Beginner’s Guide to Progressive Web Apps (PWA)

Beginner’s Guide to Progressive Web Apps (PWA)

Progressive Web Apps. For short, PWAs.

You might have heard the term get thrown around in tech circles, but what does it mean for you, your business, or your next big idea?

Imagine a world without app downloads. Websites work even if you're offline. The “web” versus “app” divide gets so blurred that you can't tell where one ends and another begins.

That's the world of PWAs. It is not science fiction; it happens here and now and changes everything for businesses, developers, and users alike.

But here is the best part: most people don't even realise they are using a PWA. They just know their favourite website suddenly feels smoother, faster, and more app-like.

So, buckle up whether you're a curious business owner, an aspiring developer, or simply one of those ‘well-ahead-of-the-curve' people. We journey into the heart of this web revolution.

This is more than a technical guide – it's your ticket to understanding the future of digital experiences. And believe me, you don't want to be left behind.

Ready for progressive-ification of your thoughts? Let's dive in.

What Are Progressive Web Apps?

You scroll along on your phone, tap an icon, and you're inside a seamless, quick, and responsive app. But now envision that, except instead of opening an app, it opens up a website. And here is where things get even more remarkable – you can't tell the difference.

Welcome to Progressive Web Apps. PWAs if you like acronyms.

But first, a little context. How did we end up here?

Once upon a time – OK, it was 2015 – in the land of Silicon Valley, two visionaries at Google had an idea. Their names? Alex Russell and Frances Berriman. Remember these names – they're the ones that looked at the web and said, “We can do better.”

You see, Alex and Frances were dreamers. But not the kind who build castles in the air; no, they were the kind who looked at the gap between websites and apps and said, “What if we could bridge it?”

They wanted more from the status quo. Websites were. Well, website-y. Apps were app-ish. And never the twain shall meet, right?

Wrong.

They coined a term: Progressive Web Apps. It was more than just a name. It was a manifesto, the rallying cry for a new breed of web experiences that could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our app-centric world.

But here's the thing with progress – it doesn't happen in one night. PWAs represent the results of years of evolution on the web. There are a total of thousands of developers scratching their heads.

It is that old saying: necessity is the mother of invention. And boy, we needed this invention.

Think of it this way: We live in a world where our attention is currency, where every second of load time can make all the difference between conversion and bounce. Every day, the line gets blurrier between “online” and “offline.”

PWAs aren't just tech solutions. They are the answer to how we roll these days: always connected, always on the go, and always expecting more.

They are the best of both worlds – the reach of the web and the power of native apps. That's rather like having one's cake and eating it too. And who doesn't want that?

And so, the next time you're using some website that feels suspiciously app-like or some app that you didn't download from a store, remember to tip your hat in the direction of Alex and Frances. They saw the future. And now, we're living it.

But the real question is this: Now that we have all this capability, what will we do with it? How will you use PWAs to change your corner of the web?

Because make no mistake: this isn't just a new tool. It's a new way of thinking about the web. This is an opportunity to rethink how we connect, engage, and create value in the digital space.

The stage is set, the technology is at the door, and your move is all required now.

Key Characteristics of PWAs

So, what exactly is different in Progressive Web Applications from a regular website? Here is the breakdown:

• Progressive: It works for every user, regardless of browser choice.
• Responsive: It fits any form factor, such as desktop, mobile, tablet, etc.
• Connectivity independent: It works offline or with poor network conditions, thanks to service workers.
• App-like: It provides an app-like feel, with app-style interactions and navigation.
• Fresh: Thanks to the service worker update process, it's always up-to-date.
• Safe: served over HTTPS to prevent snooping and ensure content hasn't been tampered with. 
• Discoverable: are identifiable as “applications” due to W3C manifests and service worker registration scope. 
• Re-engageable: This can be re-engaged through features enabled by the operating system, such as push notifications.
• Installable: Enable users to add apps they find most beneficial to their home screen. 
• Linkable: easily shareable via URL and doesn't require complex installation.

