The excerpt of this report has been published here with prior permission of MakeUseOf.
Apps dominate your phone. For a long time, apps didn’t influence your desktop or browser in the same way. That has changed in recent years. Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) are growing in stature and altering our interactions with all manner of websites.
But what exactly is a Progressive Web App? What does a PWA do that a website doesn’t? Here’s what you need to know about Progressive Web Apps.
What Is a Progressive Web App?
Progressive Web Apps are web applications that offer a regular site to users but appear as a native mobile app. PWAs attempt to bring the usability of a native mobile app to the modern browser feature set, taking full advantage of advances in both development areas.
What defines a PWA, then?
- Universal: a PWA must work seamlessly (well, almost) for every user, regardless of their browser.
- Responsive: PWAs should work with any device, such as your laptop, tablet, smartphone, and so on.
- Design: the design should mimic native mobile apps, meaning streamlined, easy-to-find menus, with simple interactivity for advanced features.
- Safe: PWAs should use HTTPS to keep user data secure.
- Discoverable: users can find PWAs, and they are easily identifiable as an application (rather than a “site”).
- Engagement: a PWA must have access to native engagement features like push notifications.
- Updates: PWAs remain up to date, serving the latest versions of a service or site.
- Installation: allow users to easily “install” the PWA to their home screen without needing an app store.
- Sharing: PWAs only require a single URL to share, without any installation.
As you can see, PWAs aim to provide users a full website experience with the streamlined features and interface design of a native app.
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