Mobile PWA

A Progressive Web App (short PWA) is a type of Web Application, which can serve as a browser based app, but simultaniously can be deployed as a mobile app as well. Main highlights of PWAs as definded by Google include: Speed, Reliability and Engaging as the main characteristics.

Progressive Web Apps were introduced by Google. Technology giants like Microsoft adopted and approved the technology quickly, and tech companies like Ali Express, Trivago, Forbes, PInterest among others have tested, and adopted the technology in their production environments. It proved that Progressive Web Apps can overcome challenges faced in Mobile App development, as being solutions which can be rapidly deployed on the highest variety of devices.

The generic idea behind Progressive Web Apps can be simply explained. PWAs are applications built on well know technologies used on the web, such as HTML, CSS and Javascript. They behave and look just as regular web pages would look and feel. You can link to them, just as you would with any other webpage and they are visible to search engines like other web pages. The key difference is, that PWAs offer near similar functionalities as native mobile applications do. As a key characteristic we define: they work offline, with no internet connection, they can send push notifications to the user, and they can use device hardware the same way as native apps can do.
Think of PWAs as an advanced Web Page with similar capabilities as Native Mobile Applications.

The PWA standard is an approach, defined by Google, with a main focus on the concept of Customer Experience.
The 3 Progressive Web App key components are defined as:

1. Reliability
2. Speed
3. Engaging

Taking those 3 key characteristics we can say:

• Site loading speed is a key factor for conversion, independent of the type of web page, a rule of thumb defines that for every second delay in loading time, conversions decrease by up to 20%.
• As web users consistently move toward using web pages on mobile devices, reaching a staggering 68%, the Mobile First Approach is fully consistent with the core principles of Progressive Web Applications.
• Reliability of PWAs results mainly out of the key feature of Offline availability, thus not interrupting user experience in areas with lower mobile network coverage.
• PWAs are engaging, making use of allowing to pin an application to the users' home screen on mobile applications, thus replicating the native feel of applications.

There are a set of advantages for anyone working with, or using Progressive Web Apps. The benefits for users, software engineers and businesses alike, everyone wins with PWAs:

• Mobile-first approach. PWAs are a direct answer to mobile users’ needs and allow businesses to build web solutions that work excellently on mobile devices.
• All in one. With a PWA, it is possible to develop a web page and app at the same time with lower costs and a shorter time-to-market. On the other hand, users don’t have to visit app stores to get the app; it can be installed directly from the browser.
• Short loading times. PWAs load 2-3 times faster than classic responsive web pages, which results in less annoyed users, waiting for a webpage to fully render.
• Native-like UX. Push notifications, icon on the homepage and offline access are some of the native app features that are baked into PWAs.
• Offline capacity. Mobile Users mainly suffer from bad internet connectivity speeds. PWAs allows them to continue browsing without need for waiting until assets are loaded. PWAs also provide offline readiness to supports traffic peaks, such as happening on Black Fridays or other days specifically designed for shopping with discounts.
• SEO-friendliness. PWAs can be optimized according to Google’s guidelines and indexed by Googlebot and all other search engines.

The key advantage for Businesses, and specifically worth pointing out are the smaller efforts to deploy ready cross platform solutions to market, as only a single application needs to be supported, over multiple in a traditionally fashioned scenario.