Progressive web apps (PWAs) have been trending in the technology world over the recent years and continue to stay relevant today.
The term “progressive web app” was coined in 2015 by Google Chrome insiders to describe the new generation of web applications which can be loaded like websites while leveraging the features of modern browsers.
In essence, PWAs are web applications that not only possess functionalities of web applications but also those of native applications.
What’s more, a PWA can be accessed through web browsers on mobile devices and used like a mobile app.
In addition to being fast, reliable, shareable, and without requiring constant updates at the user’s end, the advantages of progressive web applications include:
Unlike typical websites, PWAs store information from users’ last online session and make it available even in the absence of internet connectivity.
What is Progressive web application development? Is it worth your time or money to know more about it?
So, if you are reading this topic or just came across the above doubts in your mind, you might get interested. Chances are there that you are assigned with the task of being abreast of the latest technological advancements that can shape your industry. Some of you might have led your company through a huge digital transformation or projects. It could be that you might be thinking of one in the future. Especially the ones that will have huge migrations, however, the benefits won’t be visible until the project is completed. In such a case, a progressive web app might provide another way.
No doubt, progressive web application development will provide customers with a good and richer online apps experience. In addition, it will deliver a faster return on investments. Also, the ROI will offset the high cost and even reduce the risk involved in providing bigger digital transformation projects.
What Is Progressive Web App Development?
To put in a simple sense, a progressive web app is nothing but a mobile app that is delivered through the web. Frankly, it will function just like a normal native app, as an app shell will be used which will allow online apps-style gestures and navigations. Now, this is entirely different from other apps as you won’t need to download it from the application store. Progressive web apps is a good option for startups.
Most importantly, it runs self-contained, just in the web browser. Using the assistance of the service workers, the progressive web application will easily load immediately, even when there is low connectivity. Furthermore, with the assistance of pre-caching, the app will stay up to date all the time, and even display the most recent version while launching.
Progressive Web Apps (PWA) Are Not Only Efficient But Also Economical
Do you know that the progressive web application development run apps are more efficient compared to native apps? Basically, they work on-demand and are easily accessible. Also, they never take up or consume the valuable memory or data of the smartphones. So, by using PWA instead of the native version of the same online apps, users will end up in consuming lesser data. However, users won’t have to sacrifice the convenience of the native apps. Still, they do have the option to save the progressive web apps on their home screen, which is easily installable without the hassle of real downloading.
Now, this simply specifies the huge improvement in terms of the user experience but even takes into account the earlier issues related to the consumer buy-in. Most importantly, users can take various decisions (conscious) and make commitments to download as well as keep a native app. Most importantly, uninstalling the app is the final decision of the user. Contrast to this, by just clicking a normal or simple link will be an easy task and that will just require less consideration, storage space on the device, no installation, and no amount of huge download period.
From the perspective of the developer, progressive web application development is very much economical. Indeed, they are faster to update as well as build. Plus, you have the option to create a single version of the app and it will get seamlessly displayed as well as identically on all kinds of devices.
Here rather than the segmented market for native mobile online apps, which is nothing but where businesses need separate app structure for Android and Apple devices, the progressive web applications are extensively unified to work on browsers which are common on all devices. Most importantly, they cost less for developing compared to native mobile online apps.
Features Of The Progressive Web Apps – The Easy Method To Simply User Experience
Now as we know what is progressive web app development, let’s treat the progressive web application as a web page that is saved on your mobile device. It will work in the browser and uses the API of the browser. In addition, there are various mobile features you can add to the progressive web app development. Check out some of the progressive web applications you can do-
►Adding Home Screen Icons
Just check out the colorful square decorating the main screen of your smartphone. It will be filled with native app icons. Do you know that by adding an icon on the home screen will create an experience that is entirely focused on the app? Google progressive web apps allow users to open websites without going to the URL (browser) panel or through any other navigation tool. All they have to do is tap on the icon present on the home screen. With the progressive web app, you can provide faster access to your website.
► Making Engagement Better
There is a common approach used by online apps for navigation. Some of them are the header panel along with the section title, the presences of the return button in the upper left corner, the contextual actions present in the upper right corner, etc. Such kind of app like navigation will assist users in solving their task faster.
► Easily Applicable For Any User
Due to the presences of the progressive enhancement of the progressive web application development, it is easy for users to visit your website. This is regardless of the device or the browser that they are choosing.
