Web applications hold an integral position in today’s digital era. They are essential in our daily lives, from shopping online to managing our profiles on social media. The web application serves a wide variety of functions. Companies’ revenues are generally boosted by these demands meeting web applications.
There are several types of web applications, each with its unique features, and it is difficult to comprehend what each one does and how they differ, so this article aims to discuss different types of web applications and how they can be the best fit for your business.
What are web applications?
Web applications are software programs that run on web servers and are accessed on web browsers over the internet. Web applications do not need to be installed on computers like traditional desktop applications, and they are run on web servers.
People often confuse web applications with websites. These two are different; web applications are software programs created by third parties, hosted on a remote server, and accessed through any device on any web server, whereas websites are primarily about giving information.
Web applications can be as simple as a single-page website or as complex as a multi-functional platform serving millions of users.
Web applications are designed to provide a user-friendly interface to the users, e.g., Google, Amazon, Trello, etc.
Types of web applications
Here are 10 different types of web applications:
1. Static web applications
Static applications are the simplest type of web application, usually built using HTML, CSS, and a bit of JavaScript. These are best suited for creating portfolios, digital brochures, or company informational websites.
As the name suggests, these applications do not allow personalization, and the content only changes if manually updated by the developer. These applications are budget-friendly and effective for businesses or small start-ups needing a simple online presence.
Due to its simplicity, it has limited interactivity and fixed content but is easy to develop and host.
2. Dynamic web applications
Dynamic web applications are considered to be among the best web applications. It generates content in real time based on user interactions. Dynamic web applications are more sophisticated than static web applications and are more complex and interactive. Due to their complexity, they are more challenging to develop and maintain and require higher web development costs.
These applications store public and private data using databases, allowing administrators to modify the content.
Dynamic applications are built using server-side languages such as PHP, ASP.NET, or Node.js, for example, Facebook, Netflix, etc.
3. E-commerce web applications
E-commerce web applications facilitate online buying and selling. These are online platforms where users can buy and sell products or services. It is not just about selling products but also providing information about them, adding new ones, removing outdated ones, etc.
These applications include features like product catalogs, shopping carts, managing payment and user accounts, and offering a friendly shopping experience, e.g., Shopify, Amazon, eBay, etc.
4. Content management systems (CMS)
A CMS web application manages the creation and modification of digital content. It allows website owners to create, edit, and publish content, including images, texts, and videos, without involving a technical team. Users can modify through the admin panel without knowing any programming language.
They are suitable for blogging, e-commerce, or news websites, where content is updated frequently.
Popular CMS platforms include WordPress, Webflow, Joomla, and Drupal. These platforms offer templates and plugins for customization without the need to write code from scratch.
5. Single page applications (SPAs)
SPAs are web applications that handle all of their data on a single web page. It loads a single HTML page and dynamically updates content as the user interacts with the application. It creates a smooth, flowy, and fast user experience. Single-page applications offer a better navigation experience for users.
They are quicker, run entirely within a browser, and do not require page loading, e.g., Gmail, Google Maps, Paypal, Pinterest, etc.
Popular frameworks for SPAs include Angular, React, and Vue.js.
6. Multi-page web applications (MPAs)
Multi-page web applications consist of multiple distinct pages, each with its URL. They include static information (text, images, etc.) and links to other pages with similar content.
Unlike SPAs, MPAs reload the entire page from the server when a user interacts with the application. MPAs can handle complex structures and are better optimized for search engines.
Multi-page applications are easy to develop and maintain and are ideal for content-rich websites, e.g., Google Docs, Trello, etc.
7. Progressive web applications
Progressive web applications (PWA) blend the best of web and mobile applications. These versatile web applications use the latest browser APIs, features, and advanced methods to provide a mobile application experience.
PWAs use standard web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
They can be installed on a device’s home screen without downloading from an app store. They are also responsive and linkable, which means they can be shared via a URL.
Web applications in this category are very efficient and offer a high level of performance. They offer features like offline access, push notifications, background data syncing, and fast load times, similar to native mobile apps.
With PWA, it is easier to get the information even if the internet connectivity is low, e.g., Spotify, Twitter lite, Slack, etc.
8. Rich internet web applications (RIAs)
Rich Internet applications are advanced web applications that provide a highly interactive and engaging user experience like desktop applications. They work around browser limitations and depend on plugins on the client side to provide interactive features and a richer user interface, e.g., Adobe Flash, JavaFX, HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, etc.
They can process data and execute tasks locally without constant communication with the server, reducing load times and improving performance.
RIAs use AJAX or similar technologies to update the application’s parts without needing a full page reload. They offer a drag-and-drop feature and real-time updates, such as Google Maps, YouTube, etc.
9. Animated web applications
Animated web applications use animations to enhance user experience, making interactions visually appealing and engaging. These applications are used for entertainment purposes. They are popular in fields that require a high level of user engagement, such as games and online advertisement.
The following technologies create complex yet engaging animated web applications: HTML5, JavaScript, CSS, WebGL, FLASH, and SVG.
They provide dynamic visual effects to capture users’ attention and to improve user experience aesthetically.
However, these applications can take time to develop and require a solid understanding of programming and designing.
Airbnb, Your Planet, Netflix, Dropbox, Duolingo, and others are examples of animated web applications.
10. Portal web applications
Portal web applications are gateways to various services and information. They provide access to many different pages and links. Portal web application collects data from multiple sources and presents it in one spot. It often requires user authentication to see personalized content and use different tools and resources available on the portal.
They can handle search engines, email systems, newsfeeds, etc, and can be used for online shopping.
The main idea of portal web applications is to browse through different content without leaving the site. These are best suited for businesses and organizations that meet the needs of their target audience.
Portal web applications use a modular approach, allowing users to change the appearance of their screens using different widgets or modules.
Yahoo, Google Workspace, SharePoint, Coursera, and Udemy are examples of portal web applications.
Conclusion
Knowing these different types of web applications is very important these days. This knowledge adds brownie points when selecting the right technology for the rapid growth of startups or businesses.
Selecting the best type of web application depends on a particular business’s demands and needs. Outlining these requirements must be considered to make informed decisions. The correct type of web application can have a significant impact on your business and your presence in the market.
