PWA Development – Transforming Mobile Experiences

PWA development isn’t just relevant; it’s a promising cost-effective solution to meet users’ demands for enhanced speed and efficiency.

If your knowledge to this is limited to just the buzz you’ve heard about it, the following lines are definitely for you.

A Quick Intro to PWA Development

Progressive web app (PWA) development combines the best of web and mobile apps. It offers users a seamless experience, like a native app, while still retaining the functionality of a website.

So, what sets PWAs apart from traditional web apps?

For one, they can be installed on a user’s home screen, just like mobile apps. This means users can access the app without having to go through their browsers.

In addition, PWAs can work offline. This means that users can still use the app while in remote locations or places where internet connections are scarce.

This is possible as PWAs use a cache to store data. Data is then updated once the device re-connects to the internet.

Benefits of PWAs over Traditional Web and Mobile Apps for Business

Now, you may be thinking why bother with PWA development when you can hire mobile app developers to get the job done. Here are seven benefits to explain the true power of PWAs.

1. Cost Efficiency – PWAs are much more cost-effective than mobile apps. While developing a mobile app for multiple platforms can cost a pretty penny, PWAs can be developed once and work across all platforms. This means that you can reach a wide/r audience without breaking the bank.
2. Easier Access – Not only are PWAs more cost-effective, but they’re also more accessible. Users don’t need to first visit an app store to use a PWA. This, in turn, makes it easier for users to discover and access your app.
3. Offline Access – As you know already, PWAs work offline. This is a game-changer for users who live in areas with spotty internet access. Moreover, the ability to cache data locally makes a PWA much faster than traditional apps.
4. Quicker and Easier App Maintenance – PWA development and maintenance are much easier than native apps. That’s because PWAs are built using web technologies that most web developers are familiar with.
5. Better Security – PWAs are more secure than native apps. This is because PWAs are sandboxed from the rest of the web, making it difficult for attackers to exploit vulnerabilities.
6. Higher Engagement – PWAs are more engaging than regular web apps. In fact, overall engagement is 137% higher whereas the average bounce rate is 42.86%. These impressive numbers are because PWAs use features like push notifications and background sync that keep users informed and engaged.
7. Simplified and Quick Development – Progressive web apps are available on all devices with a web browser. Therefore, you don’t need to develop separate apps for each platform.

PWA Development Success Stories to Inspire You

There are numerous case studies that demonstrate the benefits of using PWAs. You may be using a few yourself already. Check out the following great PWA examples from both enterprises and startups.

Twitter Lite

Twitter Lite is a PWA that was developed to make the Twitter experience more accessible to users in emerging markets.

Since its launch, Twitter Lite has seen a 75% increase in tweets sent and a 20% decrease in bounce rate. This is because Twitter Lite loads faster, even on slow connections, and works offline.

AliExpress

A Chinese e-commerce platform, AliExpress improved its mobile web experience with PWA development.

Since launching its PWA, AliExpress has seen a 104% increase in conversion rates for new users, with users spending 74% more time on the site.

Starbucks

The renowned coffee chain has seen a 100% increase in engagement since it launched its PWA.

Starbucks’ PWA allows users to order ahead and skip the line. It even loads quickly on slow connections. Moreover, the PAW can be installed on a user’s home screen, making it easier to access.

Pinterest

Another PWA development success story is that of Pinterest, which has recorded a 50% increase in conversion rates.

The platform’s PWA provides users with a fast, app-like experience, and allows users to save pins for offline viewing. Plus, it has push notifications, making it easier for users to stay up-to-date on their favorite pins.

Flipkart

Flipkart, India’s largest e-commerce platform, launched Flipkart Lite. This progressive web app allows users to browse and purchase products without downloading a separate mobile app.

The app saw a 70% increase in conversions and a 3x improvement in time spent on the site.

Trivago

The hotel search and booking website built a progressive web app that enabled users to book hotels directly from the site. The app saw a 150% increase in engagement and a 97% increase in clickouts to hotel offers.

How to Get the Most from Your Upcoming PWA Development Project

If all the above inspires you to create your own PWA, great! Before you start, though, make sure to keep the following information in mind.

Familiarize Yourself with PWA Development Frameworks

To begin with, one of the most popular frameworks for building PWAs is the Polymer Project. This framework allows developers to build web components and use them across their PWA.

The Angular framework is also a popular choice for PWA development. It provides a suite of tools for building and testing PWAs, making the process much easier.

Read Up on the Best Practices of Creating PWAs

To ensure your app is a success, you should learn the best practices for building a PWA. This is especially important if you’re hiring Agile developers since they’ll expect your constant involvement.

A few basic principles you should keep in mind are –

• Optimize your PWA for Speed – Minimize the amount of data that needs to be loaded and ensure that your app loads quickly, even on slow connections.
• Prioritize Responsiveness – During PWA development, ensure that your app is fully responsive, i.e. it can be used on any device.
• Create a Seamless User Experience – Ensure that your PWA feels like a native app, with features like push notifications, an app-like interface, and offline capabilities.

Don’t limit yourself to these though. Make sure to read more and learn further.

Keep it Simple

KISS (keep it simple, stupid) is one of the basics developers learn during the course of their studies. However, it’s easy going a little overboard at times.

So, keep in mind that mobile devices have smaller screens and less processing power than desktop computers.

Ensure Smooth Navigation

Users will expect your PWA to act like a mobile app and function like a website. Therefore, you need to tackle this project like you would a native app.

So, no web-based interactions elements like footers. Instead, use a small navigation bar that doesn’t take up much screen space.

Make Your PWA Discoverable

PWAs need to be discoverable and SEO friendly among other things to be successful. So, take necessary measures such as –

• Configuring the server to respond to deep URL requests with fully-rendered HTML
• Allowing crawlers to access pages independence and via a specific URL
• Using server-side rendering or dynamic rendering
• Avoiding cloaking if using dynamic serving
• Running the website on HTTPS and ensuring its security

Reduce Friction

Friction can chase away casual browsers and prevent them from converting into paying customers.

So, make sure to audit your pages regularly to detect and eliminate spots of friction like poor readability or lengthy checkout processes. Instead, opt for autofill, one-tap sign up, and other great UX improvements.

So, Why Not Give PWAs a Chance?

PWAs are cost-effective, accessible, and can provide your users with a seamless experience by giving them the best of both worlds. The examples above further prove their popularity and capability to be a hit with users.

And if you’re looking for the best PWA development team, simply fill the form below. Our talented innovators are eager to start working on bringing your PWA idea to app stores. So, get in touch soon.