Published on December 9th, 2024
Progressive Web App is a new buzzword in the web developing world, turning the attention of all developers – along with businesses – to this latest version of the application. Since the best features are drawn from both the web and native applications PWAs ensure seamless experience and engagement for users across many different devices – smartphones, tablets, and desktops. These new apps leverage the latest web features, including service workers, responsive design, and push notifications, to provide an app-like experience without requiring users to download or install anything on their devices.
Using this approach eliminates all those disparities associated with traditional app installs while guaranteeing that users can access the content at a reasonable pace, including areas that hardly have connectivity. With this feature, PWAs have become the darling for businesses looking for cost-effective solutions that can efficiently reach a wider audience, heighten user engagement, and lead to conversion. As they can work without an internet connection, load quickly, and achieve many of these, Progressive Web Apps are revolutionizing the way we think about web applications and their place in the digital landscape.
What are Progressive Web Apps?
PWA (progressive web app) is a new generation web app that has some features of web and mobile application software. They are developed using web technologies like Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), and JavaScript. PWAs are developed to operate across any device like a mobile, tablet, and even a desktop and are simply accessed in a browser even with offline access, and fast load time.
Suggested: A Complete Guide To Progressive Web Applications
Analysis of Progressive Web Apps Market
The Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) market is experiencing rapid growth, driven by the increasing demand for enhanced web experiences and mobile accessibility. Here are some key statistics and insights:
Market Size and Growth
- The global progressive web application market was valued at USD 1.13 billion in 2019 and is projected to reach approximately USD 10.44 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 31.9% during this period 1.
Market Dynamics
- In 2023, large enterprises dominated the PWA market, holding over 58% of the market share, particularly in sectors like e-commerce and retail 2.
- The tools and libraries segment accounted for the largest share of the market in 2019, indicating a strong demand for advanced development tools such as AngularJS and Lighthouse 3.
Future Projections
- The PWA market is expected to continue its robust growth trajectory, with estimates suggesting it could reach USD 7.6 billion by 2026, reflecting a CAGR of 34%.
Benefits Of PWA With Search Engine Optimization
PWAs get crawled by search engines at a fast rate, thus increasing the possibility of being discovered more than a native app. More devices and screen sizes can be addressed through PWAs because they are responsive.
Future Trends: This will be found in the integration of PWAs with emerging technologies like AI and IoT, which is expected to further push these web apps toward achieving more functionality and attractiveness.
Future market size: The market for PWAs is expected to increase significantly in the future. It has been already predicted to have a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of more than 30% over the next few years.
Adoption rates: More and more businesses in the e-commerce or travel business are adopting PWAs to make a better experience for users and increase conversion rates. For example, Alibaba and Pinterest saw an enhanced level of engagement after adopting PWAs.
Cost Efficiency: PWAs may often be a low-cost development and maintenance opportunity compared to a native mobile application, making them extremely popular among startups as well as small businesses.
Increased engagement: With users and studies have shown that PWAs lead to much more time spent in sessions and retention since it offers the same features as apps and can be used offline.
Comparison Between Native and Progressive Web Apps
Native and progressive web app are the two dominating models and differ in more ways than just the term alone. For companies, it is important to know how these distinctions play out when a development path must be chosen. What is a native application? Native applications are built specifically for one operating system, either iOS or Android. The user downloads them from an app store.
| Aspect | Native Apps | Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) |
| Development | Built for specific platforms (iOS, Android) | Platform-agnostic, developed using web technologies |
| Installation | Requires download from an app store | Accessible via web browser, does not require installation |
| Updates | Must be manually updated through the app store | Automatically updates, no user action needed |
| Performance | Generally faster due to direct access to device resources | Performance can vary but is rapidly improving with advancements |
| Offline Capabilities | May require an internet connection but can support offline work with caching | Strong offline functionality but relies on cached data |
| User Experience | Can leverage device features for a more enjoyable experience | Provides an app-like experience through web capabilities |
| Discoverability | Limited to app stores | Improved discoverability via search engines |
| Cost of Development | Typically higher costs due to multiple codebases | More cost-effective with a single codebase for all platforms |
Also Check: Progressive Web Apps: Pros & Cons
11 Reasons to Choose Progressive Web Apps for Your Business Growth
In the modern world of digitization, progressive web apps have emerged as a revolutionary solution for businesses that look to up their game in terms of their online presence and strive for greater growth. Here are 10+ reasons or benefits of progressive web apps for business growth in 2025
1. Economical
One of the biggest advantages for business is that Progressive Web Apps are really cost-effective. Unlike other mobile apps, usually developed separately for various platforms, in this case, PWAs do work smoothly on all devices and browsers with a single codebase.
