PWA’s are web apps that use modern web capabilities and features along with traditional progressive enhancement strategy to bring native app-like user experience to web applications. It allows a smooth experience when viewed on a mobile device.
Typical use
Progressive Web Apps can run in a standalone window instead of a browser tab. They’re launchable from the user’s home screen, dock, taskbar, or shelf, and it is possible to search for them on a device and jump between them with the app switcher, giving the web application a look and feel of an installed application. Recent advancements in the browser and the availability of service workers, Cache and Push APIs have enabled web developers to allow users to install web apps to their home screen, receive push notifications, and work offline.Like traditional web applications, PWA’s are deployed to servers, accessible through URLs, and listed by search engines.
From time to market perspective, we’ll appreciate that a website can be built in less time than a native mobile application. The API’s need not be calibrated with backward compatibility, and that app will generally be easier to deploy and maintain. PWA’s take advantage of a more extensive web ecosystem, plugins, and community and the relative ease of deploying and maintaining a website when compared to a native application in the corresponding app stores.
How to Calibrate a Progressive Web Application?
For a Web application to be progressive, it should have the following features;
The web application must be using a secure network ecosystem. Having HTTPS protocol is not only a best practice, but it also authenticates your web application as a trusted site, primarily if the users need to make secure transactions. The features related to a PWA such as geolocation and even service workers are available only once the website is optimized for HTTPS.
Service workers – Script
A service worker is a script that manages and intercepts how a web browser handles its network requests and asset caching. With the help of service workers, web developers can create reliable and fast web pages and offline experiences.
Manifest file – JSON
Manifest is a JSON file that controls how the web application appears to the end-user and ensures that progressive web apps are discoverable. It describes the name of the app, the start URL, icons, and all of the other details necessary to transform the website into a PWA.
Conclusion
Web usage is split between mobile and desktop, therefore websites need to modernize to become progressive for easy viewing on mobile devices. Businesses started shifting their focus from websites to mobile apps, as applications allow them to offer more content and better engage with their users. Progressive web apps can access all information and capabilities without downloading a mobile app thereby providing an elevated customer experience. Since creating a better web experience for mobile users is essential, you should consider investing in progressive web apps (PWA), a term Google came up in 2015.
