In the continuous race for leading business positions and attracting more customers, companies pay close attention to modern technologies that emerge. For instance, progressive web apps (PWAs), which have been discussed for years, are drawing more and more adherents. A significant part of day-to-day Internet activities happens on websites' mobile version, and PWAs are created specifically for such cases. The fact remains that the number of smartphone users in the world now reaches 3.6 billion. What’s more, according to Statista, this number will grow by another 700 million by 2023.
Therefore, it is impossible to ignore the promising web technology that combines the experience of a fast website and the convenient interface of a native application, progressive web apps. Moreover, they can be developed not only from scratch but also using toolkits like Magento PWA Studio, which makes it even easier for novices. In this article, we will look at the main benefits available to those who choose to build PWAs and go over how they differ from native ones.
PWAs vs. Native Apps: Taking the Big Picture
First and foremost, do you really understand what PWAs are? What are the differences between them and native apps?
Native Applications: A Quick Intro
Native apps have been around for quite a while and are traditionally installed on devices from mobile marketplaces. The development of such apps differs depending on the OS. For this reason, separate developer teams have to build two versions of the same native application for Android and iOS.
What are the main distinguishing features of native apps?
- They are downloaded to the storage of a mobile device;
- Require maintenance (updates from the user’s side with new releases and bug fixes);
- Are tailored specifically for mobile use and have corresponding UX and UI that’s geared towards mobile-only use;
- Support push notifications to retain clients;
- Are a good solution for apps that users access very often (social media, messengers, banking, games, etc.).
PWAs: Major Highlights
In very simple terms, progressive web applications are an enhanced mobile version of a website. To create high-efficiency solutions, PWAs use Javascript technology to cater to the advanced expectations of mobile users. They provide unsurpassed site load speed and navigation due to progressive technologies and top-notch UX. Progressive web apps are based on modern frameworks such as ReactJS or AngularJS.
What are the main distinguishing features of PWAs?
- They don’t need to be installed and saved in the storage of the mobile device to be used. Instead, PWAs work in any browser (both desktop and mobile);
- They allow the user to be satisfied by fast page loading;
- They engage the user with an intuitive and alluring interface and have adopted the best UX and UI practices of native applications;
- You can rely on them even if there is no internet connection as they support offline mode;
- They have an easy “Add to Home Screen” feature that allows saving the PWA to the device as a link shortcut (it actually looks like any other native application and has a tiny weight);
- Can support push notifications (which is vital for customer retention);
- Best-suitable for eCommerce and those business spheres where clients don’t access the app on a regular basis.
Top 6 Advantages of Progressive Web Applications Over Native Apps
Now let’s dig deeper into the main advantages that PWAs provide.
1. PWAs Require Less Investment in Development and Support
When choosing a particular service, it’s in our nature to primarily pay attention to the price. So we will begin our comparison of the two solutions from this point of view.
As shortly aforementioned, native application development requires a separate approach to different operating systems. This is why companies need to look for different teams of professionals who’ can create the same app for iOS and Android.
When do native applications make sense? They are reasonable for such business cases as banking, games, social media, and messaging (well, any app that a user will access often). But frankly, even these fields may soon replace their native applications with modern and more universal solutions like progressive web apps.
PWAs involve less development and maintenance costs than their native counterparts. They don’t require the support of numerous applications with their specialized development tools, coding languages, and resources. But the main point worthy of emphasizing is that by getting a PWA, you upgrade your desktop version too, boosting its performance alongside the mobile one.
On the whole, moving a site to a PWA is very reasonable for eCommerce websites since more and more people use their mobile devices to shop. And, frankly, there are very few successful native application examples for online retail, except for probably Alibaba. A progressive web application changes the architecture of the website from a monolithic one to a modern one with a split headless approach. And this means that by getting a PWA, you’re investing in the future and preparing your site for the changes that await eCommerce ahead.
2. PWAs Have Flash-Like Speed
Among the next main strengths of PWAs is their speed. Progressive web applications can boast incredibly good performance and content delivery thanks to the use of advanced caching, GraphQL, a modern API approach, and other solutions.
