Before explaining what Progressive Web Apps are, we must put the subject in context. Today, we start from the observation that:
The Mobile Audience Exceeds That Of The PC. (Source: Statcounter)
The downloading of applications is continually increasing. (+15% in 2016 globally, according to App Annie) But very few applications are used. On average, of the 26 smartphone applications an Indian user has installed, only six are used regularly. (Source: Relatia Agency) Applications are taking up more and more space on our smartphones. The Progressive Web Apps (PWA) developed by Google are a response to this observation.
What Is A Progressive Web App?
Mobile And Responsive Sites, Web Applications, Native And Hybrid: What Are The Differences?
Before defining a Progressive Web App, making the difference between the different notions of sites and applications is necessary. We distinguish websites accessible from a browser …
- The mobile website is a second site that takes over from the leading spot when the user is on a tablet or smartphone.
- A “Responsive” website is designed with a Responsive Design, that is to say, whose design adapts to all media (computer, smartphone and tablet).
- A Web application (Web app) is a website developed for mobiles. By extension, it also designates a mobile web application.
… Applications available from a download platform (store):
- The native mobile application is software, a mobile application developed for a specific operating system (iOS, Android, etc.). It is downloaded via dedicated platforms like the App Store or Play Store.
- The hybrid application is a hybrid version of a web and native application. It runs via a store and adapts to all operating systems.
Thus, it is necessary to distinguish between interfaces accessible from a Web browser (mobile site, Responsive Design site, Web App) and interfaces accessible from a store (native application, hybrid application).
Where Do Progressive Web Apps Rank?
Moderate Web Applications (PWA) are applications near this multitude of connection points. They utilize the best Web advancements (HTML5) related to the functionalities of the applications to offer an unparalleled client experience. In this way, they are the same as local and mixed applications, except they are open from a program and not a store. They are additionally somewhere between the Internet application and the portable site.
How Do They Work?
The PWA is a site grown explicitly for mobiles. For this, it depends on an Application Shell-type engineering, making it conceivable to utilize it disconnected. It then, at that point, depends on Help Laborers and contents that run close by the website page. They permit disconnected mode, sending notices or refreshing substances behind the scenes.
Lastly, utilizing a . manifest permits you to give it a more local delivery (full-screen show without a location bar, conceivable screen direction, recognizable symbols, customization of the shade of the location bar, and so on.). Utilizing the manifest.json, you can give a far-reaching subject tone for your site: “theme_color”: “#133742”.
Progressive Web Apps, A Revolution For The Mobile Web?
You are probably wondering why it would be more interesting to choose a web application that imitates native applications rather than a native application itself. And you are right. So, find out the advantages of PWAs for both the user and the developer.
A Significantly Improved User Experience
To provide a better user experience, Progressive Web Apps make the most of mobile sites and web applications. They, therefore, include the most relevant features. Thus, the user experience is optimal:
- Significantly reduced loading time
- Use without an Internet connection
- They are Responsive, so they are compatible with any operating system and any medium (PC, tablet, Mobile)
- No installation required
- PWAs are accessible from a URL or directly from an icon on the mobile home screen
- They do not take up space in the Mobile’s memory.
- They are secure (HTTPS protocol)
- A large-screen, immersive experience similar to native apps.
Five Good Reasons To Switch To Progressive Web Apps!
Less Expensive Development
Developing and maintaining a PWA is much less expensive than a native application. The latter involves additional costs related to the different versions that must be designed to be compatible with the various operating systems. In addition, it is also less restrictive because we are freed from the installation procedures established by the stores, but also from the subscription that we owe them each month to appear in their catalog.
An SEO-Friendly App
PWAs are accessible via a browser and, therefore, have a URL. Thus, each page of the application is indexed in search engines.
A Secure App
Thanks to the HTTPS protocol, PWAs have the same levels of security as a native application. They are, therefore, very relevant in an e-commerce context. The protection of personal data and payment information is guaranteed.
A Reliable App
Thanks to Services Workers, the app is constantly updated in real-time, with each page load, without the user noticing and having to intervene. A native app would, on the contrary, require manual intervention by the user. Service Workers also provide offline functionality.
An Engaging App
Push notifications can inform and retain your users or, for example, relaunch them when a cart is abandoned. Announcements appear even if the user is no longer on the browser. However, be smart when sending the first notification. This generates an almost definitive access request for the user. Don’t miss it. Finally, the icon (favicon) installed on the user’s home screen, like a native app, further encourages re-engagement.
Why Should You Seriously Consider Progressive Web Apps?
A Mobile First Approach
Developing a Progressive Web App is part of a Mobile First approach. PWAs and the Mobile First approach have a joint base: progressive improvement. The idea is to offer users a complete mobile experience regardless of the browser used and the state of the connection. For this, it is necessary to separate the substance (the content) from the form (the presentation and the functionalities) to concentrate on the essentials. Then, we gradually add new features. Today, Mobile First is the new paradigm of web marketing. Proof of this is with Google’s new Mobile First index, which gives way to the Mobile-Friendly index. Here’s a good reason to adopt PWAs.
An Optimized And Adapted User Experience
By gradually integrating the features of native applications, the Progressive Web App offers an optimal user experience. Like a native app, the PWA can access smartphone features (camera, geolocation, notifications, etc.). This gives you plenty of opportunities to improve the UX. One can imagine adapting the brightness and contrast of a site when the user is in a dark or too-bright place. It is possible to send him a specific URL when he enters a particular geographical area. You can adapt the page’s content when the battery level is low. The possibilities offered by PWAs are numerous and constantly evolving.
Encouraging Feedback
The first feedback suggests conclusive results. The case studies presented here by Google show us that Progressive Web Apps lead to:
- Increased open, click, engagement and conversion rates
- A decrease in the bounce rate
- An increase in the number of pages consulted and the time spent on the site
- An increase in the number of visits
- Improved page load times.
Many Opportunities For Professionals
As a web-based business player, Moderate Web Applications are a boon. The fundamental truth of having the option to get to the application in disconnected mode offers numerous conceivable outcomes of purpose. The client can return to recently visited pages without a Web association.
Likewise, he can make a shopping basket that will be refreshed when a Web association returns or even counsel the situation with his orders, solicitations, etc. Pop-up messages will tell you about an advancement or the accessibility of an item. All of this will support commitment and transformation. However, PWAs don’t simply apply to e-vendors. Related to the Actual Web, for example, Guide labels, they have extensive potential for any expert.
Conclusion
Overall, would it be a good idea for us to race into PWAs? The Ever-evolving Web Application is an answer if you want a clear, quick and intelligent versatile connection point at a lower cost. Regardless of a few contradictions with explicit programs, primarily due to Administration Laborers, this arrangement is adequately experienced to think about creating it.
PWAs won’t supersede local applications or the versatile web. Contingent upon your computerized methodology and the condition of your portable presence, they will become reciprocal or a sensible option in contrast to the client experience. You can consider the Dynamic Web Application a point of interaction that takes over from the versatile web after a client finds your image.
It will give extra usefulness not provided by the portable web. Then, the local application to hold the most intrigued clients comes at that point. Be that as it may, the Ever-evolving Web Application can likewise, at times, satisfy the job of the local application as the functionalities are progressively comparable. Highlights that are continually advancing to work on the UX.
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