What Is A Progressive Web App?
First thing’s first: what exactly is a progressive web app? The simple version is that a progressive web app is like any other website or web page but can appear to a user like a native mobile app or a traditional application. In other words, it uses web-platform features combined with progressive enhancements to give users an experience that would rival a native app.
Progressive apps have been in existence for some years now, and businesses are beginning to see its utility. Here are a few numbers you can check out:
- +68% increase in mobile traffic
- 15 x faster to load and install
- 25x less device storage required
- 52% average increase in conversions
- Sessions are on average increased by 78.25%
- Engagement is often increased by 137%
- The average load time for a page is 2.75 seconds
- Bounce rate (compared to mobile websites) reduced by 42.86%
- Average page views increased by 133.67%
These digits are massively impressive. Now let’s take a look at how native apps help achieve these numbers.
Ways Your Business Can Benefit From a Progressive Web App (PWA)
1. Low Development Costs
One of the conveniences of using PWAs is that they are cross-platform. They don’t require different versions for different devices. There are no hitches when it comes to adjusting to screen size and the like. This significantly reduces the effort and cost of their deployment by as much as four times.
2. Native App Experience
The crux of a good application lies in user experience. These days, mobile users prefer apps to browsers since apps tend to be more user-friendly, can operate offline, and generally look and feel better. PWAs combine the elements of native apps with the best of website performance to create an enhanced user experience. PWAs have similar speed, responsiveness, and comprehensive capabilities of websites with database access and automatic data. Because of this, search engines like Google can find PWA pages very quickly.
3. Quick Installation
PWAs, unlike regular mobile apps, are installed straight from the web browser to any device, improving user experience. This eliminates the need to search for and download the application on the App Store or Google Play. Users can then simply access the PWA on their desktop or mobile device home screen.
In addition, it isn’t mandatory to install PWAs to access them. They can also be accessed via URL, making it incredibly accessible and convenient for users who just don’t want to go through the trouble of downloading.
4. Enhanced Performance
Lending to their efficiency, PWAs can cache and serve text, images, and other content. That means their running speed is significantly increased. This software enhancement increases page-loading speed and user experience, which translates to increased retention rates and greater customer loyalty. So if you’ve got a business, this is definitely the type of app for you.
5. Update Quietly, Automatically
Another great advantage of PWAs is that they update automatically. They don’t notify users when there is an update coming, nor do they require the user’s permission to update. However, some PWAs send a push notification informing users of the new update.
6. Push Notifications
Similar to native apps, PWAs have access to device-specific functionality such as push notifications. This is especially advantageous as this increases the opportunity for businesses to promote products or services. Push notifications on mobile devices are extremely noticeable and are more likely to attract users compared to email newsletters, blog posts, or social media posts. Because of this, companies can reach out to their target audience more directly and more noticeably.
However, if a user has allowed multiple applications on their device to send push notifications, there’s a chance yours might add to the digital clutter or go unnoticed.
7. No Dependence on App Distribution Services
App distribution platforms like Google Play, the App Store, or Microsoft Store set specific requirements for software installed on them. For developers, it can be a burden having to meet all these requirements. And sometimes, apps can even be removed without prior notice if these requirements are not met. So by choosing PWAs, developers no longer have to meet requirements set by these providers, and they eliminate the threat of being removed from these platforms.
8. More Efficient Security
PWAs use HTTPS to secure the data stored within them and minimize security issues such as security breaches, snooping, content tampering, and other illegal activity.
PW-Yay
Combining the best of web applications and native applications, it’s clear that for business owners especially, PWAs are the way to go. If you need help with making your own, give us a call today!
What’s Next?
Here at MVP.dev, we thrive at making all sorts of web and progressive web apps. Thanks to the number one no-code platform Bubble, we’ve become more than able to help large and small businesses actualize their brand goals and objectives.
Do you have apps you’d like to explore? We’re the team you want to partner with!