The Technology Behind PWAs

Let's get technical. What makes PWAs tick? Well, there are three significant technologies at play here:

Service Workers

Service workers are essentially the unsung heroes of PWAs: background scripts running beside the web page, opening up features without a web page or user interaction. 

Think of them as proxies between the network and browser, whereby they intercept network requests and cache resources. This is what enables the functionality of offline support and push notifications.

Web App Manifest

A manifest is a simple JSON file that informs the browser about your web application and how it should behave when “installed” on the user's desktop or mobile device. 

Examples range from the name and icons of an app down to the theme colours. 

HTTPS

In these digital times, security goes hand in glove, something that PWAs take pretty seriously. Because they are served on HTTPS, such factors as integrity of data and protection against man-in-the-middle attacks are considered. This is not optional; it is a must for PWAs.

Benefits of Progressive Web Apps

Why should developers and companies care about PWAs? 

Well, there are vast numbers of significant advantages.

Improved User Experience 

PWA provides an app-like experience to users. They are fast, responsive, and can work offline, so no more irritating load times or constant dependencies on the network. 

Increased Engagement

With the help of features like push notifications, PWAs can keep users engaged even when they are not using your app, which can result in higher retention rates and more frequent use. 

Cost-Effective Development

Instead of creating different applications for iOS and Android, an organisation can create a single PWA for all platforms. This can drastically reduce development and maintenance costs.

Better Performance

PWAs are lightweight and fast. They load quickly and respond to user interactions at app-like speed, even on slow networks.

Improved SEO

Unlike native apps, PWAs are discoverable by search engines. This may improve visibility and organic traffic.

No App Store Required

Because with PWAs, users can install them directly from their browsers, cutting across the app stores. That means no vetting and no sharing of revenues with any app store service provider.

Real-World Examples of Successful PWAs

Success stories. Not the ones splashed across glossy magazines, nor the one's keynote speakers tout during shiny tech conferences. 

I'm talking about real-world, roll-up-your-sleeves, holy-cow-this-actually-works success.

Welcome to the PWA Hall of Fame. No red carpet, no champagne flutes. Just straight up, no-chaser, digital transformation is changing the game for businesses big and small.

Twitter Lite.

Now, you might be thinking, “Twitter? Really? Don't they already have an app?” And you'd be right. 

But here's the thing: Twitter saw an opportunity. They saw that only some people wanted to download yet another app. They saw that data is expensive in many parts of the world and networks are slow.

So what did they do? They built Twitter Lite, a PWA faster than a speeding bullet and lighter than a feather. The results? Hold onto your hats:

65% increase in pages per session. 75% more Tweets sent. 20% decrease in bounce rate.

And the kicker? It takes up less than 3% of the storage space of the native app. That's not just an improvement. That's a revolution.

But it is not alone on that wave. Let's jump to India and see what's up with Flipkart.

Flipkart

It is big, huge, massive. And it had a problem. Mobile internet in India can be. Well, let's say temperamental. So, they created a PWA. And what was the result?

Their conversions shot up by 70%.

People spent three times longer on their site.

And then there's the magic moment when their data usage started to free fall. It is good business and public service in a country where every megabyte counts.

But perhaps you're thinking: Sure, but that's e-commerce, what about us mere mortals? All right, let's have coffee and talk about Starbucks.

Starbucks

Then Starbucks, purveyor of overpriced caffeine and comfy armchairs, decided they'd take a crack at PWAs. They built a PWA, which weighed in at 99.84% smaller than their iOS app. Yep. You read that right. That's basically just a rounding error.

What happened? Desktop orders started flying in. Mobile orders kept trucking. And, all of a sudden, folks ordered on their laptops at near-phone levels.

But the kicker is that it works offline. You can browse the menu, customise your drink, and add items to the cart without an internet connection. When you lightbox again, it syncs up and voila. It's like magic, only much more caffeinated.

The Guardian

Thus, The Guardian, that bastion of British journalism, decided to dip into the PWA waters. They wanted to see a way of keeping readers engaged, particularly in areas where access to the internet is spotty.

Its PWA loads in 2.5 seconds over 3G. The regular site? It loads in 12 seconds. News citizens, that's the difference between continuing to be informed or quitting in frustration.

