we wanted to grow the business. when we consulted the agency, they said: 'we can make a mobile app'. they also said: 'but we can also make a responsive website'. i asked for the price: app 80000 TL webste 40000 TL. which one is better?
our customers mostly visit via browser. if we make them download an app, how many actually download it? is it an unexpected risk?
i told the agency: 'do both'... btw they said: 'possible but extra 60000 TL'. is this fair?
Doki · Mobile app · 2023
Choosing between a mobile app and a responsive website depends on your business goals. Quick summary:
Responsive Website: Low budget, quick setup, SEO friendly, works on all devices. Sufficient if users are used to browsers. Disadvantage: limited push notifications and offline mode.
Mobile App: High budget, 3-6 months dev time, separate iOS/Android builds. Pros: push notifications, offline mode, faster. Cons: App Store review process, update process, weak SEO.
The agency's quote of '80 + 40 = 120k, plus 60k extra' is negotiable. Usually, if you share the backend code and only the UI differs, it can be cheaper. Alternative: Use Flutter/React Native for a single codebase covering both iOS/Android.
We had an app built, cost 50000 TL. Download rate is like 15%... Most people prefer the website. If I knew this from the start I'd have just made a responsive site. The app was a waste of money.
responsive website is enough. no need for an app if its not e-commerce. you only need an app for push notifications.
Website vs. App Comparison: Website | App - Budget: 30-50k | 50-100k - Development: 2-4 months | 4-6 months - SEO: Good | Weak - Device Compatibility: All | Separate iOS/Android - Push Notifications: Limited | Full - Offline: Limited | Full - App Store: None | Review process
So do you have a reason that would encourage your users to download a mobile app? For example: push notifications, offline mode or just convenience? If the answer to that is 'website is enough', don't spend money on an app.
Strategy: 1) Build a responsive website (40k). 2) Check analytics after 6 months — what's the mobile traffic, what's the engagement? 3) If requests for a 'mobile app' increase then build the app. 4) Don't do both now, it's a waste of budget and time.
Tech framework: PWA (Progressive Web App) is a hybrid option — works like a website but has offline mode and push notifications like an app. Budget: 40-60k. Fast development, SEO friendly. If the agency mentioned PWA, this could be the middle ground.
i agree with this. when we decide withouut measuring, we always end up in the same place.
this is my opinion, Im not claiming its absolute truth.
i'd appreciate it if you shared the outcome. like weekly written progress reports are much more useful than asking for dates.
thats all, sorry if I went on too long.
Absolutely. If I were to add anything: The cheapest quote is usually the least thought-out one.
Access credentials should be opened in the company's name, not personal accounts. If I were you, I'd go this route.
The most overlooked point about mobile app or responsive site is this: Solutions that work at a small scale collapse when you grow; I learned this late.
Just leaving this note, it might be useful.
let me summarize what's been said so far. hasty decisions become decisions you have to fix six months later.
i'm also curious if anyone does it differently.
You're right. Processes without records never improve, because you don't know what to fix.
That's all, sorry if I went on too long.
Doki · Vulnerability scanning · 2025
quick summary for newcomers: Ask who prepared the quote and who will actually do the work.
hope this helps.
I was thinking the same thing. anyway payment schedules should be tied to project phases not calendar dates.
When making decisions, write down the worst-case scenario too, not just the best. tbh just leaving this note it might be useful.
I completely agree. If it's your first time, start small; scaling comes later.
When you try to change everything at once, nothing settles. This is my opinion, I'm not claiming it's absolute truth.