In today’s world where mobile is first priority, applications often add more than a significant value. They offer better convenience, personalization, and a direct connection with our favorite brands and services but conventional apps takes large storage and require frequent updates.
But you would be delighted to know an alternative to conventional apps, which are Progressive Web Apps (PWAs). They offer quick responses while taking significantly less of your storage space.
So what are PWAs:
They are websites that benefit from modern web technologies to deliver an app-like experience. They’re very fast, can work offline, and even send push notifications while not requiring any app download from the store.
Why Are PWAs on the rise?
Improved User Experience: PWAs load very fast even if you have a slow connection and offer smooth navigation, ability to work offline and to be installed on home screen for quick access. This means a stress-free and engaging experience for users, which is very important in today’s competitive era.
Reduced Development Costs: Conventional mobile apps require separate programming, while PWAs use single code which can run on all mobile platforms. This reduces development time and required resources which makes them cost effective for businesses.
Increased Discoverability: PWAs can be easily discovered and listed by search engines just like websites. This eliminates the requirement of ASO (app store optimization) and also the efforts for app store approvals.
Offline Functionality: Another advantage of PWAs is they can be accessed offline through the app cache, which makes them ideal for situations where internet is slow or unavailable.
Push Notifications: The ability of PWAs to send push notifications and keep users engaged is of a great use for promotions, real time updates and reminders enhancing user experience.
Examples of Successful Progressive Web Apps
Many big brands have already started leveraging PWAs and they have been seeing impressive results. Some of the examples using the same.
X(Formerly Twitter) Lite: The PWA version of it offers a faster access to its services and is particularly useful for the places with limited internet access.
Starbucks: Their PWA offers a faster version to order and pay in advance, Eliminating the queue and hence improving the user experience.
These are just a few examples, and as PWA technology continues to evolve, we can expect to see even more innovative applications emerge across various industries.
Are PWAs a Replacement for Conventional Apps?
Not necessarily. Progressive web apps and conventional apps have their advantages and disadvantages.
PWAs deliver a seamless user experience across platforms with a reduced development cost. However, they could have some limitations in certain device functionalities compared to conventional apps.
The ideal choice depends on the specific needs of the application. For simpler apps focused on content delivery and user engagement, PWAs can be a fantastic alternative. On the other hand, apps requiring complex functionality or deep device integration might still benefit from a native approach.