The results speak for themselves:

58% lift in session page views. 40% increase in user engagement. 23% decrease in bounce rate.

That's not just good for business. In a world where reliable news is more important than ever, it's good for society.

But maybe you're not a global brand. Perhaps you're thinking, “This all sounds great, but what about the little guys?”

Well, let me introduce you to Treebo.

Treebo

Treebo is a budget hotel chain in India. Not exactly a household name. But they had one problem: their slow mobile website and bookings suffered.

In comes their PWA. And just like that, their site was loading in 1.5 seconds. Their conversion rates went up fourfold. And here's the clincher-their PWA uses ten times less data than their native app. In a country where data's at a premium, that's a game-changer.

But let's go even smaller. Let's talk about George.com, the clothing arm of the UK supermarket chain Asda.

Asda

They implemented a PWA. No bells and whistles. Just solid, dependable PWA. The outcome?

31% increase in conversion. 20% more page views per visit. 28% longer average time on site.

These are not earth-shaking numbers. They aren't going to make banner headlines. But to a clothing retailer competing in a challenging market? They're the difference between thriving and just surviving.

So, what's the message from this? What is the common thread among all these stories?

It's simple: PWAs work. They work for social media giants and e-commerce behemoths. They work for coffee chains, news outlets, budget hotels, and supermarket clothing lines.

They work because they meet users where they are. On slow connections and old devices. On desktops and mobile. Online and offline.

They work because they are fast, reliable, and engaging. Because they don't ask users to jump through hoops or sacrifice precious storage space.

They work because they're progressive in the truest sense of the word. They take what's good about the web and make it better. They take what's good about apps and make it more accessible.

But the real question is this: If PWAs can do all this for these companies, what could they do for you?

Imagine if your website loaded as fast as Twitter Lite. What if your e-commerce store worked as robustly as Flipkart's? What if it was as easy to access your service as it is to access Starbucks'?

The technology is there. The success stories are there. All that is missing is you.

So, what's holding you back? The progressive web isn't coming. It's already here. And it's time you were part of it.

Because PWAs aren't just about tech. They're about people. It's about making the web work for everybody everywhere.

And isn't that just what we are here for?

How to Build a Progressive Web App

So you want to go PWA all the way? Great. 

But before we embark, let's get on the same page about what it means to create a Progressive Web App. It is not just about ticking boxes. It is a state of mind.

So, let's start right at the top.

1 – The Foundation

You wouldn't build a house on quicksand, would you? Of course not. So why would you create a PWA on a shaky website?

Your PWA journey begins long before you write your first line of PWA-specific code. It starts with a solid, well-designed web app. 

And that's not about looking pretty in colour with all sorts of fancy animations. It's all about a responsive, accessible, and high-performing website.

Think of it this way: your website is like a race car. PWA is the nitrous oxide. But if your car is a rusty old jalopy, all of the nitrous in the world will not make it a Ferrari.

Before you say those sweet words, “Progressive Web App, it's the best version of itself”. 

Optimise those images. Streamline that code. Make it sing everywhere… the latest iPhone to your grandma's old Android tablet that she won't upgrade.

2 – Manifest Destiny

Now, we are getting into PWA territory. The Web App Manifest is a kind of business card for your PWA. It lets the browser (or the user) know who your app is, what it does, and how it should look.

But here is the thing: your manifest isn't just a technical need. It's an opportunity. To make that all-important first impression, to shine on the user's home screen, and to set the stage for the entire user experience.

So, don't just mash together a JSON file with the minimum that will suffice. Consider your icons. Your theme colors. Your display preferences. Make choices reflecting your brand, values, and unique selling proposition.

Remember, in this heady world of PWAs, your manifest is often the first digital handshake between your app and the user. Make it count.

3 – The Service Worker Revolution

Ah, now the good stuff: service worker. Where all the magic happens. Offline functionality. Background sync. Push notifications. Every one of those functions is run via this little script in the background.

But here's a secret: you can implement them in stages. Go small. Start with a simple service worker that caches your app shell. Get that working smoothly. Then, build from there.

