Progressive Web App (PWA): Mobile commerce future

by Sunny Dhiman Ecommerce Website Developer

Building Android/iOS mobile app may sound a costly affair for some of the retailers. In such scenario, It is a great time to consider building Progressive Web App. It comes with a better user experience and that too at a very reasonable cost. It offers frictionless, fast, and “app-like” experiences which help you to drive more traffic, faster page load time with a high conversion rate.

What is PWA?

Prior moving ahead, It is essential to get a brief description on PWA. It is better known as Progressive Web App and encompasses modern web APIs to deliver app (mobile) like experience to the users through the browsers itself. Unlike mobile apps, such apps do not need to get downloaded, installed and updated on the user’s device. Few successful examples of PWAs include Alibaba, Flipkart, Forbes, and AliExpress etc.

Furthermore, AliExpress has claimed to improve conversions for new customers/users across all browsers by 104 per cent and on iOS by 82 per cent.

Why should one have it?

It is not necessary that you should opt for Progressive Web App development only if you have a tight budget, you can also have one even if you already have a native app.

However, the PWA (Progressive Web Application) account for limited data storage than the native app. But it allows us to continue browsing on the device even when the network connection is weak or totally absent, which is next to impossible for a native or mobile app.

Advantages over Native Apps

Ease of use: A Progressive Web App can be easily installed by simply clicking on the “Add to home screen” button rather than visiting the app store and then following the lengthy procedure of downloading and registering.

Work Offline: One of the biggest advantages of PWAs include its offline mode i.e. it can work without the internet connection as it simply relies on service workers (a script which runs in the background, independent of the web page)

Safe & Fresh: This app facilitates to load the latest and fresh content and everything is done over HTTPS for the security purpose.

Progressive & Responsive: Unlike mobile apps, where customization is required to make them responsive, PWAs works for everyone and caters to a wide range of device sizes.

Linkable: As this app opens up in a browser, thus, it can be easily shared as a URL.

Magento, a leading digital commerce platform, is soon to adapt this trend and would definitely bring a revolution in the mobile app commerce. As per Magento latest press release, It would get together with Google, clouting Google’s technical expertise and one of the best practice insights as Magento fetches native Progressive Web App (PWA) capabilities to the full Magento Commerce community in 2018.

Magento web development is already on the seventh cloud in eCommerce arena. As per a report done on eCommerce investments, mobile was the number one investment done by retailers in the year 2016 and is consistent in being there till now. Therefore, Magento has also decided to opt for Google’s masterpiece i.e. Progressive Web App in order to bring native PWA capabilities for higher customer engagement through push notifications. This adaption also comes with an SEO boost, therefore, it is encouraging everyone uses this technology.