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Building different web applications can be made using various approaches. Single Page and multi-page web applications are the two several approaches to build such applications. Both of them have their advantages and disadvantages. In recent times the single page web applications or SPAs have been the center of attention; there are several reasons for which many companies are adopting such applications. Both Single page and multi-page web applications work in similar ways, but there are some differences between them.
Introduction
If you are a startup or a company that has decided to digitize the business and are looking for a web application, you will be on the right track. Building such custom web applications would help you lead in the technological era where people judge service providers online.
There are different ways to help you build single-page applications, and multi-page mobile apps. This blog will discuss how both of the application types are different, their benefits, and their drawbacks. Many developers offer web application development as well as multi-page application development services.
Difference between the Single Page website and the Multi-Page Websites
A single-page website or multi-page custom web application works in a browser that does not have any extra pages. It requires no page reloads or a lot of time to wait to replenish different resources. Also, the pages do not require any update, and the content is automatically downloaded. Web applications or websites like Facebook and AIRBNB are examples of single page websites.
On the other hand, multi-page websites have several web pages, and they require several resources to reload repeatedly on browsing pages. It is suitable for big brands and companies that need to showcase different products and services.
Advantages of Single Page websites
Few lines of code : Single page websites have less lines of code. You can use some of the backend code of the web application to build the mobile application. It is only possible for a single-page website rather than a multipage website.
Chrome Debugging : If you find some error or looking to debug your single page web application, you can use chrome. Such applications use the AngularJS Batarang network, and many other tools. All such frameworks have a wide range of tools available for debugging.
Responsiveness and Speed : In SPAs or single page websites, the components do not load entire content preferably, and it loads on the required data when the request is made. The server loads the resources such as scripts, CSS, and HTML, whereas any multi-page application requires the whole page to load, including the footer. Speedy websites or web applications offer the best user experience and attract a large number of audiences. Around 47% of people expect websites and mobile applications to load in a few seconds. It is quite essential to ensure that your website or mobile app offers the best performance.
Linear User experience : SPAs offers a linear user interface and experience. You don't need to visit multiple pages; instead, you can get all the information on a single page. Such applications can be run on mobile devices.
SPAS are designed in such a way that its user experience is easy to understand for the users.
Chrome Debugging : If you find some error or looking to debug your single page web application, you can use chrome. Such applications use the AngularJS Batarang network, and many other tools. All such frameworks have a wide range of tools available for debugging.
Responsiveness and Speed : In SPAs or single page websites, the components do not load entire content preferably, and it loads on the required data when the request is made. The server loads the resources such as scripts, CSS, and HTML, whereas any multi-page application requires the whole page to load, including the footer. Speedy websites or web applications offer the best user experience and attract a large number of audiences. Around 47% of people expect websites and mobile applications to load in a few seconds. It is quite essential to ensure that your website or mobile app offers the best performance.
Linear User experience : SPAs offers a linear user interface and experience. You don't need to visit multiple pages; instead, you can get all the information on a single page. Such applications can be run on mobile devices.
SPAS are designed in such a way that its user experience is easy to understand for the users.
Disadvantages of Single Page Websites
SEO Optimization for the Single page applications
Search engine optimization (SEO) is quite difficult when it comes to the single-page web application. If you are making use of the single page web application, then you don't need to rely much on SEO, but in the case of blogs, it becomes quite harder for search engines to rank your web application and hence you get fewer visitors.
Browser history
As single page websites do not require the visitors to go to any other page, there will be no browsing history saves. A browser can only keep a track of the previous pages but not the previous state in the applications. In order to solve such a problem, an HTML 5 History API is used that developers can use in their SPA framework. It is quite advantageous as it offers developers access to browser navigation using Javascript.
Security Issues
Single page websites are prone to attacks such as cross-site scripting. With the use of cross-site scripting or XSS, hacker injects the client-side script into the websites or web application.
Another security issue is the exposure of sensitive data. Being a developer, one should be more careful about the data visibility on the initial page. Personal information or clients’ confidential data should not be exposed to the users. Single page websites are not secure since they do not have access control at a very basic functional level.
When to Use a Single Page Application?
If you are looking to build an eCommerce website, then launching it on the single page application would be quite advantageous. Single page websites cause lesser interruption. Users can opt for seamless shopping with single page websites and applications. It is not only convenient for the users but also for developers to code and deploy it.
What is a Multipage Website?
In order to learn about multi page websites, consider any complex website with a large group of web pages, such as amazon or eBay. For example, an online store that consists of different products with different categories is a multi-page website.
Multi-Page websites are necessary for the people who are looking to add more links and UIs to the website. HTML and CSS are the two main technologies that are used to build multi-page websites. In order to increase the speed of the website, developers may use JS or JQuery.
Advantages of the Multi-Page Websites or MPA
SEO
SEO can be done better for Multi-Page websites, as the architecture of such websites is appropriate for the search engine crawlers. MPAs or Multi-Page websites have better control over the Search Engine optimization due to its changing content and many pages. Developers can add proper keywords, meta tags to each webpage. An MPA gives a better opportunity to rank the website for different keywords.
Unlimited Scalability
Multiple websites or MPAs, allow content developers to build new content and add it to different web pages. The multi-page website can have good content about oa lot of products and services, whereas the single page websites do not have such features as it can lead to colossal loading time. It is quite advantageous for companies to use MPAs when they do need to communicate with users providing more information.
Google Analytics Insights
MPAs or Multi-Page websites can offer better google analytics statistics for the information on the webpage. On the other side, in a single-page website, you cannot track such information but can have the details about the visitors and their duration.
Disadvantages of the Multi-Page Applications
Although multi-page websites have excellent and considerable advantages, it has some disadvantages that we will discuss in this section.
Low performance and Slow Speed
Many multi-page websites require a server to reload most of the content such as the HTML, CSS, and websites’ scripts. If users need to go to another webpage, the browser again reloads the data and downloads all different resources, affecting performance and speed.
Maintenance and updates
Maintaining and offering updates to multiple pages can be quite tedious. Besides, if security needs to be maintained, developers need to secure each website’s page. However, single page websites do need the security of data at the specified endpoints.
More Development
As compared with the single page websites, MPAs are quite complex and require a large duration to build a website or web application from scratch. Also, there are quite a few societies in the frontend and the backend. Developers do need to use frameworks for the backend and frontend.
When should you use a Multipage Website or Multi Page Application?
A multi-page web application development is appropriate for large industries and companies with an extensive range of products and services. MPAs or Multi-Page websites are built for marketplaces, catalogs, business sites, online stores, and much more. Several companies running such sites might have diverse users. To make it more simple, if you have more features and content to communicate to the users, you should go for the multi-page website.
Final Verdict
Both SPAs and MPAs have their own set of pros and cons that are suitable for different businesses. If you are looking to get a website for your brand, consider your offerings such as products and services to the customers, and then choose the architecture. You can take help from the most trusted and reliable web application development agency.
Sunny Chawla
Sunny Chawla is a CEO at AIS Technolabs which is a Web/App Design and Development Company, helping global businesses to grow. He is having expertise in Digital Marketing, Game Development & Product Development.