Think of your service worker as an employee. You don't expect them to run the entire company on day one. You start them with simple tasks, then gradually increase their responsibilities as they prove themselves.

It's the same for your service worker: begin by caching, add offline functionality, and push notifications. And just like that, you have a complete PWA that can fight against any native application.

4 – The HTTPS Imperative

Let's talk trust. In the modern digital landscape, it's the currency. And nothing screams “you can trust me” louder than that little padlock in the address bar.

HTTPS is not a nice-to-have any more, but it's a must-have. This is not only for security reasons, although that would be a significant point since most PWA features won't work without them.

Think of HTTPS as the bouncer at an exclusive club: without it, your PWA is standing outside in the cold, denied access to the VIP features it needs to shine.

5 – The Native App Illusion

Now comes the fun stuff. This is where your web app goes from feeling like a website to feeling like a native app. Push notifications. Background sync. Add-to-home-screen prompts.

But here's the thing: with great power comes great responsibility. Just because you can send push notifications doesn't mean you should send them every five minutes. Just because users can add your app to their home screen doesn't mean you should nag them to do so at every opportunity.

Just remember: the goal isn't to annoy users into submission. It's to provide so much value that they can't imagine not having your app at their fingertips.

6 – The Continuous Improvement Cycle

Finally, we arrive at testing and optimisation. But let me let you in on a little secret: this step never ends.

Building a PWA is never done. It's not something done; you keep refining, improving, and optimising.

Tools like Lighthouse are your best friends here. They will tell you what you're doing right, what you are doing wrong, and what you could be doing better. Still, they aren't a replacement for real-world testing and user feedback.

Only listen to your users. Observe how they interact with your PWA. Admit when something does not work and be brave enough to try new things.

Remember: standing still in the world of PWAs means going backwards.

There you have it: the roadmap to PWA success. But here's the thing: This isn't a straight path. It's not some checklist you can work through and dust off your hands.

Building a great PWA is a journey. It is about constant learning, adapting, and making things better. About pushing the boundaries of what's possible on the web. Users love crafting experiences so much that they forget they use a website.

Are you ready for that journey? Are you prepared to rethink everything you know about web development? Ready to be part of the progressive web revolution?

Make no mistake: this is not just about building a better website but about creating a better web for everyone. And it starts with you.

Common Challenges in PWA Development

While there are several advantages of PWAs, they come with their own set of challenges, such as: 

1. Browser Support: Most modern browsers now support PWAs, but there are still some limits, especially in the case of iOS. 
2. Feature Parity with Native Apps: Some features available with native apps are not yet available to PWAs, especially on iOS. 
3. User Education: Most users don't understand yet what a PWA is or how to install and use one. However, making them aware may be an obstacle in itself. 
4. Performance on Low-End Devices: Whereas most PWAs are lightweight, ensuring low-end devices' performance can be tricky.

The Future of PWAs

What is in store for progressive web apps? 

Well, the future is looking great: 

• Increased Adoption: With more enterprise-level businesses realising the advantages of PWAs, we should see increased usage within more types of industries. 
• Better iOS Support: While Apple was very late to the party for PWAs, they are slowly opening up. That trend is likely to continue. 
• Integration with Emerging Technologies: PWAs will further integrate AR, VR, and AI technologies for more innovative web experiences. 
• PWAs in Enterprise: Enterprise applications are increasingly moving toward PWAs due to their flexibility and cost-effectiveness.

Best Practices for PWA Development

To make the most of PWAs, keep these best practices in mind:

1. Focus on performance
2. Design for offline-first
3. Implement push notifications thoughtfully
4. Ensure cross-browser compatibility
5. Use responsive design principles
6. Implement app-like navigation
7. Optimise for SEO
8. Regularly update your PWA

Tools and Frameworks for PWA Development

Let's talk tools, not the type you'd find in that dusty old toolbox in your garage, but more like those that can change your web development game.

Proper tooling in Progressive Web Apps is more than a nicety. It stands between you building a digital shack and constructing a gleaming skyscraper of user experience.

Let's dive into the toolbox.

React.

Ah, React. The darling of the JavaScript world. 

