A digital project can be done by following various paths and working methodologies, and it is not always easy to choose the best one, especially if you are a novice. This is precisely why we at SHM Studio we decided to tell you about the world of progressive web app, a type of "hybrid" web application that is already revolutionizing the market of web marketing, communication and'e-commerce.
By now, nearly 50% of the world's Internet traffic is via mobile devices, and therefore it is no longer enough for a website to be user-friendly. Users want quick and intuitive experiences, and it is from this need that the progressive web app, or PWA (progressive web app, English acronym).
What are progressive web apps and how do they work
Le progressive web app stand in between a native app (i.e., downloadable from Apple Store/Play Store and created specifically for distribution in these channels) and a browser-accessible website, trying to give you the best of both worlds. So the goal is to provide a user experience that is as close as possible to the completeness of a native app, but one that can be accessed with any type of web browser.
This removes that barrier that exists with regular apps, such as searching the store, downloading, and manual updates. In addition to this, a PWA provides a very light, fast, responsive and interactive user experience, with all the functionality that a true native app would have.
Le progressive web app do not have a real online store, but you can download and install them on your device directly from the site (e.g., if you want to download Starbucks' PWA, you will be able to do so directly from the official page). Sometimes you can install them directly from the URL bar, while you will have to look for the "share" button to then download and use it immediately.
The 3 principles on which PWAs are based.
These progressive web app can be used by all major browsers since they make use of standard technologies such as HTML, CSS and JavaScript, basic programming languages.
However, we can speak of three main technological components regarding the operation of PWAs:
- I Service Workers: are JavaScript scripts that work in the background. They allow, for example, browsing the web app even in offline mode (one of the main advantages of PWAs over native apps), seeing content that has already been visited or even receiving push notifications. They also keep the app up-to-date without the need for manual updating.
- Web App Manifest: Making it simple, this file tells the web app how it should behave, and contains all the information to allow the user a native app-like experience. For example, contained within this file is the URL of the site, the ability to present itself as an add-to-home icon on a smartphone, but also the display settings, descriptive name, and default language.
- HTTPS: this standard does not affect the user experience of the progressive web app in any way, but it is a key component of the whole, as it ensures the security of navigation and privacy of the site visitor.
The major advantages of a progressive web app
These types of apps offer a number of interesting advantages, although they are not the best choice in every case. For some more complex projects a traditional native app may be preferable, while for others a PWA may be more than sufficient.
Having already talked about some obvious advantages (security, the possibility of offline use, compatibility with almost all browsers, and automatic updates) we can still identify others thanks to which these progressive web app are getting more and more space in the digital marketplace.
General benefits
First of all, they consume a very limited amount of memory since there is no data download but only a link to a web page. This allows them to work even on older generation devices. They are easy to share by simply sending the URL and are easy to program, whereas a native app can take months or even years to be released in the store.
Still speaking of digital stores, both Play Store and Apple Store impose very stringent constraints on all apps featured. Developing a PWA allows you to circumvent these limitations, and program it the way you want without having to submit to imposed rules.
Speaking of user experience and performance, the progressive web app are extremely fast loading due to the advanced caching provided by the aforementioned Service Workers. This brings us to the benefits in SEO optics.
SEO Benefits
The loading speed of an application or site affects, and not a little, Google ranking, and consequently the SEO ranking of the page. A pleasant and interactive user experience also contributes to improved indexing: more time spent on the site equals a positive influence in terms of SEO.
All of this represents the inherent advantage of the nature of progressive web apps. Since they are accessible from the browser, and therefore not downloadable from digital stores, the content is indexable by search engines such as Google. Here improves visibility of the application and thus its use, solving the real problem of native digital apps. In fact, if we think about it, how many of us still install apps on our phones, if not the main and most popular ones!
The problem with native apps is their difficulty in making themselves known to the general public, but with PWAs this obstacle does not arise.
Brief examples of commonly used progressive web apps
Lots of websites and social network have long since developed a progressive web app, reporting huge successes in terms of access and direct interactions. This is especially true for e-commerce sites, which have seen a dramatic increase in traffic after releasing their PWA.
To give an example, Youtube has an official PWA that can be installed directly from the site. An icon will appear on the desktop, like a real native app, and you can listen to the latest news, choose songs, make playlists, and watch video clips.
Some e-commerce apps, such as Trivago, Starbucks e Uber have a PWA that have been enjoying tremendous success in recent years at the public level, allowing these companies to increase their online visibility.
Many social networks have also long since created their own progressive web apps to enhance the user experience. Twitter (now "X"), Pinterest e Tinder already have their own downloadable PWA, and this allows users to interact with their favorite content offline, much faster than with their native apps and with virtually no weight in memory.
As a digital agency, we at SHM Studio are also concerned with the growth of your business through the creation of professional web apps. Thanks to our extremely qualified developers, we work to Ensure high performance and cross-platform compatibility. Our experience guarantees a product of the highest quality and designed for each customer's specific needs. Tell us about your project And we will find, together, the best solution to achieve it.
