A business web application is a specialized software solution designed to help companies manage their operations effectively. Unlike generic apps such as e-commerce platforms (like Shopify) or booking management tools (like Doctolib), a business web app typically processes client-provided information, applies business-specific logic, and returns a result that helps achieve the companies goals.
Key Characteristics of a Business Web Application:
Specific to Business Logic: These apps cater to the unique workflows of a business and can’t be as generic as an e-commerce platform where similar processes are used for different domaines (buying shoes vs. laptops). Each business has its own process that needs to be mirrored in the application.
- Examples:
- Notary services
- Insurance assessments
- Client-consultant interactions
- Examples:
Internal and External Sides:
- External: Interfaces for clients and partners to interact with the business.
- Internal: Tools for employees and administrators to manage operations.
- Some apps may focus exclusively on internal needs (e.g., Apel Fact).
Ideal Candidates for Business Web Applications:
Small to medium-sized businesses are typically great candidates for web applications. They have unique needs that large platforms often overlook. These businesses:
- Need specialized solutions but lack the resources to invest in costly, long-term app development.
- Want tools that can quickly adapt to changes in their business model.
Core Principles in Designing Business Web Applications:
Rule #1: The App Must Adapt to the Business
The software should be tailored to the business, not the other way around. Developers must fully understand how the company operates to design a system that fits seamlessly.- Example: Apel Fact mimics Excel’s workflow because it’s already part of the business’s natural operation.
Rule #2: The App Must Evolve with the Business
As businesses evolve, so should the application. Flexibility and rapid iteration are key to ensuring the software remains relevant.- Example: RGC evolves quickly to match business needs.
Development Process:
Observation & Research: To ensure the app fits the business, you must observe how the company operates, ask questions, and take notes. Understanding the workflows before coding is crucial.
Prototyping: Create a prototype focusing only on the core functionality — no login pages, no home screens. The aim is to demonstrate how the app will perform its main tasks.
Feedback Loop: Continuously present new versions of the prototype to the business, gathering feedback on what’s essential versus cosmetic. Focus on features that directly impact the business. Release updates with significant improvements, allowing the client to interact with the system and provide feedback.
Benefits:
A well-designed business web application streamlines processes, reduces manual effort, and adapts quickly to changes, allowing businesses to focus on their core activities rather than struggling with tools that don’t fit their needs.
In essence, a business web app enhances the way a business operates by seamlessly integrating with its processes, delivering solutions that are efficient, adaptable, and focused on business-specific logic.