This paper reports a study in how a search service on the Internet can be completed either through a mobile application or through a responsive website, to facilitate use on a smartphone. The focus of the study is on the National Archives' search service National Archives Database (NAD), which is not currently adapted to mobile devices. Our aim is also to investigate how the attitude looks for applications and responsive websites among users and how these views differ between user groups.
Together with data from previous research, a study was conducted to examine the pros and cons between apps and responsive websites. In our investigations we have chosen to use two methods of data collection: a quantitative web survey and semi-structured qualitative interviews, to complement each other. A total of nine interviews were conducted with three members from each of National Archives' main target groups. An online survey has also been published on the National Archives and Stockholm stadsarkivs websites.