Why Your Business Needs A Progressive Web App
Tags: pwa, react, mobile, javascript
Published: 2019-04-04 19:12:25


---
title: Why Your Business Needs A Progressive Web App
published: true
description: PWAs are becoming an integral part of any digital presence. Understanding why your business needs one is the first step in reaching more users and driving more revenue.
cover_image: https://thepracticaldev.s3.amazonaws.com/i/kkjk7oqhl0ic6nmqnkz6.png
tags: pwa, react, mobile, javascript
---


Let's start with a few examples of some household names;

"The <b>Best Western River North Hotel</b> sees [300% increase in revenue](https://www.hospitalitynet.org/news/4086888.html) with new Progressive Web App"

"<b>Tinder</b> cut load times from [11.91 seconds to 4.69 seconds with their new PWA.](https://medium.com/@addyosmani/a-tinder-progressive-web-app-performance-case-study-78919d98ece0) The PWA is 90% smaller than Tinder's native Android app. User engagement is up across the board"

"<b>Trivago</b> saw an increase of [150% for people who add its PWA to the home screen.](https://www.thinkwithgoogle.com/intl/en-gb/consumer-insights/trivago-embrace-progressive-web-apps-as-the-future-of-mobile/) Increased engagement led to a 97% increase in click-outs to hotel offers. Users who go offline while browsing can continue to access the site and 67% continue to browse the site when they come back online"

"<b>George.com</b> is a leading UK clothing brand, part of ASDA Walmart. After upgrading their site to a Progressive Web App (PWA), the brand saw a [31 percent increase in mobile conversion. 3.8x - Faster average page load time](https://developers.google.com/web/showcase/2018/asda-george), 2x - Lower bounce rate, 31% - Increase in Conversion Rate and 28% - Longer average time on site for visits from Home screen"

Verticals, where a PWA is being embraced, are entertainment + media, real estate, retail, and travel. Showcasing that consumer-facing product, accessed on a daily bases need to be everything they'd expect from a mobile app but from your site.

<quote>In its simplest sense, a progressive web app is a mobile app delivered through the web. [It functions as a native app, due to the use of an app shell](https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2018/03/09/why-progressive-web-apps-will-replace-native-mobile-apps/#3182ac802112) that allows for app-style gestures and navigation. The main difference is [...] no need to download it from an app store. It runs, self-contained, right in a web browser. - Andrew Gazdecki</quote>

Being more efficient, taking up less memory and consuming less data, progressive web apps allow users a high-quality alternative -- installable on the home screen without actually downloading an app.

Adding Twitter to your home screen saves a ton of memory


<i>Pinterest</i> [increased core engagements by 60% + a 44% increase in user-generated ad revenue.](https://medium.com/dev-channel/a-pinterest-progressive-web-app-performance-case-study-3bd6ed2e6154) Rebuilding their mobile site to meet growing consumer demands for a better experience without wanting to download another app.

Mobile experiences are positioned to be seamless and give end users access to the most important call to actions. Allow quick navigation of menu screens, accessing info and initiating a CTA that leads to revenue.

It's more valuable to see what's ahead in terms of your users and imagine how in 3-5 years they'll access your business. It'll be mostly through their mobile devices or tablets, giving way for the demand of fewer apps and more direct mobile-browser access.


Key advantages of a PWA: 

<b>Fast</b> - sites load quickly ensuring users stay on the site as they move from page to page

<b>Richer Mobile Experience</b> - feels like a mobile app with app-style interactions but without the storage requirements or manual update issues

<b>Progressive & Responsive</b> - accessible by every user on every device regardless of browser

<b>Connectivity Independent</b> - works offline and performs well on slow connections

<b>Engaging</b> - features such as 'push notifications' to boost user engagement

<b>Improved Conversions</b> - users stay on the site longer and consume more content leading to more call to actions being taken

A mobile-first approach to thinking will put businesses at the mecca of what's coming next. Directing your users to a PWA may save the need for a desktop site and native app, allowing for better connecting with your customers.

Getting the best of both web and native apps, a PWA offers incredible value to both your business and your customers. The cost savings of a PWA vs Native can be substantial, but it's crucial to understand that all development takes time and the end goal is putting out the best possible product.