What is Progressive Web Application Development (PWA)
PWA, or Progressive Web Application is an application written in a web language (JavaScript, CSS, HTML and Service Workers), which works as a native mobile application. That is, it shows notifications, works without an Internet connection and runs in the background, and can end up using typically native functions such as the camera, geo location or new gesture navigation. In contrast to a native application, the PWA does not have to be downloaded from an app store as it is accessed through an Internet address (URL) like any web page. Progressive web applications were announced 4 years ago, as a result of the joint work of companies such as Google, Microsoft and Apple, among others. This mobile site creation methodology immediately attracted the attention of large corporations due to its relative ease of development and virtually instantaneous user interaction with the application. In May 2016, at the Google Developer Conference, The Washington Post demonstrated its first hybrid mobile app. Progressive mobile apps are the product of the joint evolution of the mobile website and the native app. In short, a hybrid that incorporates the best of both technologies. Now the ease of installation and opening of the mobile site and the functionality of the native application (push notifications and other native functions) have been merged. PWAs look and behave like a native app. Advances in the operability of browsers, cache management and push interfaces allow you to install the application on the phone's home screen directly from the browser, receive pop-up notifications and even work without an Internet connection.
Main characteristics of a PWA A progressive app offers the user the following functionality: Progressive: it works for any user, regardless of the browser (Firefox, Safari, etc.), since the fundamental principle is progressive improvement.
Responsive: suitable for any type of device: desktop computers, smartphones, tablets or any other device.
Autonomous: With the service worker, you can operate without an Internet connection or on slow networks.
Fresh: always with new information thanks to the service worker update process.
Secure: transmits data through HTTPS to avoid data interception or spoofing.
Exposure: they are identified as apps thanks to the Manifest and Service Worker registration scopes that allow search engines to find them.
Communication: attracting users to an application is easier thanks to features such as push notifications.
Quick Install - Allows customers to keep the most useful apps on the home screen, without using an app store.
Accessible - meaning no installation required and easy to share.
Similarity: for the user, the experience is like a conventional app, with all its interactions and navigation, since it is based on the shell model of a native application.
How to access a progressive app
One of the many advantages of PWA technology over native applications is the absence of intermediaries such as the App Store and Google Play. Progressive web applications dispense with them entirely, as the download of the app is done directly from the company's website, not from a store. This means that we no longer have to abide by the rules and policies established by Apple and Google, and for users, simplified installation procedures. To access a PWA, simply go to the company website from a mobile device, and the linked web application will automatically open. At the same time, you can install the icon of this application on the initial screen of the phone. This installation method is very different from that of a conventional native application. In fact, the icon of a PWA is a logo with a link to a web application that is opened through the browser, through which the user can start the application of their choice at any time.
When designing progressive applications, we start from the understanding that this solution should work properly in all operating systems. For years Radmediaco has been in charge of developing web sites and applications and this experience allows us to have a clear understanding of all stages of development. Since we know in advance the problems that we face during the application construction process, this allows us to reduce the time and resources to solve them.
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