Progressive Web Apps (PWA’s) are still a new concept, but their upside cannot be denied. They aim to use advances in browser technology to deliver users a comprehensive mobile app experience, without any of the hassle associated with locating, downloading, installing, and updating the app.
All the user has to do is go to the URL in their browser or via a shortcut on their desktop or mobile home screen. They will then be greeted with an update and functional app that’s almost indistinguishable from one they might have downloaded from the Apple Store or Google Play stores.
What are the Cons in using Progressive Web Apps?
That does not mean that PWA’s do not come with some ‘cons’ that need to be considered if you’re looking to get one developed for your business. What are some of the downsides concerning PWA’s?
Not All Browsers Support Them Currently, only the latest versions of Chrome, Firefox and Opera support Progressive Web Apps technology, meaning there’s still a large percentage of web users that will be left out in the cold. If looking to launch a Progressive Web Apps in the near future, you will need to assess whether the benefit of having an all-in-one app/website experience outweighs the losses that might occur due to using old or unsupported browsers.
Battery Drainer
Progressive Web Apps’ tend to drain mobile device battery power quicker than regular websites and native apps. They are built with HTML5, JavaScript and other code for the web, while native apps for Android, iOS, etc use code specifically for those devices and are more fine-tuned.
Not All Apps can be Progressive Web Apps
PWA’s are brilliant for those creating a mobile-friendly version of a website and/or a more accessible app, but more advanced apps do not yet convert to the Progressive Web Apps environment. For example, a Progressive Web Apps can’t integrate with a mobile device’s camera, contacts list, and other features.
What are the pros of using Progressive Web Apps?
They’re The Future Not all browsers are supported right now but over time this issue will become irrelevant. PWA’s are poised to support all computer and mobile devices with a browser and allow users easy access without having to go to an app store or download updates. Despite the battery draining, PWA’s themselves are faster to use for the user than websites because of advanced caching.
Connectivity Independence
Through the use of ‘service workers’ technology and browser side caching, PWA’s can function well on low-quality networks and even offline (as long as the user doesn’t have to send fresh data to the server).
The Cost
A website costs between $3,000 and $10,000 to develop and a native app will set you back between $20,000 and $80,000. While a Progressive Web Apps costs between $6,000 and $20,000, many businesses will only need the PWA – making a saving over developing a site and a native app separately.
Mobile audiences have grown over the years. Progressive web app help developers and marketers adapt to this growing base of mobile users. It has all the features of an app and functions like a website, making it powerful and useful for the user. PWA is responsive and safer for the user but not all browsers support them currently. So are you going to adopt this trend to develop your e-commerce? Tell us below or Tweet us!
To learn more and the pros and cons of developing a progressive web app, be sure to view the full infographic from Skilled.co and Greenice.net!