Whether productivity or entertainment tools, web applications have become an integral part of our daily lives and are revolutionising the way we interact with technology.
We will soon find out what web applications are, how they work and why they play a major role in digital transformation.
Table of contents
What are web applications
Web applications, as the term suggests, are software based on HTML code, JavaScript, CSS, etc. that do not require any installation. They run on a remote server and can be accessible from anywhere in the world and from any device, as long as there is an Internet connection.
These features make web applications extremely convenient and versatile as they eliminate the need to download and install programmes locally.
How they work
When a user accesses a web application, the browser (Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge or Safari) sends a request to the web server. The web server processes the request and sends the browser a reply, which consists of HTML, CSS or JavaScript code.
The HTML code is used to visualise the application’s web page; the CSS code to control its style; the JavaScript code to add interactive functionality.
This architecture, called client-server architecture, allows the web application to be easily updatable, without the user having to perform a manual update on their device.
Web applications benefits
Web applications offer considerable benefits for companies and freelancers. Let’s see which ones.
Global audience
Since there are no geographical or compatibility limits (only an Internet connection via a browser is needed), they can reach a wider and more global audience than traditional apps, which can be purchased/downloaded from stores. Moreover, being within web pages, Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) can give them more visibility and traffic.
Lower costs
They have lower development, maintenance, updating and hosting costs, as there is no need to create multiple versions for each platform.
Greater security
They offer greater security of data and information, which, instead of being stored locally, are stored on web servers. They also implement additional protection measures such as encryption, two-factor authentication, etc.
More flexibility
They integrate with other web services such as application programming interfaces (APIs) that offer additional and more advanced functionality. They are also easily customisable to customers’ needs and preferences.
Better scalability
They can handle a large number of users at the same time, thanks to the power of the servers dedicated to processing requests. This makes them suitable for both small and large companies.
Finally, let us remember that web applications work with desktop (MacOS, Windows and Linux) and mobile (iOS and Android) operating systems.
Web application examples
Google Workspace
Google Workspace is a suite, made in Mountain View, of productivity tools, including documents, spreadsheets and presentations, accessible directly from the browser.
Trello
Trello is a tab-based project management web application, ideal for organising personal and group activities.
Netflix
Netflix needs no introduction. The popular video streaming platform allows users to watch films and TV series without having to download anything.
Asana
Asana is another project management app that helps teams coordinate complex tasks and collaborative projects.
Other examples of popular web applications are: Gmail, Facebook, Spotify and Amazon.
How to create a successful web app
We will now walk you through the steps to create a successful web app for your business.
- Define your goal: you need to establish what the purpose and added value of your web application is, who your target users are and what needs and expectations they have.
- Choose the right technology: it’s important to choose the most suitable technology for the development of your application, depending on your budget, time and available skills. Some of the most used technologies, as mentioned above, are HTML, CSS, JavaScript, but also PHP, Ruby on Rails, Python, Django, Node.js, React and Angular.
- Design the interface: carefully design the interface of your web application; it must be intuitive, user friendly and responsive. You must also take into account the principles of usability, accessibility and design.
- Develop the functionalities: make sure that the functionalities of your web application are consistent with your goal and meet the needs of the users. You must test and debug the code to ensure that it works properly.
- Launch and promote your web application: promotion is one of the most important aspects. To launch your web application on the market, you must first promote it through the most appropriate channels, such as social media, blogs, e-mail, advertisements, etc. We advise you to monitor performance and make any improvements or updates based on the feedback you receive.
Do you need help? Ask the experts, contact us!
HT Apps, of the JO Group cluster of companies, can guide you through the decision-making process and beyond, developing the app you want for you.
For more information call us on +390957463250 or fill in the contact form below, we will be happy to get back to you and design the web application of your dreams.