Why Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) Are the Next Big Thing

Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) are changing the way we use websites and apps. They mix the easy access of a website with the powerful features of a mobile app. This means people get a smooth, fast, and interesting experience without needing to download from app stores.

More and more businesses and developers are moving to PWAs because they can work offline, load quickly even on slow internet, and can be added directly to the phone’s home screen. These benefits make PWAs a strong choice for the future of web and mobile development.

For example, big brands like Flipkart, Twitter, and Starbucks have already adopted PWAs to give better user experience and grow their business.

Experts believe PWAs will keep growing and become a main way to build apps in the coming years.

Source: web.dev Progressive Web Apps Guide

What Are Progressive Web Apps?

Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) are special types of websites that behave like mobile apps. Google introduced them in 2015. They use simple web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, but also add extra features like working offline, push notifications, and access to device features.

PWAs are designed to be:

• Progressive: Work on all browsers and devices by adding features step by step.
• Responsive: Fit any screen size, whether big or small.
• Connectivity-independent: Work even without internet or on slow networks.
• App-like: Feel like real mobile apps with smooth movements and interactions.
• Safe: Always use HTTPS to keep data secure.
• Discoverable: Can be found on Google and shared with a simple link.
• Installable: People can add them to their phone home screen directly, no app store needed.
• Engageable: Use push notifications to connect with users.

Because of these features, PWAs are a good alternative to old-style websites or native apps. They solve many problems and still keep the strong points of both.

Source: Google Developers - Progressive Web Apps

Why PWAs Are the Next Big Thing

1. Enhanced User Experience

PWAs give a fast, reliable, and engaging experience, almost like native apps. They load quickly even on slow internet because they save data with service workers. Their app-like design removes old-style browser navigation and gives smooth movements and transitions.

Real-World Example: Starbucks launched its PWA in 2017. It lets customers check the menu, place orders, and even pay offline. Google’s case study showed the PWA doubled daily users and 99% of orders finished in under a second, even with poor networks. (Google Developers Case Study)

2. Cost-Effective Development

Making separate apps for Android and iOS takes more time and money. PWAs work everywhere with one code, so businesses save costs and reach more people without app store headaches.

Real-World Example: Alibaba switched to a PWA and saw 76% more conversions and 14% more active users on iOS, saving lots of development money. (Google PWA Dev Summit 2016)

3. Offline Functionality

PWAs can save important files, so they work even without internet. This is very useful in areas with poor connectivity.

Real-World Example: Twitter Lite, launched in 2017, uses a PWA to give a full Twitter experience with low data. It works offline, shows saved tweets, and lets people write tweets to sync later. Data use dropped 70% and tweet volume went up 75%. (Twitter Engineering Blog)

4. No App Store Dependency

PWAs don’t need app store approval, so no delays or fees. People can install them directly from their browser, making it faster and easier.

Real-World Example: Pinterest’s PWA improved user time on the site by 40% and boosted ad revenue by 44%, as more people used it directly without the app store. (Google Developers Case Study)

5. Search Engine Discoverability

Since PWAs are basically websites, Google and other search engines can easily find them. This helps bring more visitors compared to native apps hidden in app stores.

Real-World Example: Trivago’s PWA increased engagement by 150% and click-through rates by 97%, thanks to better search rankings. (Think with Google)

6. Push Notifications for Re-Engagement

PWAs can send push notifications, just like native apps. This helps businesses bring back customers with reminders, offers, or news.

Real-World Example: AliExpress saw 104% more conversions for new users and 82% higher user retention on iOS with PWA push notifications. (Google Developers Case Study)

7. Cross-Platform Compatibility

PWAs work on all browsers and devices, so businesses don’t need to build separate apps for each platform.

Real-World Example: Uber’s PWA, m.uber.com, works smoothly on any device and loads in under 3 seconds even on 2G, making it perfect for developing markets. (Google Developers Case Study)

8. Rapid Updates and Maintenance

PWAs update themselves automatically through the web, so users don’t need to download updates manually. This way, everyone sees the newest version always.

Real-World Example: The Washington Post’s PWA loads 80% faster than their old site and updates content instantly, keeping readers engaged with fresh news. (Washington Post Engineering Blog)

9. Integration with Emerging Technologies

PWAs are now working with advanced technologies like WebAssembly, WebGPU, and AI tools. These help PWAs handle powerful features such as live data processing and high-quality graphics. This makes them useful for industries like gaming, online shopping, and healthcare, where speed and performance matter a lot.

