mobile-first approach, giving an advantage in SEO.
Given the dynamic functions, PWA demands a generous budget, from $1000 to $10,000. If you partner with PWA development companies in the US or Europe, the cost will be higher, up to $50,000.
However, there are a number of reputable organizations such as Tigren that may offer you a more budget-friendly PWA development service.
Wrapping Up
Regardless of the disadvantages of native app development, they are still popular among mobile users thanks to their numerous advantages and convenience.
However, technological advancements have created many alternatives to improve online business performance with more cost-effective solutions.
So far, PWA development seems to be the most effective alternative to native app development.
If you are looking for an economical yet effective solution to upgrade your website, contact Tigren at [email protected] now.
We will consult and provide you with the best PWA and E-commerce services ideas.
Read More:
Future Of Native App Development: Keep Rising Or Be Surpassed?
Progressive Web App Vs Native App: What Will Dominate In 2022?
Hybrid App Vs Native App: 9 Important Factors For Comparison
All You Need About Mobile App Development Cost
Top 5 Progressive Web App Frameworks – Make It Less Complicated
10 Surprising Progressive Web App Benefits For eCommerce Stores
