PWA application technology was first announced more than 6 years ago. The possibility of creating mobile websites attracted interest due to instant interaction with the client and ease of development. The first mobile site-application was presented in 2016 at the conference of programmers. Today, progressive applications are supported by all popular browsers.
Just imagine that you have a website that doubles as an application. You can download this site on any gadget, receive newsletters using the resource even without an Internet connection. Let’s understand in detail the features of PWA applications and the advantages of using them for business. Let’s consider how to quickly add functionality to your site and increase sales.
What are PWA apps?
PWA (Progressive Web Apps) applications are a hybrid of a website and an application, designed specifically for smartphones and tablets. The technology was created for those cases when it is difficult to determine which channel of information transmission will be more effective – a website or an application.
Progressive Web Application allows you to install a site with application functions on any smartphone. The implementation of the technology will make it possible to support only the website, without the need to develop separate applications for iOS and Android.
In a desktop browser, a PWA functions like a standard site. But when you open it in a smartphone browser, it starts working as a hybrid of a website and a mobile application. After loading, the system creates a cache site. This allows you to solve two important tasks: fast data loading and the possibility of using it without an Internet connection.
Important: the presence of a PWA application does not prevent the client from using the site in normal mode. Making a PWA website is much easier and cheaper than developing a native application. Owners of sites on popular CMS are even more fortunate, because to create a PWA, it is quite simple to download the appropriate plugin and select the necessary settings.
Pros and cons of PWA apps for iOS and Android
Let’s list the main advantages of PWA applications:
The technology provides push notifications to users.
It will be much cheaper to develop and maintain a PWA application in working condition than to deal with the mobile version.
There is no need for remarketing and retargeting to re-engage the customer, which allows you to save money.
Works offline without an internet connection and functions faster than a website or mobile app thanks to cache loading.
You don’t need to add it to GooglePlay or the AppStore before a user can download an app. It can be installed directly from the official website.
The size of the download file is usually no more than 1 MB, which is much smaller than the size of the mobile version and speeds up installation and operation.
The system supports all the necessary functions, in particular, determines geolocation, allows you to use the camera and microphone.
Among the many advantages, only a few disadvantages can be singled out, which can be eliminated in the future:
PWA cannot send messages on iOS if Safari is the default browser. But already in iOS 14, Apple added the function of choosing the default browser, which allows you to abandon Safari and receive notifications from PWA applications. Currently, the technology works stably when choosing Chrome, Edge, Firefox browsers, which makes up about 80% of the market.
PWA applications have Bluetooth limitations and do not support Touch ID.
When comparing the features of progressive apps to websites and native apps, several important features can be distinguished, which are presented in the table below.
Why businesses need Progressive Web Apps
Despite the fact that the technology is only gaining popularity, the very fact of the development of a new channel can give the most significant advantage. It is enough to mention the first Instagram bloggers who now have millions of followers and earn significant sums. It’s the same story with any other platforms, including PWAs.
According to statistics, a standard user installs 0 applications on his smartphone per month. This is precisely where the format of progressive applications comes to the rescue. Many brands use them as a primary channel of interaction with customers or as a supplement to a mobile application.
With the help of PWA, a business can solve a wide range of tasks:
Get to the user’s smartphone bypassing Google Play and the App Store
Carry out constant interaction with the client, stimulating repeat sales.
The user gets access to the company’s services with one click on the smartphone screen.
Due to the constant presence of the brand icon on the screen, its recognition among customers increases.
The average deal check is mostly boosted by the app’s push notifications for products and services.
Stay in touch with the client constantly, sending messages about the status of the order.
Savings on advertising is achieved by sending messages without the need to constantly configure additional advertising.
There is no competition when contacting a client through the application, unlike when using the results of a search engine.
To make sure that progressive applications bring significant business benefits, it is enough to cite several successful PWA examples for popular companies:
Starbucks doubled the number of users placing orders each day, and the size of the progressive app was 99.84% smaller than the size of the iOS app.
Tinder speeded up page loading from 11.9 seconds to 4.69 seconds. A PWA takes up 90% less space than a native app.
Aliexpress increased the conversion rate from new users by 104%.
The Washington Post has increased page loading speed from 8 seconds. up to 1 sec. And the number of visits to the site increased by 12% due to the application running in the background.
Examples of companies that are suitable for PWA applications
PWAs are suitable for any organization whose services customers turn to on a regular basis. Here are some examples of companies and possible functionality:
Restaurants, cafes, pizzerias can quickly process orders received from a customer in one click, as well as send promotional codes and promotions to stimulate sales, offer loyalty programs using QR codes.
Cleaning companies send reminders about re-ordering the service, as well as messages to regular customers about regular cleaning, increasing the volume of services sold.
Customers of online stores can choose products for purchase without connecting to the Internet. When a connection is established, the data is automatically entered into the system. If the product is added to the cart, but the order is not completed, the system can send reminders or messages about discounts and gifts, advertising of new products. When placing an order, the PWA application informs the client about the status of the order.
For online courses, the system sends a message about the start of the event or the date of its holding, as well as information about new courses, promotions and discounts.
Online mass media send information about recent publications of interest to the user. The client immediately goes to the publication he likes, without being distracted by unnecessary information or offers from competitors.
In the beauty sphere, PWA applications send messages about the need to visit the salon, as well as offer information about related products that can interest the customer, increasing sales.
Auto repair shops through the application can remind customers about the need for regular oil changes, the status of repairs, make additional sales of car care products by sending PUSH messages.
How to make a PWA app
When wondering how to make a PWA app, you should start by creating a basic pwa react app using create-react-app. After moving to the directory where the file will be stored, you should run the command:
npm install -g create-react-app
create-react-app pwa-experiment
Next, you need to install React Router:
cd pwa-experiment
npm install -save react-router@3.0.5
After copying the code into the App.js file, the system will output a simple page layout with navigation. To test the resulting application, install npm start.
With the release of Angular-cli version 1.6, it is possible to create applications with a service worker automatically, which further simplifies and lowers the cost of running progressive web apps for sites.
Installing a PWA application
Downloading a PWA for a user takes literally a few seconds, since the application has a minimal size, usually up to 1 MB. Installing a PWA application takes place in several stages:
The user opens the company’s website and sees a message, for example: “Menu with a 25% discount when placing an order through the application.”
The client downloads the application in one click directly through the company’s website, the icon of which instantly appears on the smartphone screen.
The user opens the application, placing an order through the mobile version of the company’s website.
After installing the PWA application, the system starts sending PUSH messages to the client about loyalty programs, promotional offers, new products and other useful information.
In 2021, when Progressive Web Apps technology has already become popular but still continues to develop, a user only needs to visit a site twice for the browser to send an installation offer. But the number of technology implementations will increase over time, which will affect the frequency of issuing proposals. Most companies will start building PWA apps and over time it will become more difficult to stand out from the crowd. Therefore, if you have your own website and are looking for new channels of interaction with customers, it is worth paying attention to the creation of a PWA application right now.
