A guide to traditional vs. single-page apps (SPAs)

If you’ve been exploring ways to deliver a frictionless, modernized user experience (UX), you’ve undoubtedly considered replacing your traditional web applications with single-page apps (SPAs). The question is, should you pursue an SPA-first or hybrid approach?

To make a choice between traditional and single-page web apps, it’s important to understand their differences. Learning about what they are and how they work can help IT professionals and development teams determine if pursuing a modernized content management approach suits their company’s goals.

To help you decide which strategy best fits your organizational goals, this post will examine how single-page apps compare to traditional web applications. Along the way, we’ll touch on the following topics:

• What a traditional web application is
• What a single-page web application is
• When to create a traditional web application
• When to create an SPA
• How a streamlined CMS can help

What is a traditional web application?

A traditional web application, also known as a multi-page application (MPA), is typically consumed in a read-only format. MPAs function in a “traditional” way, meaning every change to the display requires the server to render a new page within the browser. Traditional web applications perform most application logic on the server.

Generally speaking, you should use a traditional web application under the following circumstances:

• Your app needs to function in the browser without JavaScript.
• Your app is public-facing and receives traffic from referrals and search-based discovery.
• The client-side requirements are read-only or involve minimal interactivity.

While MPAs are still widely used, many companies have begun shifting to single-page applications.

What is a single-page web application?

A single-page application (SPA) functions directly within the browser and doesn’t have to be rerendered during use. Single-page apps rely on JavaScript and web application programming interfaces (APIs) to communicate with the server. SPAs create a more natural and fluid experience for the user by minimizing wait time and eliminating the need for page reloads.

You should use an SPA when the following conditions are true:

• You want to provide users with a rich, feature-laden interface.
• Your team is well-versed in JavaScript.
• Your application already requires APIs.

Hybrid approaches represent a third option for businesses that still use MPAs. This deployment strategy involves hosting SPA-like sub-apps within the multi-page web application.

When to create a traditional web application

There’s no question that there are advantages to traditional web applications, which is why some businesses still rely on them. With that in mind, you should consider a traditional approach if the following factors are true:

You want a simple, read-only application

Traditional web apps are sufficient for basic websites that don’t require a lot of user interaction. Read-only content, such as a blog library designed for SEO purposes, could be supported with a traditional web application. This public-facing application is primarily composed of content and requires minimal client-side input other than scrolling.

Such applications perform logic on the server and render HTML in the browser. With this approach, each page has a unique URL that can be indexed by search engines. This feature is beneficial for SEO purposes and can help sites achieve and maintain a high ranking.

If you don’t want interactive features like multimedia and need a simplistic way of supporting your SEO goals, a traditional web app may suit your needs.

Your application won’t require JavaScript

Traditional web applications don’t require JavaScript. That’s because MPAs are devoid of interactive features. Building web applications without JavaScript allows them to run on browsers with limited support.

Omitting JavaScript from your web app workflow is also beneficial if your team has little or no experience with the popular scripting language. Planning your web application build around your team’s core competencies can accelerate development and help you keep costs down.

The downside of running an application without JavaScript is that you won’t be able to provide users with a dynamic, interactive experience.

Your team focuses on back-end development

Traditional web applications only require server-side maintenance. If your team is skilled at back-end development, they’ll easily be able to maintain your site and ensure adequate page performance. Additionally, they should be able to deliver your MPA faster than they could if tasked with developing an SPA.

Implementing traditional web applications is the more pragmatic and productive approach for back-end-centric teams.

But if you need an SPA to elevate the user experience, you’ll have to expand your team’s skillset, bring in outsourced resources, and invest in new tools that support single-page application development.

When to create an SPA

SPAs are rapidly replacing traditional multi-page websites, meaning you’ll likely need to implement them to stay competitive and meet users’ evolving expectations. Single-page applications prioritize a seamless, interactive, and fast-paced user experience using APIs and JavaScript.

If you want to implement SPAs but aren’t yet ready to sunset all of your traditional web applications, you’ll be pleased to know that it’s also possible to adopt a hybrid approach. Doing so can be a pragmatic way of tapping into the benefits of single-page applications without completely restructuring your entire webpage ecosystem.

Consider using SPAs or a hybrid approach if any of the following statements describe your situation:

You want an engaging, modern interface

Single-page applications are more modern and robust than traditional apps. SPAs support rich, client-facing functionality without reloading the page each time a user performs an action. They also load faster than their traditional counterparts by fetching data using APIs.

Speeding up load times through the use of SPAs is a simple but effective way of driving user engagement. However, that’s just one way single-page applications elevate the UX.

SPAs can also save partially completed documents without requiring the user to click a submit button. This reduces friction in the customer journey in the unlikely event that the SPA has to perform a full-page reload.

You want to include interactive features

Thanks to JavaScript, single-page applications can (and often do) include a variety of interactive features. When designing an SPA, you can include engaging features like animated images, videos, and interactive menus. These functionalities can encourage users to stay on the page longer, explore content, and get to know your brand.

Single-page applications can also be designed to function while disconnected from the web. SPAs that run in this mode will make updates to the client-side interface and synchronize these changes to the server once the user’s device establishes a new connection.

Single-page apps can also include traditional web app features. For example, SPAs are capable of displaying a unique URL, which the user’s browser can bookmark.

Your team has basic front-end development experience

Your DevOps team doesn’t need extensive front-end development prowess to create single-page applications. If your team has some familiarity with JavaScript, client-side programming techniques, and UX best practices, they can build SPAs that are engaging and frictionless.

That said, it’s important to put your team in a position to succeed, especially if you’re asking them to step out of their comfort zone and transition from back-end to front-end-centric development.

Implementing the right content management system into your technology stack can empower your team to build SPAs while maintaining a high degree of efficiency.

How a streamlined CMS can help

After familiarizing yourself with the single-page app meaning and how it differs from a traditional web application, you’ll likely determine that SPAs provide a better customer experience. However, creating SPAs can be challenging for less experienced or more back-end-focused teams.

You can implement an advanced CMS with low-code operations to bridge this gap. Such a solution will make it easier for any team to create and manage SPAs, regardless of their experience level or familiarity with front-end development processes.

In addition to facilitating the development of single-page apps, a robust CMS solution will streamline content management processes and promote overall team productivity. Your organization can leverage such a platform to deliver curated experiences and target its most valuable audience segments with engaging content.

However, your to-do list doesn’t end with your decision to adopt single-page apps. If you want to achieve a strong ROI on your new technology investment, you need a reliable, feature-laden content management system.

Cater to your customers with Adobe Experience Manager

Single-page applications provide the modern, interactive experiences consumers crave, and a headless CMS like Adobe Experience Manager will empower your team to create SPAs with ease.

Experience Manager combines comprehensive traditional CMS modes and powerful single-page application tools, allowing you to deliver more engaging and immersive experiences across all channels. When you’re ready to put SPAs to work for your brand, choose the CMS that lets you engage with your customers through a modernized approach to content management.

Watch the Adobe Experience Manager Sites demo video and start your journey to better engagement.