For instance, PWAs use application shells. This “move” shows the user the layout as the page content loads, signaling that content will soon appear. This is much better than when a user stares at a blank page, waiting for content to slowly load (especially when it comes to images).
Just have a look at the screenshot of the Al-Majed 4 Oud progressive web application. Do you see that although the images are missing, the layout signals that they’ll be there? In reality, the pictures take seconds to load, but the app shell is very important for perception.
There’s no denying that fast speed makes users who are browsing the site satisfied with their experience. They don’t leave the site when a page takes forever to load. This definitely decreases the chances of user bounce and greatly picks up conversions.
According to a Google research, when the page load time was tweaked from 1 to 3 seconds, the bounce rate rose by 32%. When the time was increased for another two seconds, the bounce rate peaked at 90%. Hence, quick performance is key.
Do we need to bring up how Google values page speed when ranking a website? Ultimately, with fast page opening times, a site that’s a PWA can gain a competitive advantage over others and improve its rankings. Yes, to be fair, there are some SEO-related peculiarities for progressive web apps, but if handled properly from the start right at the development stage, numerous obstacles can be avoided.
Obviously, everything mentioned above in this block compares a progressive web application to a regular website rather than to a native application. But this point is so crucial that it deserves a separate detailed mention.
3. Competitive UX\UI (Another SEO Bonus)
In the summer of 2021, updates to Google Search algorithms came into effect. According to the developers’ idea, the algorithms will consider page usability when ranking. This news made a splash among site owners and gave them a boost to think about overall site optimization, both for mobile and desktop, to provide the most convenient user experience and get to the top of search queries.
PWAs have become a solution that combines a smooth and user-friendly design and navigation that native applications usually have while being scalable. Unlike native apps, they can be found through search engines just like any other website and can boost SEO rankings. To some extent, PWAs are even superior to their native counterparts, as they are more intelligently organized.
Below is an example of the home page of the Noon online store. On the right is the web version, which, in terms of interface convenience, is like two peas in a pod with its native twin. However, the most important differences that make the PWA version more beneficial is that:
- The native application size is 76.6 MB, which takes time to install and device memory space, whereas the PWA is almost weightless;
- The page loading speed of the web version within the browser is very fast;
- The PWA is scalable, with pages simply found via search engines.
4. PWAs Run in Browsers (Thus Don’t Take up Device Storage Space)
A common problem for mobile users is the lack of free space on their devices. And progressive web apps do the trick. Thanks to them, you do not need to free up space for new programs by deleting old ones. PWAs are built into the site and don’t require downloading. They run in any browser, both mobile and desktop.
Nevertheless, for the convenience of users, many PWAs are fitted with the “Add to Home Screen” feature that allows a user to add a shortcut to their device. The PWA shortcut will look just as a native application icon would. And the best part is that most of them are not heavier than 1 MB, which is rare among native apps.
This screenshot below from the cosmetics brand Apivita is an example of how you can add the PWA shortcut to your home screen. This provides access to shopping without opening a browser and searching for the URL, providing all the benefits of PWAs.
Giving more examples, Pinterest has switched to PWA too. It weighs 150 KB now, up from the native apps which were 21 MB on Android and 140.3 MB on iOS. What Pinterest got in return:
- The number of engaged users increased by 60%;
- Advertising revenue climbed up to 44%.
The Starbucks PWA weighs 233 KB compared to the overwhelming 148 MB for the iOS mobile app. With the introduction of this feature, the company has doubled the number of daily active users. In fact, the number of orders from mobile phones is now almost the same as from desktops, if not more.
5. Possibility to Send Push Notifications
Device-specific features such as push notifications that are available in native mobile apps also found their way into PWAs. There are various ways to realize this opportunity and get the most out of your ads. When it comes to PWAs, push notifications are particularly effective.