► Sending Web Push Notifications
Somewhat in the later 2015, Google Chrome had introduced the push notification. This was through the browser and was available on both desktops as well as mobile devices. Frankly, this technology gives profit-making opportunities for businesses as it works in real time. Not only that, it sends the user notifications without using contact details, personal email, etc even though they aren’t on the website. Such kind of notification will inform on seasonal or personalized discounts. Even it will report if the product is in the stock.
► Working Offline
The best part of using progressive web application is that you can work offline. This is possible due to the technology called Service Workers. This is commonly used for displaying online content in places where there is poor internet connectivity or even if there are no connections at all.
► Integrating With Other Devices
Now the progressive mobile application for Android will be shown in the system settings, home screen or the task switcher. So, in this case, the push notification will look like they are of the native applications.
So, Is Progressive Web Application Changing The Mobile Industry
No doubt, the emergence of progressive web application development was breakthrough, especially for mobile and web technology. Somewhat you can say it was similar to the emergence of the responsive web design which was five or seven years ago.
In the future, the number, as well as the usage of the mobile applications present in our smartphones, will reduce. This is due to the increasing popularity of progressive web apps. Of course, native mobile online apps will exist peacefully, but progressive web application development will provide the best and customized solutions for companies. Especially the ones who want to develop an easy and excellent accessible mobile tools for customers. This will allow eliminating the cost involved in creating the app, promoting it and increasing the revenue as well as reducing the cost.
Frankly, this latest tech will simply develop and change in the coming years and there will be constant versions which can make mobile strategies better.
From the app that reminds you of drinking water and alerts you about your fitness to the app that helps you count the compound interest for your loans, everything is becoming mobile friendly.
The numbers of mobile apps in app stores are also increasing day by day with the count of useful apps and worthless apps.
It also uses less space, fewer data and can work offline.
There is an increase in global marketers utilizing progressive web apps and analyze the user experience on mobile without application development for it.
The other issue that the native apps face is called App Install Friction.
Now from the recent study, it is estimated that to install a native app, users need to make approx 6 clicks and with each click, you can lose about 20% of the users.
Mobile app or mobile web? Progressive web apps take the strong points of both to create a unique user experience. A number of world known companies have already launched progressive web apps and here is what they got.
In short, you can consider Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) a website built using web technologies which interacts with a user as an application. Developments in browser technologies, cache and Push-interfaces allow us to install PWAs on home screens directly from the browser, receive push notifications and even work offline.
Some leading-edge companies are already reaping the benefits of PWAs. We invite you to take a closer look at best progressive web apps examples from 6 different industries and learn from their success stories!
Speaking about modern technologies we often use the word revolution - something completely new and innovative. Something, thought wasn’t possible previously.
But in case of progressive web apps, the word evolution is much more applicable. PWAs bring the traditional web to a completely new level engaging users through a first-class experience and leaving the native mobile apps far behind.
So, what are progressive web apps?
If you want to learn more about the pros and cons of this technology, and also see examples of PWA such as Flipkart Lite, AliExpress, The Washington Post you can read this article Progressive Web Apps - The New Word In User Engagement and find out a lot of valuable information.
In 2007, the first generation of iPhone release was accompanied by the announcement of web apps that were developed using HTML5 with no SDK required and the apps can be fully installed on the device via Safari browser.
Later, the concept of PWA switched to the app store, but the support for the web app was continued.
As the demand of dynamic web pages, responsive design, interactive application, and screen size flexibility picked up the pace, the enhancements to HTML, CSS, and JavaScript made the PWA development more accessible with a higher level of interactivity, responsiveness, and native-like experiences.
Let’s understand the progressive web app in a nutshell:
Using the modern web capabilities, the PWAs load like a normal website through any browser, but once installed on the mobile phone, they offer all the functionalities as mobile app offers such as send push notifications, work online and offline, appear on the homepage, display on the app drawer, and integrate into system settings.
The PWA offers fast (perform at speed to increase conversion and retention), reliable (load instantly regardless of network state), and engaging experience (no need to download the app from the app store and appear live on the home screen alongside offer full-screen mobile app experience) to let the app never lose its space from the user’s phone.
Technology has changed and how, every day there is an update in software and Information technology. Progressive web app technology has truly bridged the gap between desktop and mobile. It has changed the concept of working offline. Though progressive web apps load like regular pages, its functionality includes working offline and getting push notifications.
So many big companies and brands use progressive web apps to improve their user functionality. Progressive web apps are supported by almost all the platforms including web browsers.
