Progressive Web Application has been well-known for its ultra-fast speed and powerful features. It brings smooth app-like performance to websites and is an excellent alternative to native app development. But do you know why PWA stands out as the on-trend technology that any merchant wants to have? The answer lies in the innovative architecture that effectively provides dynamic web pages while increasing user experience. Let’s dig deeper into the remarkable progressive web app architecture.
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What Is A Progressive Web Application?
Progressive Web Application, a.k.a PWA, is built on website technologies but can deliver a responsive mobile experience like native apps. It is a modern approach favored by many e-commerce merchants.
When A Company Should Build A PWA?
If you want to improve the user experience of your web app, a PWA may be the right solution. However, before you decide to build a PWA, there are a few things to consider:
Are you targeting users on mobile devices? If so, a PWA can be a great solution because it will provide a more app-like experience that is optimized for mobile devices. If you are targeting users on the desktop, a PWA may not be the best solution because there are already many established ways to provide a great experience on the desktop.
Do you need offline mode or push notifications? If your web app requires these features, then a PWA is likely the best solution. Likewise, if you’re looking to create a more immersive user experience that feels like a native app, a PWA may also be the right choice.
Other factors to consider include whether your app needs to work on low-powered devices or in areas with spotty internet connectivity. PWAs are designed to be fast and reliable under these conditions, so if this is a requirement for your app, then going the PWA route is a good idea.
Do you have the resources to build a PWA? Building a PWA can be more complex than a traditional web app, so you will need to make sure you have the necessary resources in place. This includes developers with relevant expertise, as well as designers who can create a user-friendly interface. You will also need to invest in quality testing to ensure that your PWA is up to scratch.
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then building a PWA may be the right solution for your web app.
Uncovering Progressive Web App Architecture
Architectural styles and patterns
It is not a new concept when talking about Progressive Web App architecture styles and patterns. If you already have a website, you must have been familiar with accesses like CSR (client-side rendering); SSR (server-side rendering).
Client-side rendering refers to HTML generated by JavaScript in the browser. It allows offloads page updates in which the update processes instantly when users click. The benefit is enormous to level up the user experience without requiring a long wait to get the server connection in displaying content.
Server-side rendering refers to navigating a URL and HTML describing the page. This approach is ideal for search engine optimization thanks to fast loading, accurate content display, and improved data security.
PWAs can be constructed with any architectural style (CSR, SSR, or a combination of the two). It hybrids the best benefits of both Server-side and Client-side rendering. As a result, integrating PWA brings a responsive and progressive operation for E-commerce websites.
Key components
Service Workers
Service workers are a technology that allows you to have control over your network requests, as well as handle notifications and enable offline mode. They run in the background of a browser, separate from any web page, and can provide a great deal of functionality.
The life cycle of a service worker includes three steps: registration, installation, and activation. Once registered, the service worker will install and then activate it. It’s important to note that service workers only work on HTTPS pages.
One of the main features of service workers is the ability to manage network requests. You can use them to cache assets, which can speed up page loading times and reduce data usage. Additionally, you can use them to intercept and modify network requests, or even prevent requests from being made at all.
Another great feature of service workers is their ability to work offline. You can use them to cache resources and HTML pages, which will allow your users to continue browsing your site even if they’re not connected to the internet. You can also use them to send push notifications to your users, even when they’re not using your site.
Application shell
An application shell is a term used in web development that refers to the basic HTML, CSS, and JavaScript code that is necessary to power a user interface. It can be thought of as the skeleton of an application.
In a Progressive Web App, the application shell is the first thing to load when the user opens the app. This ensures that the user interface loads quickly, even if the user is offline. The application shell can also be cached so that it can be loaded quickly on subsequent visits.
One of the benefits of using an application shell is that it allows for dynamic content to be loaded separately from the main user interface. This makes it possible for the user interface to load quickly, even if there is a lot of dynamic content to download.
Another benefit of using an application shell is that it supports push notifications. This means that merchants can use Progressive Web Apps to deliver websites with instant and progressive performance.
Web App Manifest
A web app manifest is a JSON file that the browser uses to cached resources and offline mode. The manifest includes information like the name of the app, the icons, and the start page.
When a browser first connects to a network, it scans the manifest file, downloads the resources, and saves them locally. The browser then uses the local cache to render the web app offline without a network connection.
The metadata when adding a manifest can promote a splash page, high-resolution icon, brand name, and other attributes. Using a web app manifest can boost a dynamic mobile-friendly experience for customers.
Cache
Cache storage is a technique used to store data that is used often so that it can be accessed quickly without having to retrieve it from its original source each time. This is done by temporarily storing the data on a user’s device or in a third-party data center. When the data is needed again, it can be accessed from the cached location instead of having to be retrieved from the original source.
Cache storage is often used in online applications to improve performance. For example, a web page might load more quickly if some of its assets, such as images or scripts, are cached. This is because the assets don’t have to be downloaded again every time the page is loaded. Instead, the user’s device can simply access the cached assets from the local cache.
Cache storage can also be used to improve offline performance. For example, an application might cache all of its assets when it first starts up so that they are available even if the user is not connected to the Internet. This can help improve the user’s experience even when they are not able to connect to the network.
There are several different caching strategies that you can use in your PWA. The most common strategy is to cache full assets. This means that you will cache all of the assets for a given page, including both static and dynamic content. This approach can be effective for pages that are visited frequently or for pages that have a lot of static content.