Some statistics claim that 67.5% of users allow their apps to send them notifications across the two biggest mobile operating systems. Unlike email newsletters, blog posts, or social media posts, these notifications are displayed right in front of users’ eyes on the screen, allowing companies to promote products or services. In addition, they increase awareness as they draw attention to the brand and enhance customer retention.
6. Internet Independence
Everyone understands that we can’t browse the site if the Internet is disconnected. Previously, this problem was solved by native applications that continued to work, regardless of the speed of the Internet or its absence.
Now PWAs have also learned this, and the absence of the Internet doesn’t interrupt their work due to the advanced data caching by the application. This technology, known as Service Workers, provides a programmatic method for caching resources.
Unfortunately, users still can’t make an order or open other pages that they haven’t loaded before. However, they can add products to the cart, and the page will refresh when the signal appears once again. Also, it is caching that makes it possible for the page to load in the blink of an eye.
To Conclude
The ability to use PWAs directly from the browser even with an unstable connection or offline, the convenience of the app-like interface and lightning-fast page opening speeds, and push notifications give reason to consider this technology of the future. Google actively hails it, and this will have an impact on the broader adoption of PWAs.
For sites that care about their traffic in the 2020s, it is becoming more and more difficult to survive the competition if you don’t measure up to high standards of security and speed. Therefore, the creation of PWAs is a big step to modify sites for those who haven’t improved them for a long time.
Like any Internet technology that can increase brand awareness and conversions, PWAs will help enhance website performance and bring much more benefit for website promotion in search engines.
Lead Generation Tool to Reduce Manual Work
Our client, Afore Capital, a venture capital firm focused on pre-seed investments, aimed to automate their lead generation processes but struggled with existing out-of-the-box solutions. To tackle this challenge, they sought assistance from our team of Akveo Retool experts.
The scope of work
The client needed a tailored solution to log and track inbound deals effectively. They required an application that could facilitate the addition, viewing, and editing of company and founder information, ensuring data integrity and preventing duplicates. Additionally, Afore Capital aimed to integrate external tools like PhantomBuster and LinkedIn to streamline data collection.
The result
By developing a custom Retool application, we streamlined the lead generation process, significantly reducing manual data entry. The application enabled employees to manage inbound deals efficiently while automated workflows for email parsing, notifications, and dynamic reporting enhanced operational efficiency. This allowed Afore Capital's team to focus more on building relationships with potential founders rather than on administrative tasks.
Learn more about the case
Retool CMS Application for EdTech Startup
Our client, CutTime, a leading fine arts education management platform, needed a scalable CMS application to improve vendor product management and user experience.
The scope of work
We developed a Retool application that allows vendors to easily upload and manage product listings, handle inventory, and set shipping options. The challenge was to integrate the app with the client’s system, enabling smooth authentication and product management for program directors.
The result
Our solution streamlined product management, reducing manual work for vendors, and significantly improving operational efficiency.
Building Reconciliation Tool for e-commerce company
Our client was in need of streamlining and simplifying its monthly accounting reconciliation process – preferably automatically. But with a lack of time and low budget for a custom build, development of a comprehensive software wasn’t in the picture. After going through the case and customer’s needs, we decided to implement Retool. And that was the right choice.
The scope of work
Our team developed a custom reconciliation tool designed specifically for the needs of high-volume transaction environments. It automated the processes and provided a comprehensive dashboard for monitoring discrepancies and anomalies in real-time.
The implementation of Retool significantly reduced manual effort, as well as fostered a more efficient and time-saving reconciliation process.
Creating Retool Mobile App for a Wine Seller
A leading spirits and wine seller in Europe required the development of an internal mobile app for private client managers and administrators. The project was supposed to be done in 1,5 months. Considering urgency and the scope of work, our developers decided to use Retool for swift and effective development.
The scope of work
Our developers built a mobile application tailored to the needs of the company's sales force: with a comprehensive overview of client interactions, facilitated order processing, and enabled access to sales history and performance metrics. It was user-friendly, with real-time updates, seamlessly integrated with existing customer databases.
The result? Increase in productivity of the sales team and improved decision-making process. But most importantly, positive feedback from the customers themselves.
