Are you stuck at deciding whether to go for the web or the mobile app? Worry not as Google thinks in completely new directions and presents a solution to this problem: Progressive Web Apps (short: “PWA”). A Progressive Web app is simply put the optimal symbiosis of a website and a mobile app or you can say the best of both worlds! In our last post, we discussed the features of the progressive web app which reduce development costs, simplify the tracking while making Progressive web apps simply pretty cool. How exactly? Just keep reading!
1. What is a Progressive Web App – PWA?
- a “normal” web page that behaves like an app
- or a “normal” website can be accessed offline
- or a “normal” website that loads as fast as an installed program
A Progressive Web App is the perfect blend of website and app. In HTML5 and JavaScript programming, they are like a normal web page accessible in any browser, but these create an authentic app experience with the user and sustainably strengthen customer loyalty. This is done by using the same techniques of traditional apps such as:
- Push messages that inform the user of events occurring, extremely.
- Fast loading times(even with a bad Internet connection) which provide a real-time experience and
- An offline operation that enables the permanent availability of the Website.
Unlike traditional native apps for phone, tablet, or PC, Progressive Web Apps come without installation; this saves the user from the hassles of going through the installation process and makes the app more accessible and convenient. When a user uses the progressive web app, a shortcut can be created on the home screen of the user, ensuring at all times the content can be retrieved.
2. Advantages of PWA against A Native App
The advantages of a progressive Web app compared to a so-called native app (what we commonly refer to as simply “App”), are clear and numerous:
- Easier tracking because no FireBase is necessary
- No installation required hence the memory of the device of the end user does not affect the app
- Better discoverability in search engines
- No banners or interstitials needed to ask the app to download
- Linkable – the app can be shared with a link
Advantage 1: Simple Tracking
As in principle, PWA is a normal website; hence we can track users and their demographics etc. with standard knowledge in Google Analytics. However, with native apps, a special app tracking must be used. Google itself recommends, in this case, tracking with Firebird instead (or in addition to) Google Analytics.
Advantage 2: No installation required
The biggest advantage of Progressive Web App is that the final user does not need to install the app. Mobile users are quick to click on something, but the installation request represents a major hurdle. It consumes space and apps need to access the data of the users, which many scares.
Everyone certainly has experienced the moment when they tried to update an app and a popup came showing that the memory is already full. The app is a blessing especially for users, who do not own the latest model of the smartphone with a large memory.
Advantage 3: Easily found in search engines
Granted, Google is dedicated to the better discoverability of apps in the search results. Using Deep Links or app streaming, it is also possible to display app results in normal searches. However, this is technically relatively complex and requires mostly a good SEO agency. A PWA is normally displayed in search results without requiring special techniques since this search engine can easily render JavaScript (js).
Advantage 4: No app advertising is needed
Often users are taken to a mobile page and is beaten first with a banner or interstitial. The insertion encourages you to install the appropriate app. From the marketing perspective, there is often no other way to get the user to the app carefully. The procedure is correct yet, “annoying” for many users. Also, the operator risked potential customers to lose, who just wanted to quickly look up something without installation. All thoughts or fears in this direction are not used, because no installation is necessary.
Advantage 5: add link made easy
As progressive Web App in principle is a website with advanced features, the application behaves as basic as a Web page. In practice, this means that you can put a normal link to share the app as any other website. Deep links or App Indexing is not necessary. For instance for marketing, you can write a guest article in a thematically relevant blog, where you can just put a normal link. This can be a referral magazine on your Progressive Web App that may include a conventional HTML embed link. This strengthens your reputation and possibly also the ranking. Added together, it is easier to push a PWA to operate as extensive app marketing.
3. Benefits of PWA Over a Mobile Web Page
- Instant Loading: extremely fast loading times
- Add to Home Screen and Web App Install Banners
- push Notifications
- Offline First
Benefit 1: Instant Loading
The instant loading of a website has become an important success factor. Of course, it must be considered that each website visitor is a potential customer and you can lose sales and profits – just because your website takes too long to load. As a rule of thumb, you can lose the potential customer with 3-second rule i.e. if the site is not sufficiently loaded in three seconds that it can fully operate, the user jumps to another link. Ultimately, Page Speed has also become a ranking factor. Put simply, Page speed with good content and comparable external references on Google further entwine above!
Benefit 2: Shortcut at Home Screen
By using the menu icon of the browser, the progressive Web apps can be added to the home screen of the smartphone. The result is a shortcut icon on the phone of the end user that opens the associated Progressive web app with just one click and almost without delay. The user experience is therefore correspondingly interactive as an app. The user retention is similarly high as in the installation of a native app.
Benefit 3: Push Notifications
With a progressive Web App, push notifications are possible. This works for the user as well as with a native app, they need to install their smartphone. Through push notifications, you can instantly inform your customers on new actions, for instance, a publisher may indicate new spending. The user gets on his cell phone a message about the sale of discount promotion: “Get 50% discount this week” With one click, users go directly to the relevant page.
Benefit 4: Offline First
Once the content has been loaded it can be called these offline or slower connection. This has a huge impact on customer loyalty as it saves them from the frustration of waiting for the app to load or to connect to the network. In addition to that, special technology ensures that the site is optimally cached and so also works offline.
The use of Progressive Web Apps is on boom these days as it is a perfect blend for all who want to have a mobile site AND a native app but in a cost effective way. The app makes the best choice for the target group that tends to have a poor Internet connection. Finally, a PWA is a good tip for all web enthusiasts who want to use the latest technologies. We do have great examples of Progressive web apps such as Booking.com, AirBerlin and Flipkart that have created a huge difference in the app industry. Next can be yours. Share your app idea with us and we will accompany you in making the successful app.
