Web-based Application: What it is and How it Can Benefit Your Business (2024)

Web-based applications are a special type of software that allows users to interact with a remote server through a Web browser interface. They have grown in popularity, replacing desktop applications and becoming an essential tool for businesses large and small.

With Web-based applications, users don’t have to install additional software, and developers don’t have to write multiple versions of the same application for different operating systems. Web applications work on any device that can run a supported browser and has an active Internet connection.

And a Web-based application runs in the browser on the client computer, regardless of the operating system installed. This makes Web-based applications one of the most universal cross-platform solutions available today.

Examples of Web-Based Applications

You may not know, but you are most likely using web-based applications in your daily life. Depending on the use scenario, web-based apps can be pretty simple or mirror the complexity of desktop software. Some web based application examples of the latter are:

• systems that allow you to book accommodations, tickets, and other services online;
• online payment systems;
• interactive Internet portals (websites that work with user input such as sign-up information);
• CRM-systems for working with massive data sets and managing multiple projects.

As you can see, complex web-based apps can work with a multitude of data sources and solve numerous problems. Simpler web based software usually focus on doing just one thing:

• calculating loan payments;
• displaying currency exchange rates;
• generating color palettes;
• creating custom surveys.

These are only a few examples and don’t come close to reflecting the wide range of tools provided by web-based applications, but should give you a good idea of what web-based software is capable of.

Advantages of Using Web-Based Applications

Let’s take a closer look at what benefits web-based applications can offer your business.

Web-based apps are cross-platform and universally accessible

Unlike desktop software, web-based applications can be accessed anywhere, anytime, as long as you have access to a device with an Internet connection.

Because web-based apps can run on any platform, you don’t have to pay developers to create multiple versions of your program (for Mac OS and Windows, or for Android and iOS). Your single web-based application will be available to users on all mobile and desktop operating systems.

Web-based applications are highly scalable.

Web-based software doesn’t have to be installed and configured, so it’s much easier to quickly increase the number of active users as opposed to desktop programs. What’s more, modern Web servers perform extremely well even when faced with thousands of simultaneous requests, so expanding the network of Web app users is often possible without any additional software configuration or modification.

Web-based apps are great at storing your data

If you’re collecting all your data from desktop applications, chances are it’s scattered across multiple databases. This can slow down the performance of your software because it has to retrieve data from more than one source at runtime. What’s more, if your data sets are accessed and manipulated by different devices, the differences between their operating systems can lead to errors and corrupted data.

Web-based applications solve all of these problems by storing all user data in the cloud – on a powerful server that can manage your information and quickly deliver it to users of your software on demand.

Web-based apps are secure

Web-based applications are run on dedicated servers which are constantly moderated by professional Web administrators. This means that any possible errors or intrusions will be noticed and addressed quickly. As a result, a web-based system is a lot more secure than its desktop analog.

Web-based apps deployment is easy, cost-effective, and fast

When your business is making the transition from desktop software to a web-based application, your staff or customers will be able to start using the new system almost immediately. There’s no need to install new software on their computers; you just have to make sure that they’re able to access the new server.

Web-based applications are easy to update and maintain

There’s no software to install on client machines, so there’s no need to reinstall when your application receives a major update. In addition, even a complete replacement of the software on the server does not require any changes on the client devices as long as they can still access the server. If you have a dynamic business, this can save you a lot of time and money down the road.

When should you invest in web-based application development?

Investing in Web-based application development is strategic when it aligns with specific business needs and market trends. Consider investing if

• Market demand for digital services or products is growing.
• You’re looking to scale and reach a broader audience.
• Improve processes and reduce costs through automation.
• Improve relationships and retention with a direct digital channel.
• Leverage new web technologies to improve performance.
• Ensure compliance with data protection and privacy standards.
• Reduce development and maintenance costs.
• Keep pace with or leapfrog the competition.

The ideal time is when it meets your strategic objectives, the market is receptive, and you have the resources to support development and maintenance.

Bottom Line

You will probably agree that the biggest advantage of web-based software is its complete independence from client machine software. A traditional desktop program may need to be configured to meet the requirements of individual operating systems, but a web-based application is accessible on any device.

All in all, web-based applications are a unique solution that can provide your company with a wide variety of multifunctional online tools capable of optimizing countless processes and solving multiple problems.

If you are interested in having a web application developed for your business, you can always contact us for more information!

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