This also significantly reduces not just the costs of initial development but also subsequent recurring expenses associated with maintenance and updates. Businesses also save time on deployment as updates can be rolled out immediately without needing end-users to download new versions from app stores. PWAs offer a more efficient solution by streamlining both development and maintenance, allowing businesses to properly utilize resources and focus on growth.
2. Gain A Wider Reach
This is perhaps one of the unique features of Progressive Web Apps – they are platform-agnostic and don’t stand to be confined to one particular platform like native apps. Native apps are often developed for specific platforms: iOS or Android, for instance. So they need to develop them separately for each. Hence, this feature allows access to PWAs on any device that has a web browser, including smartphones, tablets, and computers.
This way, businesses can expand extensively and reach a much larger market than was limited to by platform boundaries. It can even streamline development with bettering the user experience since customers easily have access to the application regardless of the device.
3. Low Development Cost
Native apps fit well in certain platform-specific development teams and different code bases required for different operating systems. This further means the added cost for small businesses and medium enterprises because, for each platform, there is the need for a unique feature and also a certain type of optimizations. With this, added complexity means higher costs. Progressive Web Apps, on the other hand, allows businesses to invest in a single codebase that works everywhere, significantly reducing the costs of development and maintenance.
This approach not only makes development easier but also updates and enhances – all these become far easier for businesses to come up with a change to suit the modern needs of the market. In this regard, PWAs are considered a relatively more inexpensive service when a business wants to enhance its digital presence while maximizing the return on investment. In the context of a rapidly increasing online presence, the adoption of PWAs can act as a competitiveness boost in the face of the digital world for SMEs.
4. Feature-Rich PWAs
The myth about Progressive Web Apps is that they feature-wise and functionally are less with native apps. Well, this is no longer the case as PWAs have quickly evolved with capabilities running across a broad range and include push notifications, background syncing support, offline applications, and much more. This is due to advancements in web technologies like Service Workers and JavaScript frameworks like Angular and React. Therefore, users can now enjoy an edge-to-edge user experience, similar to native applications, by using PWAs.
PWAs can be constantly updated and enhanced with continuous patching and improvements on the developers’ ends. That would mean that, without much development efforts and additional costs, businesses could offer new features and functionalities to the app.
5. Increased visibility
Improved user experience and therefore better performance of PWAs also translate to higher online visibility for businesses. Faster loading times, lower bounce rates, and higher engagement in PWAs rank them much better in search results than traditional counterparts. Means more organic traffic and potential conversions.
Also, PWAs are search-engines enabled, meaning that the application will rank highly in search engines, making it easier to locate and access the application through a simple web search, which doesn’t require companies to spend more resources marketing the app but rather on SEO strategies to aid in traffic flow.
Must Check: Progressive Web App Development Cost
6. Improved ROI
Businesses save on development costs, marketing efforts, and on maintenance expenses with PWAs. As discussed above, the cross-platform compatibility of PWAs means that businesses need to develop only one app for all devices and platforms, which reduces overall development time and cost.
In addition, since the PWAs are surfaced by search engine results pages and provide a richer experience of user interaction, businesses can look forward to a higher conversion rate and revenue without the heavy cost of marketing campaigns. This generally returns more ROI as opposed to the traditional applications.
7. Better Business Conversion Rate
A Progressive Web App provides a seamless and engaging experience for the user, thereby significantly increasing the business’s conversion rate. Modern Apps: Just like web and mobile apps, modern applications combine the best from these two worlds, bringing in push functionality and offline capabilities alongside faster loading, to mention but a few. Such use can drive conversions, engagement will be improved, and retention of customers will be skyrocketing in the long term.
