Whether your business is considering mobile application development for a software product for the market or for a business application for your team, today’s development environment should always consider the plethora of device types, screen sizes and resolutions and build with diversity and compliance in mind. Hybrid mobile application development (AKA cross-platform application development or wrapper app development) is crucial to your business success and to ensuring that your app is adopted by as many users as possible.
In this article, we will review three factors and considerations that should inform your mobile application development decision. Businesses should consider these factors when choosing between native mobile application development and hybrid mobile application development.
Here are three reasons your business should choose hybrid mobile application development to ensure a successful roll-out and adoption of your mobile app:
Trends and Compliance – Cross-platform hybrid mobile application development entails the design and development of apps for multiple, diverse mobile devices and operating systems so the application can run seamlessly on any device and users can employ the app on their device at work and on their smart phone or tablet on the road. Businesses that choose to create hybrid mobile applications can reach all targeted customers in the market and, for business applications, can ensure that all team members can leverage the app on their own or their business devices. This need for accessibility is driving the market and today’s users do not want or need an app that is restrictive or one that does not work well (or at all) on the device they want or need to use at any given time. Large technology businesses have created and promoted cross-platform hybrid app development environs, e.g., Google (Flutter) and Facebook (React Native) so the trend is not going away, nor should it, as the goal of your business should be to accommodate your team members and customers with tools that are usable and accessible.
Tools and Frameworks – For hybrid mobile application developers, there are any number of tools and frameworks available to accommodate the project requirements. Beyond React Native and Flutter, there are frameworks like Ionic, Xamarin, Native Script and NoCode. These are designed to support developers in creating a hybrid mobile application using a common language that crosses OS and devices, rather than using a particular OS mobile device language/system, so developers can write one code (one time) for all devices, using Ruby, .NET, C# or Javascript, among others. Hybrid mobile application developers use a common Software Development Kit (SDK). Webkit apps (AKA wrapper apps or WebView apps), support Apple and Android OS and allow for communication using native language and Javascript.
Business and Market Benefits – There are many business benefits inherent in the choice of a hybrid mobile application development approach, including the face that the hybrid mobile app developer works with one code base which translates into a better TCO, more timely completion of the project, lower cost of maintenance and support, easier upgrade, etc. When considering user or customer satisfaction, it is also important to point out that the user experience (Ux) and navigation is uniform across all platforms so a user who wishes to work with the application on more than one type of device will not be expected to adapt to a different look, feel or navigation. Because hybrid mobile applications cross platforms and operating system, the business can make the app accessible form the Apple App Store, Play Store and other application stores for access by users with various types of devices.
In an era where consumers and business users are more savvy than ever (and more demanding), a business cannot afford to invest in mobile application development that is, by its nature, restricted to only a certain segment of the smart phone, tablet, desktop wielding public or business population. Any mobile application development project must, first and foremost, consider accessibility and usability on all types of devices.
‘Hybrid mobile application development (AKA cross-platform application development or wrapper app development) is crucial to your business success and to ensuring that your app is adopted by as many users as possible.’
Find out how a Hybrid Mobile Application Development partner can help your business achieve its goals.
