Why does a client need a native application for Android/iOS along with the site, duplicating its functionality?

Question

Mobile development

Greetings!
I have already met several times with the fact that the client wants to get a native application for Android / iOS along with the site, which almost completely duplicates the functionality of the site, whether it's just a photo gallery or an online store.
What's the point? Am I missing something or is this just a fad?
What pitfalls can there be if the functionality is duplicated in terms of technical specifications (well, for example, collect all contacts from the phone book and transfer to the site, show a couple of notifications)?
UPDT1 : Is it worth it to urgently move forward in learning to develop native applications, or simply give up such “wishlists” and the client simply does not understand what he wants?
PS I did not ask the clients themselves. did not undertake such orders. in Android it is still green.

Answer 1

You say so "notifier".
Firstly, this is a very good way to re-sell something.
Now all companies should think about LTV (User Lifetime Value - customer lifetime value).
Here is qlean.ru for example.
A lot of benefits from the application:
1) Upselling
2) Informer
3) Convenient communication with the customer
It seems to me that the functionality of the site will eventually move to the second bar, all landings will be aimed at downloading applications, as it is now working well over the hill.
draw conclusions

Answer 2

Is it worth urgently moving forward in the study of native application development

just find mobile partners and no problems, and you don’t need to learn anything.
The question is also the price. will they be willing to pay x2 for example for the mobile version. maybe they expect it to be +10% for example.
and yes, specify what kind of applications you mean (what kind of sites). according to your description from the requirements - transfer contacts to the site and push. maybe such applications are generally made through easy constructors?

Answer 3

Historically, there was an opinion that native applications work better than sites (higher performance, native controls, work offline), although now for many tasks there may not be a visible difference between the site and the application, so you need to ask the customer about what kind of cockroaches he has in head :)