Progressive Web Apps - the Future of Web Design?

The time continuum in the digital world often feels faster than the 24-hour clock. As soon as new technology hits the scene, it’s already out of date. So when it comes to website design, getting ahead of curve isn't just worth it - it's critical. 

In 2015, people started talking about Progressive Web Apps (PWA’s). A Progressive Web App (PWA) is a regular website that looks like a web page yet functions more like a mobile app. Over the past few years, a number of major companies –(Twitter, Washington Post and FlipBoard to name a few) have begun to utilize PWA’s in their digital strategies. 

What is a Progressive Web Application?

As stated above, a Progressive Web App is a regular website that looks like a web page yet functions more like a mobile app. The goal of a PWA is to improve upon the functionality and features of modern web browsers by adding the benefits of the mobile experience.

Through an increased desire for a superior user experience, PWA’s are in high demand as more and more analysis of their benefits comes to the surface. (See this link for a look at a community-driven list of statistics.)  Below is a list of features that is numerous, remarkable, and in fact, too good not to share:

Progressive: A PWA is designed to progress with the advancing technology of the web browser and device of the user. This means that unlike a mobile app that you must update regularly, a PWA updates automatically.

Discoverable: Because a PWA is a website, it is discoverable by search engines. This provides a huge advantage over native apps, which are far behind websites in searchability.  

Linkable: Also inherited from a website, PWA’s use a Uniform Resource Identifier or URI to specify the current state of an application when a user reloads or bookmarks the page. Ultimately, this allows for the PWA to return to the same state upon reloading. 

Responsive: PWA’s are always responsive. Not only do we believe that Responsive Web Design is a non-negotiable these days, but PWA’s take it a step further by adapting to a mobile device experience on any device and any browser. 

App-Like: A PWA should remind the user of an app experience. By being built on an app shell model, a PWA will have app-like features such as minimal page refreshes; making for an enjoyable user experience.  

Connectivity-independent: Perhaps one of the best features of PWA is that it will still work during areas of low connectivity and also offline. 

Push Notifications: Push notifications allows for users to re-engage with a PWA as easily as they would with a mobile app. Instead of a website experience in which a user may go for a specific purpose and then not again for a few weeks or months, a PWA encourages re-engagement and therefore, more site visits. 

Installable: Like mobile apps, PWA’s are easily installed on a device’s home screen making it easy to access.

How Progressive Web Apps Do it All

The best news is that Progressive Web Apps are simpler and less costly than a full mobile app. For businesses that have a need or a desire for a mobile app, but not the budget, PWA's may be the answer.

Taylor Digital

"helping businesses succeed online with custom Web Applications, Content Marketing and Search Strategy"