Progressive Web App (PWA for short) is a summarizing term for an installable, user-interactive, and Google-promoted web application that delineates mobile-style experiences on desktop computers and smartphones. They are fast and reliable web apps which have now their widespread presence in big global companies, such as Washington Post and Twitter, thanks to their browser-enabled seamless working mechanism. Powered by contemporary web capabilities to give app-style user-experiences, they are server-deployable and URL-accessible web apps which are easily indexed by Google and other major search engines. The working efficiency of these web apps are due to typical web technologies deployed to build them, such as JavaScript, CSS, and HTML web technologies.
PERFORMANCE-POWERED
Notable performance features of Progressive Web Applications are that; first you can access them without dependence on the mandatory internet connection (works offline). Secondly, they are able to deliver push notifications as a key reminder for vital activities related to your personal or professional activities. Thirdly, they are enabled with device hardware access, building best user experiences in a fashion resembling with that of native applications on desktop and mobile devices. Appearance-wise, PWA is just a type of webpage or website we call by the name of a web application. This, in turn, results in great feasibility for developers or users to abandon the need for installing the web apps from Google Play Store or Apple Store or similar digital distribution systems.
CONTEMPORARY TECH-BASED WEB APP
A progressive web application should not be construed as an ordinary technology, as it is contemporary tech-based web app that fully leverages on the novelty in new technologies integrating web and mobile apps to build stunning and seamless user-experience. The advent of progressive web app is the outcome of tremendous advancements made in the browser software applications and different sorts of Cache and Push APIs services. Availability of these technologies has convinced web developers to allow users to install web apps to their home screen, get updated by push notifications, or engage on the apps offline.
Progressive web apps are not standalone performance champion but rather deploy a much larger web ecosystem, plugins and community. It has the ability to deploy and maintain a website in relatively easier fashion in comparison to a native app in the respective app stores. Progressive web aps allow developers build a website capable of running on both mobile and web platforms and can be built in least time-consuming manner, without compulsion of maintaining API with backwards-compatibility. That said, there will be no fragmented versions of your website’s code for users, something typically found in the native apps.
INTERACTIVE, FASTER, AND SEAMLESS
It goes without saying that the fate of progressive web apps, like any other application, largely depends on their seamless experiences provided to the users. Here, the context of “Fast’ means how quickly users get to relevant content on screen, and whether it provides an interactive experience faster to the users. In addition, being fast means delivery of a reliable performance, which, of course, is the most coveted goal. You can understand this context like – the initial stage of downloading a native app from an app store is frustrating but it is not until the installation is in progress, where you get to see that the up-front cost is repaid across all app starts without a variable delay. Similar performance reliability must be delivered by the PWA to the users expecting reliable performance speed from an installed app.
THE INSTALLABLE TECH BEAUTY
One more reason to go for PWA development is the epic web-interactive experience you get from Progressive Web Apps which simply means that they can be installed into your computer system without bookmarking a site on your browser. The beauty of an installed PWA is that it functions similar to all of the other installed apps, like similar launching experience in terms of made-to-measure splash screen, icons and so on. It is construed as a top of the line app in the task switcher similar to all other installed apps.
Mandatory Criteria For Progressive Web Apps
For your application to be considered as a Progressive Web App, it must fulfill the following criteria –
Progressive
First of all, PWA is not a framework/library. For your app to behave like a PWA, it must be convenient and seamless to interact for every user, irrespective of the fact that what kind of web browser they are using. This is because of the reason that the development of a progressive web app follows a core tenet, which is progressive enhancement.
Responsive
One of the major shortcomings of every application is its failure to accommodate to every screen space of a desktop PC, tablet or mobile/smartphone. The same goes with progressive web apps, that if they are not fit or can’t be consistent with any form factor, desktop, mobile, tablet or any other platform, then they won’t be successful in entertaining the users, thus resulting in as a dud app.
Connectivity independent
One of the most mandatory or required criteria for an application to behave like a progressive web app is to be totally functional without a glitch offline, or at least be great to work on the internet connection on low quality networks. It should be born in mind that the prime tenet of a PWA is to give users an interactive web experience either offline or a low quality network, thus helping users not to depend on connectivity prerequisite to access the content through PWA.
App-style performance
Make sure that your app acts similar to an application in terms of being modeled into an app-shell fashion to offer app-style navigation and UI. Here again, the ultimate purpose is to give users seamless experience with faster interaction to web content.
Safe
Safety is one of the major concerns that must be addressed completely for your app to behave like a progressive web app. It must serve via HTTPS for an extra layer of safety from cyber threats and other malicious intents which are rampant on the web these days.
Discoverable
Make sure that your apps can be identified as “applications” for search engine to find it easily.
Push notification
Push notification ensures re-engagement of your app with the users. Therefore, make sure that your app features this trait.
Other Criteria in Brief –
- Make sure your apps can be shared via URL without having to go through an intricate installation process.
- Your apps must allow users to keep useful apps on home screen without bothering for an app store.
- Delivery of the fresh content to be made readable for the users once they are online through the app.
- Must be installable on home screen, thus allowing users to access the app anytime.
Summing Up
Advancement in web technology has undoubtedly factored inception of a variety of applications, wherein Progressive Web Apps rule the roost, thanks to their host of impressive features and seamless technicality for users to interact web content faster. With features like progressive, offline performance, responsive, app-style navigation, safe, discoverable, and installable etc. there is no doubt that progressive web apps have their novelty unquestionably acknowledged worldwide today. They are seen rather a futuristic technology providing efficient interactive user experiences.
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