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by &7 Team

Web App vs Website: Which Does Your Business Need?

Understand the difference between websites and web applications, and learn which solution is right for your business needs.

web developmentbusiness strategy

Many businesses struggle with this question: "Should I build a website or a web application?" The answer depends on what you need to accomplish.

What's the Difference?

Website

A website is primarily informational. It presents content to visitors:

  • Company information
  • Product catalogs
  • Blog posts
  • Contact details

Example: A brochure website for a consulting firm

Web Application

A web application is interactive. Users perform actions and manage data:

  • User accounts & authentication
  • Data input and processing
  • Dashboards and reporting
  • Database interactions

Example: A donation portal where supporters can give, track donations, and download receipts

When You Need a Website

Choose a website if you primarily need to:

  • Share information about your business
  • Display products or services
  • Build brand awareness
  • Improve SEO and online presence
  • Generate leads through contact forms

Investment: $10-20k+ | 4-8+ weeks

When You Need a Web Application

Choose a web application if you need to:

  • Process transactions (payments, donations, bookings)
  • Manage user accounts and permissions
  • Store and retrieve user data
  • Automate business processes
  • Generate custom reports

Investment: $35k+ | 8+ weeks

Common Web Application Examples

Donation Portals

  • Accept online donations
  • Generate tax receipts automatically
  • Track donor history
  • Member login and management

Learning Management Systems

  • Course enrollment and access control
  • Progress tracking
  • Assignment submission
  • Certificate generation

Business Dashboards

The Hybrid Approach

Many businesses start with a website and add application features over time:

Phase 1: Informational website with contact forms Phase 2: Add member portal or booking system Phase 3: Full application with advanced features

This phased approach lets you validate demand before investing in full application features.

Key Questions to Ask

  1. Do users need accounts to access personalized content?
  2. Will users create, edit, or delete data?
  3. Do you need automated workflows or notifications?
  4. Does data need to sync with other systems?
  5. Do you need custom reporting or analytics?

If you answered "yes" to 2+ questions, you likely need a web application.

Next Steps

Not sure which option is right for your business? We can help:

  1. Discovery call: Discuss your business needs and goals
  2. Recommendation: Website, web app, or hybrid approach
  3. Roadmap: Phased implementation with clear pricing

Get in touch for a free consultation.

About &7: We specialize in web app development and modern websites for growing businesses in Singapore. From simple marketing sites to complex portals, we deliver practical solutions with transparent pricing.