Progressive Web Apps (PWA) may be a lesser-known name in the world of mobile apps, but they have already made an impact in the mobile landscape. Introduced in the year 2015 by Google, PWAs have gained popularity in a short span. Why did progressive web apps gather this hype? What exactly are progressive web apps?
What Is Progressive Web App?
A progressive web app (PWA) brings design elements along with other technology and features similar to native apps. PWA is a web that is similar to a mobile app. PWA has earned its hype as it allows users who are browsing the mobile website to enjoy the same experience as a mobile app.
Progressive web apps stick to its name and will work for any user, no matter their device or platforms used. PWAs are responsive and can fit all mobile devices, tablets, or desktops. They work connectivity independent, which means that the service workers can operate offline or even on networks with a weak connection.
Progressive web apps look and feel like native mobile applications, including every navigation and interactions. PWAs are also safe to use as they are provided with HTTPS connections ensuring the content is not modified or breached. Due to the W3C manifest, PWAs are easily discoverable as the service worker uses search engines to find them.
Similar to a native app, progressive web apps are also re-engageable, letting you contact your users via methods like push notification. They are installable and users can keep apps on their home screens. These apps are linkable, hence are easily shareable via a URL.
As these apps are easy to install on the home screen of browsing devices, they don’t need a download from the app stores. These progressive web apps let the user have a full-screen experience
Characteristics Of A Progressive Web App
Progressive
A progressive web app works on any device, be it mobile or PC, and enhances it progressively. The web app takes advantage of all features available on the user’s device and browser.
Discoverable
As progressive web apps are a website, they should be discoverable in search engines. This is a major advantage for PWA over native applications, as the latter still lag behind websites in searchability.
Linkable
A well-designed progressive web app should use the URL to indicate the current state of the application, which is another feature inherited from websites. This enables the web app to retain or reload the page when the user bookmarks or shares the URL of the app.
Responsive
A progressive web app should fit any screen, despite the user’s device or platform. Thus, a PWA is responsive.
Similar To A Mobile App
A progressive web app should look and behave like a native app. The app is built on the application shell model with minimal page refreshes.
Connectivity Independent
A progressive web app should work on any device irrespective of having a low connection or even if offline.
Reusable
Mobile app users are more likely to reuse their apps. A PWA needs to achieve the same goals by making use of features such as push notifications.
Installable
A progressive web app can be installed on the home screen of a device to make it readily available anytime.
Fresh
Whenever new content is created, the user gets access to the content when connected to the internet.
Secure
As a progressive web app has more intimate user experience and as all network requests can be intercepted through service workers, the app is hosted over HTTPS to prevent man-in-the-middle attacks.
Conclusion
Progressive web apps are the next big thing. The combined technology of mobile web browsing and native apps bring out a never before experienced user experience. Companies like Flipkart, Alibaba, Forbes and Pinterest are some of the best examples of the success of PWA. Want to know more about how a progressive web app could boost your business? Contact us for free consulting.
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What are progressive web apps?
What is the difference between Web App and progressive web app?
A Web App can be classified as a PWA based on these 10 concepts:
- Safe – Uses HTTPS protocol to protect the privacy and integrity of data.
- Progressive – Available for all the users regardless of the browser.
- Responsible – Must fit on any screen size.
- Internet-free – With the Service Workers’ technology, it is accessible even offline.
- App-like – Provides the same user experience as any other native/hybrid application.
- Always up to date – All the updates must happen in the background.
- Detectable – Identified as “application” to allow the search engines to find them.
- Re-engageable – Able to increase the engagement by push notification to bring the user back.
- Installable – Allows the user to create a shortcut on their initial desktop with a personalised icon.
- Shareable – Easy to be shared with anyone.
