What are PWA Applications, Who Needs them, their Pros and Cons

PWA apps are quite a recent trend in front-end development that has been gaining popularity since 2018. Such renowned companies as AliExpress, Twitter, Forbes, Tinder, Starbucks, and Uber have their own PWAs. In today’s article we are giving you an insight to the pros and cons of the technology and discussing who may need a PWA and for what purpose.

PWA is deciphered as progressive web apps, being an interim solution between a mobile app and a website.

A PWA website is developed according to a certain methodology. This way, it can be downloaded to a device as a regular mobile application. It has a home screen shortcut, allows for push notifications and can work offline. Yet, a PWA opens via browser, like any other website. This way, you receive both a website and an application which can be controlled through a single CMS.

PWA apps are based on HTML, CSS and JavaScript programming language. The following 4 key points are required for building a PWA:

1. A proxy layer Service Worker is placed between the frontend and the backend. This is a JavaScript file which is connected through the HTML code with the help of pages. It takes place in the browser and processes all the browser queries. The Service Worker also has access to IndexDB for data storage and Cache Storage for web resources.
2. Website resources are transmitted via an HTTPS protocol. If a website has links to unsecured resources, some browsers might display the content incorrectly.
3. An Application Shell is a template for a graphical interface. It is stored on the client’s side and uploaded at launch. Dynamic information is uploaded from the network further on.
4. Web App manifest is a JSON file which determines the way the product looks before launch. It sets the title and makes the icon similar to the native application’s one.

• Cost-efficient and quick development process. Two development teams are needed for the development of native applications for Android and iOS, whereas one team can handle the creation of a PWA. If your website already exists, it can be transmitted to a PWA automatically by means of certain constructors. Such a project can be deployed in a day.
• A cross-platform application. A PWA can be launched via any operating system and any browser, yet there might be some restrictions.
• Low weight. A progressive web application can take only 1−2 Mb of device memory. It might take up to 50Mb, whereas a native application takes over 100 Mb.
• Ease of setup. The link to download your application can be placed on a corporate website, sent via SMS, messenger or a QR code. This boosts the conversion into new users. A personal link keeps on working, even if external platforms temporarily ban certain developers or users. The user can add an app icon to their home screen.
• No relation to stores. A PWA can exist without being published on Google Play and App Store. Consequently, developers don’t need to adapt their products to their requirements and negotiate the process of publishing the app. Nevertheless, it is technically possible if a special programming wrapping is created.
• High performance, which is not far away from native applications. The page copies are stored in browser cash and are downloaded without any pauses.
• Offline access to certain functions. For instance, lyrics can be added to the bookmarks, and the user can listen to them offline.
• Optimized content management process. Website CMS helps to update the content of both the website and the PWA based on it. It saves admin’s time.
• No manual upgrades. Recent versions are automatically launched as soon as the user opens the application.
• Easy retargeting. PWA apps can send push-notifications. This increases the conversion of interested leads into long-term clients.
• SEO optimized view. Google, Bing and other search engines index PWA in the same way as websites.

• The technology is still in the development process. Thus, it will take some time to enhance the user experience.
• The device battery runs out quicker if the user applies a cross-platform application. The reason why it happens is the use of JavaScript.
• PWA apps are not published in the stores as a rule. We have already mentioned this point as an advantage, yet it is a great drawback at the same time. AppStore and Google Play lead to a great inflow of audience. A group of people look for official apps there, not on the company’s website. Apart from that, the stores check if an application is sage enough to download, whereas a corporate website cannot guarantee that. It ends up screening out the audience.
• PWA functions are restricted. For instance, they cannot get any access to the users' calendar or contact list, in stark contrast to mobile applications. This is the reason why the technology is not the perfect fit for developing time, task and project management tools.
• PWAs for Apple devices have additional restrictions. The progressive web technology is not compatible with Bluetooth and Touch ID for iOS. It does not allow for sending notifications via Safari, yet the rest of the search engines do not impose such a restriction. These drawbacks are highly unlikely to get eliminated. The goal of the corporation is to support the talents, without letting them spray on somebody else’s technologies.

Turn-key development of projects of any complexity

• Customized development and optimization of websites, online stores, mobile applications, corporate platforms, and databases;
• An assembled development team for outsourcing the creation of customized IT solutions;
• Coding in JavaScript, Python, PHP with the use of such frameworks as Vue. js, Angular, laravel, Django, Express. js, etc.

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PWA applications are the perfect fit for the businesses in e-commerce, online media, booking service, e-learning courses, restaurants and cafes, banks and organizations that provide financial and insurance services.

Such a technology will also be appropriate for the businesses from other spheres that

• Are searching for clients and are communicating with them via the Internet. The high load speed is essential here. In case a person sees a blank screen they might lose their patience and address another company.
• Are competing with a wide range of other companies in SERP. A PWA is indexed by search engines, unlike mobile applications.
• Create services for users who don’t have access to the Internet or are roaming. Fishermen and travelers are a great example here. Traffic consumption in progressive web technology is minimal, so a number of functions are available offline.
• Are willing to save money at launch. The cost of PWA development is comparable to website development and far less than the one of native applications.
• Are attempting to increase the average check and the number of re-sales. PWAs make it possible to accomplish with the help of retargeting and push notifications.
• Would love to expand their audience. Offline viewing, icons on the home screen and fast-loading content are advantageous for online media.
• Need to assure data safety. HTTPS allows for data privacy, and it’s vital for financial, bank and insurance services.
• Are planning to develop an application that duplicates the functions of the website.

The data is updated with a delay via a PWA app. That’s not a deal breaker for e-commerce, educational courses and reading articles. Yet, trading and sports betting will not benefit from a PWA since every second matters. The Way Top Brands Boosted their Performance With the Help of Progressive Web

• AliExpress has increased the user session time in each browser by 74%. The conversion into iOS has gone up by 82%. The platform has attracted more users via each browser by 104%.
• Thanks to the progressive technology, the number of taxi calls from desktop devices has increased to 30% out of all the Uber clients.
• Pinterest has boosted their profit from advertising by 44%. The users started spending 40% more time on the platform as compared to the previous mobile web interface. The key interaction indicator has increased by 60% gratefully to the progressive web technology.

These are the renowned companies all over the globe. Yet, SMBs can also benefit from progressive web.

A progressive web application is an interim option between a mobile app and website. It is based on HTML, CSS and JavaScript programming languages.

The main advantages of the technology are a quick and inexpensive development, cross-platform usage, offline mode, the possibility of push-notifications, cheap retargeting and visibility to search engines.

The disadvantages of PWAs include the inability to download an app from App Store or Google Play, rapid battery discharge and limited functionality for iOS.

Progressive web is the right choice for companies that are searching for clients via the Internet and are communicating with their customers online. They are not an option for a business that requires data update with millisecond precision.