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Progressive Web Apps and Single-page Applications are web development approach that enhances user experience via service workers, API’s, and application shell architecture.
PWA’s combine HTTPS + service worker + web manifest. Ionic, Vue.js, Angular, React, Polymer, Knockout? Are top frameworks that support creating such applications.
PWA’s bring about – (1) meaningful offline experiences, (2) fast first load, (3) easy user re-engagement upon repeat visits, (4) offline functionality, (5) responsive, (6) independent of connectivity, (7) have app-like-integrations, (8) are discoverable, (9) installable, (10) re-engageable and (11) linkable and native mobile experience are some characteristics that define ‘Progressive Web Applications. PWA’s are accessible as Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) in web browsers (Chrome), which scales web to mobile. Web browsers like Google Chrome, Firefox Opera, Samsung Browser support Progressive Web Apps. Build these by making use of frameworks and tools like – (1) Angular JS, (2) Polymer, (3) React, (4) Knockout, (5) Ionic, (6) Lighthouse, (7) Dev Tools, (8) Workbox, (9) Vue.Js and (10) Microsoft’s PWA Builder.
Characteristics of Progressive Web Applications
- It should be responsive to fit the screen of any size.
- It should be independent of connectivity and must be able to work offline. (A property of service workers)
- Upgrade it regularly.
- It should not allow unauthorized access. (A property of TLS).
- It should be discoverable on search engines.
- It should be able to access the re-engagement UI’s of the OS (Push Notifications)
- It is always installable and linkable.
Prerequisites To Convert A Web App Into PWA
- You need to know JavaScript – HTML and CSS;
- Access a text editor like Visual Studio Code, Sublime, Brackets, Notepad++ or any IDE;
- You also require a browser that supports Service Workers like Google Chrome;
- Generate the App Manifest;
- You need a web application/website to turn it into a Progressive Web App;
Benefits of PWA’s
Progressive Web Apps are reliable, fast and engaging. Businesses that use PWA’s find a surge in page views in comparison to similar mobile websites. The use of PWA’s for business increases engagement rates and conversion rates.
PWA’s are responsive and adapt well to multiple devices (of all sizes). It contains service workers that only run on TLS and HTTPS.
PWA’s facilitate easy setup, update automatically, performs better, and provides user experience and higher engagement.
How to Convert a Website into a PWA?
PWA’s make use of HTTPS. It is a prerequisite for Service Workers to work across secure connections. Add Transport Security Layer (TLS). It ensures safety against unauthorized access; Back up data, and avail SSL certificate. Update all internal links to HTTPS. Add service workers – a JavaScript file that bridges the gap between the host and the browser. Activate – install – register service workers. Further, create JSON File PWA Manifest/Web Application Manifest.
Next, register the service worker in the developer tools. If you install it to open the current page, list it in the application panel under the service worker tab. It loads and activates updated services. Also, don’t forget to check offline capability. A webpage needs to load even if your user is offline. Moreover, see if you can view “index.html” and “images/” in the cache.
Conclusive: Is it Better to Build Progressive Web App than Websites?
Businesses always aim for a technology that makes them achieve the highest performance, irrespective of its initial cost. Mobile applications are preferable due to their availability, speed, and adaptability. As organizations look forward to having newer trends and technologies to suffice them, they look for a middle-ground in terms of the best resource that helps them achieve the same. Progressive web applications patch the differences of mobile applications and native app features like – (1) compass, (2) global positioning system API, (3) camera, (4) microphone, (5) gallery, (6) photos, (7) videos, (8) messages, (9) advanced caching, (10) offline accessibility, (11) icon installed on the home screen, (12) background sync, (13) media API, (14) push notifications, (15) background synchronization and (16) the web push is the push or server notifications that run in the background, independent from any opened tabs etc.
Your website acts as a PWA if it is (1) prefixed with HTTPS, (2) it includes a web app manifest, (3) it implements a service worker, (4) it involves JSON manifest file with their metacrap; so, the resultant application is less expensive, highly performant and easy to use. Reach out to us – (1) to convert a website to a web application or (2) to convert a website to a PWA app!