PWA - best practices and benefits for your web application

A Progressive Web App (PWA) is an approach to building web applications that combines the features of a traditional website with the functionality of native mobile apps. The result is a web app that runs fast, works reliably, and can be installed on a device's home screen.

Unlike native apps, progressive web apps don't need to be installed from a store like Google Play or the Apple App Store. Their main advantage is that there's nothing to download - users access them straight from the browser. PWAs deliver a user experience close to that of a native app, with fast interactions and offline functionality, which highlights their flexibility and responsiveness compared to traditional mobile apps.

A progressive web app brings real benefits for both users and the business behind it. It helps increase conversion, lowers maintenance costs, and makes it easier to reach more customers.

A few key features set PWAs apart from a traditional website:

• can be installed on the device's home screen,
• works offline,
• responsive and adapts to any screen size,
• supports push notifications,
• secured over HTTPS,
• updates without needing approval from an app store.

At the heart of a progressive web app is the Service Worker - a script that runs in the user's browser and handles resource caching, offline functionality, push notifications, and background updates.

Building a PWA around mobile-first and responsive web design principles ensures it works beautifully across devices, from smartphones to desktops, with no meaningful drop in comfort of use.

All progressive web apps run over HTTPS, guaranteeing secure data transmission - important both for the user and for GDPR compliance. Thanks to caching and the Service Worker, a PWA offers fast access to data even on a weak connection and runs smoothly offline.

Unlike native apps, progressive web apps update automatically in the background, with no action needed from the user. A web app also takes up far less device storage than a native mobile app, a real benefit for users with limited phone memory.

Another advantage is a single shared codebase used for the website, mobile app, and desktop app alike - a major convenience for development teams and a genuine reduction in maintenance costs.

A progressive web app is also a website - it can rank in Google, which isn't possible for native mobile apps. A progressive web application runs on operating systems like Android, iOS, Windows, and Linux, making it a truly universal solution.

Modern PWAs can also tap into mobile device features such as the camera, geolocation, sensors, and Bluetooth integration. Thanks to newer standards, PWAs can also be published in the Apple App Store and Google Play, reaching an even wider audience. They're built mainly with JavaScript and frameworks such as React, Angular, or Vue.js.

• Twitter Lite - significantly grew its active user base and is also available on Android.
• Pinterest - saw conversion rates increase by over 40%.
• Forbes - cut load times to under 1 second.
• Online stores - PWAs let shoppers browse the catalogue offline and add products to their cart, improving the online shopping experience.

Progressive web apps are the future of web applications. They combine the best of native apps and websites, delivering cost savings, higher conversion, and a better user experience. If you'd like to learn more about building a modern web app around progressive web principles, get in touch - we're happy to advise on implementing a PWA for your business.