What is a Web-Based Database?

A web-based database is designed specifically for secure online access and stores its data in a clean, organized manner.

This remote access design doesn’t mean there’s a loss in functionality compared to locally stored software – far from it. Because the database is hosted in the cloud, it can grow when the business or user base expands, provide extra layers of security and data integrity, perform functions faster, and can be accessed at any time from anywhere there’s internet access.

How Can Businesses Benefit From Web-Based Databases?

Web databases open up a treasure chest of possibilities for many organizations, whether it’s enabling employees to work remotely, engaging customers, or allowing senior leadership to pull real-time reports at a moment’s notice.

Web databases improve organizational tools and processes in important ways, earning them benefits like…

• Improved collaboration. By centralizing your data into one system, issues with version control and lost data are eliminated, and you gain complete data transparency with the ability to track who last updated individual records.
• Constant access. It doesn’t matter what time of day or night you need to pull a report, the internet is always open, and so are web-based databases.
• A higher level of security. Laptops can be stolen and in-house servers can be damaged, but storing your data and documents in the cloud prevents these common data breaches and dangers.
• Instant insight. Unlike Excel spreadsheets or other clunky data solutions, a web database can be built to provide digital dashboards highlighting potential obstacles to deal with and opportunities to act on.
• Cost (and headache) savings. A web database eliminates the need to buy and/or maintain company servers, which moves your IT department from a cap-ex model to an op-ex model (and puts a smile on your CFO’s face).

How Can Businesses Use Web-Based Databases?

There are many ways a web database can be used – here are a few:

• Securely sharing data and documents
• Pulling reports with up to date information
• Selling products online
• Identifying the ROI of your sales and marketing efforts
• Empowering employees to work from home or in remote offices
• Capturing customer feedback
• Offering employee policies and benefits portals

How Can My Company Begin Using a Web-Based Database?

There are a lot of web database solutions available and, depending on an organization’s needs, they may be able to use an off-the-shelf solution that works just fine.

However, most companies find that even well-known canned database products are often difficult to customize for their processes, have a steep learning curve, and involve a lot of hidden costs for training or add-on features. If you have a unique business process and workflow, you should consider a custom-built database solution tailored specifically to your organization’s needs, without “bloatware” or unnecessary features.