5 Web Application Examples That Nail User Experience

Web applications bridge the gap between a web browser experience and a mobile app experience, offering UX beginners a chance to design better digital experiences

The best web application examples combine intuitive navigation, responsive design, and seamless functionality to help boost the user experience. However, achieving this can be tricky, especially if you’re still learning how users interact with examples of web application software in the real world.

With this in mind, we’ve put together a list of web application examples that nail user experience and can serve as inspiration for UX beginners.

What is a Web Application?

A web application, otherwise known as a web app, is an application program that runs on a remote server and is accessed through an internet browser rather than being installed directly on a device.

Web apps are designed for a wide variety of reasons. Some of the most common web application examples we interact with on a day-to-day basis range from webmail accounts and online calculators to social networking sites and e-commerce stores.

The defining feature here is interaction. Instead of just displaying information, web apps function more like software than a standard website, allowing users to do things online such as shop, mail, create and schedule all in one web browser.

The Difference Between Website and Web Applications: Examples For User Experience

For user experience, the differences between website and web application examples are significant.

From a UX perspective, ‘function’ is the key difference that sets website design and web applications apart.

Websites serve to inform, while web apps serve to help. For instance, users can read, watch, or listen to website content, but they cannot interact with or manipulate it.

Web application examples such as Figma’s design tool or Airbnb’s booking platform allow their users to manipulate their data, providing an interactive service to users, rather than just an informative experience.

The question is, how do you create a web application that satisfies user experience? Let’s take a closer look at some of the best web application examples that have nailed their UX approach.

5 Web Application Examples That Nail UX Design

Building a web application as a UX beginner can be tough. Here are five of our favorite web application examples to take inspiration from before you embark on your web app design journey.

Airbnb

Airbnb’s web application example has made it on this list for the brand’s usability features.

(Image Source: Airbnb)

Creating a web app focused on performance and filtering, Airbnb’s use of dynamic filtering without full reloads is a real game-changer for user experience.

When it comes to searching for listings, the hospitality brand makes it easy for customers to have a seamless search experience. Integrating map and listing sync in real time, as well as predictive search suggestions, Airbnb help make the browsing experience smooth, even with giant data sets to contend with.

Slack

Slack is another one of the web application examples to watch out for when gathering inspiration for your first web app design.

(Image Source: Slack)

If you’re designing a web app for a workspace, Slack is one of the best web application examples to take inspiration from.

Known for handling thousands of messages at once, Slack’s web app has fast incremental loading to help keep navigation fast for workers swapping between channels.

To do this, Slack enables message virtualization, meaning that the browser only renders visible messages to help speed up the viewing process.

This is essential for fast-paced teams using the web application to stay in touch with remote co-workers and prevent slowdowns in larger workspaces.

FitGen

Not a live web app, but we couldn't drop a list of our favorite web application examples without mentioning the FitGen template by Hostinger Horizons.

(Image Source: Hosinger)

If you’re designing a web app for a fitness/wellness business, take inspiration from FitGen’s interactive inputs and generated results that make it easy for users to fill in their details.

With a simple dashboard-style layout and a responsive design that loads quickly across multiple devices, FitGen is a great example of a lightweight web app that can seamlessly guide users through a clear, task-based journey.

This is ideal for UX beginners looking to customize and build their first web application with an AI app builder like Hostinger Horizons.

Trello

On the topic of workplace user design, Trello’s Kanban board is one of our favorite web application examples for project management.

(Image Source: Trello)

If you’re creating a web application that serves as a collaborative platform for tasks/updates, etc., take inspiration from Trello’s intuitive and responsive drag-and-drop system that helps provide users with visual feedback and real-time UI updates.

We love this web application example’s smooth drag animations and optimistic updates. With the ability to receive instant feedback, this web app is a UX win.

Figma

Figma has some real technical UX wins as a collaborative interface design web app.

(Image Source: Figma)

As one of our favorite web application examples on the list, Figma delivers users a desktop experience while still allowing multiple editors to manipulate the same canvas simultaneously.

With real-time state syncing and minimal latency, it’s no wonder that it is a popular web application for building meaningful products.

This web application example demonstrates the power of instant rendering in the browser. With the ability to make collaboration feel instant by using WebGL and a multiplayer operational transformation system, users don’t have to worry about saving or version control.

Choosing the Best Web Application Software to Get You Started

As a UX beginner, building a web application from scratch can be tricky. This is especially true if you’re hoping to take inspiration from any of the web application examples above.

The best way to build a web application is to use a web app builder to get you started. AI web app builders like Hostinger Horizons simplify the building process and prioritize user experience from the start.

To choose the best web application software for you, start by searching for a web app builder that offers responsive design, real-time collaboration, and a seamless developer handoff.

Here are just some of the features to look out for when choosing the best web application software for your business:

• Responsiveness: Just like the web app itself, the tools used to build a powerful web app should also be responsive. Choose beginner-friendly platforms that make it easy to design for multiple devices in one easy workflow.

• Collaboration: If there are multiple people working on the web application design, opt for a tool that allows real-time collaboration and simultaneous editing.

• Artificial Intelligence: AI is redefining the UX design world. If you’re a web app beginner, choose a platform that allows you to generate a web app template with a personalised prompt. This removes a lot of the initial setup and propels you into the editing suite.

• Ease of Use: As a beginner, make sure you choose low-code/no-code options. While tools like Figma offer more control, they are not suitable for beginners, hoping to create their first lightweight web app.

What These Web Application Examples Teach Us About Great UX

The best web application examples all have one thing in common: usability.

If you’re embarking on a web app design, ensure that it not only looks good, but is functional across all devices, fast loading and provides users with visual and haptic updates along the way.

The best UX design comes from developers who know their audience. This, coupled with powerful web application software, is a recipe for a web app that drives engagement.