What is Progressive Web Applications (PWA) & Why You Need it?

The PWA or 'Progressive web applications' are web-based pseudo mobile applications that have the power to act like a native mobile app, but they can be created in less time and money invested in the business. Since 2015 Google and Microsoft are encouraging the Progressive web applications to be created for every website. There is a reason behind it. Let's know them a little.

Why you need Progressive web applications:

Less Investment: To develop native iOS or android app, it will take up to $50k or more depending on functionality. Later the maintenance cost will be added on the top- per year. On the other hand, when you create a Progressive web application for your website, it cost less money and have fewer maintenance fees.

Faster Load Time: Not to mention, because of its loading on the browser-based environment, so the PWA is very fast while loading. Even when you are down to a 2G network, the app will work smoothly.

Responsive: Of course, just like a mobile version of your main website, the Progressive web applications also act responsively. No matter what the mobile phone's screen size is, it will adapt and display the website or app content it needed to be!

Speedy Navigation: In the same fashion, all Progressive web applications are created that way thus the page navigation will be smooth. Scrolling through the app, go up and down, visit different tab- these tasks are just buttery smooth. Sometimes a PWA's scrolling can be better than the native app. On the contrary, consider the Instagram app for the experiment and see for yourself.

Installable PWA: Now the Progressive web applications are installable on your mobile device. They did not take much space than the native similar app. They also act like a native app by adding the 'splash screen' while the app startups. This way you will have a cheap realistic native-like app that can be enough for you.

Offline Access: Progressive web applications also have offline data storage for later using the feature. It uses the serviceworker.js and other resources combined to catch the HTML files, CSS files, and images, thus they can be used later. To put it differently, this data caching mechanism allows the PWAs to run faster than any native app. Don't forget, a native app also carries other coding's that makes the app heavier.

It's Real: Like a native app, the Progressive web applications can also send push notifications, to your home screen, have a real icon to launch, have offline access, etc. All things considered, now a PWA can do similar like a native app, but it costs a fraction. You may have money to create a mobile-friendly website and a native app for approx. $50k with an annual maintenance charge, but a small business can't. In the long run, if the small business owner can create a Progressive web application for the website, it will boost business.  Maybe not with a native app, but a PWA, in either case, can have a win-win situation.

Certainly, the PWA is not just a shortcut to your favorite website on the home screen, they are more than that. If you are an owner of a business, you should need a Progressive web application for your clients for maximum engagement. That way, with minimum investment, you can keep the business in profit while others can't.