Progressive Web Applications – The Best of the Web, Plus the Best of Native Apps

Nowadays, every business realizes the need for establishing their business on mobile devices. And for the entire market, the question is no longer, “If they should work on a mobile app” but the question now is “What kind of mobile app”.

Well, a business that targets a mobile-based customer has three options:

• to develop a Responsive Website

• to develop a Native App

• to create a Progressive Web App (PWA)

Mobile websites are fast and light, but they are less efficient in terms of user experience. While native apps offer the finest user experience, but these are limited to certain devices and have restrictions in terms of adoption. Native apps need to be downloaded that means the buy-in from the consumer is implemented and the impulse behavior is lost. And PWAs is the amalgamation of the two. It combines the best elements of mobile sites and native apps while eliminating their disadvantages. In the words of Alex Russell –

“PWA is just a website that took all the right vitamins.”

The problem with native apps is that we do not find most of the app worth downloading, sometimes our device might be short of space, or the available data isn’t sufficient.

It is seen that people are turning away from Android/iOS apps because users do not want to flood their phones with all kinds of apps. This is where a progressive web app takes advantage of what the web has to offer.

Ola – One of India’s most highly valued startups, Ola completes more than a million daily rides. Ola developed PWA just 200KB of data to install, the PWA is at least 300X smaller than downloading the Android app and 500X smaller than downloading their iOS app. And the conversion rates are 30% higher on the PWA.

Features of PWA

1. Progressive – It works for every user, regardless of the choice of browser.

2. Responsive – Automatically adjustable to any device.

3. Secure – Served via HTTPS.

4. Load Time -Lesser load time; instantly available.

5. Fresh – Always up-to-date; the app doesn’t require updation like native apps.

6. Installable – App installed directly to the home screen without visiting the app store.

7. Linkable – Easily shared through URL

Twitter Lite – Twitter Lite was developed to deliver a more robust experience, with explicit goals for instant loading, user engagement, and lower data consumption. PWA has increased 65% in pages per session, 75% more Tweets sent, and 20% decrease in bounce rate_._

Functionality of PWA

1.Web-App manifest

It is the very first component of a PWA, it controls the way an app is displayed to the user, and how it can be launched. The file consists of starting URL, an app’s full and short name, links to icons and icons’ sizes, type, and location.

2. Service Worker

The service worker consists of the main features of a progressive web app – the background syncs, offline work mode, and push notification.

These features respond to the users’ interaction.

self.addEventListener('activate', function(event) { 
// Perform some task 
});

Source: developers.google.com

a) Offline work mode –

This helps application interface to load faster and the needed dynamic content is refreshed every time the connection is back.

Source: developers.google.com

b) Push Notification –

This is an efficient tool for user-engagement through the content and prompt updates from the website. PWA can send notification even when the browser is closed, and the app isn’t active.

Source: developers.google.com

c) Background Sync –

Background Sync delays action until stable connectivity isn’t back. This is done so that the server can send periodical updates to the app enabling it to refresh itself when the connection is back.

Source: developers.google.com

d) Transport Layer Security (TLS)

Transport Layer Security is the standard of secure and robust data exchange between two applications. This ensures highest security for the user and site data.

Benefits of PWAs

1. Cost-Efficient

PWAs are built on the web stack. The approach takes less time and effort making it cost-efficient.

Mobile app developers do not need to build the app for multiple platforms because a single progressive app can work on both Android and iOS platforms.

2. Less Installation friction

One of the main features of PWA is discover-ability. This is a big advantage as the user does not need to install an app and do not reduce the number of potential users by 20%.

As PWA does not require an app to be downloaded via the App Store, it makes the customer’s several steps closer to the launching phase. They do not have to visit the app store, click on install, accept various licenses and permissions, and then wait for it to get installed. For PWAs, the user just needs to visit the website, add it to the home screen, and simply open PWA.

3. Increased User Engagement

It is seen that 80% of mobile users move their apps to the home screen. And PWA’s ability to add themselves to the home screen makes them more competitive. Also with accessibility, PWA also offers the frequency of use by 61 %, the simplicity of access by 54% and the speed of access by 49%. Additionally, Push notifications also fuel user interest in the app.

4. Easy Updations

PWA users are free from app updations for every time the developer releases a new version. This feature allows enterprises to avoid the difficulty referred to as software fragmentation when they have to support old versions of apps or jeopardize the loss of users until they begin the update.

To Conclude

Your users have switched to mobile, and you should also follow it to hold a conversation with your audience more effectively. And Progressive web apps can solve two main problems of the users. Firstly, Users who do not want to overcrowd their device’s space can be part of this community. Thus it can significantly increase the number of user engagements.

Secondly, as people rely on a wireless network and mobile connections they are are more likely to prefer websites and apps that use less data.

PWA, in short, offers benefits like greater performance and functionality, development time frames and costs, and ultimate user experience.

This blog is orginally published on Business2community.