Maintaining a business presence has become critical and competitive with a growing number of eCommerce businesses in every domain. Since mobile apps have become a go-to thing for searching for and buying things, companies need a new solution to make a mobile-based shopping experience available. This led to the introduction of progressive web apps. Besides eCommerce, PWA picked the pace in another kind of app development and launched faster.  As the benefits of using PWA are ample, many companies are still unaware of its potential. In this blog post, we will explore what could be possible with progressive web apps and how an eCommerce website development company can enable you to replicate online functionality for mobile devices.

What is PWA?

PWA stands for progressive web apps, the concept of which was innovated in 2015. PWA is a method of developing or mimicking native mobile apps using web app development technologies such as Javascript, CSS, and HTML. Companies jumped on developing PWA as the method provides them access to develop mobile-ready applications for their online business in a short period of time. Besides this, PWA offers offline access to the app, supports push notifications, and resides on the home screen after installation.

Benefits of Progressive Web Apps

By 2025, mobile web commerce will account for 44.2% of all retail eCommerce sales. If you want to tap into this opportunity for your business, going with PWA is the solution, as it offers the functionality of native apps without the need for costly development, making them an intelligent alternative for mobile eCommerce.

PWA benefits for businesses

Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) offer numerous benefits for businesses, making them a compelling alternative to traditional apps. PWAs are easier and faster to update than apps in conventional marketplaces, ensuring smooth and effective communication with customers through home screen access and notifications. By providing a superb user experience (UX), PWAs boost engagement and conversion rates. Their fast loading times reduce server load and minimize the risk of crashes during high-traffic periods like Black Friday.

One of the key advantages of PWAs is their ease of installation. Users can install them directly from a browser, bypassing app stores and avoiding the challenges of app store approvals and updates. This not only lowers customer acquisition costs but also reduces the financial effort of maintaining multiple platforms, as PWAs serve as both a website and a multi-platform app.

Moreover, PWAs address the common issue of app abandonment. With fewer users willing to download new apps, PWAs offer a more streamlined and accessible option, increasing the chances of successful user onboarding. PWAs also allow businesses to add native-app functionalities, such as push notifications and home screen icons, enhancing brand engagement and loyalty while reducing development costs and improving marketing ROI.

PWA benefits for developers

For developers, one of the key advantages of Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) is their foundation on common web standards like JavaScript, CSS, and HTML, making them easier to build compared to native apps. For less complex projects, an internal team of front-end developers can create a PWA from scratch with relative ease. However, when it comes to more intricate sites, stores, or marketplaces, integrating PWAs can be challenging, especially if the company relies on tightly interconnected systems. Any changes, including the implementation of PWAs, must be handled with caution to ensure seamless user experiences (UX) and system stability.

This is where modern approaches like microservices and headless architecture come into play. The latest PWA frameworks and ready-to-use solutions allow developers to convert a site into a PWA without disrupting the eCommerce engine. By decoupling the front end from the back end, developers can support sales and marketing teams with an agile approach to UX. Tools like Vue Storefront are designed to help developers build robust front-end capabilities quickly. With just 160 working hours, a full-featured proof of concept for an eCommerce PWA can be tested, significantly reducing the time to market while enhancing developers' skills beyond just eCommerce projects.

Also read Importance of eCommerce Website for Your Online Business

Conclusion

eCommerce web development with the PWA approach offers a powerful solution for businesses looking to enhance their mobile presence. By combining the best of web and app technologies, PWAs deliver a seamless user experience, reduce development costs, and improve engagement. As mobile commerce continues to grow, adopting PWAs will be crucial for staying competitive and meeting customer expectations.