Additionally, PWAs can be accessed through a simple URL on any web browser; this advantage does away with the usual resistance an old app usually triggers, like needing to download it off an app store. It is therefore more possible that potential users find and interact with the app and come back to use the app more often, meaning it covers a wider audience population and enhances brand visibility. As businesses adapt into the digital landscape, integration of PWAs in the strategy will not only align user experiences but in actual sense result in experiences that are going to keep the customers interested for long.
8. Increased Customers Engagement
PWAs hold key benefits such as consistency in an excellent experience across devices and platforms. Thus the business can reach customers through multi-touch points in a bid to make it more relevant and engaging. For instance, they start an action by using a desktop computer and pick up where they left off on a smartphone while the interruption never happens.
Thirdly, PWAs leverage the capabilities of push notifications where businesses can deploy in a timely and pertinent update or offer to users’ devices directly. This can enhance customer loyalty and drive brand awareness.
9. Eliminates Third-Party App Distribution
The traditional apps require businesses to pass through third-party app stores such as the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. This process can be quite expensive and lengthy for small businesses.
You don’t have to face these channels anymore because a PWA can be accessed through a simple URL. It removes the barrier between businesses and its customers. Hence, users will find and access the application easily.
10. Universal Compatibility with All Devices
Another great advantage of Progressive Web Apps is their wider compatibility with whatever device, be it an iOS, Android, or even a desktop OS and browser in use. Thus, one single web application may be accessed on all devices, and companies do not need to make hundreds of versions that are tailored to different platforms. Companies will save time developing them and can put such valuable time to better use, optimizing feature sets and engagement metrics.
This approach doesn’t only save money and time through increased operational efficiency but also provides consistency of experience across devices. Users easily shift from their smartphone to tablet or desktop without running into inconsistencies in design or functionality. Also, PWAs allow businesses to reach audiences on a much greater scale, since there’s no limitation based on either the device or the platform. This inclusivity promotes broader engagement and enables companies to reach out to a wide variety of user demographics, thus leading to growth and customer satisfaction.
11. Works Offline And In Poor Connectivity
Another negative aspect that most traditional mobile apps share is that it requires a stable internet connection. The worst part might be during low network coverage areas or traveling. With PWAs, however, none of that applies.
Progressive Web Apps can be used even when there is no internet connection since they use service workers or background scripts that make the application work even without an active internet connection, and, therefore, certain features and content can be accessed offline or with slow connectivity. It is quite useful for the targets of businesses who may not have time or whom quality internet access is a constraint for instance, travelers who may not always be connected to the internet or while staying in remote areas.
Must Read: How to Develop and Launch the Progressive Web Application with Flutter?
How Progressive Web Apps Can Benefit Users?
While offering a multiple benefits to businesses, PWA’s also offers a benefits to its user also. Here are some benefits that, users can gain with PWA’s.
1. Offline Access
As mentioned above, the PWAs offer offline access. The user can function the application even with no stable internet access. It is particularly very useful to business persons who are delivering some services or selling some merchandise in places with poor or limited connectivity. This way, businesses will be able to ensure uninterrupted access to their application and, subsequently, offer great levels of customer satisfaction.
2. Security Enhanced
In terms of security, Progressive Web Apps utilize HTTPS encryption, which means they are significantly safer in comparison with the old websites and some native applications. Since businesses have to work with a user’s data, and sometimes allow financial operations through an application, more severe security is highly important. That is to say that PWAs not only improve the feature of safety for a company but also allow an application to provide an experience of the same or even higher quality than natives do.
Businesses also can harness the power of PWAs to demonstrate trust to their customers. So, by making sure a customer’s details are safe and secure, businesses can earn more loyalty from customers and eventually translate into higher conversion rates. PWAs, therefore, feature in the modern business strategy.
3. Faster Loading Times
Another one of the key advantages of Progressive Web Apps is their fantastic ability to load and work much faster than any regular website. Modern techniques involved in web development, like caching-keeping frequently needed information ready-for instance-and preloading content make sure users have ready access to important features and information. PWAs, therefore, provide a seamless experience, even when slower networks might freeze traditional websites.
