Learn differences between a website and a web application. When should you have one or the other. Understand the important features and use cases for each.

<p>Some of my clients asked me what the differences are between a website and web application. After answering the same answer, I've decided to make this blog to help readers better understand the differences between those two. However, it is important to note 2 important similarities first before moving on to the differences: both are accessible through a <strong>web browser</strong> e.g. Chrome, Firefox and both are regarded as “<strong>software</strong>”.</p><h2>Website</h2><p>A website a.k.a. site is a collection of web pages commonly used to provide information to the public through a web browser like Google Chrome and Firefox. They can be used to share information about a company, organization, or individual, often allowing users to learn more about a particular subject or topic. It usually has a homepage, which is the entrance to the website and other pages like informational pages, contact pages, blogs.&nbsp;</p><p>A website is typically <strong>static</strong>, meaning that the content rendered on every page does not change unless someone digs in the source code of the site and manipulates the content. Those types are typically built using programming languages and markup tools like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. The content you see on a website, <strong>isn't saved anywhere else</strong>.</p><h2>Web application</h2><p>A web application a.k.a. web app, on the other hand, is a software that can be accessed through a web browser just like a website. However, unlike websites, web applications are <strong>dynamic and interactive to changes from user inputs</strong>. Web apps do something in return based by the user inputs for example: saving the entered fields into a database, sending them to somewhere else as an SMS or mail, etc. That is why they are often used for specific tasks such as online banking, social networking, and shopping. <strong>Databases are commonly used</strong> to store and retrieve data in web apps developed using programming languages ​​such as JavaScript, Python, and PHP. This allows users to perform specific tasks and access specific information.&nbsp;</p><p>Weight is also an important difference. Websites are generally <strong>less complex</strong> because they focus on providing information and don't require extensive programming or database work. Web apps, on the other hand, tend to be <strong>more complex</strong> because they are designed for anything else, often requiring extensive programming and database work. Content Management Systems a.k.a. CMS like WordPress, Joomla, etc. are widely used in website design and development as they allow a <strong>non-technical</strong> user to create and update their website. Web applications are typically written by <strong>experienced software developers</strong> using frameworks and programming languages.&nbsp;</p><h2>Hosting</h2><p>Websites are typically <strong>hosted on web servers</strong>. A web server is an Internet-connected computer that hosts website files. While web apps are typically <strong>hosted on web application servers</strong>, which are servers dedicated to running web applications. It is often <strong>cheaper to develop and maintain web sites</strong> than it is to develop and maintain web applications. A non-technical user can create and maintain their website, and hosting costs are often lower than web applications. Web application hosting, on the other hand, can be more expensive and generally requires the services of an experienced software developer to build and maintain.</p>

Website vs web application

Discover the important signs and factors before hiring a legit and skilled web designer or developer whom you can trust. Find your ideal professional.

<p>You've just started your business and realized it doesn't have a website or web application to showcase your business and/or automate your processes. You can learn web design and create a website or an app by yourself or hire a professional who is specialized in these kinds of stuff. Before jumping right into it, you have to find a professional web designer (or developer) whom you can trust. Someone who is good at this and knows what they're doing. In this blog, I will list some signs and qualities to help you decide whether you've found a trustworthy professional and what to look for in a web designer or developer before getting started. Mind you, it doesn't mean that they have to possess every standard on this list. However, the more criteria they fulfill, the better.</p><h2>Check their website</h2><p>First is their website. Which is expected from a web designer or a web developer because they do not need anyone else to do it for them. The website should look both professional as well as accessible on all modern devices. Be it smartphones or desktops. Additionally, check for testimonials or reviews from their clients. Normally, you would be able to view a significant portion of their professional information. Such as tools or technologies they use to build digital solutions like websites, e-commerce online stores, CRM's and more. Some developers or web designer may specialize in programming languages and frameworks for developing large-scale, custom applications, while others may focus on platforms like WordPress for creating mediocre, simple websites.</p><h2>Check their Google My Business profile</h2><p>When you search for something through Google Search, such as “coffee shop near me”, you might see a result with a map on your screen. Furthermore, you would be able to check reviews written for each business listed on the results, along with their name and address. This is called Google My Business profile. It comes in handy when you want to find out their location, service area and customer reviews. However, in most cases, this feature does not provide as much information like a website does.</p><h2>Projects developed</h2><p>Find out if they have previously developed websites or apps. This will provide you with practical examples that can help you determine the developer's level of experience. Normally, you can view their previous projects on their website or somewhere on social media. Their previous realizations doesn't necessarily have to be for their clients though. You also have to keep their hobby projects into consideration. If you are lucky and have some technical background, you might discover what technologies they've used.</p><h2>Ask previous customers</h2><p>This might take some effort. You have to seek out their contact details like phone number or email address to figure out their opinion about the services provided by the developer. It might be about an e-commerce online store, CRM, mobile app, a simple business website, etc. Most of the times you can find their names listed somewhere on their website (if they have one) and if you are lucky, you can find their contact information as well.</p><h2>Check their Resume/CV</h2><p>On their resume, you can find essential information about their professional background. Such as the number of years of experience they have, whether they hold a degree or certification and other relevant details. Inspecting their resume or CV can provide some valuable information when it comes to knowing their qualifications and expertise.</p><h2>Use Google Search</h2><p>Lastly, you can make use of Google Search to find more information about the (company) name of a web designer. See if they make use of social media platforms like Facebook. Are there other links in Google Search results that approve their professionalism? Try to gather as much information as possible before deciding whether you want to proceed with the web designer or not.</p><h2>Conclusion</h2><p>These are, in my honest opinion, the top six relevant sources to consider whether you should hire the professional or not. While there might be more sources to explore, delving into all of them would take a lot of time. In fact, using Google Search would be enough to discover the developer's professional background. And as mentioned earlier, it is important not to bail out when someone does not meet a certain criterion.</p>