Developing PoC with Low Code for a Tour Operator
To efficiently gather, centralize, and manage data is a challenge for any tour operator. Our client was not an exception. The company was seeking to get an internal software that will source information from third-party APIs and automate the travel itinerary creation process. Preferably, cost- and user-friendly tool.
The scope of work
Our experts ensured the client that all the requirements could be covered by Retool. And just in 40 hours a new software was launched. The tool had a flexible and easy-to-use interface with user authentication and an access management system panel – all the company needed. At the end, Retool was considered the main tool to replace the existing system.
Testing New Generation of Lead Management Tool with Retool
Our client, a venture fund, had challenges with managing lead generation and client acquisition. As the company grew, it aimed to attract more clients and scale faster, as well as automate the processes to save time, improve efficiency and minimize human error. The idea was to craft an internal lead generation tool that will cover all the needs. We’ve agreed that Retool will be a perfect tool for this.
The scope of work
The project initially began as a proof of concept, but soon enough, with each new feature delivered, the company experienced increased engagement and value.
We developed a web tool that integrates seamlessly with Phantombuster for data extraction and LinkedIn for social outreach. Now, the company has a platform that elevates the efficiency of their lead generation activities and provides deep insights into potential client bases.
Building an Advanced Admin Portal for Streamlined Operations
Confronted with the need for more sophisticated internal tools, an owner of IP Licensing marketplace turned to Retool to utilize its administrative functions. The primary goal was to construct an advanced admin portal that could support complex, multi-layered processes efficiently.
The scope of work
Our client needed help with updating filters and tables for its internal platform. In just 30 hours we've been able to update and create about 6 pages. Following features were introduced: add complex filtering and search, delete records, styling application with custom CSS.
Together, we have increased performance on most heavy pages and fixed circular dependency issues.
Creating MVP Dashboard for Google Cloud Users
Facing the challenge of unoptimized cloud resource management, a technology firm working with Google Cloud users was looking for a solution to make its operations more efficient. The main idea of the project was to create an MVP for e-commerce shops to test some client hypotheses. Traditional cloud management tools fell short.
The scope of work
Determined to break through limitations, our team of developers turned Retool. We decided to craft an MVP Dashboard specifically for Google Cloud users. This wasn't just about bringing data into view; but about reshaping how teams interact with their cloud environment.
We designed a dashboard that turned complex cloud data into a clear, strategic asset thanks to comprehensive analytics, tailored metrics, and an intuitive interface, that Retool provides. As the results, an increase in operational efficiency, significant improvement in cost management and resource optimization.
Elevating CRM with Custom HubSpot Sales Dashboard
Our other client, a SaaS startup, that offers collaborative tools for design and engineering teams, was on a quest to supercharge their sales efforts. Traditional CRM systems were limited and not customizable enough. The company sought a solution that could tailor HubSpot to their workflow and analytics needs.
The scope of work
Charged with the task of going beyond standard CRM functions, our team turned to Retool. We wanted to redefine how sales teams interact with their CRM.
By integrating advanced analytics, custom metrics, and a user-friendly interface, our developers provided a solution that transformed data into a strategic asset.
In 40 hours, three informative dashboards were developed, containing the most sensitive data related to sales activities. These dashboards enable our customer to analyze sales and lead generation performance from a different perspective and establish the appropriate KPIs.
Building a PDF Editor with Low-Code
Our client, a leading digital credential IT startup, needed a lot of internal processes to be optimized. But the experience with low-code tools wasn’t sufficient. That’s why the company decided to hire professionals. And our team of developers joined the project.
The scope of work
The client has a program that designs and prints custom badges for customers. The badges need to be “mail-merged” with a person’s info and turned into a PDF to print. But what is the best way to do it?
Our developers decided to use Retool as a core tool. Using custom components and JavaScript, we developed a program that reduced employees' time for designing, putting the data, verifying, and printing PDF badges in one application.
As a result, the new approach significantly reduces the time required by the internal team to organize all the necessary staff for the conference, including badge creation.
