The terms website and web application are often used interchangeably, but they solve different problems. Understanding the difference can prevent a business from overbuilding a simple website or trying to force complex workflows into a marketing site.
What is a website?
A business website primarily communicates information and guides visitors towards an action. Common examples include company websites, service websites, landing pages and content driven sites.
What is a web application?
A web application usually provides interactive functionality for users. It may include accounts, dashboards, workflows, data entry, permissions, reporting, calculations or integrations with other systems.
When a website is enough
If the main objective is explaining your services, building trust, generating enquiries or presenting your products, a well planned website is often the appropriate starting point.
When an application may make sense
If your team or customers need to log in, manage information, complete workflows, view personalised data or interact with business systems, an application may be more suitable.
They can work together
A business does not always have to choose between the two. A public website can handle marketing and customer acquisition while a secure web application handles internal or customer specific functionality.
Start with the problem
The best technology decision usually starts with the workflow and business objective rather than the technology itself. Hashub can help scope websites, web applications, APIs and custom software around the problem you are trying to solve.