What are progressive web apps?
Progressive web apps (PWA) is a web-based app which can work on mobile devices like an app. progressive web apps are built by using programming languages like HTML, CSS and JavaScript. They also take advantage of a humongous web ecosystem which includes a community of developers and the relative ease of deploying and keeping a PWA as compared to native applications.
This means one can easily build, develop and maintain progressive web app quickly. With the growing popularity of progressive web apps, many companies have shifted their product to the progressive web app. Some examples include Twitter, Pinterest, TikTok, Spotify and Uber.
Features and Benefits of Progressive Web Apps
1. Responsiveness
One of the biggest features of progressive web apps is their ability to work on different devices and screen sizes. However, it is the responsibility of the developer to ensure that users are able to use the progressive web apps seamlessly regardless of the device they are using. A well-built and responsive progressive web app can be used on any screen and its content would also be available to view in any port size.
2. Installability
Studies consistently reveal that users exhibit higher levels of engagement when interacting with installed apps as opposed to visiting official websites. Opting for a Progressive Web App (PWA) for your product not only provides users with the familiar look and feel of a conventional app but also enhances overall engagement.
Progressive web apps bridge the gap between web and app experiences, offering a seamless and immersive interaction that resonates with modern user preferences. This amalgamation of web accessibility and app-like functionality not only captures user interest but also ensures a user-friendly and dynamic digital experience.
3. Offline Capability
Progressive web apps have the ability to keep users engaged even while they are offline, which offers a more consistent experience than dropping them back to a default page when they are offline. Progressive web apps indeed offer offline capabilities, allowing users to access content and functionality even without an internet connection. However, there are limitations associated with this feature, particularly concerning the usage of memory storage.
A good example to explain this would be that of a music app Spotify. When using Spotify, users are able to access offline playback and listen to saved music even without an internet connection. Another good example is Twitter. On Twitter, users are able to go back and read tweets that they have missed.
4. Discoverability
Another great feature of progressive web apps is their discoverability on the internet which also makes them search engine friendly and can help you to drive more organic traffic on your PWA with SEO efforts. This also gives progressive web apps an upper hand over native apps which can’t be discovered over search engines.
5. Cross-platform functionality
Progressive web apps are built as web apps first, this allows them to work on all browsers and systems and not just a selected few. Users can use them on any browser even before they decide to install them.
Now that you have got the general information about what progressive web apps are. Let us now understand the comparison between progressive web apps and native apps.
6. Low Development Cost
Progressive web apps (PWAs) offer a cost-effective solution for development due to their unique architecture. Unlike traditional native apps that require separate coding for different platforms, PWAs are built using web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, which are universally supported across devices. This eliminates the need for separate development teams or extensive re-coding for different platforms, reducing both time and cost. Additionally, PWAs can leverage existing web infrastructure and tools, further cutting down on development expenses. With their ability to provide app-like experiences across various devices while minimizing development costs, PWAs present an attractive option for businesses seeking efficient digital solutions.
7. Low Maintenance Cost
The maintenance costs associated with progressive web apps are significantly lower compared to mobile apps, contributing to their overall cost-effectiveness.
For example, the development cost of a native app is much higher as compared to progressive web apps. When developing a native app, you need to build a version of the app for each type of device, Android and iOS. This is an expensive and time-consuming process.
On the other hand, you’ll also need resources to maintain and update the app frequently. This requires more money and time. When speaking about progressive web apps, you can have a single code base for different platforms and devices. This will not only save you cost but also your time.
8. Enhanced performance
Progressive web apps excel in their ability to deliver efficient performance akin to websites while leveraging the capabilities of native apps. By caching and serving text, images, and other content, progressive web apps ensure swift loading times and seamless user experiences. These apps employ a variety of optimization strategies, including asset optimization techniques and lazy loading, to streamline resource delivery and enhance overall performance.
Through asset optimization, progressive web apps reduce the size of files such as images and scripts, minimizing the time required for them to be fetched from servers. Additionally, lazy loading enables resources to be loaded on-demand, ensuring that only necessary content is retrieved, further expediting the loading process.
