What Are Progressive Apps? How To Build Them?
Web applications are software that can be accessed using web browsers like Google Chrome
and Firefox. In today's advanced technological world, web apps are becoming more functional
than traditional apps.
Progressive web apps (PWA) have taken web applications one step further by using more advanced technology and APIs. They provide an enhanced user experience, advanced connection capabilities, and increased loading speed.
PWA can work on multiple web browsers and operating systems without compromising its functionality and features.
Just like mobile apps, PWA ensures that users can always benefit from the latest version of the application. They provide their users with offline functionality for better user engagement.
PWA can be built with multiple programming languages such as JavaScript, HTML, and CSS. They can be easily deployed, therefore PWAs are less complicated and can be created quickly.
Must-Have Characteristics of PWAs
PWA must have the following feature to provide its users with a better experience.
Responsive
While developing progressive web apps, make sure that these apps are compatible enough to function on different operating systems. Also, satisfies customers' needs, regardless of their screen and viewport sizes.
Discoverable to Search Engine
PWAs are converted websites, so they should be visible in the search engine. That attracts more traffic to the web apps. This is another advantage of PWA over native apps that are not able to be discovered in the search engine.
Appearance
The application should look like a normal or regular mobile app. So add an attractive app icon that is easy to memorize for its users.
Offline Availability
It will be more convenient for the users if the application provides them with offline functioning rather than dropping them back to offline pages.
Installable
PWA should be easily installable on the home screen of the device. So, it could easily be available for the users.
Benefits of PWAs for Users and Business
Process of Building A Progressive Web App
If you wish to develop PWA yourself, make sure that you have an experienced team of developers And a good quality assurance team.
By using the following steps you can build a successful progressive web app.
Create A Manifest file
It is the initial stage of developing PWA. For this start creating the detailed name of the application. The short name that will b used for the app icon. The theme color of the website for the operating system, then the background color of the application.
Then the scope of the URL and the start of the URL and a brief human-readable description will be added. This information will be used as OS-level metadata.
Develop HTML Page
Add the manifest file to the HTML template for your app. If it is a purely client-side app, its main-index HTML file should be visible to the user who is trying to install the application.
Create A Function To Fetch Data
After creating the HTML page, you need to fetch the data that is required for display. For this, use the fetch function and gather data to display on your HTML page.
Add Icons
An icon is attached to the progressive application when users install the app. A creative icon would help people remember your PWA. For this, PNG and JPG would work fine.
The tools of manifest generation would help in generating attractive application icons.
Create A Service Worker
A service worker is an event-driven system that can be defined by using a few lines of JavaScript coding that will be continually running in the background.
Register The Service Worker
The service work needed to be registered by using the navigator library of the browser. To check if the service worker has been registered successfully, open the app in the browser then open the console and click on the network> application> service worker.
If it has been installed you can see that in this tab. If it has been successfully installed you can see your stuff even when you are offline because the service worker has already cached the data.
Installing The Application
For your customer's convenience, install your app twice. This will help the user to add it on the home screen. Users will be able to open the app directly from their home screen by just tapping the application icon.
Use Push Notifications
Push notifications are an excellent way to remind your customers how long they have not been using your app. You can keep in touch with your customers and remind them of upcoming offers.
Unsupported Browsers
If a browser such as iOS is not supporting your PWA, the alternative way is to build an immersive and responsive web app. So that when Apple decides to support progressive apps, your app would be ready to rock.
Conclusion
In this article, you have learned the important factors that build a successful progressive web app. Also, you have learned about their benefits for both customers and business holders.
At last, there is an overview of the steps to build a PWA. These steps are simply defined and understandable for every developer. For more information, you can contact enterprise software development services to find solutions regarding your concerns.
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