Defining a web application
What is a web app? Imagine, as an internet user, you want to perform a task – say, adding an item to your shopping basket or using an online calculator. Without web apps, you would be forced to download and install software for each type of task. This would be infuriating and counterintuitive, making every interaction on the web an exercise in managing frustration.
To avoid such a UX-ruining experience, a web application saves you time and effort, offering a huge range of functions that can be accessed straight from your browser. No installs, no need to update regularly – just instant functionality.
Huge capabilities
What are web apps used for? If you can think it up, there’s probably already a web application out there that can do it. For instance, webapps are being used in all areas of our personal and working lives, including:
-
Workplace web apps
A web application can enable teams to work together remotely or on all aspects of a centralised project, giving each team members access to a suite of enterprise tools including document access, instant messaging services, calendar coordination, and much more.
-
Ecommerce webapps
Pretty much all e-commerce sites use webapps to support shoppers throughout their purchasing journeys. From searching and browsing to adding an item to your basket and paying for it securely, web apps are a consumer’s – and e-commerce’s – best friend.
-
Online banking web apps
All major banks offer a web application on their sites that allow you to access your account details, make payments and arrange loans. Crucially, optimised webapps feature strict authentication processes to ensure that your user login details remain secure at all times.
-
Email web apps
Both personal and professional email accounts can be accessed via a web application (such as gmail), enabling you to write, read and send attachments all from within your browser, with no need for a separate app.