Above all, users want an app that works. While user experience is not the only factor users consider when using an application, it lands at the top of app characteristics users prioritize.
After all, which would you rather use—a clunky app with confusing features or a clean, intuitive application with a straightforward user journey?
PWAs are one way any organization can improve the user experience for their customer base. Let’s find out more below!
What are Progressive Web Apps?
Progressive Web Apps, or PWAs, are hybrid software applications that allow users to experience the features of a purely web-based app and a product’s native application. They enable users to enjoy increased flexibility, reach, and app functionality.
Some benefits of Progressive Web Apps are:
- Increased responsiveness
- Installability
- Connectivity independence
- Native app-like functionality
- Instant updates
Understanding precisely what PWAs are can be challenging if you’ve never heard of them before. How are they any different from web applications you can open in your browser, and what separates them from being different from a native app?
Let’s uncover the answers to those questions by looking into the delineation between PWAs, web apps, and native applications.
Differentiating PWAs from Web Apps and Native Apps
Here’s a quick summary of how web applications, native applications, and PWAs are different from each other. Don’t worry; we’ll elaborate more below!
| Web Applications | Native Applications | Progressive Web Applications | |
| Access | Can be accessed using a browser (e.g., Google Chrome) | Accessible by installing it from app stores (i.e., Google Play and Apple App Store) | Can be accessed through a web browser but may also be installed on your device (not through app stores) |
| Installation | Installation is not required | Installation is required | Installable from the web without an app store, but installation is not required |
| Offline Usage | In general, web apps do not work offline | Usually work offline after the initial download (to a certain degree) | Can work offline or on limited quality networks (2G and 3G) using service workers |
| Performance | May have responsivity and speed issues | Optimized for specific platforms and devices and are typically high-performance | Optimized for responsiveness and are typically high-performance |
| Features | Limited access to local device features (i.e., GPS, camera) | Full access to local device features (i.e., GPS, camera) | Can access more local device features (e.g., push notification, offline storage) compared to regular web apps |
A regular web application is software you can access on the web without any installation at all.
For instance, you could open your favorite streaming website and watch your favorite movies straight from your browser. However, offline modes on regular web apps are tricky. PWAs are generally better for offline usage as they have additional functionalities that make the experience more seamless.
You could also stream on a native application! These apps are downloadable from Google Play, Apple App Store, etc., and are stored on your device. Some native apps may have offline modes that provide plenty of functionality despite being disconnected from the internet.
PWAs can also work offline or in low-bandwidth situations. Users can also “install” PWAs by adding them to the home screen directly from the browser without using the Play Store or App Store.
Essentially, PWAs have the benefits of both regular web applications and native apps. By meshing the two concepts together, users can utilize software that feels and works just like a native app but has the flexibility of software that’s connected to the web.
Key Characteristics of Progressive Web Apps
Here are some of the key characteristics that define PWAs:
- Progressive Enhancement.
- Responsive Design.
- Discoverability.
- Installability.
- Low Data Usage.
- Connectivity Independence.
The above isn’t exhaustive by any means, but it does help provide more perspective on what sets PWAs apart from similar technologies.
What You Need to Know about User Experience
User Experience (UX) is one of the most vital aspects of any interactive system. User experience encompasses all interactions a user has with any application, whether as a product or a service.
Good UX design primarily hinges on an intuitive and efficient design that leads to an overall relevant experience with a system. Understanding how elements of an application or website influence a user’s experience is the most critical aspect of designing a product that works well.
To do so, UX designers need to have a good grasp of:
- User Values.
- User Capacities.
- User Limitations.
In doing so, designers can get into the minds of users and determine what they value most. They can also design a product’s UX to support both the customer and the organization’s overarching goals.
Put yourself in the shoes of a customer for a moment. Let’s say you’re a user in your 20s browsing a clothing website for the perfect dress to wear as a guest for a garden wedding. You’ve spent hours browsing for dresses online, and you would love to have options given to you without much prompting.
A web application or website built with user experience in mind would make sure that the website is easy to navigate and has an aesthetically pleasing element. So, when you type the keywords “summer dresses” on the search bar and filter the results as appropriate, you should be met with clothing items that match your search.
Moreover, each listing should have multiple photos, detailed descriptions, material information, care instructions, and, of course, a sizing chart. Users should also be able to view reviews and easily filter them according to rating, photo availability, and more.
