As a developer, building a tool comes with many decisions—one of the most important being how users will interact with it. After all, I didn’t want to create a tool that only works on my own computer (though that might be fun for me). After much consideration and a few cups of coffee, I decided that a webpage was the best choice. Here’s why.
1. Better Compatibility
One of the most significant reasons I chose a webpage over a browser extension or app is compatibility. A webpage works across any device that has a browser. Whether you’re on your PC, smartphone, or even virtual reality devices like the Quest 3, all you need is a browser to use the tool.
Unlike a mobile app that requires installation, updates, and is typically restricted to a single device type (iOS or Android), a webpage offers the flexibility to be used anywhere, on any device, without limitations. You could be checking the time from the comfort of your couch, or in the middle of an epic VR battle... Either way, it works.
(Just imagine being in VR with your clock floating next to your battlefield. Totally immersion-breaking, right? But hey, it’s functional!)
2. One Codebase, Multiple Platforms
For developers, one of the biggest advantages of building a webpage is that you only need to code once. Whether it’s accessed from a desktop, a phone, or any other device, the webpage will work the same.
Building a browser extension or an app would require writing separate code for each platform—often with different languages, tools, and workflows. Talk about a headache! With a webpage, I avoid the complexity of managing different versions for multiple platforms, saving time, reducing potential bugs, and avoiding the dreaded "I-suddenly-broke-everything" moment.
3. Easier to Share, Better for SEO
Webpages are inherently better for sharing than apps or browser extensions. Links to a webpage can easily be shared across platforms—social media, email, or even direct messages—without needing anyone to install anything.
That’s right—no more “But I’m on iOS, so I can’t install it” excuses. Just share the link, and boom—everyone's happy.
Moreover, SEO plays a major role in discoverability. Since webpages can be indexed by search engines, I can target keywords and use SEO tactics to ensure that more people find the clock tool when searching online. Apps and extensions, on the other hand, are often more difficult to discover through organic search. It's like trying to find a needle in a haystack—except the haystack is on the App Store, and the needle is really, really tiny.
By choosing a webpage, I can leverage the power of SEO to attract organic traffic and help users find the tool easily through Google searches. No need for secret handshakes or obscure download links!
4. Future Updates Are Easier
Building a webpage is also better for future updates compared to apps. If I want to add new features or fix bugs, I can simply update the webpage, and all users will automatically have access to the latest version. No need for anyone to remember to download the latest update. You won’t even have to deal with those annoying “Update Now” popups.
With apps or extensions, updates often require users to manually download and install the latest version. This creates friction and can leave users stuck on outdated versions of the tool. With a webpage, I have full control over the content, and users always experience the most up-to-date version without having to do anything. It’s like magic, but better (because it's not magic, it’s code).
Conclusion
Choosing to build a webpage for my clock tool over a browser extension or app was a decision that made sense for many reasons—better compatibility, easier updates, and the ability to share and optimize for SEO. As a developer, it simplified the process and allowed me to focus on creating a tool that works for everyone, no matter what device they use.
While browser extensions and apps certainly have their place, the flexibility and ease of a webpage make it the ideal solution for this project. Plus, no more updating my app every time I make a change—just one link, and it's good to go!
Thank you for reading, and I hope this post helps you understand why I made this choice!