If you are in the IT field, then you must have read about progressive web apps. It combines web and mobile apps. Imagine a website that is built using several web technologies but feels like a mobile app. These apps could be accessed by URLs and are indexed by search engines. They are fast, reliable, and provide an interactive experience.
Its functions include device hardware access, working offline, and creating a user experience. Progressive web apps allow accessing all the information without downloading a mobile app. Let us understand progressive web apps and their benefits in-depth.
Progressive Web Apps - A Hybrid of Regular Websites and Mobile Applications
Progressive Web App uses the latest web APIs with traditional enhancement strategies to create cross-platform applications. These apps could run anytime and anywhere and offer features that give advantages like native apps. PWBs work in a better way than a regular mobile website. A progressive web app lets you install the application from the browser and is available on the phone like the native app.
PWA is not a framework; instead, it is a set of practices that makes a web application work similar to the mobile application. This means that progressive web apps would perform the same in iPhone 8 as it would on the old version. Some features might not be available, but the app would continue to perform.
Highlights of Progressive Web Apps
All major companies are making PWA versions of their website. Here are the features of progressive web apps that make them popular amongst users.
1. Irrespective of the browser, these apps work for several users and are built with progressive enhancement.
2. It could perform offline and is designed in such a way that it could operate on slow speed networks as well. It doesn’t depend on the speed of the user’s connectivity.
3. It is responsive and could meet the requirements of the laptop, mobile, and other devices that would be launched in the future.
4. It provides a secure server that could be seen on the top of the browser in the form of a lock. HTTPs guarantee safety best practices.
5. It could be shared easily, and no complicated installation is required.
Importance of Progressive Web Applications
Have you ever wondered- what is the need for Progressive Web Applications? Today, users are facing several challenges while using the web and native apps. Some of a few common challenges faced are:
- People usually don’t install native apps. A user installs 0-2 applications a month.
- Users don’t wait more than 5 seconds on a page if the website speed is low.
- Most of the users are not engaged and spend around 80% of their time in the top five native apps.
Progressive Web Apps solve these problems. Several reasons have come up why PWAs have become the top priority for companies.
1. PWAs are Consistently Fast
Right from the moment when users start to download the app to the time when they start interacting with it, everything is fast. When you are using PWAs, data could be cached easily and could start the app without bothering about the network.
2. Trustworthy Experience
These apps are secure for any environment. PWAs work on HTTPs and enable browser-to-server encryption. The Native apps should be first authorized by Google or Apple before getting published on iOS Store. A PWA could be secure if the owner has created a safe environment.
3. Cost of Building PWA is Low
PWAs are web apps that are built using frameworks. They require investment in development and research. The cost of building a PWA is low, and it could range between $3000-$35000.
Overall, PWAs are reliable, fast, and engaging. It combines the standard features of the web offered by browsers and provides benefits of mobile experience.
Advantages of Progressive Web Apps That Could Boost Your Business
PWAs are highly dynamic and offer several functionalities that are related to native applications. Check out a few benefits of Progressive Web Apps and how they help any business.
1. Fast and Reliable
Every user spends time on the app that is fast and takes no loading time. Fast refers to the time taken to get content on the screen. Each Progressive web application delivers a performance that users wish to have from an installed app. PWA reduces the time of loading as it instantly gets downloaded on the home screen.
Compared to other apps, there is no loading time, and visitors are not directed to the Google Play Store or App Store. Instead, the apps are downloaded on to the device. Thus, the PWAs have their icons like a mobile application.
2. Cost-Effective and Efficient
One of the common reasons why people build a progressive web app is it takes less space in comparison to native apps. It doesn’t require additional space and enhances smartphone performances. Also, it uses fewer data. PWAs could work on desktop and mobile.
The single code base is used between platforms. PWAs are constantly accessible and do not take the smartphone’s memory.
3. Offline Mode
When there is no internet connection, websites do not work. Contrary to this, mobile applications are self-contained, and this allows users to browse the app when the internet is not available. This increases the user’s engagement.
When you are offline, information is saved automatically during the last online session. This benefits the business to showcase its products in the offline mode as well. Mobile application developers are crafting a new path in technology and enhancing business relationships.
Also, if you are a newbie in the industry, then here are amazing
mobile app ideas for your business. With an increase in smartphones, the need for mobile apps has become a crucial part of any technology.
4. Unique Features
Progressive Web Apps allows you to implement different features. Developers have control over how to use these features and to find a creative solution.
For instance, push notifications in the PWAs are displayed on the phone and are better than social media updates and email newsletters. They provide a seamless experience and fast loading times. Several companies found that their business is increased after using PWAs.
5. Designed Like Mobile Application But Function Like Website
PWAs are designed like mobile apps but have functionality like websites. Developers choose how to program progressive web apps, and take full advantage of frameworks and provide a better experience in comparison to websites.
PWAs could be accessed via URLs and provide benefits to the business. They have contributed a lot to business and has significantly increased its conversion rate.
6. Great for SEO
PWAs take 1-2 seconds to load. This has made a great impact on
SEO strategies. These apps are search-friendly. While you are developing PWAs, make sure that each page should be crawlable and is available through a URL.
It should be secure and run-in HTTPS while avoiding using non-secure resources. PWA combines the UX of an app while providing the benefits of a mobile app. It runs smoothly as a native app and web page.
7. Enhanced Performance
They are faster, and cache images, text, and other content on the websites and thus improve the speed. Impeccable performance is another attribute that makes an impact on user experience.
It is recommended that content providers and retailers should use Progressive Web apps and enhance customer loyalty.
8. Responsive Layout
All users should experience the same visual interface. With PWAs, you get the same layout and on all devices. A
well-designed responsive website looks good on smaller devices. No matter if they have PWAs or not, developers have the option to copy the look and the feel of a mobile application and include the UI elements and animations.
The Future of Progressive Web Apps
Progressive Web Apps bridges the gap between the mobile and the web. It simplifies the user experience and provides a better mobile experience.
The mobile app has improved since a few years ago. It is now rare to run a website that is not responsive. The success of PWAs for the organization is attracting several small and mid-sized businesses. Some of the common examples of PWAs are Twitterlite, Facebook, and others. With over 90% of users on mobile, the need for PWAs is increasing day by day.
When the websites first launched, the idea of apps was nowhere to be seen. But the rise in smartphones has increased the demand for mobile applications. Apps have a user-friendly interface and have a wider range of possibilities than the web.
Final Words
Progressive Web Apps are the trendsetter for the future. While the PWAs are good to go in the coming years, several limitations and requirements should be taken care of. The website must have a secured TLS connection. Note that not all browsers support unique features and lack in this area. It is up to the organization whether it would want to wait for further support, before building its progressive web app.
If you are looking for the best Progressive Web Apps development solution to grow your business, then Covetus could help in several ways. Feel free to connect with us. Our team of experts could customize apps for the web and bring value to your business by attracting customers. This would improve your conversion and decrease production costs.
