Progressive Web Apps: How They're Transforming Mobile App Development?

The concept of Progressive Web Apps (PWA) is quickly gaining popularity in the development community.PWA is being used by large organizations and mobile app libraries to create a personalized user experience.

Mobile consumers have been familiar with applications on their phones for quite some time now. Ever since the Symbian mobile operating system, mobile apps found their way into everyone’s utility pockets. This was because they managed to replace existing methods of completing web or mobile tasks, or vastly improved them. 

But as Symbian saw its slow demise, consumers noted just how numerically disadvantaged the platform was. And with the iPhone and Android era ushering in, the idea of mobile apps became truly ubiquitous.

A decade later, mobile app development became an industry term, with fierce global competition to build and market the next big app idea. The mere idea of owning a smartphone without a few dozen apps is a concept alien to most. And why not? They’re user-friendly, quick, and convenient. 

Mobile apps have revolutionized the way we consume information and the internet today. But as someone who’s looking to develop a web app, the process isn’t without its caveats. 

This article will help you understand what PWAs are, their history and development, plus the benefits and drawbacks of using them.

Recommended: Web App Development – Top 8 Popular Backend Frameworks 

What are Progressive Web Apps (PWAs)?

Today, the mobile application is an essential part of the digital ecosystem. It lets you stay in touch with friends and family, get work done, and access information whenever you want.

Many mobile application developers do not optimize their apps for modern mobile users. They build them as web applications, which means they're slow and drain your battery.

This is where progressive web apps come in. Progressive web apps are a hybrid between native apps and websites. They give users the rich functionality of native apps with all the convenience of regular sites.

PWAs are increasingly popular in the USA and Canada as businesses aim for fast, reliable, and engaging mobile experiences for their customers.

PWAs offer many advantages over native apps, including cross-platform compatibility, lower development costs, and improved SEO. As a result, many businesses in the USA and Canada are turning to PWAs as part of their mobile strategy, in order to stay competitive and drive growth in the digital age.

In other words, PWAs are apps that install on the system and use cached data from the user’s previous interactions that enable it to work offline. In its essence, progressive web applications are websites that function like native applications you’d install on your phone or tablet. 

They have most, if not all, of the functionalities of native apps but still deliver on usability as a traditional website would.

Through PWA mobile apps, the aim is to bridge the gap between mobile apps and websites by providing the same levels of usability on desktops and mobile platforms. But despite the aforementioned claim, 

PWAs aren’t technically apps. They function as digital products that display content like a website on a desktop browser but mold their functionality as an app when used on mobile devices. 

Examples of Progressive Web Apps

Worldwide retail e-commerce sales were $5.2tn in 2021 and are projected to reach $8.1tn by 2026, growing 56% as per Statista. Therefore, many companies have adopted PWAs as part of their digital strategy.

Here are some of the top companies that have embraced progressive web application development:

1. Twitter Lite: Twitter's PWA provides a fast and data-efficient version of the social media platform that can be accessed from any device with a web browser. It includes features like push notifications and offline access.

2. Flipboard: Flipboard's PWA allows users to curate and read news stories in a mobile app-like experience. It includes features like offline access and push notifications.

3. Starbucks: Starbucks' PWA allows users to browse the menu, customize their order, and pay for their purchases, all within the app. It includes features like offline access and the ability to order ahead.

4. Pinterest: Pinterest's PWA allows users to discover, save, and organize ideas in a mobile app-like experience. It includes features like offline access and push notifications.

5. Uber: Uber's PWA allows users to request a ride, track their driver, and pay for their trip, all within the app. It includes features like offline access and push notifications.

6. AliExpress: AliExpress' PWA allows users to shop for products, place orders, and track their shipments, all within the app. It includes features like offline access and push notifications.

7. Forbes: Forbes' PWA provides a fast and engaging news experience that can be accessed from any device with a web browser. It includes features like offline access, push notifications, and the ability to save articles for later reading.

These are just a few examples of the many Progressive Web Apps that are currently available. As more organizations adopt PWA mobile app development, the technology will likely continue to grow in popularity.

Why Progressive Web Apps Are Important?

Progressive Web Apps combine the best of both worlds—native and web apps. They provide a seamless experience that doesn’t require you to download an app.

1. Apps Cost A Lot

Even though mobile apps have immense utility today, the costs involved in getting a functional and clean app into the user’s hands are an expensive undertaking. Most people know this and when – the vast majority – decide to have one built, this is a huge stumbling block. 

After all the budget calculations, many find their existing websites or other online portfolios adequate enough and don’t venture into the app market.

