With the rise of technology and advancements in web design trends, it is no surprise that progressive web apps (PWA) have become popular. PWAs are efficient, reliable, and engaging mobile experiences that combine the best of both worlds both regular web and mobile applications.
Through the use of service workers and other technologies, they load instantly regardless of network speed, sending push notifications, working offline or on low-quality networks.
What is a PWA?
The term “Progressive Web Application” (PWA) refers to a cross between a regular website and a mobile app. The responsive, secure, and streamlined user experience of PWAs makes them the future of web development.
PWAs also offer some other beautiful advantages. They mimic native apps in terms of appearance and functionality, but they do not necessitate an app store visit. In our comprehensive PWA guide, we described how advanced web apps function.
The best way to fully comprehend how a Progressive Web App differs from regular responsive web pages is to look at some excellent PWA examples. Here is a list of the 5 best examples of Progressive Web Apps we have curated.
5 best examples of Progressive Web Apps
1. Pinterest
Pinterest built its new mobile web experience as a PWA from the bottom up with an eye on global expansion. Due to poor mobile performance, the social network discovered that just 1% of mobile users sign up, log in, or download an app.
Realising the enormous possibility of increasing conversion, they rebuilt the mobile web using PWA technology, which produced many beneficial outcomes. Pinterest said that the number of active mobile users increased by more than doubling and that the length of sessions increased by over four times thanks to their new native app-like PWA experience.
Their homepage's Javascript payload decreased from 490 kb to 190 kb, giving visitors almost immediate page loads even in circumstances with limited connectivity.
The combination of minimalistic design, push notifications, the “Add to Homescreen” prompt, the “night mode” choice, and asset caching has produced a very compelling experience for smartphone users.
2. Starbucks
Starbucks created a PWA of the online ordering system intending to give all of their customers easy-to-use, accessible online ordering.
To put it another way, the offline mode feature of Starbucks PWA enables users to browse the menu, modify their orders, and add items to their carts without constant internet access, according to SimiCart. Once online, customers may place food and beverage orders and look up local pricing.
The majority of PWA services are available without a network connection, making it ideal for mobile users who may have intermittent connectivity throughout the day or emerging markets with unstable connections, such as rural areas.
Starbucks has already achieved notable achievements by introducing the new ordering PWA. Customers prefer the web app since it is 99.84% smaller than Starbucks' existing iOS version. As a result, they increased the daily volume of orders on the website, and desktop and mobile users now place orders at almost the same rate.
3. Telegram
According to TechCrunch, the cross-platform instant messaging service that launched in 2013, Telegram boasts 700 million monthly active users, per company statistics. It also placed in the top 5 globally downloaded apps in 2022.
Users can simultaneously access their accounts on mobile and desktop on the platform thanks to its PWA version, which allows for cross-device use.
After the PWA launch, Telegram's retention rates increased by 50%, 40% year-over-year user base growth, +175% monthly active user increase since 2018, and +50% user session growth. Further, users can access Telegram with the dark mode feature.
4. AliExpress
There is no need to introduce an online platform for retail called AliExpress. With a 150 million user customer base, its native mobile app is already successful. Yet, it still has its difficulties.
According to Semrush, AliExpress had some challenges such as its native mobile app's adaptation falling short of expectations, and a reliable internet connection was required for the mobile web version. On mobile, the conversion rate was quite poor.
Further, AliExpress' PWA implementation delivered a cross-browser web application that functions effectively on mobile devices as well as on desktops, serving as the ideal option.
AliExpress has advantages such as a quick and dependable user experience, activated push notifications, online availability, and UI motion.
5. Spotify
The objective of this PWA launch was to sign up new users for the free version who would later upgrade to the premium version after experiencing Spotify's fantastic product.
They didn't even need to seek the link because the ability to distribute or embed an interactive playlist generated a lot of attention for the revamped app.
Following the implementation, Spotify's free-to-paid conversion is said to have increased from 26.6% in 2015 to a record-breaking 46% in 2019 before skyrocketing to a staggering 58.4% in 2021.
Advantages of PWAs for eCommerce businesses
1. Faster release time
One article from Semrush showed that PWAs are created with reusable code, allowing developers to reuse the same codes and modules quickly. Furthermore, the foundation has already been set because the app largely drives users to the original ecommerce site.
Implementing a PWA may prove to be the most effective substitute for creating a native mobile app or responsive website for ecommerce business owners who want to provide clients with native app-like capabilities in a short amount of time.
2. Save the cost
You may need to pay a membership fee because native apps are found in their respective OS app stores. You can avoid these fees using PWAs while maintaining the exposure of your website.
3. Boost your visibility
While your clients may well be looking for you on their browsers, your native app is “sleeping” in the app store. PWAs eliminate this distraction because they provide the same app features as searchable web pages.
Wrapping Up
Progressive Web Apps are the way of the future for web design and mobile development. They offer all the advantages of native apps, but with a fraction of the cost and effort.
PWAs are already being used in many industries, from retail to banking and travel. With their growing popularity, it’s time to start considering how a PWA could benefit your business or organisation.
If you have any questions or need help designing a Progressive Web App, our team is here to help. Book a call now!
