Let’s start with something honest enough to make a few developers flinch:
Not every business needs a mobile app.
Some don’t even need a fancy website - they just need one that
loads fast and doesn’t look like it was built during the dial-up era.
But somewhere along the
way, “Do we need an app?” turned into a cultural moment.
Startups think it proves they’re serious.
Local businesses think it makes them look high-tech.
Creators think it makes them “official.”
And yet… most of the
time, an app is the wrong move.
So, let’s break this down
- real talk, no corporate
fluff, no “schedule a meeting with our team” energy.
Let’s get clear about who actually needs a website, who actually needs an
app, and who should absolutely not go anywhere near building an app until
further notice.
Who a Website Is Perfect For (AKA 80% of People Reading
This)
A website is your
home base - your
storefront, your identity, your first impression.
If your business falls into any of these categories, congratulations: a solid
website is not just “enough,” it’s exactly what you need.
1. Local Businesses Serving Local Customers
Restaurants, salons,
contractors, realtors, clinics, gyms - all of them live and die by one thing:
Can people find you,
understand you, and contact you?
Your customers want to:
- See the menu
- Book an appointment
- Read the hours
- Find your location
- Order something quickly
They do not want
to download an app to do it.
You’re not Starbucks; they aren’t collecting loyalty points like Pokémon.
A clean website is your
entire universe. Don’t overcomplicate it.
2. Startups Still Figuring Out Their Product
A startup that hasn’t
validated its idea yet does not need to build an app.
You need:
- Proof people want the thing
- A simple place to explain the thing
- A fast way to update the thing
Websites win here
because:
- They’re cheaper
- They’re faster to change
- They don’t require app-store approval
Building an app too early
is the business version of proposing on the first date.
Relax. Validate first.
3. Creators, Coaches, Consultants, Personal
Brands
If your main goal is to:
- Show your work
- Share content
- Book clients
- Build a brand
Then a website is your
best friend.
You don’t need an app unless you’re offering daily lessons, exclusive
communities, or tools your followers use constantly.
For most creators, an app
becomes a digital ghost town by week three.
4. Anyone Who Wants to Keep Costs Reasonable
Apps are expensive to
build and expensive to maintain.
Websites?
Much cheaper, much easier to update, and accessible to everyone.
If you’re
budget-conscious - and honestly, most people
are - a website is the financially
responsible option.
Who a Mobile App Is Actually Good For
Now let’s be fair - apps are not the enemy.
They’re powerful. They’re useful. They’re perfect… when they’re actually
needed.
If your business matches
any of the situations below, a mobile app might truly be worth it.
1. Businesses With Every day, High-Frequency
Users
Think fitness tracking
apps, meditation apps, banking apps, delivery apps - anything people open daily.
If your users depend on
you the way people depend on Google Maps or Uber, an app makes sense.
If they’re only checking
in once a month?
Nope. Website.
2. When You Need Device-Level Power
If your product requires:
- Camera access
- GPS
- Sensors
- Offline mode
- Bluetooth
- Push notifications
…an app becomes more
logical. Native apps can handle deeper functionality that browsers can’t
(or don’t do as smoothly).
3. Large-Scale E-Commerce Brands with Loyalty
Programs
If you’re running a big
brand where customers:
- Shop often
- Collect points
- Track deliveries
- Check order history
…an app can enhance that
experience.
But again, we’re talking large-scale,
not “I sell candles on the weekend.”
4. Private Communities and Paid Membership
Platforms
If your audience is
logging in daily to join discussions, watch lessons, or participate in
programs, an app can help reduce friction.
But don’t confuse wanting
to look official with people actually needing an app.
A lot of creators get trapped in that illusion.
Who Should Absolutely Not Build an App (At Least Not
Right Now)
This list is short, but
powerful - and it
includes a lot more people than you think.
1. Small businesses who think an app will
“attract more customers.”
It won’t.
People barely download the apps they already use.
2. Businesses with unstable or untested ideas
If you’re still pivoting,
learning, adjusting, experimenting - do not build an app.
Apps require commitment.
Your idea probably isn’t ready for marriage yet.
3. Anyone who wants an app “because everyone
has one.”
No, they don’t.
And even if they did, that’s a terrible reason.
4. Businesses who don’t have the budget for
updates
Building an app is not
the expensive part.
Maintaining it is.
Every year:
- iOS updates
- Android updates
- Device sizes change
- Security rules change
- App store guidelines change
If you can’t afford
ongoing maintenance, an app will become a broken machine in six months.
Okay… So Where Does the Progressive Web App (PWA) Fit
into All This?
We’re not going deep here
- just a quick, useful note:
A Progressive Web App
(PWA) is basically a website that acts like an app.
It’s perfect for people
who want:
- Faster loading
- Offline access (in some cases)
- A home-screen icon
- A more app-like experience
Without paying the full
price of building a mobile app.
It’s not a replacement
for every situation, but it’s a smart middle-ground for businesses who
want an app-like feel without fully diving into native app territory.
Think of it as:
Website energy + app convenience = PWA
Clean, simple, flexible.
Additional resources
·
Is Your Toronto Site Fast Enough for 2025? Here’s
What Google Expects
·
Basic Tips for Designing a Law Firm Website 2025
·
The Future of Websites: How AR and Wearables Will
Change Everything
·
Vibe Check Your Website: Multi-Location SEO That
Slaps on Google, Voice, & AI
So, What Should YOU Build? A Website or an App?
Here’s the brutally
simple breakdown:
If you are a local
business → Get a website.
Nobody wants to download
an app for a haircut, a pho order, or a dentist appointment.
If you are a startup →
Start with a website.
Validate first.
If users love you, upgrade your website.
Only after real traction consider an app.
If you are a creator →
A website is your home base.
Unless you offer daily
exclusive content or tools, you don’t need an app yet.
If you have frequent,
loyal power users → Consider an app.
Daily use = app.
Occasional use = website.
Simple.
If you want something
between the two → Use a PWA.
It gives you:
- App-like feel
- Faster performance
- Home-screen icon
- Cheaper cost
But it’s still a website
at heart.
Final Thought: Choose
the Tool That Matches Human Behavior - Not
Trends
People don't wake up
thinking,
“I hope someone makes me download another app today.”
They think:
“I just want this to be easy.”
So, here’s the rule:
If your user needs
your service frequently, deeply, or in real time → app.
If your user just needs information, booking, ordering, or browsing →
website.
If you want something in the middle → PWA.
The smartest move isn’t
the flashiest one.
It’s the one that respects people’s time, attention, and phone storage - and the one that matches the
real way they interact with your business.
“Bio: Maede is a
content curator at UnlimitedExposure,
a company dedicated to providing a wide range of digital marketing resources.
Their expertly curated content helps both beginners and seasoned professionals
stay ahead of industry trends. Whether you need beginner-friendly tutorials or
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UnlimitedExposure Online is also recognized a WebsiteDesign Agency Toronto”
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