Web presence can provide a huge advantage in gaining credibility, attracting new consumers and increasing the returns on investments. Many top entrepreneurs use online services like Amazon or Starbucks.
Twiter also utilizes progressive web app (PWA). Tweeting has surpassed PWA’s expectations. If you want to keep pace with the increasing rate of use internet and improve your business and customer relationships, you must use web applications.
Different types of web applications or web apps have become quite popular these days. As a result, many companies, service providers, and small businesses are shifting a significant portion of their business to a web app.
Everyone from an organization to an individual uses web applications for numerous reasons, and in fact, you can't imagine the web presence without it.
Now the million-dollar question, how many web application types are out there? In order to answer this question, in this article, we discussed the different types of web app and their uses that can help you to simplify your web app development.
So, let's get started-
A web application is a software system that performs tasks through an interactive user interface. The software programs run on the internet-based web browser or web technologies and standard of the W3C (World Wide Web Consortium).
The web application runs on a web server; that's why it's not the same as computer-based software programs that are operated on the OS(operating system) of a device.
Whenever you visit a website and perform any “action” online means you use web-based applications. Since the rise of using the internet & digital content, the majority of desktop applications have turned into modern web applications.
It means no more free space issues on your hard disk, no more heavy software packs only direct access to your required applications.
Curious to know about top web application development companies?
The list below presents a list of the most used websites in terms of functionalities, usage/advantages/disadvantages. You can define an app based on your requirements. There are different types of applications or categories of web applications depending on the user types or business needs. But all application types are not known to us properly.
So, here we have described the 11 most common web applications based on their functionalities, use cases & benefits. In that manner, you can define a web app that will meet your business requirements the most.
| Application Type | Industry Uses | Advantages |
|---|---|---|
| Static Web Application |
|
|
| Dynamic Web Application |
|
|
| Single Page Application (SPA) |
|
|
| Multi-Page Application (MPA) |
|
|
| Portal Web Application |
|
|
| Animated Web Application |
|
|
| Content Management System (CMS) |
|
|
| E-commerce Web Application |
|
|
| Rich Internet Apps (RIA) |
|
|
| Javascript Powered Web Apps |
|
|
| Progressive Web App (PWA) |
|
|
In the above, you get ideas about different types of web applications, use cases & benefits.
Now let’s reveal each type of web application in detail-
Static web apps can be marked as the advanced version of traditional websites. At users' request, these types of web app send the content directly to the end users' browser without taking any data from the server.
These static web applications are developed with lots of programming languages, including CSS, HTML, JavaScript languages, and display very little content.
The JavaScript reads the language bunch and makes a display compatible with the platform. In some cases static web apps can be used inside the mobile app which also solves mobile app development problems for a business.
A user can't command to change or bring anything on display live without changing the core web address. This kind of web application is used to showcase or represent something that the owner desires.
The web application which generates the data or pages in real-time following the users' request and server response is the dynamic web application.
Users can stay on a page and do some option pickings to only see or focus on what they are looking for. YouTube and eBay are two of the common examples of dynamic web application types.
Here, servers play a key role in the performance. The server catches the request of users and sends the feedback in real-time actions without hopping to another page most of the time.
Use Cases & Examples of Dynamic Web Apps
| Example | Use Cases | Company Revenue |
|---|---|---|
 | Users can access the platform on both computer browsers & mobile applications. | $27.58 Billion |
 | Mainly utilized for marketing & sales purposes. Their web apps allow managing emails, calls, and texts right from the web application. | $0.96 Billion |
Single-page web applications (SPS) is a web application that loads a single web document or page. Only the content body is uploaded in single-page apps, and the other information stays the same.
It updates a few pieces of content at a time via the JavaScript API without reloading the page. For example, when users access an email app, the page header & widget doesn’t change but they can check out their inbox.
