What is a Web Application?

A web application is software that runs in a web browser, with a backend running on a web server. Businesses exchange information and deliver services remotely, using web applications to conveniently connect with customers. Common website features such as shopping carts, product search and filtering, instant messaging, and social media newsfeeds are web application components. Web applications allow people to access complex functionality without installing or configuring software or apps.

Web applications have many benefits, which is why they are widely adopted in business. Here are some of the most common benefits associated with web apps.

Accessibility and compatibility

Web apps can be accessed from all web browsers and across various personal and business devices. For example, teams in different locations can access shared documents, content management systems, and other business services through subscription-based web applications.

Efficient development

The development process for web apps is more cost-effective for businesses than building native applications for multiple systems. Depending on the app, small teams can achieve short development cycles, making web applications an efficient and affordable method of building software. Because the same version of the software works across all modern browsers and devices, there is no need to create different packages for multiple systems.

User simplicity

Web apps don't require a download, making them easy to access and eliminating the need for end-user maintenance and hard drive capacity management.

Enhanced endpoint security

Many web applications provide enhanced endpoint security, as they store and process data on the backend with a remote server rather than on a user's device. Centrally managed web applications automatically receive software and security updates, meaning they are always up-to-date, which reduces the risk of vulnerabilities from outdated software.

Real-time collaboration

Web apps can be designed for multiple users to work in the same environment in real time. Document management systems and other project management tools, for example, let you collaborate with shared dashboards, plus the ability to edit documents, provide comments, and upload files to share with other team members. The high level of browser-based accessibility of web apps helps to coordinate larger workforces and allow collaboration within teams, even when remote.

There are numerous types of web applications. Users interact with these web apps through a web browser, only needing an internet connection. Here are some of the most well-known.

Workplace collaboration web applications

Workplace collaboration web apps allow team members to access documents, shared calendars, business instant messaging services, project management tools, and other enterprise systems. These web applications let multiple users collaborate on tasks such as writing documents, sharing status updates, sending out push notifications to alert others, and moving task progress trackers along.

Ecommerce web applications

Ecommerce web apps such as Amazon.com let users browse, search, and pay for products online. These web applications support online shopping by processing user input, such as search queries or payment details, while web servers handle an online store's business logic on a remote server on the backend.

Email web applications

Webmail apps are widely used by enterprises and personal users to access their emails. Many modern web apps for email also include other enterprise tools such as instant messaging and video meetings. These aim to improve user interaction and facilitate easy communication.

Online banking web applications

Business and personal users widely use online banking web apps to access their accounts and other financial products, such as loans and mortgages. These web apps let customers securely perform tasks such as making transfers or paying bills, with web servers and server processes managing the actual transaction business logic on a secure remote server.

Technical documentation

You can use web applications to create and share technical documentation such as user manuals, how-to guides, and device specifications. Many web apps use interconnected web pages to organize lots of information, such as an internal Wiki page or intranet system. By using this structure, people can quickly find the answers they need through a user-friendly user interface within their web browser.

Content management systems

Content management systems are powerful web applications that you can use to build and organize content, news sites, and blogs, often without needing knowledge of programming languages. These web apps enable users to update web pages, manage the media they have on their blog, and integrate external tools to improve the user experience.

Web applications have a client-server architecture. Web apps work with their code divided into two components: client-side architecture and server-side architecture.

Client-side architecture

The client-side application deals with user interface functionality such as buttons and drop-down boxes. When the end user clicks on the web app link, the web browser loads the client-side application and renders the graphic elements and text for user interaction, typically in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. For example, the user can read content, watch videos, or fill out details on a contact form. Actions like clicking the submit button go to the server as a client request.

Server-side architecture

The server-side application deals with data processing. The web application server processes the client requests and sends back a response. The requests are usually for more data or to edit or save new data. For example, if the user clicks on the Read More button, the web application server will send content back to the user. If the user clicks the Submit button, the application server will save the user data in the database. In some cases, the server completes the data request and sends the complete HTML page back to the client. This is called server-side rendering.

A native app is a computer program that has been specifically designed for a particular user environment, such as a Windows desktop computer or an iPhone mobile device. Native apps are developed using specific programming code for that particular system. Unlike web apps, native apps, including mobile apps, are downloaded by the user to their device, through app stores, git repositories, and direct download links. Native apps can only be accessed on the device on which they have been downloaded, and users are typically responsible for downloading updates.

Developers build different versions of their native applications if they want to make them available across operating systems like iOS or Android, ensuring they have as broad a reach as possible. On mobile, developers must also ensure their mobile apps adhere to app store standards or risk having their apps rejected.

Static websites, the basis of the original web, have significantly less functionality than web apps. They are only capable of delivering information to users through static content. The server delivers the content to the browser, and there is no user interaction. Web apps were built to bridge the gap between software and static sites. Web apps have functionality and interactive user elements similar to native software, but are delivered by using a web browser URL.

However, web technology has evolved significantly, and most modern websites are complex web applications in their design.

AWS Amplify is a complete solution that lets developers easily build, ship, and host full-stack applications on AWS. Web developers can utilize the breadth of AWS services without in-depth cloud knowledge as use cases evolve. For example, with AWS Amplify, you can:

• Build and connect your app's backend

• Build and test your UI-optimized frontend

• Manage users and content

• Configure build settings

AWS Amplify Hosting is a fully managed CI/CD and hosting service for fast, secure, and reliable static and server-side rendered apps that scale with your business. Amplify Hosting supports modern web frameworks such as React, Angular, Vue, Next.js, Gatsby, Hugo, Jekyll, and more.

With Amplify Hosting, you can:

• Continuously deploy a static web or server-side rendered app on every code commit.

• Get reliable hosting, close to your users

• Build dynamic capabilities to create high-quality, full-stack apps.

Get started with web application development on AWS by creating a free account today.