Recently, mobiles apps became popular as every business or individual have created a mobile app for his own and started publishing it which affected the mobile apps market so people started to be annoyed of such apps and they are coming back to the original website to view it in full display and appearance. However below are some disadvantages for using mobile apps (software based) and the advantages of creating a web based version to be compatible with all mobiles:
Mobile Apps (Software Based) Disadvantages:
1- Limitation on the design & structure level, as mobile apps are still limited comparing to the web based apps.
2- Limitation on the updates as each time you have updates on the structure and design level, you have to create a new version of this application and asking all users who have the app to update it which affects the updated to be broadcasted to all users.
3- Wide range of different mobiles OS (Operation systems) and manufacturers as now you have mainly the following phones and OS in the market:
    a. IPhone (Apple OS)
    b. Samsung, HTC, Motorola, Google Phones, etc… (Android OS)
    c. Nokia
    d. Blackberry
    e. Microsoft OS (Windows Mobile)
If you decided to create a mobile software application, you have to create an app for each brand listed above which make things more complicated and cost more. Besides that, you will find a problem of keeping your app updated for the whole brands list.
4- Marketing wise, if you created mobile app software based, you have to market for these apps to be available for the public and thus you will pay more money on the marketing campaigns.
Mobile Web Based Version (Web Based) advantages:
1- One version compatible with all mobiles.
2- All updates made on the design or structure level will be broadcasted to all users who are surfing the mobile version without the need for their permission.
3- No need to market for this mobile version because it will follow your website’s marketing campaign.
4- On the cost level, there is just one mobile version which is compatible with all mobiles and thus there will be one cost which might reach ¼ of the mobile apps costs.
5- More flexibility on the design and structure level since it’s a web based version.