It is a website built with HTML CSS and JavaScript programming languages enhanced with modern APIs.
This allows it to look and behave like a native device application with a single codebase.
Look
Users are used to the appearance of the application. Each device (mobile/tablet/pc) is different in terms of ux/ui, so we have make sure that users feel at home. Responsive Web Design is common in the web world but offline support is something we have to deal with to make our website look like a native mobile application. Once installed, the application runs as a browser but it has a hidden navigation bar, which makes it impossible to see the difference compared to other applications.
Behavior
Installation on the device is the basis. We can install the application from the browser and make it available in the google/apple/microsoft store. This provides us with many possibilities previously available only for native applications. Keyboard shortcuts, normally reserved when launching into a browser, become available. Progressive Web Apps may register to accept content from other applications or be the default application for handling various types of files.
The browser api also provides the ability to use the device’s functions, but I will discuss this topic later.
Look
PWA apps are supported on the application side in javascript and communicate with the browser api. Frontend frameworks like Angular, React, Vue, etc help you work on behaviors.
Behavior
The browser is very important here (type and version) due to the fact that it supports behaviors to varying degrees. The biggest limitations are on iOS. For example, to add a shortcut to the application there, you need to use safari (there is no such option on chrome) or the app store, but more about it later.
Pros of using PWA
Cons of using PWA
As for January of 2023 we can use:
For now there are also some features that are not available at all:
Not available for Android:
Not available for iOS:
Uber
As the company expands to new markets, its Uber web was rebuilt from scratch as a PWA to offer a comparable booking experience to the native mobile app. The Uber PWA is designed to make car booking viable on low-speed, 2G networks. Built around the concept of an app-like experience which is accessible on all modern browsers, the PWA is great for riders on low-end devices, which may not be compatible with the native Uber app.
By bringing the native experience in a super-lightweight web app, Uber has enabled quick ride requests regardless of location, network speed, and device. The core app of only 50kB allows it to load within 3 seconds on 2G networks.
Debenhams
Fashion, beauty and home retailer. Leading international multi-channel brand. Over 240 stores across 27 countries.
Goals: Improve mobile customer experience. Accelerate shoppers’ path to purchase
Approach: Partnered with Sapient.Publicis. Built a Progressive Web App (PWA) using the Mobify Platform
Results:
40% increase in mobile revenue
20% increase in conversions
Above-market online growth
Twitter and others
Twitter saw a 65% increase in pages per session, 75% more Tweets, and a 20% decrease in bounce rate, all while reducing the size of their app by over 97%. After switching to a PWA, Nikkei saw 2.3 times more organic traffic, 58% more subscriptions, and 49% more daily active users. Hulu replaced their platform-specific desktop experience with a Progressive Web App and saw a 27% increase in return visits.
Whatever we make, using the right tools for the job is paramount.
I hope I have helped to explain how PWA works.
Is it a good fit for you? You’re the best person to answer this question. Good luck!
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