Why Do We Need Progressive Web App & How It’s Better than Native Apps?

The smartphone has over 1 billion active users worldwide and markets over 2.5 million apps. Mobile smart devices have changed the way we work. A survey conducted by Bank of America in the United States that 91% say their smartphone is very important, and for 60%, it is more important than their daily coffee. The app development industry has gained momentum with a growing number of smartphones and apps. One of them is progressive web app development, which entrepreneurs are adopting for their businesses.

The smartphone has become the need of everyone today. Nearly all are expected to have more ecommerce sales on mobile by the end of 2021 than traditional web browsing. To meet the demands of modern customers, e-commerce entrepreneurs have to provide a fast, easy and seamless mobile shopping experience. Therefore, they are taking advantage of progressive web app development services.

What is Progressive Web App?

Progressive web apps (PWA) provide an alternative approach, thereby improving the cross-platform performance of apps on the web and mobile. PWA employs a service worker to manage, caching, and storing requests for shell data in the cache. Compared to native apps, they use much less storage space on the user’s device. There are many ways to improve the user experience with your PWA. Through Progressive Web App Development, you can create an attractive app with a better user experience.

Advantage of Progressive Web Apps-

Accessibility–

A major advantage of PWA is that they are independent of the App Store. Many smartphone users remove apps due to lack of storage space; this freedom can be a major benefit. In addition, customers do not need to download PWA and use too much space.

Faster development–

PWA is cheaper, faster, and easier to develop than native apps. Developing native apps right from the start requires specific technologies for both platforms. In the case of PWA, only HTML, CSS, and JavaScript are required.

URL access-

You do not need to download and install PWA. You can only access it through a browser. Also, like any website, a PWA can be shared via a short URL.

Less cost-

A progressive web app is a website; you do not need a big budget to develop it.

SEO optimization–

PWA contains URLs that Google indexes. This means that customers can easily find PWA using search engines.

Compatibility-

Since PWA is accessed through a browser, it runs on any type of OS and mobile device (smartphone or tablet).

SEO Benefits-

Instead of starting a marketing campaign, you can rely on SEO benefits to promote it. Also, due to Google’s mobile-first indexation policy, your app may get higher rankings.

User Engagement-

While this is nothing more than a modified website, a PWA keeps users engaged with push notifications.

Update-

A PWA updates without the user clicking any button. All new features are available automatically.

Better engagement-

The average bounce rate for PWA is 42% lower than for a mobile responsive website. Businesses implementing PWA recorded up to 80% growth in user mobile sessions, thus, developing a PWA ensures firms with better customer engagement and greater sales opportunities.

Offline access and security-

PWA has offline access. Compared to traditional mobile websites, progressive web apps provide additional layers of security because it uses only HTTP cookies / JavaScript readable cookies as well as authentication / CSRF tokens.

What are Native Apps?

Native apps are applications that are built for specific software, coded in a particular programming language. This allows them to make the app work better on the operating system, using that system’s tools and framework. Through this, it is possible to incorporate the unique capabilities of that hardware by choosing to create a native app for particular hardware. This means that a native app is usually developed twice, so users have access regardless of their preferred device.

Advantages of Progressive Web Apps Over Native Apps-

If your project requires open access from a URL and you do not have a large team of developers with Android and iOS cross-platform knowledge, then PWA is the best option for you. If you only want a native-app experience and you have a development budget, you can go with a native app.
Native apps are designed to run on specific operating systems such as Android or iOS. Therefore, developers need to use specific languages such as Java or Swift to build applications. Once created, the app must be submitted and reviewed by Google Play or Apple Store to ensure that it meets the standards of each platform. Overall, this process can take months.
This is not the case in progressive web app development as they are just extensions of your website with new web features that provide a more native-like experience. You don’t deal with the App Store, and technologies are the standard for front-end developers. These requirements leverage the TLS protocol to ensure secure data transfer when the web app communicates with backend ecommerce and CMS systems. Progressive Web App Development Cost are important for acquiring ecommerce stores that handle user information and customer credit card information.
Native apps require installation on the device after which it can be accessed by the user. On the other hand, a PWA can be accessed from a browser/link. Users can bookmark the link, add it to the home screen and share it easily.
In the case of native apps, businesses will need to develop separate apps for each platform, which may not be budget-friendly for a lot of start-ups and SMBs. Conversely, a PWA can be developed using a single codebase that can run on multiple browsers. Additionally, since the code is written only once, it also saves businesses from excessive costs and time.
Publishing on a variety of platforms requires the app to meet certain requirements and pay monthly / lump sum fees. A PWA bypasses all such constraints because it can be accessed by a browser and shared across a URL.
PWA can be indexed directly on search engine just like a website. So if you are only looking for a web strategy, then PWA can be a better option.

Conclusion-

As stated in the article, the main difference between the Progressive web app and native apps is that they are based on different technologies. The information given in this article can make it easier for you to choose your development approach and even outline. To increase conversions, traffic, and user experience, firms need to develop an effective mobile marketing strategy.

Choosing between PWA and native applications is based on one’s business goals, target audience, budget, and recommendations from a web application development company. For an organization that wants to supplement website traffic, progressive web apps are a better option. Progressive web apps are suitable for various business matters.