The Future of Progressive Web Apps: Benefits and Trends

Future of PWAs

If you are a bit into tech and web development, you must have heard of PWAs or Progressive Web Applications. Using modern web technologies like service workers and responsive design, these web applications are designed to be fast, reliable, and work even without an internet connection, providing a user experience similar to native apps.

Since they first started being used in the mid-2010s, PWAs have become an increasingly dominant force in web and mobile development. They are growing in adoption across various industries, from e-commerce to social media and content streaming. Giants like Pinterest, Spotify, and Starbucks have already seen significant engagement and performance improvements after implementing their own Progressive Web Application. So, it is safe to say that as more companies look to unify their web and mobile presence under a single development effort while boosting their performances, PWAs will continue to complement (if not replace) native apps.

Now that we know that PWAs are here to stay, let’s look at the different reasons they now have this competitive edge.

PWA benefits

PWAs provide several advantages that make them attractive for both developers and users, let’s dive into those.

Cross-platform compatibility

Developers can build a single Progressive Web App and have it run on multiple platforms (web, mobile, and desktop) without needing to develop separate native applications for iOS, Android, or Windows. This, of course, drastically reduces development and maintenance costs.

The fact that PWAs work across all devices and operating systems that have a modern web browser makes them extremely versatile and accessible to a wide range of users.

Performance and User Experience

PWAs are super lightweight compared to native apps, which makes them load much faster, especially for users on slower networks. Their responsive interfaces that adapt to different screen sizes also allow for a smooth user experience.

By using service workers (which work like proxy servers), PWAs can offer offline or low-connectivity functionality, caching important resources and allowing users to continue interacting with the app even without an internet connection.

Reduced app store dependencies

Unlike a native app, a Progressive Web App can be distributed independently of app stores. Users can install it directly from the browser. This removes the need for app store approval processes, fees, and constraints of any type.

SEO benefits

Because they are web-based, PWAs benefit from being indexed by search engines. They get improved visibility and organic traffic and are easily discoverable through search engines. This is significant compared to native apps which usually reside in walled gardens of app stores and are more difficult to discover via organic search.

Emerging trends shaping PWAs

More native-like features

Starting around 2019, Project Fugu, or the Web Capabilities Project, is a joint initiative between Google, Microsoft, Intel, and other Chromium contributors. Its goal is to improve web applications by providing new APIs that allow them to tap into more device features, thereby bridging the gap between web and native applications.

For instance, with Fugu, PWAs will get access to more hardware capabilities, such as interacting with the system clipboard, Bluetooth, and USB devices.

AI and Machine Learning Integration

As web technologies continue to progress, we can expect PWAs to integrate AI and machine learning to enhance the user experience. With tools like TensorFlow.js, developers can implement AI features such as image recognition and language processing directly in the browser, enriching PWAs with greater interactivity.

Enhanced security

PWAs are set to benefit from ongoing improvements in web security, which will help ensure safe data processing, user authentication, and encryption. With technologies like WebAuthn, PWAs can, for example, offer passwordless authentication, enhancing user security and minimizing any hassle. These security advancements and improved data protection features also help build trust with users.

Performance optimization

New advanced techniques, like lazy loading and code splitting, are being added to Progressive Web Applications, leading to faster load times and smoother interactions for an overall boosted performance of the apps.

Another great addition to PWAs is WebAssembly. This powerful technology allows developers to execute code at near-native speeds in a browser, which can help web applications become even more performant. This advancement paves the way for PWAs to tackle more demanding tasks, such as gaming, media editing, and other resource-intensive activities that have typically been limited to native apps.

Developing your own PWA

Ongoing improvements in web standards, browser capabilities, and developer tools are making PWA development more accessible and powerful. The proliferation of PWA frameworks and libraries is simplifying the development process, allowing for more robust and feature-rich applications.

We can thus say that PWAs represent a significant shift in web development, offering a blend of web and native app capabilities. Their ability to provide fast, reliable, and engaging experiences across devices positions them as a key technology for businesses looking to thrive in the digital landscape of 2024 and beyond.

So, if you find yourself among those businesses and want to get started with your very own Progressive Web App (or Progressive Mobile Application), our team at Miyagami will be pleased to help you guide you through the entire process. Contact us today to discuss your project and find the optimal path forward!