In an age where quick and easy availability of information is a must for the survival of businesses, companies are on the lookout for ways to engage users more effectively. A revolutionary approach, Progressive Web Apps (PWAs), based on a combination of web and mobile applications, is a good solution. This approach helps improve user experience, boosts engagement and leads to increased conversions.
The benefits PWAs offer
Cross-platform compatibility: Because the PWAs are built using platform-independent technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, they work seamlessly across different devices. It reduces development and maintenance costs, and a wider audience can use your application without compatibility issues. Traditional native apps, on the other hand, may require separate development for iOS and Android.
Lightening load time: PWAs boast impressive loading times by caching essential resources, which leads to enhanced user experience. This, in turn, leads to increased user engagement.
Enhance visibility: Since the PWAs are essentially websites, they can be indexed by search engines. And by optimising your PWA for search engines, you can get enhanced visibility among potential users leading to higher user acquisition rates. In comparison, traditional apps are often buried within app stores.
Security and reliability: HTTPS protocols ensure secure data exchange between the client and server. It encourages users to engage more freely and deeply with your app, making PWAs a prudent choice for businesses.
Cost efficiency: By eliminating the need for separate apps for different platforms, businesses can save significant resources in development and maintenance. Since PWAs require less storage space than traditional apps, they offer more appeal to users with limited device storage.
Summarised case studies of some successful PWAs implementations
Twitter Lite
Fast, data-saving experience, especially for users in regions with slow internet, which led to
- 65% increase in pages per session
- 75% increase in Tweets sent
- 20% lower bounce rate
Improved speed and reduced data usage, boosting user retention, which led to
- 40% increase in time spent on the site
- 44% rise in ad revenue
- 60% increase in engagement
Starbucks
Offline access makes it easier for customers to check menus and place orders in low-connectivity areas, which has led to
- 2x increase in daily active users
- Customers can browse and customise orders offline
Flipkart Lite
Combines the best of an app and a website, ensuring smooth performance on slow networks, which led to
- 3x more time spent by users
- 70% increase in conversion rates
AliExpress
Higher engagement and faster loading times, which led to
- 104% increase in conversion rates for new users
- 74% increase in session time
Lancome
Mobile shopping experiences, especially for users on slow networks, which led to
- 17% increase in conversions
- 15% decrease in bounce rate
The advantages offered by Progressive Web Apps are hard to ignore. With benefits such as faster load times (great for slow networks), offline capabilities, push notifications, and no installation requirement, PWAs present a great solution for businesses to thrive in the digital space.
