Increasing Reach and Visibility Through Hybrid App Development
Do you want to create an app for your business? Have you thought about what kind of app you would like to invest in? Not sure which direction to take?
Many businesses will think first of standard mobile apps, purely due to the large rise in mobile users utilising and increasing online sales. But is there a better option?
Below we’ll be looking at what hybrid apps are, who uses them, what their key benefits are and why you should opt to create a hybrid app.
What Exactly is a Hybrid App?
In short, a hybrid app is one that can be used both on a web browser (such as Chrome or Safari), as well as an app downloaded onto your mobile phone, both iOS and Android.
Hybrid apps tend to be where a web app has been translated/converted into a native (mobile) app. The mobile version of the app will essentially be the same as the web app, just with a more user-friendly design and ‘shell’.
In some cases, where there is no need for online data to be accessed, hybrid applications can even work offline. This is helpful for many industries, including construction and tourism.
Who Uses Hybrid Apps?
Many businesses will use hybrid apps for their platforms. Most notable are those made by Instagram, Evernote, Twitter, Uber and Gmail.
It’s often thought that SME’s are the ones most likely to use and invest in hybrid app development, due to short timescales and low budgets. However, it’s actually quite common in large corporations.
As hybrid apps are created using web technologies, they can share the same structure as their web-based counterparts. This means you only need to code an app once, essentially. You can then use it on the web as well as having a downloadable mobile app, both iOS and Android.
What Are The Key Benefits of Hybrid Apps?
As we have already touched on, hybrid apps can save you a lot of time and money. Using web technology to create your mobile app means you can use much of what was already created for your web-based app.
By reusing the existing code, turnaround times for hybrid app development is reasonably low in comparison to 3 completely separate, dedicated builds. Less time then means less money needs paying out.
On top of saving time and money, it’s also much easier to update them. If you have security patches, for example, they can be launched to all versions of the app at once. No need to create 3 different patches for 3 different platforms.
Lastly, we have also mentioned offline capabilities. As long as you do not need to access online data of any sort, any hybrid app can be made to be used offline (without an internet connection).
Why Should You Opt For Hybrid?
If you’re not already sold on the benefits of hybrid app development, then why not? Hybrid apps are extremely common, even among large corporations. If someone like Google will happily use them, you’ve no reason to fear them.
They are not just a great way to save time and money, as a business, but it also gives the user a choice. Not everyone wants to download a mobile app, but is open to using a web-based app. This also increases the visibility of your business.
It’s also beneficial for both user and business in that updates and patches are much quicker and easier to implement. This keeps you compliant and builds trust with users, who can see action being taken quickly and efficiently.
Furthermore, apps aren’t the only thing that have adapted to become hybrid. Feel free to check out our guide to virtual and hybrid events to find out more. If you would like to learn more about hybrid app development, or want to start one of your very own, please feel free to get in touch with the team today.
