Sometimes, the most challenging part of starting a new project is coming up with an innovative idea. We all get stuck now and then. For inspiration, let’s look at 23 Web app ideas to check in 2023.
For your project to be successful, you need to find a web application idea that solves an existing problem while also possible to implement and not be too costly. So let’s browse through some app ideas for startups and see if anything suits you!
1. What is a web application?
Web apps are software that runs on web servers, opposite to computer-oriented software programs that are collected on the operating system of any device. Users can obtain these web applications from browsers. These apps can be anything from online storage space platforms to employee orientation software, a crime alert web app, or even a new CRM for startups.
The main advantage of these apps is that they don’t require any installation, and every user has the same version—eliminating any compatibility issues. They require less maintenance and support and even reduce costs in the long run.
2. What are some examples of Web applications?
To better understand what web apps are, let’s see some examples and explore all the different types of applications.
1. Dynamic web applications
These kinds of web apps work with pages and data in real-time. These platforms allow users to modify available information. When you make a request, a response will be triggered from the server to reach the client end. Depending on the response it receives, the client-side code will take action accordingly.
A great example of dynamic web apps is the social network app Twitter. When you click the follow button, it turns blue. What happens is that you send a request to the server, which generates a response—the button changes its color.
2. Static web apps
This popular web application type can be delivered to the user without server-side alteration of HTML, CSS, or JavaScript content. To make things more straightforward, you can think of static web apps as user interface services—they connect and coordinate with the app’s other services and provide a cohesive, intuitive experience for the end-user.
For example, take ClientZen, one of Digitalya’s case studies. This is a customer experience management platform that uses artificial intelligence to assess client satisfaction. Data-driven analysis generates personality insights and actionable items you can use to improve your NPS scores and reduce the churn rate.
3. Portal web apps
A portal allows users to connect with others and find the content they are looking for. The platform blends information from multiple sources into a single interface. Great examples of this are banking and insurance portals, intranets, and government or faculty portals.
4. E-commerce applications
You’re probably familiar with these apps. They’re in the form of a shop or a store and require an online payment method to function. Ecommerce websites are getting more popular every day, as people gain trust in online shopping.
3. What apps are in high demand?
Every year new technologies appear and, with them, new web apps on the market. However, there are always evergreen ideas that are in high demand at all times, no matter the trend. Yet, that doesn’t mean that the existing apps don’t need to be improved. It’s the idea that will always be useful.
1. On-demand web applications
This kind of application makes the connection smoother between users and different types of businesses. They could be anything from a taxi booking app, a food delivery app, or grocery delivery. There are plenty of companies that could benefit from a web application still.
2. Job recruitment web apps
Finding a job doesn’t have to be complicated anymore. You can find anything online, so why not the perfect career? From professional social media, like Linkedin, to fully-fledged recruitment platforms, this kind of software became popular. Whether you’re looking for freelance or full-time employees, it’s never been easier to hire Magento experts, a Laravel developer, or mobile app developers for your business ideas.
3. Property rental apps
These platforms facilitate renting properties straight from your computer. Whether you’re looking for storage space for your extra stuff, the perfect vacation location, or a new place to live, you can find anything with a few clicks.
4. News platforms
Everyone wants to be kept informed about what’s happening around the world. This simple web app brings the facts you’re interested in to your fingertips. Most apps will let you pick some topics you want to know more about and will get more content in that domain.
4. What are some good web app ideas?
Some trends out there deserve to be explored. To stay competitive, maybe it’s a good idea to take a look at these as well.
1. Progressive web apps
A PWA is not an app per se, but it uses web capabilities to offer users an app-like experience. You’ve probably seen the “Add to Home Screen” notification when you open certain websites in your browser—like YouTube Music or Google TasksBoard.
Why are these a good idea?
- They work just like native applications.
- They’re intuitive to use
- They get updated instantly
- They load instantly
2. AI Chatbots
Artificial intelligence chatbots are designed to be able to serve users 24/7. They can answer customer questions related to your products and services so that you don’t have to do that manually. Chatbots help improve customer service and manage repetitive tasks.
Why are these a good idea?
- They’re active 24/7
- They save users time by replying instantly
- They improve customer satisfaction
- They improve sales
- They use artificial intelligence
3. Blockchain
Blockchain is a technology used when you have to store extensive data securely. It uses cryptography to store information in blocks and doesn’t need a third-party medium to perform transaction processes.
Why is this a good idea?
- It’s simple and intuitive to use
- It’s a better alternative for transferring money
- It makes the user experience simpler
- It increases security
5. What are some good website ideas?
Sometimes, you don’t need to go all out and build a web application. If you want to showcase your business, website development is sufficient. However, if you plan on developing a tool to help you automate something, you’ll need a web application.
The debate on Web application vs Website can be long, but let’s go together through some good ideas that you can implement if you decide to build a simple website.
1. Voice Search
More and more users would like to use a voice search instead of the traditional text search. There are plenty of companies that improve their products by adding a voice search—so why not your website? This can help you attract more traffic and, in the long run, raise customer engagement levels.
Why is this a good idea?
- They save users’ a lot of time
- It’s hands-free
- It enables multitasking
- Intuitive to use
- It improves sales and customer conversation
2. Motion UI
Motion UI aims to aid web developers in designing websites with a minimalistic approach and appealing interfaces to offer a great user experience. This also keeps away the useless use of flash content—it can irritate the end-users.
