One question entrepreneurs ask me more than anything else is this: "Ben, should I build a website or should I build an app?"
And each time it comes up, I smile. Not because the question is simple, but because many people make digital decisions emotionally instead of strategically.
In today's world, choosing between a website and an app can be the difference between a business that grows effortlessly and one that struggles silently. Too many people rush into app development because they see big brands doing it.
But what works for a billion-dollar company is not always what a growing business needs.
So let's clear the noise. Let's remove the pressure. Let's break this down with the kind of clarity that will save you money, time, and unnecessary stress.
Apps Are Popular, But They Are Not Always Necessary
Let's tell ourselves the truth: most people are not excited to download a new app. Their phones are full. Storage is tight. And unless your app offers something truly compelling, or users use it multiple times a day, people will hesitate.
Before customers trust your app, they usually trust your website first. The website is your digital doorway. It is your handshake. It is where people decide whether your business looks credible or questionable.
Personally, whenever I discover a new service, I don't go searching for their app immediately. I check their website.
If what I see is clean, organised, and trustworthy, then I continue. If not, I simply close the page and move on. No hard feelings.
The Truth Many People Don't Know: Apps Still Depend on Websites
Here's something most people are never told: even the app you want to build cannot operate without a website or server behind it. The app is just the user interface. The real engine sits on the web; handling accounts, security, data, and the entire operation.
So when people say, "I don't need a website, I only want an app," they don't realise they're skipping the foundation and jumping straight to the roof. A mobile app without a strong web backend is like a house without a foundation, beautiful on the outside, but risky to live in.
So Which Should You Build First?
Build a Website First (Recommended for Most Businesses)
If you're still growing, still defining your offer, or still building customer trust, then the website should come first. It's affordable, accessible, and the fastest way to establish your presence.
Once momentum grows, users are jumping on your website multiple times a day and your audience begins demanding more convenience, you can move into app development.
Build Both at the Same Time (For Bigger Visions and Larger Operations)
If your business model requires heavy customer interaction, or if you're launching something at scale, then building both a website and an app together might be the right move.
But only if your budget, timeline, and long-term vision can sustain it.
Start With the Website, Then Convert It Into an App
This is the smartest middle ground.
A good website can later be transformed into an app, saving money and keeping everything consistent for your users.
The Real Question: Are You Ready, or Are You Rushing?
Many entrepreneurs want apps because their competitors have one. But decisions based on comparison often lead to regret.
Your customers don't care whether you have an app. They care whether your platform works, whether it solves their problems, and whether they can trust the experience you provide.
Solve real problems, and your users will follow you anywhere, app or no app.
Final Word: Build Smart, Not Fast
Whether you choose a website, an app, or both, make the decision from strategy, not emotions. From research, not pressure. And from the reality of your business, not the illusion of competition.
When in doubt, seek clarity. Ask questions. The digital world is too expensive for blind decisions.
And any time you need guidance, I'm here.
Olofinyo Temitope Ben — helping entrepreneurs build smarter brands, not louder ones.