With most consumers demanding fast and efficient services in today’s digital space, PWAs appear as a very effective form of solution for businesses bound to meet increasingly higher expectations. Smooth and responsive experience retains users’ engagement, but more importantly, it improves the satisfaction of customers. This is particularly vital now when the user has more than enough options in their pocket and abandons a website in a matter of seconds should it fail to meet the performance expectations. After all, the adoption of PWAs can be a winning play for business organizations that will help them ensure customer retention and growth in a competitive market.
4. Easy and Fast Installation
One of the most interesting features of PWAs is how easily they can be installed. Native apps, by contrast, have to be downloaded from an app store and installed on the device. PWAs can be installed directly from a website with one click of the button. This removes any requirement for users to do multiple clicks to access a service or feature, therefore relieving friction and encouraging them to engage with the app.
In addition, PWAs take up relatively less space on a user’s device since they run in a browser instead of being installed locally. This gives them an appeal to users who are limited by the capacity on their devices or apprehensive of installing new apps for confidential reasons.
Important: How to Convert a Website to a Progressive Web App
Driving Success with PWAs: Case Studies from Top Companies
Many top companies have already been applying PWAs and have improved their performance significantly already. Below are some examples and use cases by top companies using PWAs to enhance user experience and business growth.
1. Uber
Engagements for the company ride-sharing application, Uber, have risen by 50% since they launched their PWA. Users can access the service easily without downloading the native app. In effect, PWAs also come with an experience tailor-made for smooth load times and offline functionality. Moreover, Uber’s PWA has allowed users to make reservations even when internet connectivity is very low, which has definitely improved customer satisfaction.
2. Spotify
Another popular music streamer, Spotify, has also realized a PWA. Through this means, users can use their content without the actual native application for accessing their songs. The PWA features push notifications and offline support- Push notifications will ensure that users are updated with new releases when they are not internet-connected, or even listening to their favorite songs when not connected.
Related: How to Create a Music App Like Spotify?
3. Flipkart
Indian leading ecommerce company Flipkart saw an increase of 70% in conversions, after it launched their PWA. With offline capabilities and push notifications for order updates, PWA will be faster and seamless for the users. Also, with the ability to add an icon of the Flipkart app on the home screen, similar to a native app feel, it is not actually downloading the app.
4. Pinterest
Pinterest, however, is one of the biggest social media powerhouses when it comes to inspiration and ideas. Pinterest also opted for a Progressive Web App. With its fast load times and offline access, the PWA has seen 40% uptick in engagement and 44% in revenue that is ad revenue. Because of this, the users can gain access in only seconds without the app downloaded so this makes it more accessible.
Must Check: How Much Does An App Like Pinterest?
5. Twitter Lite
Twitter Lite, which has been in existence since 2017, is the PWA for the popular social application. It is essentially a lightweight experience with up to 70% data savings, making it very accessible to people with low-end devices or mere limited internet connectivity. Indeed, according to Twitter, this PWA has had its corporation report higher user engagement and time spent within their platform since its launch.
Why PWAs Are Essential for Your Business Success
With the examples of different businesses’ success stories after deploying the PWAs, it’s clear that for any business, PWAs can be very empowering. So, how can your business gain the most from the PWAs? Here are some of the key benefits of PWAs and how they can positively impact your business:
1. Ensure That It’s Built Right
To get the best out of PWAs, your PWA needs to be developed correctly. This is to say that it is in line with the best practices and guidelines about PWA development, for example, the optimization of images to load faster, services workers in building offline capabilities, and the use of push notifications to engage users.
2. Progressive Web App Cost
However, the development of PWAs could save more for businesses when compared to native applications. This is because they do not require different developments on each platform; thus PWA can be accessed from a single web URL. Secondly, once developed, there is no cost for periodic and continuous maintenance of the PWA.
3. Leverage The Loyalty Programs
PWAs also open doors for businesses to utilize loyalty programs and provide customers with much stronger retention. With features like push notifications, it will remind the users of their loyalty points or upcoming rewards and then keep them engaged and coming back to the platform.