The framework that launched a thousand startups. But here's the thing about React – it's not just for building fancy single-page applications. When you pair it with Create React App, you've got a PWA powerhouse on your hands.

Think of React as your digital LEGO set. Each component is a brick. Combine them correctly, and suddenly, you're not just building a website but creating an experience. An experience that's fast, responsive, and progressive.

But React isn't a magic wand. It's a tool. And like any tool, its power lies not in what it can do but in what you can do with it.

Angular.

Angular is the multitool of web development. It does nearly everything out of the box. It most definitely has everything one can think of, and it even includes native PWA support.

But the thing with Angular is that the secret about Angular is not all about the features but rather about the philosophy behind it. It encourages you to think about components, services, and modules. It pushes you toward building applications that are not only functional but also maintainable and scalable.

In the world of PWAs, where performance is king, that structure isn't just excellent to have; it's essential.

Vue.js.

Vue.js is that cool, easy-going cousin in the framework family. It is approachable and flexible, and when you throw in Nuxt.js, it becomes a PWA-building machine.

But the real superpower of Vue? It grows with you. You can start small by just sprinkling a little bit of interactivity in your HTML. But then, when you need to, Vue grows with you. Before you know it, you are building complex, high-performance PWAs capable of standing toe-to-toe with native apps.

Remember: in web development, the best tool isn't always the most powerful; it's the one that empowers you to build what you envision.

Workbox.

Workbox is the love letter from Google to PWA developers. It's a set of libraries and tools that make working with service workers as easy as cake, and in the world of PWAs, service workers are the unsung heroes.

Think of Workbox as your Sous Chef for your service worker. It does all of the chopping, the dicing, and the prep work, allowing you to focus on creating that perfect recipe for your Progressive Web Application without getting too bogged down in the nitty-gritty of the service worker implementation.

But here's the thing about Workbox – it's not just about making your life easier (although that too). It's about best practices. It's about performance. It's about building PWAs that don't just work but work well.

Lighthouse.

Lighthouse is like having a web performance guru sitting beside you, whispering secrets into your ears. An open-source tool audits your web pages for performance, accessibility, SEO, and PWA features.

But Lighthouse isn't just giving you a score; it is about giving you a roadmap. It doesn't just tell you what is wrong; it tells you how to fix it. It's like having a mentor, a coach, and a cheerleader all rolled into one.

And that's the real power of Lighthouse: it takes this abstract concept of “web performance” and turns it into concrete next steps. It removes all the guessing from optimisation. And that clarity is gold in the fast-moving world of web development.

But here's the thing about all those tools-they're just that. Tools. They're not magic wands. They're not silver bullets. They're instruments waiting to be played.

And the magic? That comes from you. From your creativity. Your problem-solving skills. Your unique point of view on what makes a great web experience.

These tools aren't here to replace you; they're here to amplify you- to take your ideas and help you turn those into reality, to bring your vision of what the web could be and to help you make it happen.

And so, it is not only “What tools shall I use?”; it is more like: “What am I trying to build? What problem do I want to solve? What experience am I trying to create?”

Because that is ultimately what PWAs are all about. They're not about service workers, web manifests, or whatever technical terms people use. It's creating experiences that are fast, reliable, and engaging, blurring the line between web and native, which meet users where they are on whatever device they're using.

And with those tools at your belt, you will have all you need to create those experiences.

PWAs vs. Native Apps: A Comparison

How do PWAs stack up against native apps? Let's compare:

Conclusion

Progressive Web Apps represent a giant leap forward in developing the web. It combines the best of both worlds, offering reach and discoverability like the web while offering performance and features like native apps. 

With continued browser support improvement and developers' increasing interest in using PWA technology, we may witness an explosion in creative, high-performance web applications that work seamlessly on all devices.

Whether you're a developer looking to further arm yourself with more skills, a businessman looking to upgrade his presence online, or simply a technology enthusiast interested in what the future holds for the web, take a closer look at PWAs. It is not just a fad; it's shaping how we interact with the digital world.

So, are you ready to make your web presence progressive? The world of PWAs is waiting!

Frequently Asked Questions