Table of Contents
Native app design
Native app design is the process of designing an app with responsive websites in mind. This may sound like a no-brainer, but many companies opt to create apps that are only optimized for smartphones. What they don’t know is that the majority of mobile traffic comes from low-end smartphones that are designed to work best with mobile websites, not native apps.
When designing an app for the mobile web, it is important to consider the limitations of the technology. For example, Apple and Google often update their native apps without updating their mobile browsers. This can significantly affect how an app performs, so mobile web design is a better option in these cases.
Progressive web app design
The progressive web app (PWA) is a way to create web-based apps that work across multiple platforms and are always available when they are accessed. PWA apps get the most traffic, but they require a lot of work: security, provisioning, configuration and management. If you have the resources to manage the PWA process and you’re looking for increased market share, then go ahead. If not, then stick with an app.
PWA is a great idea, but it’s not ready for prime time.
I’ve been part of the PWA process as a PWA platform provider, and I now provide PWA service to others as well. There are three major problems with PWA that stop most people from moving forward: content security, app performance and app reliability. With the exception of these issues, PWA is a great idea – especially for those companies that claim to be “mobile-first” – but it’s not ready for prime time.
Content security
The biggest hurdle in the PWA world is content security. All it takes is one bad article or news story with the wrong headline and a company could be headed straight for disaster. In most cases incorrect headlines are followed by long discussions that can turn into death sentences for most PWA projects.
Responsive web design
It’s best to optimize for all devices, not just the smartphone. The first mobile web design was created in 1996 by the W3C (World Wide Web Consortium), as a way to ensure that websites were accessible on every type of device. And now, more than ever, a responsive website is the best way to ensure that your brand is visible across a wide variety of devices. And if you do decide to go with an app, make sure it’s one that can be used on any type of device. Mobile Web Browsers
Mobile web browsers are coded using HTML, CSS, and Javascript. This creates a quicker connection to the device’s CPU for faster internet connection. These are also able to handle a higher amount of elements on the screen at once. Mobile web browsers can be downloaded onto any device, unlike apps which must be specifically created according to which operating system the device uses. Screen Sizes
It is important to create websites that are suitable for viewing across all different types of screens, not just smartphones. This means that you may be creating a website for a screen size of 280 pixels wide by 320 pixels high. If the site is only intended to be used on a smartphone, the site will not work. Responsive Web Design
Adaptive web design
The hybrid app is a combination of native apps and responsive websites. This way, you don’t lose site visitors who are browsing from low-end smartphones or tablets. However, that doesn’t mean that the mobile experience will be the same as users who have native apps installed on their devices. So if your app looks great on an iPhone or Android, but is terrible on a Windows Phone, you may have missed the mark.
This type of app design has been around for quite some time and has seen some minor improvements. You’ll find hybrid apps in many areas today, including on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and in the new Instagram app. As you see, they’re not exactly new ideas.
Another way to enable adaptive design is via the responsive website which seems to be the preferred approach these days. The way it works is by using a pre-made template and a series of CSS styles to adjust the page size and layout accordingly.
Take, for example, the following website screenshot:
The point behind this approach is that it’s most important to focus on what devices your users are using, rather than redesigning for every device out there. After all, not everyone uses iPhone or iPad or Android. Some people may be using an even older phone, or a Blackberry or Windows device.
Hybrid app design
A hybrid app combines native apps and responsive websites to create an optimal design. This way, you get the best of both worlds—the rich functionality that comes with a native app, and the mobile optimization that only a responsive website can offer. If you have the resources to manage the hybrid app process, then go ahead. If not, then stick with a mobile website.
“HYBRID APP DESIGN” versus “mobile responsive website”
Okay, back to our regular conference schedule. It’s time to select a recommendation for mobile web design from the choices listed below.
Choose the option that best fits your needs:
The best mobile website designs will include a way to “close out of” on a phone and return users to their previous app experience on the same app store.
“HYBRID APP DESIGN” versus “mobile responsive website”
Choose the option that best fits your needs:
A mobile-optimized site should come with a way to “close out of” and return users to their previous app experience on the same app store.
What’s my takeaway? If you’re not trying to build a hybrid app or have no idea if your solution will work that way, then stick with a responsive website. If you are building a hybrid app, then read on….
Mojo Matrix is an awesome framework for building hybrid apps. It’s completely open source and a collaborative effort. If you want to see the full Mojo Matrix collection, then visit their website ( https://mojo-matrix.com/ )
If you’re building a new app or are thinking about it, I would do my research now. The more you learn, the better your app will look and perform on iOS 7 devices.
Use the following links for more info:
