Why You Should Consider Progressive Web Apps (PWA)? Pros and Cons

What if I say you don’t have to download an app to do online shopping, book a ticket, and do a variety of other tasks? You don’t believe me, right? 

But, it’s true! It’s possible with the help of the Progressive Web App (PWA). What’s that?

Well, it’s a new tech trend that is fluently changing the way people access the web and mobile applications. It is raising in popularity and creating a buzz among businesses, small-medium enterprises (SMEs) to large organizations. 

According to Emergen Research, the global progressive web application market is expected to reach USD 10.44 billion by 2027.

Undoubtedly, PWA is replacing the need of downloading native applications on devices. Plus, it integrates many features of web and native apps to make the user journey seamless and uncomplicated.

Therefore, here we’ll explore the concept of PWA and its Pros and Cons. 

So, what is a Progressive Web App (PWA)?

Progressive web apps (PWAs) are a relatively new type of application that uses modern web technology to bring traditional app-like experiences to users. It allows users to interact with websites in similar ways that they can interact with apps, making it so websites feel more like native applications.

Taking about the history of PWA is like this -in 2007, Steve Jobs launched the iPhone and envisioned a concept that would eventually become known as “eliminating native apps” in 2015 when two Google employees – a developer and a designer – added to this idea. 

Weighing the Pros and Cons of Progressive Web Apps

As said each coin has two sides similarly every technology also has two sides and hence there are some pros and cons of using progressive web apps.

Pros of PWAs

Progressive web apps (PWAs) are a popular choice among web developers because they offer several advantages compared to traditional web applications. Here are 7 benefits of PWAs: 

1. Offline usage and caching: 

Return content from cache first, if present. If not, try downloading it from the server. That’s the pattern of an “Offline First” or “Cache First” in Progressive Web Apps (PWAs). This allows users to access the content even when they don’t have an internet connection.

2. Improved performance: 

Did you know? With 53% of users abandoning a site if it takes longer than 3 seconds to load. 

PWAs offer the speed of a website, which means a fast load time and response when using various functions. As a result, the retail and m-commerce sectors can greatly benefit from these apps, as they will offer a better user experience and improve retention rates. This can lead to a loyal base of customers.

Additionally, Statista reports that e-commerce companies are planning to invest in progressive web apps (PWAs) in 2021 in North America and Europe

Image Source: Statista 

3. No installation or manual updates required: 

Unlike mobile apps, PWAs don’t require installation or manual updates from the app store, so users can access the latest version of the PWA simply by refreshing their web browser. 

4. Use platform-specific features: 

PWAs can also take advantage of platform-specific features such as web push notifications and deep linking, which allow users to quickly and easily access different parts of an app. This makes the user experience more enjoyable and interactive, ultimately resulting in better engagement and conversion rates.

5. Low on data: 

Another great benefit of PWAs is that they are low on data. It can be used both online and offline and can be cached by the web browser, resulting in improved performance with minimal data usage. In fact, a PWA developed for Tinder was 2.8 MB in size compared to its Android app which is 30 MB in size. This makes them ideal for users with limited data connections or those using expensive data plans. 

6. Cross-browser compatibility: 

PWAs are compatible with all modern browsers, so they can be used on any device regardless of the operating system or browser being used. 

7. Easier to develop and maintain: 

PWAs are easier to develop and maintain than mobile apps, making them a cost-effective option for businesses. They are also relatively easy to update and can be pushed to users without the need for app store approval processes.

Cons of PWAs:

1. Compatibility Issues: 

While PWAs offer many benefits, not all devices support them yet. This is because PWAs are a relatively new technology, and not all operating systems have fully integrated them into their systems. As a result, some users may not have access to PWAs, especially those who are using older devices or operating systems that do not support them.

For example, only iOS devices with versions 11.3 and above currently support PWAs. This means that users with older versions of iOS or non-iOS devices cannot currently use PWAs on their devices. 

This limitation can affect the reach and potential audience of businesses and organizations that want to use PWAs to engage with their customers.

2. Battery Drain: 

PWAs are not as battery efficient as apps written in native languages. 

How To Make a PWA?

PWAs aim to combine the ease of use and convenience of a native app with the API power of websites, making them more like apps and minimizing the strain of development for iOS and Android. 

To make a web app progressive, you need to hire a progressive app development company to make sure it is encrypted with HTTP protocols, it is equipped with service workers for maintenance, it loads quickly, and it includes a manifest file. With these key factors in place, you can create a PWA that is fast, reliable, and engaging – no matter what device or platform your customers are using.

Wrap Up!

If you are a business owner looking to offer a seamless browsing experience across all devices without sacrificing the speed or functionality of your website, PWA is the best option for you.  

Moreover, in the above paragraphs, we have listed some of the advantages and downsides of PWA, demonstrating why you should consider developing a such solution for your business. However, for an in-depth understanding, reach out to a certified & top progressive web app development company. With their help, you may be able to make informed decisions that will help you build a secure, fast, and reliable web app.