Progressive Web Applications

Progressive web applications are those apps which take advantage of modern browser features to make it easy to be added on homescreens, behaving just like the native applications. These applications are the same as normal websites in that they are made of CSS, HTML and JavaScript. They also live in the browser. They are:
i) Reliable: This is because they load instantly even when there is network uncertainty.
ii) Fast: They respond quickly to user interactions with very smooth animations, even without users scrolling much.
iii) They are quite engaging: They feel like a natural app on your device, giving you an engaging user experience.
About Progressive

What makes them different from the normal websites?

1. They are very safe
Most of these apps work with technologies that deal with sensitive data that requires to be handled with lots of caution. This makes them very safe. For this reason, progressive web applications have to be served through an HTTPS connection. Users who do not have access to a server with a SSL certificate and want to run their projects in a secure environment can only do this through GitHub pages or a similar service. This is because any GitHub repository can be hosted directly over https and both GitHub pages and GitHub are free for public repository. This safety helps a lot in ensuring that there is no snooping and that the content has not been interfered with.

2. They are connectivity independent
Key Feature of PWA
This is very important as it ensures that the app is able to work even when there is no network connection. There are those that have been cached differently and this means that their UI is available offline, though their dynamic content will still need access to the server. There are those others that are cached entirely and this means that all their source code and resources will be saved locally so that the app can work offline and online at the same time. This is possible because these apps have been enhanced with service workers for them to work better even on low-quality networks.

3. They are progressive
Progressive
This means that progressive web applications use web technologies that are supported widely and those that work very well on multiple web browsers. This is not something that is easy to achieve in the world of web development, though there is a lot that can done to ensure that developers are covering a larger user base. This helps a lot in order to ensure that a lot more people are able to use the app, since different people use different browsers and platforms to access the web. These types of apps are built with enhancement as their core principle to be useful to every user, regardless of their browser choice.

4. They are installable
Installable Web App
Any website by default can be saved manually on the home screen for instance through use of the Add to Home Screen button though it can be hard for some apps. However, progressive web applications have a way out for users to save them with a very simple installation pop up. These web apps will allow their users to add those apps they find most useful to their homescreens without the need of an app store.

5. Progressive web applications are highly responsive
Highly Responsive
They look good in all devices, no matter the size of the screen. This makes them easy to access by all types of users, whether on iPhones, iPads or on Smartphones. They are designed in such a manner that they are able to fit in any form, whether desktop, mobile or tablet. They have even been designed for what is next, to ensure that all kinds of users are covered, even in some years to come.

6. They are discoverable
They are discoverable
You can add any information about your app by use of tools like web manifest, and also change the way it will be displayed on different people’s devices. This also makes it easy to be saved on the home screen with an icon that can be customized to user preference. It can even be started in a separate browser window, and anything else the user finds interesting to do. In any case, it will still be identified as an application; all thanks to W3C manifest plus service worker registration scope, which makes it easy for search engines to find such applications.

7. They are fresh
Fresh
This is because they are always up to date, thanks to the service worker which helps with the update processes.

8. They are linkable
They are Linkable
Anyone with a web browser has an access to progressive web applications. They can also be shared simply by use of their URL. You will not need any third party tools in order to find or install them.

9. They are app-like
They are App Like
Progressive web applications feel just like apps because the app shell module separates the application’s functionality from its content.

10. They are re-engageable
They are re-engageable
Re-engagement is easy with such applications, because of features like Push notifications.

Reasons to build progressive web applications

There are so many benefits in building a high quality progressive web applications and these are:

a) They are worthy of being on the home screen
b) They work reliably, no matter the condition of the network
c) They increase user engagement to the extent of spending twice as much time on the site.
d) They improve conversions because of their ability to deliver an amazing user experience.
e) They are excelling so much in the modern mobile environment

Progressive web applications have been based on the idea that the internet, more so with the adoption of HTML5 and other similar web development languages, have evolved so much. They have also moved forward and have matured to the point that such applications are able to provide the same functionality and flawless user interface that is found in the best native apps but through a direct mobile experience.