Development of PWA (Progressive Web Apps): Advantages and disadvantages

Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) are rapidly gaining popularity among developers and users due to their numerous advantages; PWAs combine the benefits of web applications and native mobile apps, making them a versatile solution for many businesses. However, like any technology, they have their advantages and disadvantages. In this article, we will take a closer look at the main elements of PWAs, their features, compare them with regular mobile applications, discuss the process of monetization and optimization, and explain how to drive organic traffic to PWAs.

The main elements of PWA

PWAs have several key components and implementation features:

• the website should work offline: thanks to content caching, the application continues to work even without an Internet connection;
• the site should provide the ability to set a shortcut to the home screen: users can add an application shortcut to the home screen of the device, creating the feeling of working with a native application;
• Service Worker intermediary: a script that provides offline work, request processing, sending push notifications, and background data synchronization;
• Web App manifest file: JSON file with metadata about the application (name, icons, color scheme, launch URL).

Features of PWA implementation and its architecture

PWAs are based on standard web technologies: HTML, CSS and JavaScript. Main components:

1. client side (frontend): responsible for the visual presentation of the application and user interaction;
2. backend: processes requests and provides the necessary data;
3. program manifest: defines how the application should look and work.

Comparison of PWA and regular mobile apps

Characteristics	PWA	Conventional mobile applications
Installation.	Installed from a browser, does not require the App Store	Requires download from the App Store or Google Play
Update	Automatic, no user actions required	Requires the user to download new versions
Work offline	Support offline work thanks to caching	They can support offline mode, but require additional settings
Use of data	Minimal data usage, smaller size	Larger size, require more data
Productivity	Fast loading, but can be less efficient in battery usage	High performance optimized for a specific platform
Functionality	Limited access to some device features (e.g., Bluetooth, Touch ID)	Full access to all device functions
Search engine optimization (SEO)	Integration with SEO, can be indexed by search engines	Not indexed by search engines
Platform support	Works on any device with a modern browser	Requires separate development for iOS and Android
Using push notifications	Supports push notifications	Supports push notifications
Battery usage	May consume more battery due to the use of JavaScript	Optimized for efficient battery use
Availability in app stores	Not available in the App Store or Google Play	Available in the App Store or Google Play, which increases visibility
Security.	Requires HTTPS for operation, reduces the risk of hacking	High level of security, but requires separate settings
Time to market	Faster time to market with a simplified development and deployment process	Longer time to market due to complex development and validation process
Funds for development	Lower development costs, no paid accounts required	Higher development costs, requires paid accounts in the App Store and Google Play

Advantages of PWA

• Improved performance. One of the main advantages of PWAs is their performance. Thanks to the use of service workers to cache resources, applications can load much faster, even with a slow Internet connection. According to Google, 53% of users leave a website if it takes more than three seconds to load. PWAs help to avoid this problem by ensuring that the interface loads instantly regardless of network conditions.

• Offline operation. PWAs can work offline, which is a great advantage for users who have an unstable Internet connection or no Internet connection at all. This is achieved through data caching, which allows users to continue using the application even without an internet connection. This is especially important for businesses that provide the ability to view products or content without the need for a constant connection.

• Easy installation and no need for updates. PWAs do not require a download from the App Store or Google Play, which simplifies the installation process. Users can simply visit the website and add the app to their device's home screen. In addition, PWA updates occur automatically, without the need for user intervention, which ensures that the application is always up-to-date.

• Minimal data usage. PWAs take up significantly less space and use less traffic than native applications. They are much lighter in size and can work even with slower networks. This is especially important for users in regions with expensive or slow internet.

• Platform-specific features. PWAs support features such as push notifications, geolocation access, and other device capabilities, making them functionally similar to native apps. They can work in full screen mode, change the display orientation, and use other platform-specific features.

• SEO and indexing. PWAs can be indexed by search engines, which increases their visibility in search results and helps attract more users. They can use SEO techniques just like regular websites, which makes them more accessible to users.

Disadvantages of PWA

• Limited iOS compatibility. Although PWAs can run on Apple devices with iOS 11.3, they have limited access to certain features such as Touch ID, Face ID, ARKit, and Bluetooth. This can reduce the functionality of apps for users on Apple devices.

• Problems with old devices. Old mobile devices with outdated web browsers may have problems with PWA support. This can cause user dissatisfaction and reduce the effectiveness of the application. Although this issue is gradually being addressed, it can still be a source of complaints from users.

• Limited functionality. PWAs cannot use all the features available to native apps. They are less battery efficient and do not have access to some important device features, such as sensors and advanced camera capabilities.

• High battery usage. PWAs consume more battery than native apps due to the use of JavaScript, which is less efficient than native programming languages such as Swift or Kotlin. This can lead to faster battery drain if the app is used for a long time.

• Lack of support from app stores. PWAs are not present in the App Store or Google Play, which can lead to the loss of potential users who search for apps through these platforms. While this frees developers from certain restrictions and fees, it also limits the visibility of apps to a wider audience.

Conclusion.

Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) have numerous advantages that make them attractive to modern businesses and users. They offer improved performance, offline operation, ease of installation and updates, and minimal data usage. These apps can utilize platform-specific features, support SEO, and provide faster time to market with lower development costs. At the same time, they have limited iOS compatibility, support issues on older devices, limited functionality, and higher battery consumption. Not being available in app stores can also limit their visibility to a wider audience.

In summary, despite some technical limitations, PWAs offer significant benefits for many use cases. They provide a fast and convenient user experience, which makes them ideal for companies looking to expand their audience and ensure that their applications are stable even when the internet connection is limited. By using PWAs, businesses can reduce development costs and adapt more quickly to changing market demands while providing their customers with the best possible user experience.