It was back in 2016 when, for the first time, internet traffic from smartphones exceeded that from computers. At the time, it turned out to be unexpected news. Think that in 2010 mobile traffic was around a paltry 4% of global traffic. Today this is no longer news. Most of the internet traffic passes from mobile devices, under the pressure of innovations that continuously update the technology, such as the brand new 5G.
And the data continues to show growth in this regard. Many web giants have already understood this trend for some time and have moved to implement new mobile technologies that improve the user experience. The result is the PWA, the acronym for Progressive Web App, the perfect website and mobile app combination. Let’s see what they are and how their use can help your e-commerce grow.
Table of Contents
What Are PWAs?
A PWA can be characterized as a site that acts as a versatile application. Because of current advances, a PWA is shown like an ordinary PC site, complete with a URL. However, it may be introduced on your cell phone as an application. So, in light of the gadget utilized, the PWA shows itself in various structures. To all the more likely to comprehend what we are referring to, consider the most well-known moderate applications on the web, for example, Instagram, Pinterest, Google Maps, Tinder, Spotify, or Twitter.
Whenever you need to introduce one of these applications on your cell phone, the method to follow is equivalent to local applications. Surprisingly, they act as an application in the wake of teaching them. Be that as it may, it is feasible to utilize these administrations through the internet browser (from a PC, tablet, cell phone, and so forth). However, the capacities and items are something very similar. So what separates a PWA from a local application and a site? Furthermore, what benefits might it bring to a web-based business website at any point?
Differences And Advantages Between PWAs, Native Apps, And Websites
PWAs can be considered an evolution of the technologies used and are gaining more and more consensus and attention. The advantages are numerous, both for a website and for native apps. Let’s see them.
Installation
PWAs, as referenced, permit you to be introduced on your telephone. Typically, a spring-up shows this chance by getting to the site, and it will be adequate to acknowledge the warning to begin the establishment strategy. Once introduced, the PWA symbol will show up on your cell phone, like the local applications. This enjoys three critical benefits. Most importantly, the client can choose whether to get to the items using an internet browser or through the application symbol every once in a while. The site being referred to in this manner becomes open whenever and utilizing any gadget.
In this way, the PWA permits it to be introduced on the gadget without going through an App Store, making establishment more prompt and speedy. Moreover, as indicated by gauges, a client who peruses the App Stores barely introduces applications that he doesn’t as of now have the foggiest idea. Simultaneously, he is more disposed to apply to him while perusing a site. Since you don’t have to go through the stores, you don’t need to pay for the costly memberships they expect for distributing applications.
Offline Browsing
It is possible to browse the PWA even offline, thanks to a cache system inside the device, unlike a regular website. This aspect also improves the loading and browsing speed since the contents and settings are already present in the smartphone’s memory and do not have to be downloaded every time you log in.
Push Notifications
A progressive web app allows the use of push notifications. This way, e-commerce can send its customers up-to-date news, offers, and newsletters directly to their mobile phones. The benefits of audience engagement and conversions (sales) are significant.
Responsive
PWAs are fully responsive, meaning they can adapt to screens of different sizes. This allows users to transition from one device to another without harming the user experience, essential to modern audiences. The interface behaves like a native app and allows full-screen viewing without the search bar that usually occupies part of the browser screen when browsing the web.
Indexing
Although appearing in the form of an app, the PWA is a website and, as such, fully indexable. This means that it can occur among users’ Google searches, position itself on the first pages and, consequently, increase organic traffic to the site. It is also possible to track the behavior of users browsing it with Google Analytics.
Safety
All PWAs use the HTTPS protocol, an encrypted and secure data transmission. This protects sensitive information, passwords, content, and data from potential intrusion.
Space And Updates
PWAs take up very little space since they do not run on the user device but remotely, i.e., on an external server. This also involves periodic updates, which, in addition to not occupying space in the mobile phone’s memory, occur automatically, without the need to go to the store.
Disadvantages Of PWAs
As a relatively new technology, it faces several challenges to address. Let’s see the most significant problems. Some PWA functions may not be supported by older versions of some browsers in terms of compatibility. In this sense, however, all browsers and operating systems are constantly updated, and you need to make sure you have their latest version. The absence of PWAs from app stores, which was previously presented as an advantage, also offers a negative aspect of visibility, especially for large brands known nationally or internationally.
Users expect to find these companies in the store. Thankfully, Google recently allowed PWAs to be published in the Google Play Store, but this is not yet possible in the Apple App Store. Finally, a final negative aspect concerns the communication between apps. While native apps can communicate with each other (for example, we can authenticate access to an app via Facebook credentials), PWAs do not allow it.
Conclusions
As already mentioned, many large companies have decided to take advantage of this technology and, in doing so, are collecting a large amount of data on its effectiveness. From the analysis carried out, a series of promising data emerged, both from the point of view of the user experience and the economic return:
- Page load time is reduced by approximately 60% – 80%;
- Internet consumption is reduced by about 60% – 70%;
- The pages that each user visits at each session increased by about 50%;
- The bounce rate is reduced by about 20%;
- Conversions / sales increased by approximately 10% – 20%.
