Start with the working environment
Ask where users will be when they need the product. A field workflow may need a phone camera and unreliable-network handling. An office document workflow may need large screens, keyboard shortcuts, and local files. A customer information service may be easier to reach through a browser. These constraints are more useful than starting with a favorite programming language.
Understand the tradeoffs
A browser-based product can offer access through a URL, but still needs browser compatibility and secure server design when data is stored remotely. A desktop application may integrate closely with local files, but introduces installation, update, and operating-system testing work. A mobile application needs touch-friendly flows, device testing, and a distribution plan. No option removes the need for maintenance.
Define offline behavior precisely
“Works offline” can mean very different things. Specify which actions remain available, where information is stored, and what happens when connectivity returns. A product might support local reading but require a connection for account activation or synchronization. Explain these boundaries to users before they depend on the product. Avoid assuming that every screen can share the same offline behavior.
Evaluate distribution and ownership
Decide who owns the domain, app store account, signing credentials, and release process. Confirm who can approve updates and who supports installation issues. For client-owned products, make those responsibilities explicit in the project agreement. A release cannot be scheduled reliably if essential platform accounts or business verifications are unresolved.
Make the decision with a small scenario
Write down one normal task and one failure scenario, then compare how each platform handles them. For example, consider a document review that starts on a laptop and must continue without connectivity. Review data location, device access, recovery, and update requirements. The best choice is the one that meets the actual workflow with an understandable operating model.