In case you have not noticed, mobile applications are all the rage. In fact, the very definition of mobile is constantly evolving as well. The apps that were aimed at tablets and phones now include those aimed at more devices. These include devices like Google home and Amazon Alexa as well as general IOT devices. This flood of platforms makes the native vs. mobile approach to building applications a key consideration.
Native vs. Mobile Friendly Can Be Simple
The choice between the two options can be a given in some cases. The requirements of your solution may dictate one or the other. For example, a need to work in a disconnected state eliminates responsive. On the other hand, a requirement to support several platforms or work from a browser would remove the native solution option.
These rules are not iron-clad, but they can make it obvious what your choice needs to be. A start from a solid foundation of requirements is critical for being able to make the quick decision in these instances. Luckily, these requirements center around the end-users and how they use the solution. These are the features that can easily be decided at the start of a project.
However, It Might Come Down To Details
Once you get past the sort of requirements that can dictate this decision, the number of considerations grow substantially. Cost is always a factor. However, maintenance, skillsets, market penetration of platforms all come into play. These are only the beginning factors. Response times can often be important, as well as security, and even perception. Do not forget that web applications and native mobile applications are often perceived very differently by users. Even the simple things like registering on a website compared to downloading an app can be factors.
The good news is that the native vs. mobile friendly decision can be easy to make. Unfortunately, it can also be very complicated. Even worse, the decision can profoundly impact whether your solution is a wild success or a dismal failure.
