Why Choose A Progressive App Over A Native App: Four Key Advantages
Virtually everything we do can be completed on our smartphones and tablets — which is why mobile app development is a necessity for a majority of digital companies as a way to connect and engage the audience. But as iPhones and Androids get stuffed with native apps, there becomes a need for a more lightweight, more efficient way to do business.
Say hello to a new kid in town: Progressive Web Apps (PWA).
Progressive Apps vs. Native Apps
Native apps are developed in the programming languages used by each device’s operating system, so each app used on iOS or Android requires different code for each platform. On the other hand, Progressive apps are written in HTTPS, CSS, and JavaScript, just like a standard website.
Because of this, the advantages of a PWA over native apps are numerous, both for developers and users.
1. Lower development overhead
Any native app designed to work on iOS and Android requires two completely different sets of code to perform the same functions, adding hours of development time and, therefore, cost. Depending on the app’s function, it may require slight differences in its UX to accommodate differences between mobile device platforms.
One of the benefits of a PWA is that developers work on one app that works the same way, on multiple platforms, so they’re no longer building multiple apps that do the same thing.
2. A unified customer experience
Convenience is king. That’s why so much business takes place online first. Because progressive apps are developed to work in a similar fashion to browsers, they act more or less the same on not only iOS and Android, but also Linux, Windows, and MacOS. So customers can bounce from one device to another on the PWA without the hassle of figuring out different navigation structures, finding what they need or carrying out their tasks quickly and easily.
3. Progressive apps are more lightweight and faster
Smartphone users don’t want to jump through hoops every time they need to install a new app — and depending on what the native app does, it could take up a large amount of storage space. A PWA benefits users by taking up a tiny fraction of the space required by a native app, and installation doesn’t require navigating to an app store or waiting a long time for the app to download.
If your customers don’t want to download anything at all, they can access the app by saving the URL to their home screen.
4. Broader adoption and increased conversion
Because they’re easier to use and have a lower barrier to adoption, progressive web apps can drive increased traffic and better conversion rates. Since they’re developed in HTTPS and live on the web, they can be indexed by search engines, enabling you to funnel potential users to the app directly from a Google search.
It’s About Convenience
Again, convenience is king. Anything that makes things easier for your customers and creates a seamless user experience will be beneficial for your business. And if making things simpler for customers can also make things simpler for you, that’s a win/win.
