When it comes to web app development, the Progressive Web App (PWA) is a technology that has revolutionised the mobile-first approach world. Since its introduction in 2015, it has steadily gained traction among developers and users.
But with a developing technological landscape, one must question if PWA is still relevant in 2023. It should be no surprise that the answer to this question is a resounding YES!
As more and more web applications become accessible on mobile devices, PWAs can provide an enhanced user experience over traditional websites. Moreover, they offer greater security than native apps due to their reliance on HTTPS protocols. This makes them especially attractive for both eCommerce websites and enterprise solutions.
What’s more, PWAs are more accessible to use than native apps since they do not require approval from app stores like iOS or Android marketplaces. Hence, here is a comprehensive view of PWA works.
What is the PWA?
The progressive web app (PWA) can be loaded and used in a mobile browser, giving the user the impression that they are using an app. It is cross-platform compatibility between a native app and a mobile web page.
PWA can perform nearly all the same tasks as a native app, including operating offline functionality, accessing your microphone and camera, and more. In contrast to an app, it loads quickly, uses less device storage, provides a much better surfing experience, and users may access the app with only one click.
Although the late Steve Jobs had this notion in mind when he unveiled the iPhone in 2007, he was unable to expand on his original concept. This word was first used in 2015 by two Google employees, a developer and a designer, who added their modifications to Steve Jobs' proposal to do away with native apps.
How does the PWA work?
1. Web app
A progressive web app is a web page that can be downloaded and installed on your device such as a smartphone, PC, or Mac, complete with an app icon and shortcut. A PWA will download updates when a user launches it in the background.
PWA users will also have access to newly added features as you upgrade your web application, all without explicitly completing any kind of update.
When a user interacts with the PWA, the PWA can check the device's capabilities and load further data in the background. This creates scenarios for anticipating future interactions, giving the impression that the application is more capable.
2. Rich Features
Additionally, Progressive Web Apps can offer webpages extra features more often found in apps, such as offline use, fresh data notifications, and a range of other advantages.
On the same code base and concurrently with visitors to your website using browsers, this progressive unfolding of functionality based on the user's device operates.
Advantages of PWAs
There are several advantages of PWAs, but the most important are the following:
1. Similar to Native App
One Statista survey revealed that by 2024, there would likely be 1,033.3 million active users of the application. PWAs, therefore, possess a website-like user experience and a polished visual appearance similar to mobile apps.
Additionally, PWAs and Native apps both have a similar impact on user experience, as well as the same speed, responsiveness, and extensive capabilities of websites with database access and automatic data. Because of this, PWA pages are quickly found and indexed by Bing, Google, and other search engines.
2. Easy to install
PWAs can be installed on any device just from the web browser. With this functionality, user desertion of a web app is substantially lower and the user experience is greatly improved.
3. Push notification
PWAs use the push-notification capability of the device similarly to how native applications do. This feature is ideal for businesses and their marketing initiatives.
Users can get notifications from their PWAs, and these notifications are visible on mobile screens. As a result, businesses have a chance to connect with their target market, communicate with users more frequently, and build their brand awareness through user engagement.
4. SEO-friendly
SEO-friendly makes users want to stay on the site longer because it is interesting, quick, and reliable. Tech help increases user engagement as well.
Google can interpret JavaScript to display all links and page content. Due to Google's need to parse, compile, and execute such files, rendering JavaScript uses many resources. Because of this, Google indexes PWAs in two waves: the first wave fetches server-side generated content, and the second wave renders client-side JavaScript.
The SEO may be impacted if the second wave of indexing is postponed in particular circ*mstances. A PWA can be set up to have a positive impact on SEO over time while minimising adverse effects.
5. Updating instantly
Updates for Progressive Web Apps happen on their own. The app updates itself without the user's permission and does not alert users about impending changes. The idea is that every time a user opens the app, it updates instantly rather than downloading and installing a batch of modifications.
Not all PWAs update instantly, though. The app will notify its user through push notification when a new update is available if such a functionality is present.
6. Reliable security
PWAs use HTTPS to control and preserve the security of the data, reducing the possibility of security lapses, snooping, content manipulation, and other illegal activities.
Further, when it comes to operating on many devices and responding to screen sizes, PWA proves to be a wise investment. A PWA lowers the costs to the consumer and the time it takes developers to install it because it is so practical and cross-platform.
Is the PWA still relevant in 2023?
PWAs have several advantages, like being SEO-friendly, push-notification compatible, simple to maintain, effective security, and many more. As PWAs gain popularity, the technology industry is investing heavily in them.
Progressive Web Applications (PWAs) are already supported by browsers like Google Chrome and Opera, Microsoft Edge, Safari, and Firefox. Hence, PWA is still relevant in 2023 and has the potential to become the web application of the future.
How VirtualSpirit can help
Progressive Web Apps will remain relevant in 2023, and likely beyond. PWAs can provide users with the best of both mobile and web experiences, offering enhanced performance and features.
As mobile technology continues to evolve, PWAs can continue to stay ahead of the curve. Companies looking to maximise their return on investment in web development should seriously consider Progressive Web App solutions.
For your businesses that need help getting started, VirtualSpirit's experts are here to help. Get in touch with our team now!
