Mobile Development
Building a “native” application for iOS and Android each require separate programming languages, and must be distributed through relevant app stores - each which have different, complex standards and unpredictable and time-consuming appproval processes.
You can use technology such as React Native and Expo to build cross-platform apps, reducing the development time by using a single language and codebase across platforms - however you will still be subject to the app store requirements and approval processes for distributing updates.
Building native mobile apps should be avoided unless you have a very specific need for it.
Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) represent the most strategic approach to mobile development for modern businesses. They deliver native-like user experiences while eliminating the complexity and costs associated with multiple platform-specific applications and distribution via app stores.
Why PWAs?
Section titled “Why PWAs?”⚡ Fast
Section titled “⚡ Fast”PWAs accelerate time-to-market and enable rapid business iteration. Your development teams can deploy updates instantly without waiting for app store approval processes. This agility allows you to respond quickly to market demands and customer feedback, giving your organization a competitive advantage in fast-moving markets.
🛡️ Durable
Section titled “🛡️ Durable”Built on open web standards, PWAs eliminate vendor lock-in and provide long-term technology stability. Your investment is protected by standardized technologies that evolve with the web platform rather than being tied to any single company’s ecosystem. This reduces technical debt and ensures your mobile strategy remains viable as technology landscapes shift.
💰 Cost Effective
Section titled “💰 Cost Effective”PWAs dramatically reduce total cost of ownership through unified development and deployment. A single codebase serves all platforms, eliminating duplicate engineering effort. Direct distribution bypasses app store fees, and your existing web development talent can immediately contribute to mobile initiatives without specialized training or hiring.
Business Benefits
Section titled “Business Benefits”- Reduced Development Costs: Single codebase eliminates the need for separate iOS and Android teams
- Faster Market Entry: Immediate deployment without app store approval delays
- Lower Maintenance Overhead: Unified infrastructure and deployment pipeline
- Enhanced User Engagement: App-like experiences with push notifications and offline functionality
- Improved Conversion Rates: Frictionless installation and updates drive higher user adoption
Technical Recommendations
Section titled “Technical Recommendations”Progressive Web Apps (PWAs)
Section titled “Progressive Web Apps (PWAs)”Start with a PWA built using your existing web technology stack. Modern PWAs support offline functionality, push notifications, and device integrations that cover the majority of mobile use cases. They can be installed directly from browsers and provide native-app experiences while maintaining web deployment simplicity.
Capacitor Integration
Section titled “Capacitor Integration”When native device features are required, Capacitor wraps your existing web application in a native container. This approach preserves your web codebase while enabling access to camera, file system, and other device APIs. It provides a migration path that doesn’t require rewriting your application.
Expo Framework
Section titled “Expo Framework”For React-based organizations requiring deeper native functionality, Expo offers a managed React Native development experience. It provides access to native mobile capabilities while abstracting away much of the complexity traditionally associated with React Native development.
Getting Started
Section titled “Getting Started”Begin with a PWA implementation using your current web framework. Evaluate business requirements against PWA capabilities before considering native development approaches. Most organizations discover that PWAs meet their mobile needs while delivering superior business outcomes through reduced complexity and faster iteration cycles.