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How Progressive Web App Development Impacts User Experience

March 25, 2024 Web development

If you are an entrepreneur looking to build a strong digital presence, you won’t wish to compromise on your defined user experience or budget.  Businesses are continuously striving to engage their users, drive more sales, and improve the returns on investment. 

You must know that traditional websites don’t cater to the consistency or experience requirements. On the other hand, native apps can cost you a dime.

This is where a progressive web app helps and gains traction in the highly competitive market.

Progressive web apps offer the best of both worlds. They extend native-like experiences while staying affordable. Additionally, they also enhance the reach and accessibility of your brand on the web while offering immersive experiences. 

To develop such progressive web apps, you need expert web application developers for hire to plan and execute progressive web apps. They specialize in web app development and user experience design to maximize the outcome. 

This article will look at the features of PWA and how it influences the user’s experience. 

What is Progressive Web App?

Progressive web applications are web apps that use modern web technologies to create native-like apps to enhance user experience. They are rooted in standard technologies such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. 

Despite that, they can power your solutions with features that you will see in native applications. The core aspect of PWA is the progressive enhancement. This means you can build your PWA for all devices and browsers, irrespective of their support for advanced tech and features.

The PWA will inherently work towards enhancing the user’s experience by identifying the capabilities of the browser/device. 

Pinterest is a classic example of a PWA. This image discovery and sharing application have embraced PWA to craft fast and seamless solutions. They have implemented offline accessibility to allow users to browse the web app and save pictures in the absence of an Internet connection. 

Key Features of Progressive Web Apps

Here is a detailed breakdown of all the elements that make the PWA a suitable solution for your business.

#1 Responsive Design

The core of PWA is responsive design. These applications are guided by responsive design principles, which allow them to adapt and render across diverse screens and resolutions. 

You can use the PWA on your phone, tablet, or even laptop. You will notice a seamless experience as you switch devices to access the application. Additionally, the responsive design also ensures visually appealing and adaptable layouts for your business.

#2 Offline Access

PWAs like the native applications can extend offline access to their users. This means the users can browse the app and complete their work even when the Internet connection is unstable or unavailable. 

These applications employ service workers. This is a JavaScript code that is used to cache the essential HTML, CSS, and JavaScript resources.

Using this caching method, the PWA can allow ease of functioning even when there is no Internet. The users would have retrieved the files earlier and it is stored in their device. This allows them to interact with the features and complete particular transactions.

You can leverage this feature to improve the accessibility and usability of the application in the dearth of connectivity. 

#3 Push Notifications

Push notifications are the superpowers of mobile applications. Now, you will see this superpower in your PWA. It is very useful in engaging the users and empowering your re-engagement strategies. 

The PWAs implement the push notifications and send them to the user’s device even when they are not browsing the app on a web browser. This ensures quick and timely updates. You can even send personalised messages to the user.

Businesses can use this feature to engage and re-engage with their customers. You can send relevant content and personalised messages to the user that push your conversion rates. 

This feature allows you to directly connect with your target audience and engage them. 

#4 App-like Interface

The interface of PWA matches the native app in every way. The users get a native-like feel when they are inside their web browsers. This solution makes it possible by adopting modern technologies such as APIs and the latest JS frameworks.

These technologies can help enhance the animations and transitions, making them smooth and consistent. You can even improve the interactions with these features. 

Additionally, these technologies allow you to implement full-screen mode, smooth scrolling, and other powerful features to your progressive web apps. 

Impact of PWA on User Experience 

PWAs have immensely impacted the user’s experience while browsing applications. This is a result of blending modern technologies with guided design principles. 

#1 Enhanced Performance

There is a 32% probability of an increase in bounce rate when the load time goes from 1 to 3 seconds. That’s why the initial load time is crucial for web app development.

The native app-like interface has enabled faster and smoother interactions. These apps are designed for fast loading owing to the code splitting and lazy loading technologies.

They also use caching mechanisms to reduce initial load time. This allows the users to access the content quickly and enhances the responsiveness of the application.

Moreover, the use of swift animations and modern technologies can enhance the responsive capabilities. This results in continued engagement, which impacts the user experience positively. This will also help you retain the users. 

#2 Heightened Accessibility

Whether you are accessing the app on your phone or tablet, you will notice that the PWAs are readily available. They are compatible with numerous devices and resolutions owing to their responsive design.

You will notice that despite the screen size or resolution the app ensures consistency and similar aesthetics. It is also accessible on slow devices and limited bandwidth, making it a hit with the users.

As a result, people with limited-feature phones can also access the PWA. This doubles the reach and enhances the user’s experience. You will also promise a grand visibility for your business with PWA.

#3 Assured Engagement

PWA leverages features such as push notifications and offline access. This allows them to connect with the users anytime and anywhere. Push notifications can re-engage with the customers to deliver personalised and targeted messages. This helps encourage their return to your web application.

You can use these notifications to continuously engage and retain customers. It is crucial to define the frequency of push notifications. too many notifications can also impact the user experience negatively. 

Conclusion

Progressive web apps prove to be the best combination of web and native applications. They offer the best features from both worlds, which enhance your user’s experience.

With features like responsive design and offline access, you can lure customers to use the app at their convenience time, and place. These features ensure that the user gets a consistent and stable app that enriches their experience.

Push notifications can help engage with the customer and make them return to the application. This will increase the engagement for your business. 

PWAs are indeed the future of web development that offer usable, experiential, and engaging solutions that elevate your branding.