What is a website?
A traditional website is built mainly to communicate information: what a business does, what it sells, how customers can contact it and why they should trust it. Websites can still include forms, payments and interactive sections.
What is a web app?
A web application is more task-focused. Users may sign in, submit or manage data, interact with dashboards, complete multi-step workflows or use features that feel closer to software than a brochure website.
Examples
A restaurant site showing menus, opening hours and contact information is primarily a website. A browser-based booking dashboard where customers manage appointments is closer to a web app.
What about progressive web apps?
A progressive web app (PWA) is a web experience that can add app-like capabilities on compatible devices, such as installation and offline-friendly behaviour. It still runs using web technologies.
Which should you choose?
If your main goal is credibility, search visibility and enquiries, start with a strong website. If users need to repeatedly perform tasks, manage accounts or work with custom interactive features, a web app may be more suitable.
Explore web development and app development for more detail.