Mobile-friendly services have become a necessity, with over half of all internet traffic now originating from mobile devices. The question arises: must one invest in native iOS and Android development to cater to this ever-growing user base? The answer lies in Progressive Web Apps (PWAs), a revolutionary alternative that provides a native app-like experience without the complexities of native app development.
Understanding Progressive Web Apps
PWAs empower developers to deliver a seamless mobile app experience using standard web technologies such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. These apps are fast, capable of working offline, and even offer an “install” option, placing an app icon on the device’s home screen. But how do they achieve this?
PWA Fundamentals
At their core, PWAs are web applications that function in any browser. Leveraging the principle of progressive enhancement, PWAs gain additional functionalities, such as offline capabilities, when accessed through modern browsers. The key components that make PWAs stand out are:
Service Workers: These allow the execution of background JavaScript tasks directly on the device, enhancing responsiveness and reducing the need for constant server interactions.
Offline Cache: Service workers enable local data caching on the device, allowing PWAs to function without a network connection and sync with the server once back online.
App Manifest: Similar to native apps, PWAs come with an app manifest—a JSON file specifying the app’s icon, URL, and other relevant data, ensuring a user experience akin to traditional mobile apps.
Business Benefits of PWAs
PWAs offer a plethora of advantages, not just from a development perspective but also concerning user engagement and return on investment (ROI). Some of these include:
Discoverability: PWAs are indexed by search engines like regular websites, ranking higher and often appearing as snippet cards at the top of search results, thanks to Google’s mobile-first indexing.
Stickiness: Once installed, PWAs reside on the device’s home screen, providing easy access with a single tap, eliminating the need to open a browser first.
High Performance: Speed is critical for user adoption, and PWAs, loading and running faster as they work offline first, address this concern effectively.
Always Up to Date: PWAs automatically update over the air when the user connects to the server, ensuring users always have the latest version without manual intervention.
Responsiveness: PWAs adapt seamlessly to various screen sizes, providing a consistent user experience across devices.
Shareability: Easily shareable via links, PWAs eliminate the need for app marketplaces and lengthy downloads, promoting accessibility.
Native Device Capabilities: PWAs can utilise a device’s hardware features and support built-in payment systems like Apple Pay or Google Pay, offering a native app-like experience.
Advantages of PWAs
PWAs bring significant advantages to the table, including:
Built Using Existing Skills: Developed using familiar web technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript), PWAs leverage existing skills, accelerating development.
Cross-Platform Compatibility: Running on browsers, PWAs operate on any device with a modern browser, streamlining compatibility across multiple platforms.
Rapid Upgrading/Iterative Improvement: PWAs allow swift deployment of updates directly to users, eliminating the lag associated with app store approval processes.
Lower Costs: With a single code base applicable to all devices, development time is reduced compared to native app development, and there are no revenue-sharing costs with app stores.
Choosing PWAs makes sense for teams that struggle with resource allocation, prioritise speed, need a gradual adoption path for applications, aim to expand mobile presence, or face obstacles in delivering mobile applications.
OutSystems Accelerates PWA Development
OutSystems, a leading app development platform, streamlines the PWA development process. Key advantages include:
No Additional Knowledge Required: OutSystems automates the creation of PWAs, handling manifests and service workers seamlessly.
Single Code Base: Develop UI and front-end code once for both mobile apps and PWAs, engaging users across platforms without adapting code for each device.
Data Sync Framework: OutSystems facilitates seamless data synchronisation between PWAs and servers.
Streamlined Deployment: OutSystems automates the generation of resources needed for PWA deployment without developer intervention, achieving maximum scores on Google Lighthouse.
Modern Application Platform: Leveraging a visual, model-based development platform, OutSystems supports multi-disciplinary teams, ensuring apps meet business needs and performance requirements.
Automated Impact Analysis and Bug Checking: OutSystems utilises automation, AI, and analytics to remove guesswork, checking for errors and dependencies in real-time.
Embracing PWAs with OutSystems presents a compelling proposition for those seeking a cost-effective, efficient, and user-friendly solution for their mobile projects. Explore the world of PWAs and transform your mobile development journey today.
Need a PWA with OutSystems for your next project? See how 9X5 can help.