This is especially true when an app is to be coded for both iOS and Android. Reusing codes for both platforms isn’t possible and UX/UI doesn’t translate well either. 

In this case, most businesses find they would either have to pick an OS to support or develop for both. And selecting between the two options isn’t straightforward either.

Android holds the majority of the market share in terms of devices in use with a 71 percent share compared to iOS’s rather modest 28 percent. So this would probably run anyone in the favor of Android, right? Not so. 

While the number of Android phones in use today may be significant, the amount of people who are willing to pay for apps is considerably larger on iOS. In 2017, app downloads on Android consisted of 70 percent of the total while the rest went to iOS. 

But during the same year, 66 percent of people on the iOS app store paid for their apps compared to 34 percent on Android. All of this makes the already-convoluted matter of selecting an OS platform much more difficult.

Apps Run Out Of Favor Quick

Compared to the early years of app development, the number of apps on every platform is a thousand times more than what it used to be. By the time the original iPhone came out in 2007, Symbian OS had an app library of 7000 apps only. 

Compared to today, both Android and iOS apps number in the millions. This makes the race to get your app in any category in the stores incredibly competitive. While your customers may want you to have an app for your business, there’s no guarantee they’ll even use it often enough to warrant them keeping it for long.

This is exactly the case with other apps you may not be competing with directly. Customers just aren’t willing to download apps if they don’t feel like they’re going to be using it regularly. And by that, they mean every day if not every other day. 

Users tend to delete apps that they do not use frequently. Some mobile companies have included storage-saving features in their operating systems. Samsung, Xiaomi, and Huawei all include their versions of storage cleaners that recommend users to delete apps that haven’t been in use for over a week. 

And if yours isn’t strictly social, the chances of it making the cut are high.

These two issues plague app developers today and make it very difficult for smaller businesses to overcome. But now, with the emergence of progressive web apps, the need for a mobile app is diminishing.

Benefits of Progressive Web Apps

Progressive Web App development for businesses has a lot going for them. The biggest advantage is that they integrate app-like interfaces, push notifications, and offline work modes seamlessly.

Companies like Twitter, Uber, Pinterest, and Forbes all utilize PWA mobile application development to make their App browsing experience as painless and simple as possible. Here are a few progressive web app benefits you should consider:

1. Improved User Experience

PWAs use modern web technologies to deliver a fast, seamless, and responsive user experience that feels like a native app. They load quickly, even on slow networks, and offer features like offline access, push notifications, and more.

2. Cross-platform Compatibility

PWAs offer a convenient way to access information from any device with a web browser, including desktops, tablets, and mobile devices.

3. Discoverability

PWAs can be discovered through web search, which makes them more visible and accessible to users. This can help businesses reach a wider audience and attract new customers.

4. No Installation Required

Unlike native apps, PWAs do not require users to download and install an app from an app store. Users can simply access the app through a web browser, which makes it easier for them to start using the app immediately.

5. Lower Development and Maintenance Costs

Developing a PWA is typically faster and more cost-effective than building a native app. Since PWAs use the same code across different platforms, developers can save time and resources. Additionally, maintenance and updates can be done more easily and quickly.

6. Improved Security

PWAs use HTTPS protocol to secure data and ensure safe transmission. This helps protect users' personal and financial information, which is especially important for mobile users.

7. App Store Approvals Aren’t Needed

Getting your app published on the Google Play Store and Apple App store can be a challenging endeavor. These caveats are usually on the development or content side and often helpful too (for consumers), but can prove to be a tricky environment to navigate around. 

Review processes for these apps are often fairly lengthy and can take up to several weeks to have your app approved or denied. This translates to future changes or updates you might want to make too. 

Every change goes through the same approval process and with businesses on less agile workflows, this can prove to be quite an ordeal to overcome.

Adding further to it, there are no limitations or restrictions on the web. This puts you in charge of the entire web process, and you can keep updating the features of your PWA based on your requirements.

8. Offline Capabilities

Users love PWAs because these apps can be used without an internet connection, too. The caching functionality stores your layout elements and loads them into browsers, so users can access your website or store without having continual internet connectivity. 

9. Push Notifications

PWAs allow you to send push notifications to your customers. You can send them push messages about your latest products and offers. Thus, push notifications will be a great marketing option for you. They will reduce your effective mobile marketing expenditure for advertising new product or offer.

PWA for Mobile

Progressive Web Apps are becoming increasingly popular for mobile devices.

Here are some reasons why:

1. Low Storage Requirements

PWAs typically require less storage than native apps, which is a valuable feature for mobile users who have limited space on their devices.

