Why Choose Custom Web App Development?
03.26.25
The word “app” conjures images of mobile phone features, such as social media or games. Though similar, custom web app development carries advantages of its own. An app supersedes traditional software, yielding great accessibility and scalability.
But how will a web app fit into your organizational growth plan? Read on to dscover Paradigm’s insights and how to start partnering with web app developers near you.
What Distinguishes a Web App?
A web app is a software application that runs directly on a web browser, providing an interactive experience that supersedes traditional website capabilities. Web apps offer the dynamic functionalities we expect from a mobile application — without requiring a download.
Put simply, web apps use front-end code to create the user interface and back-end code to manage logic and data. All elements then communicate through application programming interfaces (APIs). Web apps constantly relay information between users and servers, making them ideal for tasks necessitating real-time collaboration, data management and personalization.
What Are the Components of Web-Based Applications?
Paradigm’s web app developers often build these systems using various concepts, principles, and software design patterns, such as:
We select different techniques according to the needs of the application. Despite this, our core approach always focuses on flexibility, maintainability and interdependence between three component layers of web-based applications. However, to fully understand custom web app development, you must zoom in on each layer and assess what falls under it.
The Presentation
This is the user interface, or outward-facing tier, within a multi-tiered web application. UI/UX elements, such as dashboards, settings or data visualizations, fall within this scope. Presentation elements are visual, requiring ADA-compliance measures.
For example, user input on a contact form would fall under this category.
We may use HTML, CSS, and JavaScript (TypeScript, React) to provide the user interface with the logic and data pulled from the other layers.
The Logic
Data and the interface components are segregated in app architecture. Logic components act as middlemen, handling core processing, business rules and calculations.
To build off our previous example, user-submitted input from a form would be processed by logic components and sent to the data layer.
During custom web app development, we create logical components of web-based applications with various programming languages and frameworks. This may include Ruby on Rails, Node.js, PHP or Python.
The Data
Data sits below everything you see, at the server level. Our web app developers implement data components to manage data storage, retrieval and manipulation within a database or data warehouse. This may include: SQL Server, MySQL, MongoDB, PostgreSQL, Oracle, Big Query or Snowflake.
After receiving information, data components will take action — processing the information and storing it for later. Request figures are transmitted to the logic tier to formulate a response, which is displayed on the presentation tier. This data exchange most often exists through various APIs.
How Do Different Industries Use Web Apps?
Organizations across industries utilize components of web-based applications to assist with online sales, information management, collaboration and internal operations. However, our web app developers have identified key uses within each sector, including:
1. Healthcare
Healthcare institutions develop web apps to enable consistent communication while keeping sensitive patient information secure. These platforms improve the patient experience and transform healthcare delivery.
Healthcare institutions often use web apps for:
- Telehealth
- Patient portals
- Medical record access
- Appointment scheduling
2. Education
Educational institutions turn to custom web app development to streamline the learning experience. These platforms transcend traditional classrooms, clearing the way for personalized, dynamic and accessible content.
Educational institutions often use web apps for:
- Online learning
- Student portals
- Grade tracking
- Interactive content
- Student collaboration
- Course management
Consider one of our partners adjacent to the educational sphere — the Show-Me Institute. The think-tank’s web application transforms data from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education into a dynamic interactive map. Thanks to the efforts of our web app developers, Show-Me now effectively informs students, parents and policymakers about the current state of Missouri education.
3. Insurance
The insurance industry traditionally involves extensive paperwork. Web apps have increased efficiency in this industry — empowering organizations to share policy information and document claims in real time.
Insurance institutions often use web apps for:
- Instant quotes
- Policy comparisons
- Self-service portals
- Policy management
- Claims processing
- Customer support
Consider one of Paradigm’s partners in custom web app development: the Missouri United School Insurance Council (MUSIC). Our team created a web app that simplified the complex world of school insurance coverage through an engaging interface. We set up unique access layers, ensuring sensitive information is only displayed to the right user.
4. Finance
Web apps have revolutionized financial services — providing real-time, secure access to banking, investment and management tools. Our web app developers have seen broader uses for these platforms, from checking account balances to monitoring stock trends.
Financial institutions often use web apps for:
- Payments + transfers
- Investment portals
- Financial analysis
- Customer account management
Take our partner, Conway. We crafted client-facing portals for its alternatives and investment research sites. Through these applications, Conway ensures secure access to individual profiles and investments — while still mirroring the design of its website.
5. Manufacturing
Manufacturing is a team effort. Every product results from cumulative effort — from techs working the assembly line to plant managers overseeing operations. Custom web app development empowers teams to streamline monitoring, increase control and empower remote collaboration.
Manufacturing institutions often use web apps for:
- Quality control
- Production tracking
- Inventory management
- Supply chain management
6. Travel & Tourism
The travel and tourism industry primarily uses web apps as user management tools. The components of web-based applications provide ease for visitors by centralizing information. On the flip side, these apps capture more user data for organizations — empowering them to personalize the visitor experience.
Travel and tourism institutions often use web apps for:
- Ticket sales
- Hotel booking
- Travel planning
- Customer reviews
- Reservation management
7. Arts & Culture
Web applications offer the chance to bridge the gap between creators and audiences. Custom web app development empowers arts & cultural institutions to connect with audiences, sell tickets or transform their offerings in meaningful new ways.
Arts and cultural institutions often use web apps for:
- Ticket sales
- Virtual tours
- Interactive galleries
- Online performances
- Content management
How Can You Contact Our Web App Developers?
The components of web-based applications have countless uses. With 30 years of experience backing us, Paradigm will find the right one for your organization. Our development team is ready to discuss your vision and how a custom web application will help you achieve it.
Create the extraordinary with web app developers near you — contact Paradigm below.
