Progressive Web Apps are new way to deliver amazing User Experiences to your users on the web. And that is well touted by Google Developer community as one of most revolutionary changes for the mobile web.

So what is it really?

Its is simply a Web Application that is Responsive, works Offline and can be Installed on the Home Screen of the device.

A presentation I compiled for our Tech-Tuesday’s at Office

Originally proposed by Google in 2015, it has since gotten a lot of traction from tech/media startups who wanted to provide a faster web experience for the users. With better UX comes better visitor engagements, increased retention rates and hence higher conversion rates.

In this world of Mobile where it has swiftly risen over Desktop to become leading digital platform with total activity on Smartphones and Tablet accounting for more than 60% of total time spent on digital media. This is high time for you to be Mobile-First.

You might already have an app or may be thinking to create one. What if I told you that you can create app-like experience right on the website. This is exactly where PWA comes in the picture.

More than 30% of all online shopping purchases now happen on mobile phones.

Whether it’s a native app or website, consumers want to minimise friction — your brand has different options to do this. And you no longer need to choose — with Progressive Web Apps you can get the best of both.

Best features

Responsive

Its built to adapt to any screen sizes across all platforms. So no matter where your users are, or on what device they will be able to use your web app with best possible user experience.

Reliable

PWA uses Service Workers to let your users access your app in offline mode as well. Unlike traditional web apps, your website wont reload on every page. It works seamlessly like a native app.

Fast like an App

PWA responds fast with smooth animations like a native app as it is built on App Shell model. It loads progressively and aims to minimise the first-paint time. It uses minimal code to avoid any janky scrolling.

53% of users will abandon a site if it takes longer than 3 seconds to load! And once loaded, they expect them to be fast, no janky scrolling or slow to respond interfaces.

It’s Safe

Most progressive web apps work with native APIs and service workers, technologies that deal with sensitive data and need to be handled with caution. That’s why every PWA has to be served through a HTTPS connection. It is served via TLS to prevent Snooping.

Send Notifications to Users

“90% off on your best styles” says the notification you just got from an e-commerce app you have on your phone. You would be intrigued for sure. Thats how these apps reach you and re-engage you.

With PWA you can send push notifications to the users on their devices in order to re-engage them. 60% of users who visit a website never returns back. That is a scary fact for an online businessman. You need to start thinking of user retention and reengagement to survive in this business.

An example of how the Push Notifications work with PWA

Engaging

Progressive Web Apps are installable and live on the users home screen, without the need for an app store. They offer an immersive full screen experience that prevents users’ attention to be distracted by other websites on the tab.

Installable

You can install it right on your homepage and visit it like a real native app. So it never feels like you are using a web app, and not a real app. Moreover it increases your discoverability for the user and increases chances of them re-visiting your app.

Linkable

Obviously at the end of the day, its a website. And website comes with a URL. No sharing the .apk files or making users go through the whole app download process. Just link to the Web App and done. World made so easy, isn’t it?

And what’s the best part?