As a quick Google search can show you, progressive web apps (PWAs) aren’t precisely famous. Most articles about them are introductory or are lists of today’s hottest trends, even when many companies are already using them. Maybe it’s because people are just starting to realize the amazing set of benefits you can get with PWAs.
As anyone who has worked with Ruby developers on their own PWA can attest, these apps are great at bringing an app-like experience to mobile users without the need to develop an app. Basically, PWAs are a combination of a mobile app and a mobile website, without being one or the other. In an increasingly mobile world, that’s nothing to sneeze at. Let’s see why.
But first – what are PWAs, really?
In a few words, PWAs are applications that are delivered through compatible web browsers that offer an app-like experience on desktop and mobile devices. In other words, they are web applications that behave like mobile apps but don’t require the user to install anything.
Some of the features offered by PWAs include working offline, push notifications, and device hardware access. If all of those things ring a bell, that’s because they are essential features of native mobile apps.
According to Google, there are 3 factors that define a PWA:
- Reliability: they load instantly, even with poor connections
- Speed: they respond quickly to user interaction
- Engaging: they seem like native apps
There are, however, other features that can be underlined as well. For instance, PWAs are called progressive because they work for different users since they are built with progressive enhancement. This means that the PWA’s basic functionality will always be loaded, no matter the connection or the device being used to access it. Other layers and extra features are loaded only after that core functionality is done loading, as long as the connection allows it.
PWAs are also responsive, discoverable (as in, they can be identifiable by search engines), and safe (as they are always served through an HTTPS connection). All of that sounds nice. Want to know the importance of all that and, ultimately, of building a PWA with your Ruby development team? Read on!
Why build a PWA
You can easily argue that developing a good mobile experience (like the one you can find on a PWA) should be enough to convince anyone to build one of these apps. However, that’s fairly simplistic. Besides, there are plenty of benefits that show how important it is for modern brands to develop their own PWAs. Progressive web apps can meet various business needs. If you see an added value in them for your specific project, think of a web app developer for hire.
- Native app features: people are increasingly using their mobile devices to access the services they love and to engage with their favorite brands. So, creating an immersive mobile experience for them is a must. In that sense, PWAs are great since they offer many native app features (push notifications, installability on the home screen, offline support) combined with a mobile app’s look and feel. What’s more, these apps don’t require installation.
- Fast loading speeds: a now-famous Google research says that more than half of mobile site visitors will abandon a website if it takes more than 3 seconds to load. That’s a tough mark, so speed is a crucial factor in the mobile experience. Fortunately, one of the defining characteristics of PWAs is how lightning-fast they are when loading. That’s because they are usually small and because they only load components as needed and according to the user’s connection speed.
- Widespread availability: most modern browsers already support PWAs in one way or another. That means that no matter what device your audience uses to access your web app, you’ll always serve them with the same experience. Besides, eliminating the need to install an app is a major advantage. Users need to access it through a URL, and that’s it – no need for downloads or giving away permissions to a third-party developer. PWAs are always available on demand.
- More accessible investment: developing a mobile app takes considerable money and time. That’s because traditional web apps need to be tested to ensure cross-device functionality, and when that doesn’t work, their developers have to create specific versions for each operating system, which doubles the investment. With PWAs, Ruby development services can create a single product that will work for all users and operating systems, and that’s simple enough to be completed in less time.
- Better conversion rates: stats and real case studies show that people prefer to use a PWA than to install a dedicated app for each service they use. That makes sense. No one wants to bloat their devices with tons of apps for each service and platform they use. The case for developing PWA is very strong, especially when considering how those apps can impact conversions. Experiences like the one from Pinterest (that saw a 60% boost in their conversions after creating their own PWA) or from Trivago (that increased their user engagement by 150% thanks to a PWA) really speak louder than words in this particular aspect.
The importance of PWA for today’s world
As you can see, PWAs are a natural evolution of mobile apps. They offer almost the same experience to wider audiences and with fewer requirements; they cost less to develop and, as some real cases are showing, provide some measurable benefits.
With the number of mobile users estimated to reach 7.26 billion by 2020, it’s clear that we’re living in a mobile world. Such a context makes it obvious that companies and brands have to think about providing the best mobile experiences they can possibly create. In that sense, PWAs and all of their benefits certainly feel like unmatched alternatives to cater to those needs.
To put it in simple terms – PWAs are important today because they address the needs of mobile users in a straightforward manner. They bring advantages for both brands and users and are focused on user experience, one of the biggest factors people have in mind when assessing a brand.
After reading all of this, you surely understand the importance of PWAs. Obviously, you might still be wondering how these apps aren’t more popular or how they are seen only as trends. Don’t worry. It’s only a matter of time before companies run in droves to hire Ruby development outsourcing companies to help them develop their own PWAs.