How to hire a web designer whom you can trust

Discover why opting for VAT exemption might be troublesome for your international business.

<p>Foreword: This blog is more suited for <strong>freelancers living in Belgium</strong> because some of the terms and concepts mentioned here may not apply in your country as of July 2023.</p><p>After I started freelancing, I opted for VAT exemption. It means you don't have to include VAT taxes on your invoices and send them to your clients. At first, I thought it was nice for having to deal with less administrative work. Unfortunately, after a long time, I realized it was completely the opposite. Especially when my clients and suppliers can be from anywhere across the world. So in this blog, you will discover why VAT exemption can be troublesome if you, as a Belgian citizen working internationally, are providing and purchasing services across the world outside Belgium. Note that some of the concepts written here can only apply to freelancers in Belgium. So terms like "Special VAT return" may not exist in your country.</p><h2>Special VAT return</h2><p>If you, as a self-employed professional, have bought a service from a supplier within any EU country outside Belgium, you may notice that they didn't mention VAT on the invoice. This is because you, as a company, are registered in a different EU state, and somewhere in the account settings of the app/website from where the invoice came from, you filled in your VAT number. The supplier will expect you to handle VAT taxes yourself. This is called a <strong>VAT reverse charge</strong>. And because of that, you will have to <strong>submit a special VAT return</strong> (bijzondere btw-aangifte in Dutch). As an international who can work from anywhere across the world, e.g., a web designer buying digital services, this scenario comes up frequently, making your administration a hassle. Most people would recommend you to hire an accountant, which is understandable, but accountants will increase the fee for filling in every special VAT return, making it more expensive than it normally should be.</p><p>In Belgium, <strong>submitting special VAT returns is strongly discouraged</strong>. You can avoid this by contacting the support team of the service you've bought and say that you are exempted from VAT, and they should correct the invoice by including the VAT tax anyway, just like they do for private individuals. This process can take a long time, especially when you have multiple international suppliers, and there is a possibility that they can deny your request. If contacting them is not possible, then you have no choice but to submit special VAT returns.</p><p>It is important to note that the <strong>IRS is extremely strict</strong> about this. In Belgium, you might receive fines starting from €1000 for not submitting special VAT returns on time. What makes it more annoying is that you will have to submit a new VAT return for every quarter for every intra-community purchase.</p><h2>Everything is more expensive</h2><p>While you don't include VAT tax for your clients, most of them do charge you with it. The rule for freelancers who opted for VAT exemption is that you <strong>cannot reclaim it</strong>. This makes everything more expensive for you. Additionally, your quotes without VAT tax might be less appealing to your clients who are VAT-liable. They prefer an <strong>invoice with VAT tax so they can reclaim it later on</strong>.</p><h2>VAT-liable at some point</h2><p>VAT exemption can only be requested by professionals who have an income less than €25k a year. This income threshold may be low for most freelancers. It might be reasonable for starters. However, at some point later on, as your income increases, you will eventually <strong>reach the threshold and be obliged to transition to being VAT-liable</strong>.</p><p>Given the points mentioned above, you might come to the realization that opting for VAT exemption might not be worth it if you work on an international basis and have suppliers from anywhere across the world. You will have to submit multiple special VAT returns frequently, which can take a long time and might come with a risk of fines. Even if you work part-time, there is nothing wrong with being a VAT-liable professional, as this is the default setting recommended for freelancers in Belgium anyway.</p>

VAT exemption as international is not worth it

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Website vs web application

How to hire a web designer whom you can trust

VAT exemption as international is not worth it

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