A number of reports have highlighted that the number of people accessing internet on their mobile devices is increasing steadily. But a number of surveys recently revealed that the mobile experience nowadays is all about mobile apps. According to the data released by mobile-analytics company Flurry, modern users spend 86% of their time in mobile apps, whereas the mobile browser accounts only for 14% of their time. The sharp decline in the amount of time spent in mobile browsers indicates that mobile web is dead.

However, the amount of time spent by users on different types of mobile apps differs. As per the data released by Flurry, gaming apps capture 32% of users’ time spent on mobile devices, whereas 17% on Facebook, followed by 9.5% on social messaging. Likewise, the amount of time spent on individual mobile browsers also differs. Apple Safari captured 7% of the time spent on mobile devices, whereas Google Browsers captured only 5%. There are a number of reasons why modern people prefer mobile apps over mobile web.

Why Modern People Prefer Mobile Apps to Mobile Web?

Shortcomings of Mobile Web
A large percentage of websites are originally designed for web browsers like Internet Explorer, Firefox and Chrome. But the massive popularity of mobile devices makes owners to customize their websites for mobile users. Thus, the websites have to address some of the inherent constraints associated with smartphones and tablets like smaller screen size, single window visibility, shorter sessions and variable connectivity. These constraints often have a negative impact on the look, feel and performance of the mobile website as well as its user experience. The shortcomings of mobile web encourage many people to use mobile apps to enjoy richer user experience.

Abundance of Mobile Apps
The massive popularity of mobile apps can be attributed to their numbers. According to the latest data posted on various websites, Android users have option to choose from 1.5 million apps, whereas iOS users can download 1.4 million apps available at Apple App Store. They also have option to choose from a wide range of applications falling under the same category, and offering identical functionality. At the same time, they also have option to choose from a large number of free apps, and use trial versions of popular application. The abundance of mobile applications contributes immensely towards their popularity.

Faster and Easier to Use
In comparison to mobile websites, apps are both faster and easier to use. Most mobile apps are designed with features to help users to accomplish specific tasks without putting any extra time and effort. At the same time, the apps are designed with functionality that can be uses by each user without requiring specific instructions. Many developers even update their mobile apps at frequent intervals to make them deliver richer user experience. However, many analysts feel that mobile apps lack the openness of web due to presence of a third party, i.e., Apple, Google or Microsoft.

Keep Users Entertained and Engaged
Unlike mobile websites, apps can keep user engaged and entertained at a time. The user has option to use functional apps like clock, calendar and organizers to carry out his day-to-day activities in a simpler and more convenient way. Along with being functional, the mobile apps can also keep users entertained. Nowadays, most developers build apps just like mobile games to keep users entertained, while helping them to accomplish specific tasks. Some apps even allow users to complete a number of related tasks. For instance, there are certain camera apps that allow users to capture photos and record videos, along with sharing the content with other through social networking sites instantaneously.

Internet Connectivity Is Not Required
No user can access mobile websites unless his device is not connected to the internet. The performance and speed of the mobile website will also be impacted by the type of connections and signal strength. But most mobile apps work without internet connectivity. So users can access these webs even when their device is not connected to an internet network. Once they download and install the application on their mobile device, they can use it even when there is not internet network. The feature further enables users to take advantage of the mobile app without paying additional data charges.

Take Advantage of Device and Mobile Platform
The choice of mobile device and operating system varies from one user to another. But each user wants to experience personalized experience while spending time on his mobile device. Often mobile websites are not designed with features to gather the critical information required for delivering personalized user experience. On the other hand, mobile app can easily access the critical information by interacting with the user’s device and mobile platform. For instance, a mobile app can get the most relevant information about the restaurants or bars in a region by identifying the current location of the user. The personalized user experience makes apps score over mobile websites.

Interact with Others Anytime and Anywhere
The mobile apps are also enabled modern people to interact with their friends and family without incurring additional expenses. There are apps like Skye, Viber and WhatsApp that allow users to make voice call to others using the same app without reducing their mobile talktime. They can further subscribe to special packages provided by these apps to make calls to mobile phones in an inexpensive way. Likewise, they can use specific apps to stay connected with their social media friends, and interact with them through text chats and voice messages. The inexpensive communication also makes many users spend a significant amount of time on mobile apps.

Also Profitable for Enterprises
The users have option to choose from several free apps. Most of the mobile apps are also priced reasonably. So the users can download and use mobile apps without spending a hefty amount of funds. At the same time, the mobile apps also help developers and marketers to earn revenue. They can earn revenue based on number of app downloads and by serving ads. The mobile apps make it easier for business to serve ads by targeting the most relevant customers. So many enterprises serve ads through applications to get more sales and inquiries. The revenue earned from mobile applications further encourages many enterprises to launch free mobile applications.

The sharp decline in the popularity of mobile web makes it essential for enterprises to launch mobile apps to keep their prospects and customers engaged. However, it is also important for the business to target the right mobile platform to make its app captures a higher percentage of users’ time spent on mobile devices. A business can also consider launching its app for different platform to take advantage of the rapidly growing popularity of mobile applications.