Must Read: A Beginner’s Guide To Progressive Web Apps
How can iTechnolabs help you build a Progressive Web App?
iTechnolabs stands out as one of the leading Progressive Web app development company by offering an impressive portfolio of Progressive Web Apps developed for businesses across the globe. Our teams of experienced developers follow the latest industry standards and best practices to ensure that your PWA is built right. We also provide cost-effective solutions and make PWAs accessible to businesses of all budgets.
In addition to this, our development team will be able to assist you in adding loyalty programs to the PWA and effectively using push notifications in attracting customers to enhance potential engagement. Based on your PWA development needs, we at iTechnolabs will be happy to help you leverage all the capabilities of your PWA and take your business to new heights.
- Expert Development Team: Our highly experienced developers who are well aware of the latest PWA technologies are also in touch with various industry standards. These ensure delivery of solutions tailor-made for your unique business needs and objectives so they can provide them with the best possible performance and satisfaction.
- Custom Solutions: We take immense pride in bespoke PWA development created exclusively to satisfy the goals and objectives along with the target audience. We do not believe that close collaboration between our own team and our client would create solutions that are a mirror image of the brand’s ethos, engaging its users right.
- Cost-Effective Services: We appreciate that the budget is a significant concern for many businesses today, and we have developed our competitive pricing model so that quality PWA solutions are within everyone’s reach, regardless of the budget. Every big or small business deserves a chance to upscale its presence online without going over budget.
- Integration of Loyalty Programs: We can offer to help integrate loyalty program features within the PWA framework. When included, this leads to a better engagement experience for customers, and more repeat business; it also creates a community through your brand.
- Implementation of Push Notifications: Once we get our crew in, we make sure to implement push notifications judiciously so as to reactivate the users. Our chief method to achieve this is through frequent updates, offers, and reminders directed right to the user’s device, thus making the whole experience very personal for the user, making him come back for more. End
- Progressive Web: Apps are becoming more in vogue because they are more cost-effective and effective as the demand for mobile-friendliness and user-centric solutions persists. High-tailored, engaging solutions by our PWA development services that focus on the specifics of the clients’ needs are bound to empower businesses of all sizes to lead on in a competitive digital landscape.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, implementing a progressive web app solution for your brand can provide numerous benefits and opportunities. With our services, you can expect cost-effective solutions that align with your brand’s ethos and engage users effectively. We prioritize the integration of loyalty programs and push notifications to enhance user experience and encourage repeat business.
Also Read: Top 15 Mobile App Development Frameworks
FAQ’s
How to Make Progressive Web App?
Making a PWA requires web development skills and knowledge of PWA technology as well as best practice. With your technical experience, you are quite free to build a PWA from scratch with respect to any number of technologies like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Service Workers. You can also resort to existing platforms and frameworks such as Angular or React to make your PWA.
How Costly is it to Develop a Progressive Web App?
The cost of creating a Progressive Web App can be negligible, or incredibly pricey, depending on what complexity project you are trying to attain, what features and functionalities you desire, and the kind of experience and knowledge your development team holds. Best way would be to discuss the requirements of your project with a professional PWA development company to get a more accurate estimate for your specific project.
However, PWA remains more affordable compared to native app development since they are cross-platform compatible and relatively easy to maintain as well.
How Long Does It Take To Create Progressive Web Apps?
The time to develop a PWA would depend on the complexity of your project and the expertise of your development team. Usually, it takes 3 to 6 months to build a PWA. However, this period can be shorter or longer based on your project size and scope.
Are Progressive Web Applications Secure?
Progressive Web Apps are secure because they run over HTTPS protocol, which means that all user data is not only encrypted but also safe from hackers. Services in the PWA also make available some features such as the offline capabilities and automatic updates without depriving you of the security capabilities. But, of course, just like in any other web application, you must follow best practices for security, and, therefore, a code update must be made frequently to your PWA as well, to eliminate vulnerabilities that can be capitalized on by hackers.
How does PWAS affect User Acquisition And Retention?
Progressive Web Apps might go through the trick for user acquisition and retention because they do provide a seamless and engaging user experience. With push notifications, offline functionality, and a relatively faster loading speed, an enterprise can make the adoption and retention of a user in an app more convenient. Plus, because a PWA does not require installation and does not take up your storage space, users are more likely to be active in its use.
