Progressive web apps (PWA) are not recent. Nowadays, they are frequently used to design and leverage countless online sites.
However, a large number of users do not exactly understand their uses, their benefits, or how they are implemented. If you are one of them, you are in luck. At Insiderbits, we prepared this simple guide to tell you what they are, what their benefits are, and more. Come on!
Progressive Web Apps: Basics
Progressive web apps are considered the new framework proposed for apps. Its behavior combines the pattern of a web portal with that of native apps. Next, we define the mechanisms implicit in its nomenclature to understand the term better. These are:
● Like regular apps, these can be settled on both mobile phones and computers. They are also installable, and their access mode and appearance are similar to the native ones.
● The word web refers to the fact that they are planned using technology with CSS, JavaScript, HTML, and JavaScript APIs. Therefore, they are multi-platform and multi-device.
● Progressive software adapts to device capabilities for increasing power. That is the reason for their name.
At Insiderbits, we believe that these apps correspond to the initial evolutionary process of native apps. So far, they have proven to be a versatile tool capable of giving an excellent experience to customers.
Other singularities
Furthermore, the exploration sites that are considered progressive have other aspects:
· They send push notifications and work without being connected to the Internet.
· They offer better content loading processing in contrast to the other apps.
Without a doubt, these characteristics are favorable and exciting. People are motivated to browse using progressive web apps since they can interact comfortably.
Benefits of PWA
The constant use of these apps is due to their various advantages. Well, in some way, these solve certain limitations that are found both in native and on the web.
Among the positive aspects of its implementation, its offline operation, better use of resources, and good user experience stand out. Below, we share more details about it.
Greater performance and speed
PWAs are installed and run through the browser on mobiles, such as phones and tablets. Therefore, they need less space and resources than regular apps. It translates into better productivity. On the other hand, its loading and browsing speed is immensely optimized. The consumer can quickly view the content.
Offline use
A relevant advantage is that a PWA must allow partial or total access despite not having an active connection to the Internet network. It is possible because they rely on Service Workers’ technology and caching mechanisms. This support allows you to manage its execution in browsers and work even when they are closed.
We cannot deny that some functionalities will not be executed. Even so, the consumer will not receive the “connectivity error” notification as would occur when browsing in web mode.
Better browsing experience
Progressive web apps give other aspects of first-rate consumer acceptance. And these are what we mention:
● Easy safeguarding of data.
● The information is updated mechanically without any manual intervention.
● Intuitive and relatively simple and immersive interface.
● They offer a responsive design adaptable to all types of mobiles.
Another favorable aspect is that a quick access icon can be saved on the mobile screen when installing them. All these benefits provide comfort to the user.
More benefits of a PWA
● It is indexable.
● Access to some primary functions of the device.
● It is safe. It uses the HTTPS protocol and TLS encryption technology.
● It can be shared between multiple users through a URL sequence without requiring installation.
● Unlike other apps, its development, update, and maintenance cost is low.
The main components of this technology
For a website to be progressive, it requests precise mechanisms and techniques that allow the mobile app environment and the web environment to be unified. These are:
● Adaptive or responsive design. It favors the automatic adjustment of the web design to the screen of the device on which it is viewed.
● Browser proxy. This script technology allows the execution of commands even if the website is closed or offline.
● AppShell. This technique separates content and functionality, making them load separately. With this, the final consumer perceives a more incredible scanning speed.
● Manifest File. It is a file whose JSON format instructs the browser how to process the PWA. It controls the visibility of the content shown to end consumers.
● Media API. Provides accessibility to primary functions of the phone or tablet.
● Geolocation API. Allows you to know and access the client’s location.
We cannot ignore that progressive apps also require two key elements to function normally: a browser capable of running them and, in addition, a server.
Almost all browsers can support PWAs in mobile and PC versions. We can mention many, such as Chrome, Opera, Firefox, Safari, UC Browser, Edge, Samsung Internet, Android Browser, QQ, Mint Browser, Baidu, WeChat, and others.
Some examples of highly successful PWAs
You may have browsed numerous progressive web apps without knowing it. And many companies have implemented them for quite some time. We can mention the following:
● OutWeb.
● Instagram and Facebook Lite.
● Mobile version of X (Twitter).
● Telegram.
● Pinterest.
● Google: Maps, Drive, Photos, Duo and Google Stadia.
These companies have leveraged PWAs and created a unified project. It has been beneficial for them to bring together specific aspects of both the web and mobile. Not in vain are they positioned among the most successful in their areas.
Does the use of PWAs seem relevant to you?
The statistics we evaluate at Insiderbits make us consider the rise of PWAs. Indeed, its impact, concerning performance and consumer experience, has been well demonstrated.
We believe that they are here to last over time and that they will evolve. We are committed to keeping you updated. You can take a look at the countless topics that we continually prepare for our entire audience.
