In previous years, mobile app development has been amongst the fastest growing industries. Partly, this is because the industry is a relatively new one, which gives room to a lot of improvement within the sector, and explains why the rate of innovation is at an all time high. However, innovation does not always bring improvement. In the development of mobile apps, there has been a shift from relatively simple native apps towards web apps. In return, this shifted ‘back’ to what’s called a hybrid app, a mix between native and web. This second movement represents what we believe is a trend that will continue until the mobile app is back on its original position. You see, here at Rainmaker Labs, a mobile app developer and mobility platform provider based in Singapore, we believe the future lies in native apps. Let us tell you why.
Native versus Web
The native app was designed to provide fast performance and a high degree of reliability on only one device. Its design is simple and effective. The app works without connection to Internet, and can access several of device’s functions offline. For example, most video games are native mobile apps. However, this app turned out to be quite expensive, as developers would have to build a different software code for each device. In response, mobile app developers start building web apps that could be used on every device via Internet. Although the effort of developing became less, users need Internet to access the app, performance relies on the Internet connection and options are limited. The next step was to combine the advantages of native and web apps into an optimized product. The hybrid app can function without Internet, and integrates with the device’s function as well as web-based services. In fact, as of this moment, almost all apps contain both native and web functions and can be called hybrid apps.
Native versus Hybrid
“The biggest mistake a company ever made was to move from native to hybrid.”
Combining the best of both worlds, the hybrid seems to have the ideal design to be the app of the future. However, there are some advantages to native apps that a hybrid (or web) app will never be able to possess. First, native apps are easier to code for developers. As coding for native apps remains similar, developers create a certain level of familiarity for their coding and function, and what the app’s supposed to do. This result in hybrid apps being a convenient option for lightweight apps, but once a feature roadmap has been laid out, it’s more beneficial to adapt a native app. Second, native apps excel in performance in comparison to the hybrid version. Facebook’s founder Mark Zuckerberg stated that his company’s biggest mistake ever was to shift from native to hybrid. As their requirements grew, the hybrid app couldn’t catch up in terms of performance and user experience. Third, a disadvantage of hybrid apps for developers is the reliance on a third party foundation while having fast changing platforms. This is a disadvantage, as working with outside developers is often time-consuming and expensive.
“Companies are in a trend of moving back towards native apps, because they realize that the user’s opinion is the most valuable.” – David T.
However, most important is the user interface and experience of the app. If an app is easy to develop, but is not being used, all effort is useless. In this field, native apps also win the battle. Just like developers are familiar with a native app, so are users. With the same coding, the feel, flow, and navigation for users remain unchanged. This is important for user loyalty, and thus, retention and engagement. One could guess that if an app constantly changes its outlook, content, or feel, users will get annoyed and delete the app more easily. On the other hand, improve the level of familiarity and user engagement will be increased. In combination with a smoother experience for customers, this will maximize the overall impression of the app, thereby increasing user retention and loyalty. These aspects are of extreme importance for a business.
During previous years, the market of app development has been subject to many changes. As technological development exploded, the number of apps available increased heavily. As a result, customers slowly began to establish high demands for mobile apps. Who’s to blame; more choice leads to critical customers. If you want to keep your users satisfied, you must aim to maximize user interface and experience at all times. If you don’t live up to your user’s projected feel, flow, and navigation, they will simply uninstall your app and download some other company’s. The combination of optimizing the app’s interface and experience, without time-consuming and relatively expensive third party reliance, native apps make the perfect choice in making sure you succeed in keeping your users happy.
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