Choosing the right digital solution for your business can be tough. There are two popular options on the market that businesses prefer: a web app or a web portal development company.
Both of them have different strengths and serve different purposes. So, which one would work best for your business? In this article, we will compare their features to help you decide which option might be the right one for you.
The Basics
Before delving deeper into a more specific comparison between the two types of software, let’s first take a closer look at each of them and see what defines them.
What are Web Apps?
First, web applications. A web application is an internet-based dynamic program that runs on a web server and is accessible through a browser. Those are not like other desktop applications in the sense that they do not need an installation on a PC—rather, they can be accessed from whatever device with access to the internet.
They are designed to perform specific tasks. Those can vary from simple ones, such as a calculator, to more complicated systems like a CRM. Most of the time, they remain focused on one particular function or a set of functions.
For example, an appointment booking system, which supports online booking and management of appointments, can be classified as a web app.
Typical capabilities of web applications include:
- user authentication;
- real-time data processing;
- integration with other web services.
Most web apps have mobile-friendly designs too that make them run well on both smartphones and tablets, as well as desktops.
Web apps are a good choice when you need to have a tool that interacts with users. They’re perfect for tasks requiring frequent updates, like managing tasks, tracking sales, or processing online orders, because all the maintenance is handled on the side of the server.
If your business needs a custom solution for some particular task, then web app development by a company like Digiteum may be the way to go.
What are Web Portals?
A web portal is a website that serves as an access point to other resources and services. In short, it is a sort of window into much more information and many other tools. While web apps focus on performing certain tasks, web portals compile information to provide users with an overview of the resources available.
A web portal can give access to:
- news;
- databases;
- applications;
- generally, any other resource.
Very often, web portals are used to bring together information and offer the user a comprehensive view of it all. For instance, a web portal may be a way through which employees can log in to internal documents, company news, and other tools.
A typical web portal developed by a company like Digiteum may include such features as:
- user dashboards,
- content management systems,
- multi-data source integration,
- personalized views depending on user roles or preferences.
For example, a customer portal will have a dashboard through which each user can get an overview of account information.
Web portals are at their best when you need to provide access to lots of resources or services from one central point to your end-users. They help businesses that need one place through which users can deal with various features available to them.
The Comparison of Web Apps and Web Portals
Now that we have covered what a web app and a web portal are, let’s make a comparison so that you know which one might be best for your business.
The Key Differences
Even though the differences between web applications and web portals are significant, some of the key differences lie in their focus. Web apps are designed to carry out certain tasks and functions, while web portals are designed to aggregate information and provide a single entry into various resources.
Web apps, in most cases, serve one function, like project management or transaction processing. Web portals, on the other hand, act like windows into other tools and information.
Pros and Cons
One of the advantages of web apps is that they really focus on specific tasks, so they can provide a very specialized experience. Most of them are designed to meet business needs and can be tailored to that end. However, it might not provide such a broad scope of services as a portal can give.
Web portals provide a single location that may have any number of services and resources, which might make it easier for users to get all the required information in one location. On the other hand, they might be less focused on certain tasks and might have more overhead in maintenance.
Additional Factors to Consider
In reality, there is no right or wrong answer or a definite winner when it comes to these two technologies. The choice depends on the needs and requirements of your particular business, and which software will be able to solve those better.
Here are some aspects to consider before making a final decision:
- User experience. Think from the user’s point of view. How would they experience the system? If the requirement is just a particular tool or feature, maybe that would best suit a web application. What about the need to provide a variety of resources? Then the answer may be a web portal.
- Integration. Think about how the solution will integrate with your existing systems. Web apps may require integration with related tools, while web portals might require retrieving data from different places.
- Future growth. Consider how your needs might grow. Web apps offer scalability over specific tasks, and a web portal widens with potential expanding resources and features.
The better you can define the plans and requirements of your project, the easier it will be to find a suitable answer when it comes to hiring the right web app or web portal development agency.
Final Thoughts
The choice between a web app and a web portal depends on the needs and goals of your business. Web apps prove a great choice when it comes to certain tasks, while web portals provide single-point access to several resources. Whether you want a web app or a web portal, the right investment will surely improve the overall user experience.
