Businesses wanting to jump on the digital transformation bandwagon have a few pivotal decisions to make, especially when it comes to taking their venture online. They need to decide whether to invest in a mobile or a web app, a critical decision, since opting for either entails heavy investments in terms of time and resources.
While mobile apps are faster, safer, and more accessible, web apps are easy to build, launch, and maintain. In a world split between mobile and web apps, Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) come as a savior, bringing together a web and mobile app experience all at once.
In simple terms, PWAs are websites that behave like mobile apps, without the added hassle of a visit to the app store.
Typically, progressive apps are built with the help of technologies like CSS, JavaScript, and HTML-stuff that we all know and love. However, they mimic the functionality of a native app to deliver improved (read ninja) capabilities.
So, without further ado, let’s delve into why you need to take the PWA route for your app development.
Progressive Web Apps are platforms agnostic
One of the biggest advantages of PWAs is that they look and feel the same across all platforms and devices. With them, businesses can cater to an audience across every platform and create a truly enhanced user experience. PWAs are highly responsive and adapt deftly to different screen sizes. A single application can enable cross support to customers, making it easy for them to switch between their devices and availing a continuous experience.
Progressive Web Apps are reliable and secure
As their name suggests, PWAs are web applications that need to be developed with additional data security layers. A transport security layer is enforced on it which encrypts sensitive information that can only be decrypted using a private key. What’s more, PWAs are served with HTTPS which drastically lowers exposure to vulnerabilities. This mitigates chances of failure and breaches, making PWAs extremely reliable and secure for your customers as well as for your business.
Progressive Web Apps are cost effective
With PWAs, you will save money not only on open-source development frameworks but also on optimizing for the app store and garnering reviews. In addition to that, traditional app development consumes a lot of man hours which may end up costing you a bomb. PWAs to the rescue! Disguised as a one-stop solution for all your customer’s needs, it saves you both time and money that goes into developing complex apps, making it one of the most cost-effective solutions available in the market.
Progressive Web Apps boost user engagement
I know I have already mentioned this when we first met right at the top but allow me to reiterate. PWAs mimic the functionalities of native applications and provide you with the same sort of interface that you’ll get on your mobile device. They also take up less space on your phone compared to a native app. You will avail superb features such as push notifications, self-updates, offline work modes, easy installation, and much more. These features play a critical role in engaging your customers and promise to deliver high retention rates – a true win-win for your business.
Progressive Web Apps use a single technology
Developing a native app demands expertise in tools and languages such as Flutter, React, XCode, etc. Web app development, on the other hand, relies on relatively easier languages such as JavaScript and HTML. This basically makes developing PWAs a piece of cake (relative to mobile app development, that is) for developers and eliminates the need for hiring native app development experts. In a market where tech experts building apps are branded as native developers, web developers, etc., PWAs manage to overcome the divide by using a single technology for development.
I will summarize by highlighting one of the most crucial characteristics of PWAs – the “P” which stands for progressive. We now know that progressive apps are nothing but modern websites, and these websites facilitate a progressive and agile launch, feature-by-feature, by leveraging cutting-edge web APIs coupled with industry best practices to cater to specific business needs.
It is because of these wonderful benefits (and more, of course) that PWAs are quickly becoming the norm in the realm of tech. Studies show that PWAs have a 36% higher conversion rate than native apps and register 50% higher customer engagement! These are massive numbers for a business aiming to crack the app development market.
Want to get started with a progressive web app? Reach out to us at Nitor Infotech today.