This improved performance not only benefits businesses by enhancing page-load speeds but also contributes to higher user engagement, retention rates, and ultimately, customer loyalty. For industries such as retail or content provision, where user experience plays a critical role in success, progressive web apps offer a compelling solution that combines the best of websites and native apps.
9. Safety
To win the trust of users on the internet, having a safe and secure website or application is of utmost importance. This is where an SSL certificate comes into the picture which adds an extra layer of security over your website and application. Progressive web apps are already converted into apps which means they are more secure as they run on HTTPs protocol. This ensures the safe exchange of data between the client and server.
In the case of native apps, you need to implement loads of security measures like multi-factor authentication and so on, which is a daunting and complex process.
Critical Technologies and Tools to Build a Progressive Web App (PWA)
To get started with the development of a Progressive Web App (PWA), you’ll need to know about following key technologies
1. HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
Fundamentally, PWAs are web applications, so knowledge of core web technologies like HTML for structure, CSS for styling, and JavaScript for interactivity is essential.
2. Service Workers
Service workers are the backbone of PWAs. They enable features like offline caching, background content updating, and push notifications. You’ll need to understand how to implement and manage service workers effectively.
3. Progressive web app Manifest
The web app manifest is a JSON file that provides metadata about the PWA, such as its name, icons, and theme colors. It allows users to add the app to their home screen and provides a more app-like experience.
4. Application shell architecture
This involves designing the core architecture of the app shell, which is the minimal HTML, CSS, and JavaScript required to render the user interface (UI) quickly. The shell is cached for offline use, providing a fast and reliable experience.
5. IndexedDB or Local Storage
For storing data offline, PWAs commonly use IndexedDB or local storage APIs. These APIs allow the app to store and retrieve data even when the user is offline.
6. HTTP Request
In progressive web apps (PWAs), HTTPS requests and the Fetch API work hand in hand to enable secure communication between the app and its server, as well as to facilitate data exchange and resource retrieval.
HTTP ensure that data exchanged between the user’s device and the server is encrypted, protecting it from interception or manipulation by malicious attacks, while fetch API is a modern web API that provides an interface for fetching resources (such as JSON data, images, or HTML) across the network.
7) Testing Frameworks
Frameworks like Jest, Mocha, or Jasmine are useful for writing and running tests to ensure the reliability and functionality of your PWA.
Process of Building a Progressive Web Application(PWA)
1. Planning
First things first, you should consider the goals of your progressive web app in advance before deciding to develop it. Things like what features you want to include, user interface and design should be done in advance. You can start with creating the first design concept and wireframes of the app to visualize the actual look and feel. This step is also called the discovery phase where you get an opportunity to ideate and the feedback from users and stakeholders.
2. UX and UI
Next to planning comes the designing phase where you can proceed with designing the UI and UX of your app. During this phase, things like responsiveness and compatibility of your progressive web app with different platforms should be the priority. Also, make sure to capture all the details that are critical for designing a top-notch progressive web app.
3. Developing the front-end
The third stage is developing the front end of the progressive web application. By leveraging technologies like HTML, CSS, Javascript and other frameworks like Angular, you can get started with the front-end development. React and Vue.js can help to make your progressive web app visually appealing to users.
4. Implementing of service workers
Service works are the most important aspect of progressive web apps. They are similar to JavaScript files that run in the background which enables the offline functionality of the progressive web app, push notifications and caching. In order to make sure that your progressive web app runs smoothly, you need to register and implement service workers. This basically depends on the framework you are using.
5. Optimizing
Optimizing the progressive web app is most important for ensuring its smooth functioning across all devices and platforms. While developing a progressive web app you should ensure to reduce its loading time which will allow a smooth user experience.
Also, try using techniques like code splitting and caching to get fast and efficient operation of PWA.
6. Testing
Validate your PWA across various devices, browsers, and network conditions to ensure it aligns with your objectives. Additionally, gather user feedback and iterate accordingly to make necessary improvements.