2. Cost-Effective

Developing a PWA is often more cost-effective than building a native app, making it a more affordable option for businesses.

3. Offline Functionality

PWAs can function offline, which is useful for mobile users who may not always have access to a stable internet connection.

4. Easy Updates

PWAs can be updated easily, and users can get the latest version as soon as it's available.

Can Progressive Web Apps Be Compromised?

While the benefits seem numerous and plenty, PWA mobile app development doesn't come without its own set of restrictions and issues. Here are a few to see if it might not be the best option for you.

1. iOS Compatibility

Apple enabled the use of PWAs to run since iOS 11.3. Any version before it simply can’t display PWAs on devices. And even with running compatibility, Apple does not allow PWAs a host of important features that might be necessary to your business. Features like Touch ID, Face ID, ARKit, Bluetooth, serial, Beacons, altimeter sensor, and even battery information are all withheld from PWAs.

2. Issues With Legacy Devices

Progressive Web Apps are new to the foray and with any new technology, support, and functionality on legacy devices are always a concern. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that older mobile devices with outdated web browsers don’t support them too well. Now while this problem might not be a permanent one, it still may bring a host of customer complaints in the present.

3. PWAs Aren’t Limitless

Despite their impressive nature compared to web applications, PWAs can’t do everything that traditional mobile apps have in their arsenal. This is largely due to the language they are written in JavaScript. 

JavaScript isn’t as battery-efficient or quick as apps written in native languages due to its single-threading programming nature. At the time of writing, PWAs also miss out on key device features like Bluetooth, proximity sensors, ambient light, advanced camera controls, and others.

Recommended: How to Detect and Prevent Security Risks in Your Web Applications: A Comprehensive Guide

How Can I Determine The Cost of Progressive Web Apps Development?

The progressive web app cost can vary widely depending on several factors, including the complexity of the project, the number of features and functionality required, and the level of customization desired.

Here are some of the factors that can impact the progressive web app development cost:

1. Features and Functionality: The more features and functionality you want in your PWA, the more it will cost. Advanced features such as push notifications, offline access, and location-based services require more development time and resources.

2. Design: Customized design elements such as layout, graphics, and animations can significantly increase the cost of PWA development.

3. Development Platform: The development platform chosen for your PWA, such as Angular or React, can also affect the cost. Each platform has different development costs, resources, and community support.

4. Testing and Quality Assurance: Extensive testing and quality assurance are critical for a successful PWA. This can be a good addition to the overall development process.

5. Developer Experience and Rates: The experience and expertise of the developer or development team can also impact the cost. Rates can vary based on location, experience, and project complexity.

Let’s Join The Progressive Web Apps Revolution

For businesses that can afford to build mobile apps, there are clear benefits in going down that route. But even then, the case for PWAs is getting stronger.

Because of their shared similarities – in executing similar functions like apps, faster optimizations and changes, and reduced cost – PWAs are a strong asset for anyone looking to begin their venture into mobile apps. 

This shift in approach cultivates a focus on user experience and UX/UI. It also puts emphasis on the decision to actually go ahead and develop a web app or not – especially if the PWA is sufficient to requirements. 

Not only does this help cut down costs considerably but has you up and running quickly too. PWAs are great for apps that want to go app-like but haven't yet tested their market.

They also enable small businesses to set up a functional output without having to shell out for a full-fledged app and the hurdles it brings.

The current outlook is promising in the world of Progressive web app development services and InvoZone is here for it. If you have an idea to develop a PWA, mobile app or website for your startup, shout us out and we’d love to get you started.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is meant by progressive web apps?

Progressive web apps (PWAs) are a new way of building websites and web apps. They combine the best parts of native apps and websites while taking advantage of the flexibility, reach, and speed of the web.

The main idea behind PWAs is that they should be fast to load and easy to use, even on flaky networks. This makes them ideal for users in emerging markets with unreliable internet connections. They also make it possible for users to take advantage of push notifications and other features that are not available on regular web pages or apps.

2. What is the difference between a web app and a progressive web app?

A web app is an application that runs in a browser. It can be installed on your computer or mobile device, but it still needs to connect to the internet in order to run.

A progressive web app (PWA) is similar to a web app, but it's more secure and faster because it uses modern technologies such as service workers and manifest files. PWAs can also be added to your home screen like an app, and they load instantly.

3. What are some popular progressive web apps?

Progressive Web Apps (PWA) are web pages that have been optimized for mobile use. They can be installed on your device, and they can run offline. They also support push notifications and background sync.

Some of the most popular PWAs include Google Maps, Twitter, Flipboard, and Facebook Messenger.