We get asked to build mobile apps fairly often by businesses that, when we dig into what they actually need, would be better served by a faster, better-designed mobile website first. It's worth asking honestly which one you actually need, because an app is a bigger, ongoing commitment than most people expect going in.
What an app gives you that a website can't
Push notifications, offline access, and a persistent icon on someone's home screen are genuine advantages a website can't replicate. If your business depends on frequent re-engagement — regular reordering, appointment reminders, loyalty programs — these matter, and an app is often worth it.
What a website already does just as well
If your primary goal is people finding you, browsing information, or completing a purchase or enquiry occasionally rather than frequently, a well-built responsive website does this without asking anyone to download and install anything first — which is itself a real barrier to that first interaction.
The maintenance commitment is not small
As covered elsewhere, an app needs ongoing maintenance through OS updates in a way a website simply doesn't. That's a real, recurring cost that should factor into the decision, not an afterthought once the app exists.
Our honest starting recommendation
If you're not sure, we usually recommend starting with a strong mobile website, then building an app once you have evidence that users actually want the app-specific features (repeat visits, push notification value) enough to justify the download. It's a more honest path than building an app first and hoping people install it.