I find that many people are confused between mobile-friendly websites and "apps". Considering that the term "app" means different things to different people, there's a definite investment involved in making true mobile applications fir your business that are platform specific. After all, each major player - iOS, Android and Blackberry - have a dedicated platform [however 'open' or walled-off it is] -- so picking your entry-point[s] may come down to a little number-crunching and audience metrics analysis.
Generally, once I have explained the difference between a mobile-friendly (or "clipped" site) and mobile applications the next logical question to ask is: what should your mobile app do?
Sadly, the answer most of the time is: everything our website can do. {Which begs the question, why not just design a single website that's uber mobile-friendly?}
The funny thing about apps is, most of the really good ones offer little branding or traditional product information. To the opposite extreme they provide more editorial content [tips and tricks] that are complimentary to the product or service offering, but generally have a softer lean than their website counterparts.
Consider Weber Grills, for instance -- a hit on Apple AppStore for both the iPad and iPhone.
About Tim Staney
Tim Staney has more than ten years (since 1997) of web development experience building enterprise-grade web applications for Fortune 500, small business and not-for-profit enterprises across the United States and Canada over a wide-range of industries. Tim specializes in information architecture, content management with a keen focus on user experience, and social media integration.
Tim Staney is a resident of St. Petersburg, Florida and active member of his community.
Staney regularly presents to professional and community groups, speaking on social media, social marketing, web content management and web strategy.
Tim Staney is a member of the American Marketing Association and <uwebd />, University Web Developers as well as the St. Peter's Episcopal Cathedral Communications Task Force. Tim is the Web Content Manager at St. Petersburg College working for the Marketing and Public Information department managing content in the college's Ektron content management system. Tim also teaches courses like Social Marketing for Small Buisness and Designing Effective Websites for St. Petersburg College's Learn to Earn program.
/contact.aspx "Contact Web Developer Tim Staney of St. Petersburg, Florida")
Except where otherwise attributed, the statements, thoughts, views and beliefs in this blog post are solely those of the author.