Another caching strategy is to cache partial assets. With this approach, you will only cache selected assets, such as images or scripts. This can be useful for pages where most of the content is dynamic and doesn’t need to be cached. It can also help reduce bandwidth usage and save space on the user’s device.
Cache storage is a great tool for improving performance in online and offline applications. By using a caching strategy that best suits your needs, you can ensure that your PWA runs smoothly for your users.
Pros & Cons Of Progressive Web App Architecture
Pros
Lightning speed
PWA is built to cache data in the background, and it can boost ultra speed in 1-2 seconds. When users access your online store for the first time through PWA, all metadata and loaded site data will be stored on their devices.
Consequently, the information can be displayed as soon as possible in return visits. This results in better SEO rankings and user experience.
Multi-platform support
PWA is widely recognized for its multi-platform support. This means that it can work on various devices and browsers, making it highly adaptive for different users.
Some of the most popular browsers that PWA supports include Chrome, Safari, Microsoft Edge, Opera, Firefox, and even mobile programs like Android and iOS. This makes PWA a valuable investment for businesses as they can be assured that their website will be accessible to a majority of people.
Additionally, PWA also offers an engaging and smooth user experience on all platforms, which is another plus point for businesses.
Responsive interaction
PWA, or Progressive Web Apps, are designed to work well on any device, regardless of screen size or operating system.
Their responsive interaction means that customers will have a consistent experience whether they’re browsing on a desktop computer or a mobile phone. This makes PWA a more desirable option for online shoppers, as they can be confident that they’ll have a smooth and satisfying experience no matter what device they’re using.
This responsiveness is particularly evident on mobile devices. For example, if you’re using a PWA on your phone, the app will automatically resize to fit the screen. This makes it easy for users to navigate and interact with the app. In addition, because there is no need to download or install any additional software, users can start using your app right away.
Mobile-first approach
PWA can save you remarkable resources. It will deliver mobile-friendly performance without native app development at high costs and extended time. The “add to home screen” function makes it work smoothly like native apps without large memory and complicated process.
Powerful features
PWA or Progressive Web Apps is a new technology that is still in development, but it promises to bring many benefits to website owners and users.
One of the most powerful features of Progressive Web App architecture is that it allows websites to be used offline. This means that users can access your website even if they don’t have an internet connection. They will be able to view all the pages and even make changes, which will be saved when they have an internet connection again.
Another great feature of PWA is that it allows you to send push notifications to users. This means you can keep them updated on the latest news or offers without having to rely on them checking your website regularly.
PWA also provides high security for your website. It uses HTTPS encryption, which means that any information entered or transferred is protected from hackers.
Finally, PWA also enables social integration, so users can easily share your content on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter.
Easy to update
PWA can update automatically without user interaction. If you are a PWA developer, just make sure that the manifest file is up-to-date and that your server returns the latest version of the index.html file.
If you’re using a build system like Webpack, there are plugins to handle this for you. You can also use a service like Service Worker Precache to manage your cache and keep it up-to-date.
All users need to do is refresh their web browser and they will have the latest version. This makes sure that users always have the best possible experience with PWA, without having to worry about outdated versions.
Cons
When it comes to the disadvantages of Progressive Web Apps, the first thing that comes to mind is the lack of support on iOS devices. Splash pages, which are commonly used on websites to introduce or promote a brand or product, are not supported on PWAs. This can be a major drawback for businesses that want to create an engaging and interactive experience for their users.
Another limitation of PWAs is that they cannot be installed on iPhones and iPads in the same way as traditional apps. While this may not be a problem for some users, others may find it inconvenient or even frustrating that they can’t easily add a PWA to their home screen.
Read more: 10 Surprising Progressive Web App Benefits For eCommerce Stores
Websites That Progressive Web App Architecture Supports
With excellent features, PWA can support E-commerce websites extensively. Primarily, it can enhance dynamic operation for:
- Slow-loading websites: PWA can boost ultra-speed without eliminating heavy web material like the traditional method.
- Poor SEO websites: PWA can deliver responsive and reliable interaction for users. Therefore, it can help reduce the bounce rate and increase time on site, which is great to improve the SEO ranking.
- Mobile-driven websites: If the traffic from mobile is high and you want to develop a native app with a limited budget, choosing PWA is an excellent solution.
The Most Prestigious PWA Solution Provider
The robust structure of PWA makes it more advanced to level up E-commerce websites.
However, developing a smooth Progressive Web App architecture requires professional knowledge that not all providers can generate. That’s why choosing Tigren’s Progressive Web App development service is beneficial for you.
Our team can upgrade your website with the on-trend PWA technique at the highest quality. We have delivered premium PWA work for many worldwide brands like TruClothing, ShopEddies, Boonthavorn, etc.
With valuable experience, we ensure to equip your website with proper PWA architecture at a reasonable cost. You can choose to use our premium ready-made PWA theme or work on a customized PWA project.
We commit to supporting you dedicatedly for your highest satisfaction.
Send your request to [email protected] now so we can build a powerful PWA together!
Final Thoughts
The progressive web app is expected to become the leading technique for E-commerce businesses with robust architecture. Not only does it uplift your website with dynamic features, but it is also a perfect alternative to native app development.
Contact Tigren now to integrate this dominant technology into your online store. We ensure to bring the best-in-class PWA service to scale your online business.
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