The implementation of these types of web app technologies is directly on the web browser. In that manner, it’s quicker, less development cost than the traditional web apps.
| Example | Use Cases | Company Revenue |
|---|---|---|
 | It's a great way to connect with others who share your interests, and it can also be used as a source of inspiration. Its Grassroots marketing & word of mouth increased their user from 3k to 73 million. | $613 Million |
 | Gmail is one of the most popular email applications. Launched in 2004, Gmail quickly gained popularity due to its user-friendly interface and features such as storage space and labels. | $2.6 Billion |
Unlike the single-page application, the multi-page application is a traditional web application that reloads the whole page when users navigate to a different page.
When the user performs any action, the entire contents are updated and displayed on a new page. In addition, the server requests a new page to display on the browser each time for data exchange & synchronization.
Hence, multi-page web applications have no page limits and provide huge information. In that case, these types of apps are well-known for their scalability.
But the development of MPAs requires more time, money & experienced web developers since these applications are challenging to maintain and develop.
| Example | Use Cases | Company Revenue |
|---|---|---|
 | Today, Forbes is one of the most respected business publications in the world, with a global reach and a readership of more than six million people. Forbes is a global media company, focusing on business, investing, technology, entrepreneurship, leadership, and lifestyle. | $8.26 Billion |
A web application that provides a single access point for the relevant information to a specific type of user. In an easily understandable format is known as a portal web application.
By way of a home page in this application, different categories or sections are easily accessible.
Portals gather up different types of relevant action-taking scopes in a single landing page. As a result, visitors can read, communicate, work, or transact with the help of web portal applications.
| Example | Use Cases | Company Revenue |
|---|---|---|
 | It's an online learning platform that offers courses in a wide range of subjects, for business and personal development. With over 80,000 courses available, Udemy is a great resource for anyone looking to learn new skills or improve their existing knowledge. | $775 Million |
 | It's one of the largest insurance companies in the world, with operations in more than 50 countries. Metlife offers a wide range of insurance products, including life, health, property & casualty, etc. Based in New York City Metlife has more than 70 million customers worldwide. | $22.86 Billion |
An Animated web application is considered the Flash technology that presents animation and synchronization on the entire web platform. In this sort of web app, users find their request's response in animated objects.
Animated web application doesn't have any impact on search engine optimization. But these web apps represent a unique, modern design and purpose deeply.
A big catch here is that Animated apps need languages like Flash along with other parent codes to perform.
| Example | Use Cases | Company Revenue |
|---|---|---|
 | It's an app designing platform that allows users to easily create professional-looking app prototypes with no coding required. The platform provides a range of templates and drag-and-drop features that make it simple to design an app, even if you have no prior experience. | $17.90 Billion |
A content management system (CMS) is a web application by which the admin users or owner can modify content. To modify, add, or eliminate content, users don't need assistance from the technical team or learn programming languages.
In short, improving the production and management of digital content by the users or admins is known as CMS.
It is the mother web application of many other web apps. Admins require CMS to act to modify, add, or eliminate contents and structures.
| Example | Use Cases | Company Revenue |
|---|---|---|
 | It is free and open-source software that is supported by a robust community of developers. | $132 Million |
 | It provides an intuitive way to manage content, users, and permissions. | $40.20 Billion |
 | It is another free and open-source software released under the GNU General Public License. | $40.20 Billion |
Web apps that directly promote, display, and sell products or services are known as online stores or ecommerce web applications. Ecommerce platforms are where visitors can compare, see, or purchase goods or services. Amazon, Alibaba, eBay, etc. are the best suits for ecommerce application examples.
Compared with other dynamic web apps, these web app types require more features, design elements, & functions for users like various payment methods. The servers use databases, inventory, leads, online transactions, and AI (sometimes) to show relevant products & suggestions to make deals.
The development of an ecommerce solution requires a management panel for the content managers, online payment, personal blogs for active users, mobile browsers capability, and many more.
| Example | Use Cases | Company Revenue |
|---|---|---|
 | It is the largest Internet-based retailer in the world by total sales and market capitalization. Amazon was founded by Jeff Bezos in 1994, and started as an online bookstore but now they sell to maintain the human lifestyle. | $419.13 Billion |
 | It's a Chinese ecommerce company that was founded in 1999. It is the world's largest online and mobile commerce company, with over 500 million active users. | $717.30 Billion (CNY) |
As the name of these application development types, Rich Internet App (RIA) is the most productive genre of web apps.