Why is this a good idea?
- It helps users get exact information.
- It builds credibility
- It makes promotions simpler
- It increases user engagement
6. How much does it cost to build a web app?
Like a mobile app, the cost to develop a web application depends on many factors, like its features and complexity. Usually, the prices range from $24,000 to $500,000 approximately. We can divide them into three categories:
- A simple web app
We’re talking about landing pages, one-pagers, or online stores with a minimum number of features. There’s very little content and minimal interaction. The development time can be less than one month, with the price between $24,000 and $60,000.
- A medium complexity app
Small-to-medium company sites or e-commerce platforms require more interactive elements with a more comprehensive content volume. It can take up to four months to deliver and cost anywhere between $36,000 and $85,000.
- A complex web app
These apps include an exclusive content management system, plenty of unique features, complex databases, and a lot of content. You can expect the development time to last around half a year and the cost to reach or surpass $137,000.
However, not all web apps can be included in these categories. Each app is unique and has different requirements. As a general rule, especially if you opt to outsource your product, the price will be calculated according to the number of web developers in your dedicated team, correlated to the number of days needed for developing.
7. Five web app ideas that were trending in 2022
1. Telemedicine
Considering the period we’ve gone through, it’s no wonder that healthcare web applications were trending in 2022. But this kind of app is helpful in a post-pandemic scenario as well.
You skip going in person to the clinic and avoid the long wait to treat prevalent illnesses like a running nose, a sore throat, or a slight fever. While this cannot replace physical visits to your doctor, it can save healthcare workers and users time.
2. Wellness and fitness apps
Since we all spent so much time inside in 2021, everybody was interested in staying healthy and active. This kind of app provides an excellent opportunity to find new ways to move while staying inside the house.
3. VR tourism
There’s a lot of improvement to be made here, but it’s an excellent idea. Since traveling wasn’t much of choice in 2020, many museums and important sightseeing places put up virtual reality tours for people to see from their homes.
4. Workflow management app
Ever since the raised popularity of working from home, more and more companies need custom workflow management or employee orientation apps. This helps the HR team a lot and automates many processes that can be tiresome and repetitive.
5. Online teaching
This idea has been popular for a long time now. Online learning is gaining speed, and more and more people are trying it to find out about subjects they’re interested in. There are a lot of course management platforms, but there’s always room for innovation.
8. Five web app ideas to check in 2023
1. The CEO dashboard
As we collect more and more data, we stumble upon the problem of analyzing all the information that we have. This kind of dashboard can process and break down data in one single place. It’s a great way, for example, to examine marketing trends to make informed decisions.
2. Crime alert web apps
Did you ever wonder about the crime rates of a neighborhood before moving there? So did we. An alert app could work just like a social networking app, where users could post information about crimes happening around them. This would not only raise awareness but might even be able to help investigations.
3. YouTube Radio
YouTube is a fantastic source of entertainment, information, tutorials, and, really, anything else you might need. But there’s so much content on it! A radio could filter the content on this platform and display it for the users. This would help people find the videos they’re looking for faster and more efficiently.
4. Tailored treatment recommendations
With the help of artificial intelligence and machine learning, such a platform could interpret common symptoms of frequent, minor diseases, like the common cold, and suggest personalized treatment. This shouldn’t replace doctor visits, but this could help healthcare practitioners diagnose faster and keep people informed.
5. Social platforms for hobbyists
When was the last time you invested some time in your hobby? A social platform dedicated to hobbies could motivate and inspire you to do so. You can connect with other people with the same interests and exchange tips and tricks.
9. Web app ideas that make money
Sometimes it’s not sufficient to have a fantastic web app project idea. It also needs to be practical, implementable, and people should be willing to pay for it. So how do you find such rare ideas for your startup?
First, you should look for the right technology partner. Teaming up with a respectable software development company can save you from heartbreak and trouble. You’ll get start-to-end services that will assist you in developing your product, from designing an MVP to maintenance after launch.
After having an app solution to a common problem and a reliable partner, you need to study your target audience and do a lot of research. You can use social media to get in touch with your potential customers and find out what they want to see in your app.
After you have some information, it’s a good idea to work on an MVP to test your product without fully developing it. This way, you will gain validated learnings and see if people are willing to purchase your product.
10. Why do most apps fail?
Your app’s performance depends on many factors; it’s hard to put the finger on the most important one, from your competition to digital marketing and even pure luck. However, the most frequent reason why your app might fail is flawed pre-launch research and poor product development.
You need to invest a lot of time studying your target market before going through with your idea. If you listen closely to your audience, they will tell you what they want to say to see and use.
11. What is the best way to develop web applications?
Most of the time, outsourcing is your best bet for developing a new application. Software development companies have a lot of experience in the domain, so you get access to top talent without hiring your own team of web developers. Working with such a company will take you through five main steps:
- Discovery and research to refine your idea
- The UX/UI design of your product
- The actual web app development
- Plenty of app testing, followed by its deployment
- Continuous support and maintenance for your app
By going through a structured process, you will surely come out with a successful top web application. And if you’re worried about the resources you have to spend, you can get a rough estimate of the cost to develop your app so that you know what to expect.