Many folks that i know of don't keep browsing App stores for apps (some may look for new games now and then) and i wonder it may apply to substantial number of users out there.
The app has to be some how popular (either by word of mouth or ) before it gets installed, where as browsing web sites is
just a matter of clicking some link.
Just my observation but i rarely see or know of mobile users who browse app stores without first being taken then by a wish/link to download an app. Users who independently dive into app stores are mostly developer-oriented people looking to solve a problem with an app.
Apps go viral via memes or social channels and most of that is thus other apps.
Web, other than being much simpler, and easier to find, has the important benefit of not requiring a user to change context - they can switch tab but they are still in a browser - so their personal 'flow' is far less interrupted than when they change to another app. That interruption has flow on effect to retention, productivity, integration.
Bottom line is for a startup, esp a bootstrapping one, start with web MVP, get it out there fast even cobbled from existing apps and services. Prove your hypothesis as quickly as possible - and when data proves otherwise go pivot. Rinse-repeat.