Real-World Example: BMW made a PWA for an interactive car configurator, where people can customise cars with 3D images. By using WebGL and WebAssembly, BMW saw 4 times more conversions compared to their old mobile site. (Google Developers Case Study)

10. Support for Small and Medium Businesses

PWAs are very helpful for small and medium businesses (SMEs) that have less money to spend. They allow these businesses to give an app-like experience without spending big amounts on making separate native apps. This helps them compete with bigger companies.

Real-World Example: MakeMyTrip, a travel company from India, used a PWA and saw 3 times more conversions while cutting page load time to under 2.8 seconds. This helped them connect with people in smaller cities with slow internet, without building separate apps for iOS and Android. (Google Developers Case Study)

11. Environmental and Data Efficiency

PWAs are light and do not need much storage or data compared to native apps. This is good for the environment and also helps people who have costly or limited data, especially in countries like India. It matches the growing demand for sustainable and efficient technology.

Real-World Example: OLX India moved to a PWA and saw 250% more user re-engagement and cut the app size by 80% compared to their native app. This made it easier for people with low-end phones and small data packs to use. (Google Developers Case Study)

12. Growing Browser and Platform Support

Popular browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari are all improving how they support PWAs. Apple has also made PWAs better on iPhones with iOS 17 and later. On top of that, platforms like the Microsoft Store and Google Play now list PWAs, which helps more people discover them.

Real-World Example: Spotify made a PWA that people can install straight from their browser or find in the Microsoft Store. This gives users a smooth music streaming experience and helps Spotify reach more people without depending only on app stores. (Microsoft Developer Blog)

Addressing Your Context

Since you are interested in website redevelopment and modern design, PWAs could be a smart option for your projects. They can give fast, responsive, and installable web experiences, matching your focus on professional, user-friendly solutions. A PWA for your brand could help connect better with clients using push notifications and offline features, similar to what MakeMyTrip did, while keeping costs lower than building separate native apps.

Potential Limitations to Consider

• Learning Curve for Developers: PWAs use regular web technologies, but setting up things like service workers needs skilled developers, which you should keep in mind.
• App Store Visibility: Since PWAs skip app stores, they might not get the same visibility as apps on Google Play or the App Store, unless you do strong SEO and marketing.
• Battery Usage: Sometimes PWAs can use more battery than native apps, but browsers are improving this with new updates.

Future Outlook

The PWA market is expected to grow a lot. A 2024 report by MarketsandMarkets says the web app market (including PWAs) could reach $10.44 billion by 2027, because more people want mobile-first experiences. (Source: MarketsandMarkets)

As 5G spreads in places like India, where you are focused on infrastructure and business, PWAs will get even better with faster loading and richer features, making them stronger for the future.

Conclusion

PWAs are not just a passing trend but a powerful way to give modern, affordable, and high-performance digital experiences. With benefits like emerging technology support, helping SMEs, and saving data, they are solving many challenges. From big names like BMW to Indian companies like MakeMyTrip and OLX, PWAs have proven themselves. For your own projects, looking at PWAs can match your goals of modern, cost-effective, and user-focused websites. If you want, I can also help you go deeper into a PWA plan for GreyBath, or provide a step-by-step technical guide for your team.

Let me know what you would like to explore next!

Challenges and Considerations

Even though PWAs have many benefits, there are still some challenges to think about:

• Limited iOS Support: Apple’s Safari browser did not fully support PWAs before, but from iOS 16 onwards, things have improved with better service worker support.
• Feature Gaps: PWAs still cannot use some advanced phone features, like Bluetooth or very advanced camera options, which native apps can access.
• User Awareness: Many people do not know about PWAs and may be confused about how to add them to their home screen from a browser.

Still, with web technology improving, like WebAssembly and WebGPU, PWAs are catching up fast and becoming more powerful like native apps.

The Future of PWAs

PWAs are growing fast because they are affordable, easy to use, and perform very well. A 2023 report by Statista says that more than 55% of internet traffic comes from mobile web users. This shows why businesses must focus on better mobile web experiences. (Source: Statista)

Big companies like Microsoft, Google, and Mozilla are also supporting PWAs by adding them to their platforms, such as the Microsoft Store and Google Play. As 5G networks spread and web technology improves, PWAs will likely become the first choice for many businesses that want fast and flexible digital solutions.

Get in Touch

If you are interested in exploring a PWA for your business, feel free to contact GreyBath Technology. Our team can guide you with practical, cost-effective solutions for your website or app projects.

Contact GreyBath Technology