Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) are mesh applications that are designed to work like native apps, providing a fast, reliable, and engaging user experience. PWAs are built using web skills such as HTML, CSS, & JavaScript, but they can also take advantage of expedient features such as push notifications, offline caching, and geolocation.
Benefits of PWAs
PWAs offer a number of benefits over old-style web apps and
native apps, including:
Faster loading times: PWAs can be cached for offline use, so
they load much faster than traditional web apps, even on slow internet
connections.
Reliability: PWAs can continue to work even when there is no
internet connection, thanks to offline caching.
Engaging user experience: PWAs can provide a user experience
that is indistinguishable from native apps, with features such as push
notifications, squelch screens, and full-screen mode.
Cross-platform compatibility: PWAs can be used on any expedient
with a modern web browser, regardless of the operating system.
Easy installation and updates: PWAs can be installed on
devices from the web, just like native apps. They can also be updated
automatically, without the need for users to transfer and install new versions.
Examples of PWAs
Some popular examples of PWAs include:
Twitter
Uber
Pinterest
Starbucks
AliExpress
Forbes
The Washington Post
NASA
Building a PWA
If you are interested in building a PWA, there are a number of resources available to help you get started. The Google Developers website has a comprehensive guide to PWAs, including tutorials and code samples.
Why progressive web apps?
There are many reasons to choose progressive web apps (PWAs)
over traditional web apps or native apps. Some of the key aids of PWAs include:
Better user experience: PWAs are designed to provide a user
experience that is indistinguishable from native apps. They are fast, reliable,
and attractive, with features such as push notifications, splash screens, and
full-screen mode.
Increased engagement and retention: Studies have shown that
PWAs can lead to increased user engagement and retention. For example,
Twitter's PWA resulted in a 65% increase in the number of pages visited per
session and a 20% increase in the amount of time spent on the site.
Improved performance: PWAs can load up to 10 times faster
than traditional web apps, even on slow internet connections. This is because
PWAs can be cached for offline use.
Reduced development costs: PWAs are built using web
technologies, so they can be developed and maintained more easily and
cost-effectively than native apps.
Increased reach: PWAs can be used on any device with a
modern mesh browser, regardless of the operating system. This means that you
can reach a broader audience with a single codebase.
In addition to these benefits, PWAs are also more secure and
sustainable than native apps. PWAs are less susceptible to malware attacks, and
they require less device storage and battery life.
Overall, PWAs offer a number of advantages over traditional
web apps and native apps. They are a great option for businesses of all sizes
that want to deliver a fast, reliable, and engaging user experience to their
customers.
Here are some specific examples of how companies are
using PWAs to improve their businesses:
Twitter: Twitter's PWA resulted in a 20% increase in the
amount of time spent on the site and a 65% increase in the number of pages
visited per session.
Uber: Uber's PWA loads up to 3 times faster than its native
app, and it can be used offline.
Starbucks: Starbucks' PWA allows customers to order and pay
for drinks without having to open the app or wait in line.
AliExpress: AliExpress' PWA has a conversion rate that is
106% higher than its mobile website.
If you are looking for a way to improve the user knowledge
of your web application, or if you are looking to reduce your development
costs, I encourage you to consider building a PWA.
Which one should you choose?
However, there are some cases where a traditional web app
may be a better choice. For example, if you need to develop a complex web
application that requires access to a lot of device features, then a native app
may be a better option.
Ultimately, the best way to decide which type of web application to build is to consider your specific needs and requirements.
Conclusion
Progressive Web Apps are a powerful new way to deliver web
applications. They offer a number of benefits over traditional web apps and
native apps, including faster loading times, reliability, an engaging user
experience, cross-platform compatibility, and easy installation and updates. If
you are developing a new web application, or if you are looking to improve the
user experience of your existing web application, I encourage you to consider
building a PWA.