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Why Consider Progressive Web Apps the Future of App Development

Why Consider Progressive Web Apps the Future of App Development

Mehul Rajput7949 20-Feb-2019

In the community of web app development, progressive web apps are the new trend. Earlier, we have seen individual web development for mobile devices and desktops. With time, we found responsive web design as well. Since we are still using native apps, we are not seeing any way they will fade away with time.

While discussing progressive web apps, we must admit that they have been in demand over the last few years. And the fame of these apps is basically because of detecting issues continuing in responsive web design and native apps. 

The debate has started regarding whether mobile apps will rule or mobile web will lead. However, they are not mutually absolute and numerous organizations require both. Let’s accept the fact that businesses require developing responsive sites and in some cases, they do need to create responsive web applications. Developing mobile apps is also a prime concern for many companies, albeit the utilization must be more targeted in user profiles or sectors. 

With this way strengthening, progressive web apps are developing that bridge the gaps between the apps and the web. They utilize the trendiest browser tactics for combining the accessibility of the web with the existence of the mobile application. 

Maximum ruling mobile and desktop browsers have accepted the browser developments started from Facebook, Google, Firefox, and others, to apply service workers which allow a site to perform like an application. These service workers are nothing but scripts that a browser calls upon and runs in the background for allowing app-like features as a part of a progressive web app user experience. 

With Apple, Samsung, Microsoft, and Google presently developing PWA technologies in their mobile and desktop browsers, it’s just a matter of time prior they convert into a new rule for web communications, simply as the responsive design came into existence.

Nevertheless, the user experience across devices and browsers can differ slightly provided the immaturity of the assistance of the PWA service worker. It is anticipated that this technology will develop over the upcoming years. 

While you don’t require to start applying PWAs instantly, you must check them and implement them all p has an amazing potential to evolve the mobile web building. Hence, businesses warm-heartedly consider it the future of practices in future applications. In case you apply now assistance, your sites will run as PWAs automatically on every new browser which adds assistance in the future. Before moving further, let’s have a discussion on progressive web apps in brief. 

Progressive Web Apps: In a Nutshell

Have you ever thought that your site can perform like an application? It may appear a strange concept to you but the opportunity is enormous. The creations that can be made and displayed by web application builders are simply beyond every limit. Hence, web applications came into existence a few years ago.

Presently, they are in buzz and every mobile app building firm is interested in going with this trend so they can also provide the best solutions to their clients across different niches and brands around the world. 

Progressive web apps have some great features which will surely amaze you. They can work in offline mode. Its stunning technology won’t fail to surprise you. A web app’s screen while accessed on a laptop or a desktop appears like a mobile app. It functions as a mobile application and sends push notifications as well. 

Undoubtedly, these apps, which give you offline access, provide also the absolute user experience to the app’s end users. This is the single purpose of every organization they must be capable of reaching the ultimate target audience worldwide in the most accessible way possible. And possibly, the PWAs meet this principle easily. 

So, will PWAs be the future of mobile app development, or will fade away with time? Let’s discuss why we must consider progressive web apps the future of app development. 

Why Consider PWAs the Future of App Development

1. Access to Content in Offline Mode

When it comes to surfing the internet on the sites, sometimes a website user needs to encounter any hassles. It happens due to the slow speed or poor internet connection. This limitation of the sites is covered by the progressive web apps as you can access its content in offline mode as well. 

Thereby, it means that the users will be involved in an app for maximum time as the internet hassles won’t trouble them. When the user experience is flawless and uninterrupted, it brings more profit to an organization of the progressive web app. For eCommerce sites, people can even see all products with no internet connectivity as well. 

Service workers, which are the basics of PWA, perform in the background, even if you are not accessing a website. It helps an app in performing offline, starting processes depending on the program logic, and sending push notifications alongside loading content again in the background. Service workers collect API and utilize cache for loading your PWA fast. 

2. Similar Experience of a Native App

While accessing progressive web apps in your browser, you will get the same experience as native apps. The shell of PWA looks like an app and imitates every feature you might find in a native app. 

Moreover, it can deal with client data, loyalty programs, and online ordering. Sometimes website users save the PWA to their home screen as a shortcut as it helps them get immediate access whenever they wish. 

3. Lucrative App Design

Apart from its offline mode feature, the progressive web apps are popular with organizations for another amazing feature. The designers and developers of these apps can develop the web app with some great app-like-looking designs for appealing to their clients. 

Additionally, many programming languages and systems are used for developing some of the best-looking web applications with great performances and features simultaneously. 

4. Higher User Engagement

Many sites display a dialog box with the Allow and Deny button for selecting. By selecting the Allow button, you can see the updates from the site when you are not active. 

And the similar thing Google Chrome app launched, which tells to add to the home screen. The prime perk is that with just one click, you can add that site to the homepage. Similarly, in progressive web apps, this link-adding feature helps the app to be accumulated and you can access that app straight from your home screen. 

For instance, with new PWA, AliExpress experiences an increase in conversion rates for new users by almost 104% and there is a 74% increase in time spent every session across all website browsers. Thereby, users currently visit twice as many web pages every session. 

5. No Need for the Lengthy Installation Process

You must select which web application you wish to install on your mobile device; however, you don’t have to wait for the complete lengthy installation procedure. 

By any means, there is no need for the App Store access by Google. Moreover, the developers won’t require submitting their apps for utilization. 

6. PWAs Offer More Security

A developer knows well how much Google inspires sites for having HTTPS rather than HTTP. Usually, app and web developers are aware of cyber threats. Earlier, HTTP was not enough to secure for safeguard users’ data. 

Presently, sites are programmed in HTTPS and you can easily introduce a PWA in a secure ambiance. While entering personal data in PWA like contact info or credit card details, users may feel more secure by getting ultimate mind peace. 

7. Streamlined and Fast Website

It’s already mentioned that PWAs are developed on service workers' technology, which is the scripts to get access to domain-wide events. Service workers are considered programmable proxies, which stay between the wider internet and the user’s tab. 

They assemble, rewrite, or interrupt network requests for enabling offline assistance and granular caching. In a nutshell, it offers authentic and immediate loading regardless of network connectivity. 

For instance, Flipkart Lite is a PWA designed for people who use a 2G network. It pulls open, new web APIs to provide a mobile web experience with less data usage, and quicker loading, and has numerous approaches for involving users again and again. Adding service workers, streamlined the website, and reduced load times for better navigation. 

8. Easier to Make Updates and Changes

One of the prime reasons to consider progressive web apps the future of app development rather than a native app is that you don’t have to contact the App Store for making any changes. 

Not similar to a native app, you need to inform the App Store regarding the updates and tweaks for troubleshooting the errors and bugs. And this might take many weeks for deploying the changes. 

However, in PWAs you can easily troubleshoot these errors and bugs and don’t require wasting time on writing 2 individual codes for iOS and Android devices. 

Final Words

In short, PWAs cover every limitation of apps and websites; hence, they are perfectly considered the future of mobile app development.


Mehul Rajput is a CEO and co-founder of Mindinventory, a software development company that provide web and mobile app solutions from startup to enterprise level company. His role involves heading the operations related to business and delivery with strategic planning and defining road-map for the future. He's an avid blogger and writes on web and mobile technologies, startup and business.

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