uk-netmarketing Archive (2011-2015)

I'd suggest you check out this very interesting article from Steve Sounders: http://www.stevesouders.com/blog/2012/05/16/web-first-for-mobile/

If an app can deliver something unique and useful to the audience that the mobile website cannot then of course it makes sense to produce one.  Though for most businesses I would argue that it makes more sense to optimise their website for mobile first (not instead, the two aren't mutually exclusive) based on the arguments laid out in the article above.

________________________________
From: uk-netmarketing-bounces at mm.chinwag.com [uk-netmarketing-bounces at mm.chinwag.com] on behalf of Nabil [nabil at shabka.com]
Sent: 13 March 2013 09:13
To: uk-netmarketing
Subject: Re: [uk-netmarketing] To app or not to app, that is the question

Ahh, but that's apps vs mobile websites as opposed to apps vs html5 that looks like an app (i.e. you click it on phone and it is seamless).  Mobile site suck as you have to navigate to them.


On 12/03/2013 11:57, Sam Michel wrote:
Afternoon all...

Just spotted this bit of research on Econsultancy that's relevant to this discussion:

http://econsultancy.com/us/blog/62326-85-of-consumers-favour-apps-over-mobile-websites?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=blog

Looks like apps are winning the battle at the moment.

Toodle Pip

Sam

P.S. Excuse any typos, this was written on a mobile device

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On 7 Mar 2013, at 11:25, Angus Phillipson <angus at thebyte9.com<mailto:angus at thebyte9.com>> wrote:

Hey Miko,

Hope all well with you!

This really this depends on whether you are actually building a software application,  or mobile sites.

If you were creating a software application, predominantly operating as an on-board tool and utilising lots of system and device resources then a native app may be the only path,  although you might use web UX technology to manage interfaces in a consistent way.

If I were creating mobile sites,  that might utilise some of the standard mobile device tools (GPS, accelerometer) via a thin client wrapper, but predominantly looking at web experience using HTML5 (offline cache, for offline browsing & no roaming charge  etc.) then your support of development across multiple devices and on-going support will be less,  assuming you follow design patterns and standard web browser technology across devices.

When we last scoped that for a travel client,  offline content, GPS, etc. the hybrid approach made a lot more financial sense given the limited device resource requirements, and the size of the potential user market opened up in a low cost way.

You can always build up more native application code on a device by device basis as required,  if you choose the right hybrid approach.

If you want your apps in the stores you’ll need an application wrapper (at least) anyway.

I’d recommend web standards based approach if this is predominantly a web project.

Have a look at the LinkedIn strategy.   They take a web standards based approach to ‘app’ development,  but use very different device specific design patterns – which is probably your best case scenario.

angus

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Angus Phillipson
Byte9<http://www.thebyte9.com/>

angus at thebyte9.com<mailto:angus at thebyte9.com>
+44 (0) 771 043 8972
+44 (0) 0208 780 6350

From: uk-netmarketing-bounces at mm.chinwag.com<mailto:uk-netmarketing-bounces at mm.chinwag.com> [mailto:uk-netmarketing-bounces at mm.chinwag.com] On Behalf Of Miko Coffey
Sent: 06 March 2013 16:31
To: uk-netmarketing
Subject: [uk-netmarketing] To app or not to app, that is the question

Hi lovely digital marketers,

I have a question for your brains... I am getting mixed messages from my various trusted sources on this, so I thought I'd ask you guys for your tuppence, too.  Let's assume you're a medium-size company, and you already have a mobile optimised website, whose primary function is eCommerce within the travel industry. Do you need a set of apps, or not?

On one side of the fence, we have the "Don't Bothers" who say that apps are a waste of time & money in the longer term, as their crystal balls say that consumers will rely more & more on browser-based interaction on their mobiles as HTML5 beds in. With the increasing diversity of mobile OSes, the cost of building and maintaining apps for all platforms would be better spent on marketing your mobile (and desktop) site.

On the other side of the fence, we have the "App Lovers" who point out the fact that good apps can perform functions not possible within the browser, and as you're in the travel industry, those roaming charges can be a real killer. Focus your app development on utility and/or fun, and give your customers something so useful or entertaining that your apps become agents for brand awareness, reputation-building and act as a differentiating factor between you and your competition. Besides, the app market is not going anywhere but up.

Which side of the fence are you on? Because I'm still sitting and not quite sure where to plant my feet ;-)

Thanks all!
Miko

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Independent Web Consultant
http://www.usingmyhead.com
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Freelance Photographer
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