What does progressive web app mean?
A progressive web application (PWA) is a type of application software delivered through the web which is built on common used web technologies including HTML, CSS and JavaScript. Progressive web application could be the next big game changer technology in the world of mobile web as its core objective is to take maximum advantage of latest technologies to combine both web and mobile best features. Its main aim is to work on cross platform which uses browser compliant standards and creating as such kind of user experience similar to native application on desktop and mobile devices. So therefore, there is no requirement for developers and users to install it from digital platforms like Apple & Google Play store because PWA is a type of website known as web application.
Why do we need progressive web application?
Have you ever seen an “Add to Home Screen” banner notification while browsing any website? When you click on this notification button, the application installs itself in the background. When you launch start this application from app collection folder, you can browse the same experience you were doing on the browser right inside from your smart phone. That means you have downloaded a web app in this whole process without going into the app store.
This process of installing an app was so easy but the best part is that you can even browse the content of app & have offline access if no internet is available. How cool is that?
A PWA lets you run the application right from the browser window which is available on your smart phone and works offline. But what does it exactly mean a web app to be progressive? Let’s take a deep dive into the concept of progressive web applications, why they are better than native apps and why they are different from traditional web apps.
! Progressive Web App is a new framework of technology !
“Before we start discussing on why we need progressive web app, let’s talk about some of the challenges that we are facing in today’s web app technology”.
- Internet Speed:
Internet speed matters a lot. It really depends at which location you live but the fact is that almost 60% of world’s population is still using 2G internet. Even in some developed countries some people have to use dial up internet connection.
- Slow Loading Speed:
You will become really amaze about this fact that how long a user waits to click on close button if a website loading speed is too slow. Just five seconds! 60% of users abandon a website if it too slow.
- Matter of User Engagement:
Users spend most of their time on surfing net and downloading an array of web apps but mobile web reach is almost three times faster as compare to traditional web apps. Hence, which results in lower percentage of user engagement because users are not able to engage themselves actively?
PWA’s helps to solve these problems and there are multiple arrays of reasons to use progressive web apps which provide top capabilities to its users, mentioned below:
- Fast Processing:
PWA’s provides consistently fast speed just right from the moment a user downloads an app till the moment a user start using it, i.e. everything works very fast. It is extremely fast to start the app again even without hitting the network.
- Integrated User Environment:
PWA’s provide user environment as like native apps. User can send push notifications and have full control accessibilities like native apps right from its home screen. This kind of experience is seamless and integrated.
- Progressive Working:
As imply, a progressive web app works on any device and enhance progressively by taking advantages of features available on user’s device and browser.
- Discoverable Feature:
Progressive web app is easily discoverable on search an engine which makes it advantageous as compare to traditional apps.
- Easily Linkable:
As another characteristic inherited from websites, a well-designed website should use the URI to indicate the current state of the application. This will enable the web app to retain or reload its state when the user bookmarks or shares the app’s URL.
- Engaging Feature:
PWA’s can send fast notifications to a user which can really drive the engagement of user actively by keeping them notified and engaged with the app.
- Easy Install:
A progressive web app can be easily installed on device home screen without any delay and making it readily available.
- Safe & Fresh:
Progressive web app has a multiple intimate user experience and these entire user requests can be intercepted through service workers, so therefore securely hosted PWA give prevention from middle man attacks. Fresh and new content immediately updated once the user is connected to the internet and same get populated in the app.
Conclusion:
After a long discussion on PWA, it concludes that PWA’s allowing app developers to enter and experience a whole new technological landscape. It has brought out a complete revolutionary change in app development sector. The greater the capacity of the device and accompanying browser, the more a PWA can live up to its potential. Progressive Web App seem to be the future of web design, allowing web app developers to create best user experience.
