What are Multiple-Page Apps? (MPAs)

Currently, there is a high demand for complex and sophisticated web apps to replace old-fashioned browser-based apps. They have taken the world by storm! Be it creating/sharing files, business development, SMM campaigns, email marketing campaigns, or Customer Relationship Management, the web applications are practically everywhere, revolutionizing the outlook of the modern world.

Generally speaking, there are two methods of creating a web app. Indeed, one of them, a single-page application approach, has recently created a buzz over the web. At the same time, the other one – multiple-page app approach has still been ruling its domain with its classic architecture. So even though we are slowly moving from traditional desktop apps to the complex web applications, multiple-page web apps are still one of the core design patterns of global web app development. In this article, as its title suggests, we will talk about MPAs and discuss the possible implementation and usefulness of this framework for the business world.

Read also: THE EVOLUTION OF USER EXPERIENCE DESIGN

What are Multiple-Page Apps?

MPAs are what’s referred to as a classic type of web apps. As can be seen from their name, multi page apps comprise more than one page. Each time when a user requests to load even a small part of the web page, they have to reload the entire page in order to display it. Common multiple-page app examples include ecommerce titans like eBay or Amazon.

How do Multi Page Apps Work?

When a multiple-page app needs to display the data, it requests a new page from the server. In other words, it reloads the page again and again, increasing the response time of the app. These operations not only take time, but also significantly degrade the UX design. Although the MPA framework was slightly improved after the introduction of AJAX, this added complexity to their development. That is why, when compared to single-page app approach, this type of apps is more difficult to create.

Read also: WHY BUILD A PWA?

Pros of Multiple-Page Applications

• Easy to maintain

Multiple-page apps have better maintainability as they have code distributed among all their pages.

• High initial page load speed

MPAs do not require any client-side frameworks to be loaded on the user’s PC. That is why the initial page is loaded faster.

• High security

Most of the frameworks and technologies available for MPA app development have been tested and tried for years, making this approach more secure than the rest.

• Better cost-effectiveness

Lots of proven technologies as well as coders working in the same domain have made MPA app development a truly cost-effective method.

• Easy to redesign

With multiple-page applications, any addition is easy due to better scalability options.

• Easy to navigate

Multi page apps provide a sitemap, making the navigation process easier for the users. Additionally, this approach infuses the use of forward and backward buttons, allowing visitors to easily go back to the previous state of an app.

• SEO rankings

As mentioned, MPAs have more than one page, providing the ability for SEO bots to crawl/index each of them separately.

Cons of Multiple-Page Applications

• Rigorous testing

With MPAs, the testing process becomes a rigorous one due to the absence of clear separation between data and UI design.

• The complex mobile application development process

With multiple-page apps, you will need to start everything from scratch as the same backend code cannot be used for mobile app development.

• Relatively high coupling between backend and frontend

This makes the development of an MPA really tedious.

• Slower loading time

With multi-page apps, a new page is rendered each time a user makes a new request. This decreases the performance of an app as well as its loading time.

Read also: SINGLE-PAGE APPLICATIONS VS. MULTIPLE-PAGE APPLICATIONS: PROS AND CONS

When to Choose MPA?

Although SPAs are quickly gaining popularity in the business world, multiple-page apps have not lost their charm either. The MPA architecture comes with its benefits and drawbacks. It lacks speed while providing you with better scalability and SEO rankings. From this perspective, possible MPA use cases include middle and large-scale websites without much state and dynamics, for instance:

• prototype sites
• content-oriented sites
• landings

That is why, based on our experience, this approach is perfect for marketplaces, corporate websites, and ecommerce apps. When deciding whether or not to build an MPA, we recommend you to have your requirements and goals ascertained against the underlying performance. But if you are stuck between the dilemma, contact us and we will provide you with the best guidance on choosing what suits you the best! Good luck!