Why are progressive web applications (PWA) good?

We have been entrusted with the development of progressive web applications countless times. Moreover, we ourselves often recommend this solution to our clients. So, what exactly is PWA, and what makes it broadly applicable? This is what we will discuss.

If you want to create an online interface for your business, you can basically think in three different platforms: you can choose a native app (mobile app), a mobile-optimized website or as a sort of an intermediate solution, you can choose to use a progressive web application, which, in very simple terms, combines the most advantageous properties of the previous two. But exactly what potential do these platforms have, and how can you harness this well?

Native application

The native application, also known as a mobile application, is a platform-specific tool, so it is available for a specific operating system, and can be downloaded from app stores onto the mobile device. It has online functions only, and the associated updates are also available to users through the app store. Considering that applications evolve very quickly, unfortunately, they become obsolete just as quickly, taking up more or less storage space on the user’s mobile device or tablet. Its development (typically an Android, iOS and Windows version is prepared as well) and sale through app stores all come at a relatively high cost.

At the same time, its indisputable advantage is that it provides an exceptional user experience: it sends notifications, offers content and advertisements that meet the user’s interests, i.e. it continuously tries to attract and maintain the attention, activity of the user.

Mobile-optimized website

A website that, when viewed on a mobile phone or a tablet, provides nearly the same user experience in terms of performance and functions as when browsing on a desktop computer. It is ideal for search engine optimization, since in contrast to the contents of applications, each web content appears in the search results list. The downside is that it requires an internet connection to be opened, and it offers a less extensive user experience compared to an app.

 Progressive web application

A sort of intermediate solution between a native app and a mobile-friendly website. That is, a web application that, like the application, provides visitors with an attractive and diverse user experience and useful features. However, it does not require to be installed on the mobile device. It is platform-independent, meaning it can be run on any operating system, and automatically updates content. Similar to mobile apps, the PWA also creates a shortcut on the desktop or an icon on the home screen of the smartphone. It is also capable of sending notifications while running in the browser of the mobile phone or the computer. Its huge advantage is that it loads quickly, and some of its functions are available offline as well. They do not require the use of app stores, and they operate with a need for a minimal amount of storage space. Because of the above, they are also much more cost-effective to create and maintain than a native app. In addition, they also appear in Google’s search results lists, which is a huge weapon for commercial websites.