RIAs are aware of browser limitation and depends on 3rd party software like Flash, Silverlight etc. In order to provide a smooth online web experience, these types of apps develop with markup languages & design layouts. In that way, users get visually appealing with high levels of user interaction.
People get to do their daily tasks with the support of AI and integrated features or options. For example, online sites allow users to create, edit or rebuild content online without installing any software.
| Example | Use Cases | Company Revenue |
|---|---|---|
 | It's computer software developed by Adobe Systems that lets users view interactive content and applications on their computers or other devices. | $231.2 Million |
 | Silverlight an applications development tool for creating applications and services that run on the Web, desktop computers, and mobile devices. | N/A |
 | Gears is a browser extension software that allows web applications to run offline. It also provides APIs for creating, managing, and storing local data. | N/A |
Developers created some outstanding front-end frameworks that play a vital role in current web applications development & the digital industry.
For business web applications, React.js, Angular.js, Node.js, etc. are examples of web app frameworks that step up toward the client-side with high adaptability. This web logic can perform & give responses rapidly over the application server on user requests.
Any common web technologies created with JavaScript-Powered can provide high performance with different user interfaces & SEO practices.
| Example | Use Cases | Company Revenue |
|---|---|---|
 | It's mobility as a service provider that allows people to request rides through their smartphone app. | $17.76 Billion |
 | Firefox is a web browser that offers a fast, safe and easy web browsing experience. | $826.6 Billion |
 | It's a social media platform that enables its users to connect with colleagues, potential employers, and business partners. | $10 Billion |
Progressive web applications (PWA) are popularly known as cross-platform web applications. These web application categories use the most upgraded browser APIs and application architecture to offer users an experience like a mobile app.
In order to create PWA, developers use common languages & application code like HTML, JavaScript & CSS.
Any web application development project requirements are high performance & adaptability, and PWA is the perfect match for your business. Furthermore, a poor internet connection progressive web application displays and you can access the information.
| Example | Use Cases | Company Revenue |
|---|---|---|
 | BMW is a vehicles and motorcycles corporate manufacturer headquartered in Munich, Bavaria, Germany. It was founded in 1916 as a manufacturer of aircraft engines, which is produced from 1917 until 1918 and again from 1933 to 1945. | $124.60 Billion |
 | Spotify is a leading audio streaming and media services provider. It offers a wide range of music, podcast, and video content to its users. | $7.88 Billion |
 | Starbucks is a chain of coffeehouses and roastery reserves headquartered in Seattle, Washington. Founded in 1971, Starbucks is now the largest coffee chain in the world, with over 27,000 locations across 76 countries. | $22.05 Billion |
After going through all these 11 types of web applications, now you have ideas about different web apps and web-based applications examples, use cases, & benefits. Web applications let you interact with the owners or other visitors just like you.
However, unlike websites, you get to experience real-time responses depending on your actions, which seems more sophisticated and valuable.
Thus, web applications are the best options to feature the most pleasing user experiences. No doubt, a specific application is for a particular reason and purpose. We hope you have enough idea to choose one of them that suits your business.
If you need any help regarding developing a web application, let us know. We are here to simplify your business.
| Frequently Asked Questions |
|---|
| 1. What is a web application? A web application is a computer program that performs tasks over the World Wide Web. Common examples of web applications include online shopping, online banking, and social networking sites. 2. What are the different types of web applications? There are many different types of web applications, but some of the most common include e-commerce, web portals, and content management systems (CMS). 3. What are the benefits of using a web application? There are many benefits to using a web application, including the ability to reach a global audience, the ability to update and change the content without needing to redeploy the entire application, and the ability to scale the application as needed. 4. What are some of the challenges of developing a web application Some of the challenges of developing a web application include ensuring that the application is secure, ensuring that it can handle high traffic loads, and making sure that it is compatible with all major browsers. |
