Web App Development

Web apps are all around us. You probably have one open in another tab right now. It’s any system you use in your browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari) that goes beyond simple website functionality. 

For example, iEmergent, one of our partner clients, has a marketing website to show customers what they do. It features information about Mortgage MarketSmart, which is their custom web application. It requires a paid subscription, is behind a login, and has an entirely different database and backend than the website.

With functionality increasing on websites across the board, the lines are blurry between where a website ends and a web app begins. The terminology is, for the most part, irrelevant. Whatever you call it—custom web app, custom software—the goals remain the same: to use technology to solve business problems and capture opportunities.

Many businesses don’t need custom web applications. There are thousands of SaaS (software as a service) platforms out there that can get the job done. 

But for some businesses, a custom application can be a differentiator—for customers, for internal processes, for the organization as a whole. 

It’s important to think about every application you use, both SaaS and custom, strategically. How does each system fit into your overarching software strategy? 

Even if a SaaS platform doesn’t meet 100% of your needs, it doesn’t mean you have to jump right to custom application development. There could be an in-between solution: buying an extensible platform as a base and extending it with your customizations. That’s called buy+build, which is a cost-effective middle ground between off-the-shelf and fully custom solutions.

Think You Might Need a Custom Web App?

See the signs.

When we started in custom software development, desktop apps were central to our work. But through the years, web-based applications and mobile apps have taken over and reduced the use cases for desktop platforms. 

But when we talk about “custom software,” we’re talking about a type of system that can come to reality in many different ways: desktop app, responsive web-based application, mobile app, or a combination of those. Much of our custom software development these days is building custom web applications. (Read about how it’s all just semantics.)

We recommend clients take a cross-platform approach to software development that involves understanding users and building a system that meets their needs, whether that’s a desktop app, a web-based application, or a mobile app—or all three.

Web apps can help businesses with everything from accounting and project management to customer service and workflows. In some cases, a web app is the business’s product. 

Here are some ways web apps help companies work smarter:

Customer Self-service: Online banking systems, appointment scheduling portals, and order management systems —they’re all types of web apps and they all allow customers to complete interactions with a business, on demand.

Internal Project Management: For businesses with custom or unique workflows, off-the-shelf project management tools can be frustrating. Custom web apps for an internal team to manage work can take into account complex rules and exceptions in ways an existing tool never could.

Software as a Service (SaaS): For many businesses, the web app is the business. The company builds, maintains, and enhances the web app, and customers pay to use it. Everything from Spotify and Netflix to Quickbooks Online and Squarespace can be considered web app SaaS platforms.

System Integrations: If your business runs on several web apps (most do), system integrations can help bring the data and functionality of those systems together to improve workflows, decrease rework, and reduce the occurrence of human error.

If you decide a custom web app could set your business apart and help you better serve your customers, there’s a lot to think about before you even consider diving into code. 

You should think about:

• The goals of the system

• What stakeholders and users will want to accomplish

• What tech stack to use

• How you’ll prioritize features and functionality

• What the system’s value is to the organization

• What the system’s value us to its users

• What you’ll budget for the application, for initial development and for future maintenance

There’s a lot to consider. Learn 11 things to think about for your next web app project:

If you think a custom web app is the right route for you, how do you go about finding a partner to talk through the project and bring your system to life? 

There are several different options for outsourcing web app development. You can hire an independent contractor, you can use a staffing company that provides the developers, or you can work with a development company. 

You can validate a partner’s expertise by reviewing past projects and customer reviews. And nothing helps you evaluate the fit of a potential partner like getting into a room (even a Zoom room) and having a conversation. 

Far Reach is a development partner—we bring a full team to your project to build it and even to support it for the long-run, if needed.

What’s the difference between a web app and a website?

A website is typically informational—it shares content with users, like a digital brochure or blog. A web app, on the other hand, is interactive. It allows users to log in, input data, take actions, and get personalized results. Think of a real estate search tool, a customer portal, or a scheduling system—those are web apps.

How do I know if I need a custom web app?

If your team is cobbling together spreadsheets, email threads, or multiple disconnected tools to get work done, a custom web app might be the solution. You likely need a custom build if:

• Your processes are unique or complex
• Off-the-shelf tools can’t be configured to fit your workflow
• You’re duplicating data across platforms
• You’re scaling and your current tools can’t keep up

How long does it take to build a custom web app?

It depends on the scope and complexity, but most custom web apps take 3 to 9 months to design, develop, and launch. Smaller apps or MVPs (minimum viable products) can move faster; larger systems may take longer, especially if integrations or complex features are involved.

How much does it cost to build a custom web app?

Costs vary widely depending on functionality, user volume, integrations, and more. A simple app might start around $20,000-$50,000, while more complex systems can cost six figures or more. The key is to approach the project in phases—start with what’s most valuable features and build from there.

What are some examples of web apps?

Here are a few examples of web apps we’ve helped develop:

• A mapping and analytics tool for housing market forecasts
• A custom order request system to replace email chains
• A digital product guide to replace old-school printed binders of data sheets
• A project dashboard tailored to how a team actually works

If users log in, take action, and interact with the software online, you’re looking at a web app.

Can I integrate a custom web app with other systems?

Yes! Custom web apps are often designed to connect with CRMs, ERPs, billing platforms, analytics tools, or other existing systems. The right development partner will help you identify opportunities to sync data across platforms and streamline your workflow.

Here’s how we’ve helped clients build custom web apps.

Want to dive deeper into custom web applications? Read some of our blog posts on the topic.

• 

  READ

  Web Development Vs. Software Development

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  READ

  Azure’s Application Insights for Web Applications

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  READ

  Web Apps Taking Over Desktop Apps

Custom web application development is complex, especially when you aren’t entrenched in it daily as we are. A consultation session with our experts can shed light on any questions you may have about how a web app could help your business.

We can help you plan a web application that meets your company’s goals. Let’s talk. No obligations and no strings attached.