Even a short interaction such as the above can significantly impact the customer’s perception of the product or website.
There are also additional factors to consider when designing to optimize for user experience. For example, what if the user is visually impaired and has to use assistive devices or speech to navigate? The web app would then have to be suited to work for assistive devices as well (e.g., clicking on “tab” will allow users to move to the next clickable button)
In summary, the entire point of prioritizing user experience is to give users a product that is:
- Easy to use.
- Efficient.
- Consistent.
- Responsive.
- Accessible.
- Aesthetically pleasing.
Users should be able to navigate your website, web app, or native application in an intuitive manner that is accessible to their needs. But where do progressive web apps fit into this picture?
How to Optimize User Experience with PWAs
Because of the nature of Progressive Web Applications (PWAs), developers and designers have additional ways to enhance user experience. Let’s examine how PWAs can improve users’ interactions with software.
By incorporating AI web app development, PWAs can offer personalized experiences that adapt to individual user preferences and behaviors. Furthermore, app development allows for advanced features such as predictive analytics and intelligent automation, significantly boosting the overall functionality and appeal of the application
Performance
Waiting for page elements to load when you’re in a hurry can be an excruciating process. Every one of us has probably tried eventually clicking out of a website because the page just wouldn’t load fast enough, or it just wouldn’t show the elements right.
Website performance can be a huge driving factor in user engagement and conversion rates. While web performance alone will not convert customers, it certainly makes a difference when trying to retain them!
A high-performing website will encourage users to browse more and thus increase their chances of conversion.
PWAs can improve web app performance through efficient loading and offline access. They utilize service workers to cache resources, thus enabling the website to load quickly despite limited or no internet connectivity.
PWAs may also cache critical assets and utilize lazy loading for elements that are less crucial to the page. This process results in faster loading and better responsiveness overall.
Native-App Functionality
Another key benefit of PWAs is that they can emulate the feel of using a native application—something that can be difficult to replicate on a regular web app. Integrating a password manager into your PWA ensures that users can securely store and manage their login credentials with ease. Additionally, a built-in password manager can enhance security and streamline the user experience by providing quick access to saved passwords across devices.
Offline Usage
In many places worldwide, internet connectivity everywhere you go is already the default. People generally have access to the web, especially in developed nations. But there are still instances when the internet connection is slow, and pages don’t load as fast as they should.
You can probably imagine how frustrating it is for users to keep waiting for pages to load, eventually giving up when it takes too long.
PWAs can help circumvent this issue because PWAs can generally be accessed offline once the related assets have been cached locally. Moreover, users will experience fewer usage disruptions due to internet connectivity.
Platform engineering for telecommunications can further enhance the performance and reliability of PWAs, ensuring seamless access even in areas with poor connectivity. By implementing these strategies, companies can provide a robust and consistent user experience, minimizing frustration and maximizing engagement.
Cross-platform Compatibility
Cross-platform compatibility is the ability of applications to work on different operating systems without requiring modification.
There are several reasons why cross-platform combability can be beneficial for the user and the developer:
- Consistent experience. Users don’t have to suffer from application inconsistencies across different systems or devices.
- Quick and easy updates. PWA updates are instant across all platforms, making sure users have access to all the latest features.
- Broader Reach. Because the application is accessible across different platforms, a PWA can reach a wider audience.
- Cost Efficiency. By maintaining a single codebase across various platforms, a business can cut development and maintenance costs.
Additionally, utilizing web app development services can streamline the process, allowing for faster deployment and updates. By investing in web app development services, businesses can ensure their applications remain competitive and user-friendly across all devices.
Final Thoughts
Caring for your customers’ user experience is a massive advantage to your product. Users don’t know the processes and technicalities behind an app; they just want it to work. The way they interact with the product heavily influences their perception of how usable and valuable a product or service is in their lives.
Progressive Web Applications is one of the ways you can build on the existing software you already have available. With PWAs, users get the benefit of increased functionality, thereby enhancing their enjoyment of your product.
On the business end, optimizing user experience helps boost conversion rates, reduce bounce rates, and increase overall engagement.
Using PWAs is not always easy, especially when your tech team has limited familiarity with the concept. However, switching to progressive web apps has plenty of benefits for your organization both in the short and long term.
