PWAs are the Next Big Thing for Mobile Experience
In the world of today, where almost half of the population is using mobile phones, a strong mobile presence is a must. In current times, users have moved from powerful, always-connected desktop machines to widely used and accessible mobile devices.
With the increase in the use of mobile phones, an increase is recorded in the use of mobile websites. Insightful data shared by Statista on mobile web traffic accounts for more than 50% globally from the 1st quarter of 2015 to the 3rd quarter of 2020. This increase in web traffic from mobile users comes with an expectation. That's where PWAs come into action.
But what exactly are PWAs?
PWAs are progressive web apps that are supposed to be faster and more efficient than native apps, easier to load and store, and can perform almost all the functions that a native app will, without the need for permanent installation.
A progressive web application is built with typical web technologies like HTML and JavaScript and is launched just like any other web application but has native-like functionality. There are numerous benefits of building a dedicated native app might, but it can also be a burden on your pockets if users are not attracted to it.
With that said, PWAs are being considered as the future of the web or the “next big thing” in the tech world. To further make you familiar with progressive web apps we have listed some benefits to users of using PWAs and how native and Progressive web apps are different.
Here are some of the benefits of using Progressive web applications:
Reliable
Perhaps the most important feature of progressive web all development is the ease of access, even with zero connectivity. PWAs use service workers to remove the dependency on a web server when there's no connection. It keeps the information intact and enables the user to obtain the data by utilizing the Smart cache feature.
Budget-Friendly
An average smartphone app development costs approximately around $50K, website owners might find it easier to introduce progressive web apps on their existing websites to save on budget and maintenance. It can also offer lower costs and fewer resources but nearly the same functionality for startups that are price and resource-conscious, maintaining nearly the same features.
Ease of Installation
Unlike the native applications, installation is a smooth process because there is less human involvement in its installation. PWAs have URLs like a regular website. The user is not directed towards any app store because they're automatically downloaded onto a mobile device. It also gives rapid, performant, and smooth responses to user interactions.
Smaller and Lightweight
The size of progressive web applications is smaller than native applications. The size of Twitter Lite is around 600KB, 2 times smaller than the Twitter app on Android and IOS devices.
Increased Leads and Revenue
Progressive web apps can work independently of network connectivity, and with the option of a push notification, you can build a deeper relationship with your users and customers and convert them into leads and sales.
A push notification is a small message that pops up on our home screen after the progressive web app has been installed. It looks like a regular message but will contain updates about the app.
Progressive web apps don’t come with fees to pay-to-play, which means all the revenue generated from them directly goes to you (or the owner). That’s not the only way to make money from the progressive web apps than native apps.
For starters, progressive web apps are much easier to build than native apps. It still needs to be updated and maintained but requires lesser time, commitment, and resources.
How Progressive Web Apps are Different from Native Applications
To understand the difference between a native and progressive web application it is important to understand what they are.
Native applications are generally apps on your smartphones. While progressive web applications are generally websites that have a display like mobile applications. Here are further ways listed below of how progressive web apps are different than native applications.
Progressive
One of the biggest selling points of developers developing progressive apps is that it does not have restrictions like traditional apps. Progressive web apps are integrated and can work on several platforms. The progressive characteristics that make a PWA different from a native application.
Responsive
Another thing that makes a progressive web app different from a native app is it has a responsive design, unlike native apps. Progressive web apps are compatible with both mobile devices and desktops regardless of the screen sizes.
Connectivity
Connectivity is another major aspect that differentiates both progressive web app and native applications. Some native apps can work even with a limited or no internet connection, unlike a progressive web app.
If you are developing a progressive web app you must equip it with a functionality that works with limited network connectivity. In the past, it was understandable that a website didn’t work without an internet connection but in the present, a PWA must be able to work offline to provide its user’s ease.
To Wrap Up
Progressive webs have a bright future that is changing user’s mobile experience. Progressive web apps seem to be the future of web design, allowing web app developers to create user experiences that have the reach of the web and the functionality of native apps.
With progressive web apps, startups can utilize speed, agility, and platform independence while offering nearly the same experience without compromising on many core features.
Their abundant benefits make them a worthy investment. With time, progressive web apps are going to get more popular and maybe up there as the main way of building mobile apps.
Many companies are furthering their investment in it to endure they do not miss out on the benefits of its features. As this trend towards progressive web apps continues to grow, consumers will become more accustomed to encountering it in search and know that this user-friendly interface is accessible right from their browser.